The Ninth Harbour › New Zealand
Queenstown
The adventure capital of the world, on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.
Ringed by the Remarkables, Queenstown is where bungy jumping went commercial. Summer brings jet boats, hikes and wine tours; winter brings four ski fields. Milford Sound is a day trip away.
Best time to visit: December to February for summer, June to August for skiing. Language: English, te reo Māori. Currency: New Zealand dollar (NZD).
Did you know?
- The world’s first commercial bungy jump opened at the Kawarau Bridge in 1988.
- The TSS Earnslaw has steamed across Lake Wakatipu since 1912.
- Milford Sound was described by Rudyard Kipling as the eighth wonder of the world.
Things to do in Queenstown
- Cecil Peak (Hill, free): Cecil Peak is a mountain in the Wakatipu Basin, New Zealand and reaches a height of 1,978 metres.
- St John's Church (Presbyterian) (Church, free): St John's Church is a heritage-listed Presbyterian church at Arrowtown, near Queenstown in New Zealand's South Island.
- Walter Peak (Hill, free, hidden gem): Walter Peak is a mountain located near Queenstown, New Zealand.
- Queenstown Gardens (Botanic garden, hidden gem): The Queenstown Gardens, located next to the town of Queenstown, New Zealand, is a botanical garden which contains a variety of exotic and native trees and plants as well as a large pond and a range of facilities.
- Fiordland National Park (National park): Fiordland National Park is a national park in the south-west corner of South Island of New Zealand.
- Mount Aspiring National Park (National park): Mount Aspiring National Park is in the Southern Alps of the South Island of New Zealand, north of Fiordland National Park, situated in Otago and Westland regions.
- Sutherland Falls (Waterfall, free): Waterfall near Milford Sound in New Zealand's South Island.
- Browne Falls (Waterfall, free): Browne Falls is a waterfall above Doubtful Sound, which is located in Fiordland National Park, New Zealand.
- Cardrona Bra Fence (Sight): The Cardrona Bra Fence is a tourist attraction in Central Otago, New Zealand.
- Humboldt Falls (Waterfall, free): Humboldt Falls is a waterfall located in the Hollyford Valley in the Fiordland district of New Zealand.
- Roys Peak (Hill, free): Mountain in New Zealand.
- Bridal Veil Falls (Waterfall, free): Waterfall near Routeburn, Otago, New Zealand.
- Fantail Falls (Waterfall, free): Waterfall in New Zealand.
- Sentinel Peak (Hill, free): Sentinel Peak is located to the north-east of "The Neck" on New Zealand's South Island.
- Rob Roy Peak (Hill, free): Rob Roy Peak is a 2,644-metre-elevation mountain in Otago, New Zealand.
- Karetai Peak (Hill, free): Karetai Peak is a 2,206-metre-elevation mountain in Fiordland, New Zealand.
- Te Wera Peak (Hill, free): Te Wera Peak, also known as Mount Te Wera, is a 2,309-metre-elevation mountain in Fiordland, New Zealand.
- Tuhawaiki Mountain (Hill, free): Tuhawaiki Mountain, also known as Mount Tuhawaiki, is a 2,092-metre-elevation mountain in Fiordland, New Zealand.
- Mount Gunn (Hill, free): Mount Gunn is a 2,044-metre-elevation mountain in Southland, New Zealand.
- Jean Batten Peak (Hill, free): Jean Batten Peak is a 1,971-metre-elevation mountain summit in Otago, New Zealand.
- Pyramid Peak (Hill, free): Pyramid Peak is a 2,295-metre-elevation mountain summit in Fiordland, New Zealand.
- Ngatimamoe Peak (Hill, free): Ngatimamoe Peak is a 2,164-metre-elevation mountain summit in Fiordland, New Zealand.
- National Transport and Toy Museum (Museum): The National Transport and Toy Museum in Wānaka, New Zealand is one of the largest private collections in the Southern hemisphere and displays a large collection of items including over 650 vehicles, 23 aircraft and 100,
- Mount Bonpland (Hill, free): Mount Bonpland is a 2,343-metre-elevation mountain in Otago, New Zealand.
- Mount Huxley (Hill, free): Mount Huxley is a 2,505-metre-elevation mountain in New Zealand.
- Eastern Southland Gallery (Art museum): The Eastern Southland Gallery is a major provincial art gallery in Gore, New Zealand.
