Inspiration in Queenstown

Queenstown is a must-visit destination for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. In this article, we explore 20 must-do activities that will make your trip an unforgettable experience.

Top 5 Queenstown Walks

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Get beyond the town centre and you’ll soon discover why it’s called the Queenstown Lakes region. All this adds up to is a landscape built for walking. So, we’ve picked out our top 5 walks that can mostly be done in a few hours.

Queenstown to Jack's Point Bike Trail

Our guide to the incrediblly scenic ride from Queenstown to Jack's Point Golf Course. This bike ride covers two sections of the 130km Queenstown Trail , the Frankton Track/Kelvin Peninsula and the Jack’s Point sections.

Top 4 Otago Bike Trails

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Otago offers a series of thrilling biking trails in New Zealand. The 'Big 4' bike trails offer the chance over multiple days to discover eye-catching landscapes and learn of the region's gold mining and Maori history.

The Lake Dunstan Trail

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The Lake Dunstan Trail connects the towns Cromwell and Clyde and takes between 4 to 6 hours to complete by bike. It’s less than an hour’s drive from Queenstown if you’re starting at Cromwell.

Queenstown Stargazing

With its iconic alpine setting in the South Island, Queenstown is well known for being the 'adventure capital of New Zealand'. The four season resort has been built on its huge range of thrilling activities combinded with breathtaking scenery.

Helicopter Flight Options In Queenstown

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One of the most popular and breath-taking activities in Queenstown is a scenic helicopter flight. It’s a fantastic way to appreciate the stunning alpine scenery of Queenstown and further afield, with unrivalled views from above.

Our 4 Day Walk On The Clutha Gold Trail

The Clutha Gold Trail is a joy to walk. We’re by no means experienced hikers. In fact this was our first walk over 6 hours. But the relatively gentle terrain alongside the sparkling turquoise waters of the Clutha River meant we could actually enjoy rather than endure the walk.

An epic ride on the Twin Rivers Trail

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What a ride. What a day. Hiring a bike and riding on The Queenstown Trail is a truly enjoyable way to explore Queenstown and appreciate the beauty of the region. We hired a couple of e-bikes from the team at ‘Going Blue’ (highly Recommended) and took on the Twin Rivers Trail and part of the Arrow Bridges Trail that leads into historic Arrowtown and its gold mining history.

Walking the 4 Barrels Wine Trail

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The '4 Barrels Wine’ trail is a pleasant way to spend a few hours soaking up the Central Otago landscape along with premium wines on foot. Situated in Cromwell, the eight-kilometre loop trail, winds its way alongside Lake Dunstan and pretty orchards while winding past four wineries - Aurum Wines, Misha’s Vineyard, Scott Base and Wooing Tree Vineyard.

EBike Hire In Queenstown

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We like to cycle, not for exercise but as a fun and relaxing way to explore an area. Although burning off some calories is a welcome bonus. With no parking to worry about, or time pressure concerns, the fun of touring an area on 2 wheels is always appealing.

Searching For Lord Of The Rings In Queenstown

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A trip to Queenstown takes you to the heart of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit film trilogies. For both fans of the films and those who want to explore spectacular scenery, there are a number of guided tour options and different ways to visit the Lord of The Rings and Hobbit film locations. We’ve picked out a number to choose from.

Top 10 Unusual Activities In Queenstown

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Queenstown is an all year round resort with a well-earned reputation for adrenaline activities and winter sports. But what about those activities that offer something a little more unusual. We’ve created our top 10 unusual activities list for those looking for something a little bit different.

Top 7 Romantic Things To Do In Queenstown

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Beyond the skiing and huge variety of adventure activites, it might come as surprise that there are a number of romantic activities in Queenstown for couples.

Mount Iron Walk, Wanaka

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If you’re visiting Wanaka from Queenstown for a day trip or, staying in Wanaka, a great short walk close to the town centre to tackle is the Mount Iron Walk.

Top 10 Queenstown Sightseeing Spots

We've come up with our top 10 spots that offer a great representation of the region's beauty.

