17 Relaxing Things to Do in Queenstown, New Zealand
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Queenstown is called the journey capital of New Zealand and attracts adrenaline junkies wanting to leap off bridges, swing via canyons, and ski down mountains.
However there are many stress-free issues to do in Queenstown if you wish to discover at a slower tempo.
This is without doubt one of the most stunning elements of the nation with a surprising location on large Lake Wakatipu surrounded by alpine mountains. Turquoise rivers, dramatic canyons, and picturesque vineyards are discovered close by.
From soaking in sizzling swimming pools to sampling native pinot noir, stress-free on seashores to biking via vineyards, there’s a lot to do in Queenstown in each summer season and winter. We’ve visited thrice, most lately for a month, and nonetheless haven’t bought bored.
On this put up, I share our favorite Queenstown actions for these of you, like us, who don’t fancy a bungy soar. You’ll additionally discover our favorite Queenstown eating places and cafes, suggestions on the place to remain, transport ideas, and a helpful map.
Contents
The place is Queenstown New Zealand?
Queenstown is situated within the Otago area within the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island. Arriving by automobile, it’s a 1.5 hour drive from Wanaka, 4 hours from Dunedin, 7 hours from Christchurch and 5 hours from Milford Sound.
See the map on the finish of this put up with the areas of those Queenstown actions.
Finest Issues to Do in Queenstown
I’ve included prices for these Queenstown points of interest when relevant (many are free). All costs are in New Zealand {dollars}. The present change price is NZD $1 = AUD $0.95, USD $0.70, GBP £0.51, and EUR €0.59.
1) Calm down with a View within the Onsen Sizzling Swimming pools
Probably the most stress-free (and romantic) exercise in Queenstown is soaking in one of many Onsen Hot Pools overlooking the Shotover River Canyon.
Guide an hour in one of many non-public cedar tubs and luxuriate in beautiful views of the turquoise river and rugged mountains. The retractable roofs make them appropriate in any climate.
On a busy street journey, we actually appreciated our hour of quiet leisure consuming a glass of bubbly within the swimming pools.
It's also possible to mix a soak within the swimming pools with a therapeutic massage, facial or different spa therapy.
Particulars: A one-hour soak within the original Onsen Hot Pools prices from $126 for 2 adults. Towels, a drink and a snack are included within the value.
Book well in advance here—in excessive season all of the sundown slots have been already booked up two months earlier than our go to. The swimming pools are situated in Arthur’s Level, a 10-minute drive from Queenstown. A complimentary shuttle is out there.
2) Cycle to the Gibbston Valley Wineries
My favorite Queenstown exercise is cycling from Arrowtown to the Gibbston Valley wineries. Not solely is that this a incredible car-free option to pattern the very good Central Otago pinot noir, however the surroundings is spectacular.
You'll be able to cycle at any time of yr however autumn was particularly wonderful. We rode via golden forest, throughout suspension bridges, alongside the turquoise Kawarau River, and previous terraced vineyards beneath craggy mountains.
E-bikes made the 23km trip (roughly two hours of biking) simple, and our rental firm picked us up on the final vineyard (simply in addition to Mt Rosa gave us 10 wines to strive!). For those who don’t need to cycle the entire approach, they'll drop you nearer the wineries.
Our favorite cellar doorways are Kinross (additionally nice for lunch), Peregrine, Brennan, and Mt Rosa.
On a later journey, we additionally spent the evening at one of many Kinross Cottages overlooking the vineyards, which I extremely suggest.
Learn our detailed information to the Gibbston Valley wineries for every part it's worthwhile to know.
Particulars: We employed e-bikes from Going Blue ($149) who picked us up from our lodging in Queenstown, dropped us in Arrowtown and picked up us from a vineyard of our selection later within the day (simply textual content them one hour earlier than you're prepared). The service was glorious and so they had the newest bikes. Check availability here.
For those who don’t need to cycle, try this half-day wine tasting tour to 4 cellar doorways with a educated information. Alternatively, be a part of an affordable hop on hop off winery bus tour.
3) Stroll or Paddleboard at Moke Lake
Moke Lake is a small however beautiful lake that feels far-off from all of it regardless of being solely a 20-minute drive from Queenstown. It’s surrounded by mountains which can be mirrored within the water on calm days.
One in every of my favorite issues to do in Queenstown is standup paddleboard on Moke Lake—it’s so peaceable. The lake can be an amazing spot to picnic or swim (in summer season) and there’s a wonderful, simple 6km trail around the lake (it took us 1 hour quarter-hour strolling briskly).
The DOC campsite right here can be a beautiful place to remain. In order for you extra luxurious, Glam Camping Queenstown has a number of fashionable glamping tents and geodome which can be on my record for subsequent time.
Particulars: Moke Lake is a 20-minute drive from Queenstown. The final part is a slim gravel street that may be difficult for those who meet automobiles coming within the different course. I solely suggest it for assured drivers. It’s 4WD solely in winter and spring.
For those who don’t have a paddleboard, this Moke Lake Experience contains kayak or paddleboard rental and transport from Queenstown.
4) Fly to Milford Sound for Unbelievable Views
Cruising Milford Sound is a Queenstown should do for a lot of guests, regardless of being a five-hour drive away. This glacier-carved fjord with its hovering peaks and dramatic waterfalls is without doubt one of the most stunning locations in New Zealand.
