Queenstown is New Zealand’s adventure playground and there are hundreds of activities and attractions for you to enjoy in the area no matter what time of year you visit. Check out our recommendations for the top 10 things to do in Queenstown.
Milford Sound Fly/Cruise/Fly
Fly over the Southern Alps and marvel at the grandeur of snow capped peaks, see spectacular mountain lakes and waterfalls and then land at Milford – the flight is a buzz. Cruising along Milford Sound out to the Tasman Ocean is very beautiful and you may see dolphins, seals and lots of birdlife. Air Milford are our preferred operators, offering a great half day fly/cruise/fly excursion for $459.00 per person. This includes pick-up from the Hotel and return.
Enjoy Milford Sound with Air Milford scenic cruises
Skippers Canyon 4WD Safari
Skippers Canyon is a former gold-mining area once home to over 4,000 miners and now full of ‘ghosts’! Steeped in history and typical of Central Otago scenery Skippers Canyon is only accessible by 4 wheel drive vehicle and experienced drivers. The drive in is exciting, along roads carved from rock by gold-miners in the 1880’s. Once you reach the Shotover River it’s all about jet boating where you take an exhilarating ride through Skippers Canyon. This excursion is not weather dependent and you can choose between a 2.5 hour jet boat ride and drive in to Skippers Canyon at $129.00 per person or a 4.5 hour excursion which includes the drive, jet boat and museum (which is cool – old family relics and lots of ‘ghosts’) plus gold-panning! That’s $189.00 per person.
Boutique Wine Tour
A guided wine tour to some excellent, off the beaten track wineries in the Gibbston Valley and Bannockburn area is a great way to see and experience the buoyant Central Otago wine industry. Appellation Central Wine Tours, winner of Best of Wine Tourism Services 2011 offer a half day boutique tour catering to small groups. Including lunch and all tastings at choice wineries the cost for this is $165.00 per person and includes pick-up and return to the Hotel and of course your drive through the beautiful Central Otago wine country.
Bungy Jump
If you want to experience some high adrenaline activities you can’t go past bungy jumping. Queenstown is the home of bungy and you can choose between different locations and heights, prices are between $180 and $260 per person and include your jump, certificate and transport and of course the t-shirt!
Skydiving
Have you ever wanted to jump out of a plane? Queenstown is the place to do it! The professional team at Nzone are such that it couldn’t be any easier for you to ‘embrace the fear’ and enjoy a lifetime experience. Prices start at $269 per person and up to $429.00 for a 15000ft tandem skydive, that’s 60 seconds of pure adrenaline.
Rafting
The Shotover and Kawarau rivers are both splendidly beautiful and challenging enough to deliver an awesome rafting experience. Loads of fun, social and exciting this is one of the original Queenstown adventure pursuits and Queenstown Rafting have been leading operators since 1974. A half day rafting on the Shotover or Kawarau costs $195.00 per person and includes all you need plus transport.
Onsen Hot Pools
Unwind and enjoy stunning Queenstown scenery from your own private hot pool overlooking the Shotover Gorge. Relax in the comfort and privacy of a tranquil indoor/outdoor hot-pool surrounded by the rugged beauty of Queenstown. Enjoy the vistas during the day or the majesty of the stars at night. A private hot pool for 2 adults costs $80 for 1 hour and for $20 extra you can up the romance and include a candle pack to increase the ambiance.
Relax and unwind at Onsen Hot Pools
Ziptreck Ecotours – Flying Fox
An exhilarating zipline adventure situated high above Queenstown. Hang out in tree huts, breathe pristine mountain air and glide through the treetops enjoying spectacular views. Great fun for a group or couple and you can choose between a 4-line tour perfect for starters which takes 2 hours and costs $129per person or the higher and faster 6-line tour at 3 hours costing $179 per person.
Skyline Gondola & Luge
Skyline Queenstown has been an iconic landmark and visitor destination since the 1960’s. Recently refurbished, the Skyline restaurant complex offers buffet lunch and dinner with views of Queenstown second to none. Riding the gondola up and down Bobs Peak also offers beautiful views and is a leisurely and enjoyable experience. Once at the top you can ride the Skyline Luge which is a fast paced adventure ride for all ages. Gondola ride only is $25.00 per person return Gondola (rtn) and 5 luge rides is $48.00 per person.
TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station
Vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw, launched in 1912, and Walter Peak High Country Farm provide a highly visible link with Queenstown’s heritage. The cruise across Lake Wakatipu offers some lovely views and the old steamship is beautifully maintained and has a café and bar with plenty of viewing decks. Once at Walter Peak Station you can choose a variety of activities to enjoy such as horse treks, guided cycling, farm tour or my favorite the Heritage Tour which includes a guided house and garden tour of the Homestead, a Central Otago wine tasting and antipasto platter. You also have time to relax on the terrace and in the lovely gardens enjoying views of Lake Wakatipu. The cruise alone is $50 per person return and takes 1 hour 30 minutes and the Heritage Tour is $85.00 per person and takes 3 hours 30 minutes.
Booking Queenstown Activities
If you’re staying with us at Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel we’d be happy to help enhance your stay by booking an excursion. If you’d like us to book on your behalf or would like further information please contact us at hotel@queenstownpark.co.nz. Just let us know the activity you are interested in plus the time and date you would like to book and we will do the rest. We also offer a range of Queenstown Accommodation Packages which include some key local activities with the cost of your stay at our boutique hotel.