The Best Queenstown Day Trips

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A trip to Queenstown should include time to expore beyond the surrounding region with many of New Zealand's most beautiful sights within a relatviely short driving distance. To help you see more of the region, we've put together our guide to the top 5 day trip destinations to visit.

Top 7 Queenstown Winter Activities

There's no short supply of winter activities to experience in Queenstown. Given the mind boggling choice of activities to experience, we've picked our 'top 7 winter activities in Queenstown' to try.

Top 7 Adrenaline Activities in Queenstown

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For adrenaline seekers, it takes a certain type of activity to get the blood racing. For that reason, we've picked out our favourite seven high-octane experiences to tackle in Queenstown.

The Road To Glenorchy

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The 46 kilometre drive from the centre of Queenstown to Glenorchy is one of the world’s great drives. The New Zealand you imagined from watching the Lord or The Rings and Hobbit films, can be found here.

Arrowtown Bike Trail

The Arrow River Ride starts from Arrowtown and finishes in the wine region of Gibbston. Along with leading cyclists through some of the most captivating scenery, the trail is a great way to take in the region’s wine, food and historic landmarks

The Best Queenstown Boat Tours

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One of the most popular and best ways to appreciate the incredible setting and awesome scenery of Queenstown, is to take a Boat Tour on Lake Wakatipu.

Our Cycling Journey On The Otago Rail Trail

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Cycling the 152km Otago Rail Trail has been on my ‘New Zealand Bucket List’ since I arrived in New Zealand, 8 years ago. Well, I finally got around to it and set off on a 3 day trip across the historic railway line in December 2018.

Top 10 Views of Queenstown

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Our guide to the top 10 views that show why Queenstown needs to be on your 'bucket list'.

Top 7 Instagram Places In Queenstown

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Given that most visitors don't have the time we do to seek out the best spots to take in the amazing Queenstown scenery, we'd like to share,the best places to enjoy those

Doubtful Sound Cruise

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If you’ve dreamed of seeing one of the world’s forgotten treasures, where breathtaking cliffs meet expansive wilderness and far-reaching mountains, a Doubtful Sound c

Best shorts walks in Wanaka

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There is no better way to explore some of the magnificent vistas Wanaka has to offer than on foot with some of the local walks....

Milford Sound Cruises

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Milford Sound marks the moment where the cobalt-blue rollers of the Pacific Ocean mingle with the soaring peaks of the Fiordland National Park. It's estimated that just s

Queenstown For Kids

Away from the adrenaline, what does Queenstown offer for young families? It's equally as accessible for families with children of all ages. Read our guide to the 'best activities for kids in Queenstown' for inspiration.

Wanaka In The Wet

So you’ve made it to Wanaka, but the weather hasn’t got the memo, and it isn’t as sunny as you might like. Don’t despair - while Wanaka is renowned for its scener

Exploring Milford Sound by Bus, Boat & Plane

Inspiration Retreats & Relaxation

I’ve travelled overseas many times but somehow never got around to visiting Fiordland - particularly Milford Sound - despite repeatedly hearing rave reviews about its s

Relaxing In The Best Queenstown Spas

No holiday is complete without some deep relaxation at a luxurious day spa. Whether you crave a buff and polish, a rejuvenating massage, nourishing facial or a quick wax,

Skydiving in Queenstown

Skydiving in the bona fide Adventure Capital of the World is a bucket-list topper if there ever was one. Just imagine it: The serrated peaks of the mighty Remarkable

Top 5 Wanaka Activities

A guide to the top five things to do in Wanaka, New Zealand's thrilling adventure playground. With the world-class ski fields of Treble Cone and the stunning Lake Wanaka that the town overlooks, it’s easy to see why Wanaka continues to figure as one of New Zealand’s premier outdoor destinations

Queenstown Air Activities

Free as a bird adventures in Queenstown, New Zealand. Whatever your intention, as long as it involves getting airborne, Queenstown can deliver in spades.

Adventure Activities in Queenstown