We didn’t fancy spending all day on a Milford bus tour, so we flew on a small plane to Milford Sound as an alternative, and it was properly well worth the splurge. The flight was simply as spectacular because the boat cruise via Milford Sound and the entire journey solely took 5 hours.
In simply half a day we skilled dramatic mountain ranges, snowy peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, braided rivers, lush farmland, dense native forest, gushing waterfalls, and even dolphins and seals. It's one among our high experiences in New Zealand.
Mitre Peak mirrored within the water at Milford SoundSee our put up about flying from Queenstown to Milford Sound for extra particulars and images.
If you wish to discover Queenstown from above however can’t afford the Milford journey, try this short helicopter ride which incorporates an alpine touchdown.
Particulars: We did the Milford Sound Flight and Cruise trip with Air Milford which at present prices $449. It features a 35-minute scenic flight on a small aircraft, a two-hour cruise via Milford Sound, and the flight again on a distinct route for extra unimaginable views.
I like to recommend taking a morning flight to keep away from the bus excursions that arrive in Milford round noon. Book here for early in your journey as flights will be cancelled as a result of climate.
5) Chill Out on a Lake Wakatipu Seaside
Queenstown Bay Seaside in autumnAmong the best issues to do in Queenstown in summer season, when the temperature can attain 30ºC, is to loosen up on one of many many seashores on Lake Wakatipu.
At 80km lengthy, Lake Wakatipu is the third largest lake in New Zealand, and there are many seashores to select from.
Queenstown Bay Seaside, proper within the centre of city, has a wonderful view of Cecil and Walter Peaks, however it’s packed in summer season. It has the benefit of being subsequent to Patagonia for scrumptious gelato and you may hire kayaks and paddleboards right here.
A brief stroll from city, you’ll discover St Omer Park, the place lawns and weeping willow timber overlook the lengthy pebbly seashore. It’s beautiful in autumn when the timber flip golden. In summer season I swam right here whereas staying on the close by QT Queenstown Hotel, however it may well get busy.
My favorite seashore is at Sunshine Bay, situated 3km exterior city, which will be reached with a five-minute drive or 1.5-hour stroll on the Sunshine Bay Monitor.
The seashore is about again from the street so it feels secluded, and the timber present loads of shade. Even on a sizzling vacation weekend in summer season, it wasn’t too crowded.
Sunshine Bay seashore in summer seasonAdditional alongside the Queenstown to Glenorchy Highway, you’ll discover Wilson’s Bay, one other fairly seashore, though it’s nearer to the street, and lovely Bob’s Cove, reached by a 10-minute stroll from the automobile park (see under).
I like to swim within the lake however be warned, it's chilly! On calm days, standup paddleboarding is an effective way to get out on the water.
Particulars: You'll be able to hire standup paddleboards at Queenstown Bay Seaside, and the Small Planet Outside store marketed inflatable paddleboards if you wish to get on the water farther from city (beneficial as the primary seashore is busy with boats).
6) Uncover the Scenic Viewpoint on Bob’s Cove Monitor
Bob’s Cove is without doubt one of the greatest locations to go to in Queenstown for a brief stroll with an Instagrammable view. It has a wonderful seashore and community of trails a 20-minute drive from Queenstown on the best way to Glenorchy.
There are longer trails (together with to Twelve Mile Delta), however our stroll from the automobile park to the lookout and again was 3.8km and took slightly below an hour with 111 metres of elevation achieve.
It may be a bit complicated—first observe indicators to Lime Kilns and Jetty Direct (20 minutes), a straightforward stroll via native bush to the seashore, jetty, and historic lime kiln from the 1800s.
After the jetty observe indicators for the Picnic Level Loop (20 minutes). That is the toughest half, however it solely took about 10 minutes of strolling uphill to achieve the highest.
It’s price it for a surprising view of the bay and wider expanse of Lake Wakatipu from a bit of peninsula that juts into the lake.
The loop continues onwards with extra pretty views on the descent, however it’s fairly steep and will be slippery after rain—first rate footwear are a good suggestion. On the backside of the hill go left again to the seashore for a swim or past to the automobile park.
Particulars: Bob’s Cove Monitor is marked on Google Maps. Search for the DOC signal the place there’s a small automobile park.
7) Hike Up Queenstown Hill (Te Tapu-nui) for 360º Views
View from Queenstown Hill summitQueenstown Hill known as Te Tapu-nui in Maori or Mountain of Intense Sacredness. The path up this 907m mountain is brief however steep and rewards with incredible 360º views of Queenstown, the lake and surrounding mountains. It has a excessive reward to effort ratio even when it would get your coronary heart pumping.
You might stroll right here from the centre of city, however we saved 200 metres of elevation achieve by driving to the trailhead on Belfast Terrace the place there’s a small carpark.
From there it was a 5.8km return hike to the summit and took us 1 hour 40 minutes (plus breaks) with 422 metres of elevation achieve.
Strolling down from Queenstown Hill summitA lot of the hike is thru the forest—the primary part is steepest however it will get a bit of simpler because it zig zags up the hill. About midway up the path splits—we went left for the shorter, steeper path and got here down the marginally longer path.
After 2km and 40 minutes of strolling, we reached the Basket of Desires sculpture, however it’s properly price persevering with the additional quarter-hour to the summit the place the views are astounding.
You'll be able to see in all instructions to the Remarkables, Cecil Peak, Ben Lomond, the gondola, airport, and Coronet Peak ski subject. Even on a cloudy afternoon, it was spectacular.
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