- Thunder Creek Falls (Waterfall, free): Thunder Creek Falls is a waterfall in Mount Aspiring National Park, Westland District, New Zealand.
- Roaring Billy Falls (Waterfall, free): Roaring Billy Falls is a waterfall in Mount Aspiring National Park, Westland District, New Zealand.
- Gates of Haast (Waterfall, free): The Gates of Haast is a gorge on the Haast River in Mount Aspiring National Park in the South Island of New Zealand.
- Giant Gate Falls (Waterfall, free): Summit in New Zealand.
- Christie Falls (Waterfall, free): Waterfall in New Zealand.
- Earland Falls (Waterfall, free): Waterfall in New Zealand.
- Hidden Falls (Waterfall, free): New Zealand waterfall.
- Mackay Falls (Waterfall, free): Waterfall in Fiordland, New Zealand.
- Mills Peak (Hill, free): Mills Peak is an 1,825-metre-elevation mountain in Fiordland, New Zealand.
- Access Peak (Hill, free): Access Peak is an 1,865-metre-elevation mountain in Fiordland, New Zealand.
- Sabre Peak (Hill, free): Sabre Peak is a 2,162-metre-elevation mountain in Fiordland, New Zealand.
- Mount Underwood (Hill, free): Mount Underwood is a 2,222-metre-elevation mountain in Fiordland, New Zealand.
- Warbirds and Wheels (Museum): Warbirds & Wheels in Wānaka, New Zealand was a museum displaying military aircraft and early 20th century classic and vintage automobiles and motorcycles.
- Mid Dome (Hill, free): Mid Dome is a prominent mountain in the northern Southland region that overlooks the township of Five Rivers and the Waimea Plain.
- Anderson Park (Park, free): Anderson Park is a park in Invercargill, New Zealand.
- Coronation Peak (Hill, free): Coronation Peak is a 1,769-metre-elevation mountain in Fiordland, New Zealand.
- Mount Axford (Hill, free): Mount Axford is a mountain in Fiordland National Park, New Zealand.
- Landslip Hill (Hill, free): Landslip Hill is located on the boundary of Southland and Otago, in the South Island of New Zealand, between Tapanui and Pukerau.
- East Gore Presbyterian Church (Church, free): East Gore Presbyterian Church is a former Presbyterian church located in Gore, New Zealand.
- Peninsula Hill (Hill, free, hidden gem): Hill in New Zealand.
- Cascade Peak (Hill, free, hidden gem): Hill in New Zealand.
- Mount Revelation (Hill, free, hidden gem): Hill in New Zealand.
- Taiaroa Peak (Hill, free, hidden gem): Hill in New Zealand.
- Mount Syme (Hill, free, hidden gem): Hill in New Zealand.
- Triangle Peak (Hill, free, hidden gem): Hill in New Zealand.
- Niobe Peak (Hill, free, hidden gem): Hill in New Zealand.
- Sarpedon (Hill, free, hidden gem): Peak in New Zealand.
- Aeroplane Peak (Hill, free, hidden gem): Hill in New Zealand.
- Popes Nose (Hill, free, hidden gem): Hill in New Zealand.
- Treble Cone (Hill, free, hidden gem): Hill in New Zealand.
- Mount Pisa (Hill, free, hidden gem): Hill in New Zealand.
- Hirere Falls (Waterfall, free, hidden gem): Waterfall in New Zealand.
- The Chasm (Waterfall, free, hidden gem): Waterfall in New Zealand.
- Rob Roy Falls (Waterfall, free, hidden gem): Waterfall in New Zealand.
Where to eat and drink in Queenstown
- Fergburger, Town centre: Queenstown’s legendary burger joint. Worth the queue.
- Botswana Butchery, Town centre: Lakeside steakhouse in a historic cottage.
- Rātā, Town centre: New Zealand produce from chef Josh Emett.
- Amisfield Bistro, Lake Hayes: Long winery lunches beneath the mountains.
- Vudu Cafe & Larder, Town centre: Queenstown’s favourite breakfast, by the lake.
- Little Blackwood, Steamer Wharf: Cocktails on the waterfront.
- Essence, Queenstown: New Zealand’s most celebrated tasting menu.
- Fino Wine Bar, Frankton: A standout new wine bar.