A guide to the town.

Queenstown is small—most of what's listed here is walking distance from most of the rest of it. These are places we like, or that people we trust have recommended.

Eats

Queenstown is surprisingly good for food. A few highlights:

Sunfire Fergburger Fergbaker Mrs Ferg Patagonia Chocolates Walter's Tavern Botswana Butchery The Cow The Bathhouse Mackenzie Coffee Pier The Boatshed Cafe

Drinks

A few we'd point you to.

The Pig & Whistle Pub Rhino's Ski Shack Wharf Bar Smith's Craft Beer House The Sundeck Bardeaux Yonder

Things to do

There's more here than the view.

Queenstown Gardens Queenstown Hill Walkway Lake Esplanade Trail Onsen Hot Pools TSS Earnslaw Steamship Cruise Skyline Gondola + Luge Shotover Jet Kawarau Bungee Jumping

Day trips

Some of the best parts of New Zealand are within a few hours of Queenstown. Rent a car and give yourself a full day.

Arrowtown

20 minutes away

A well-preserved gold rush town tucked into a wooded valley. Good cafés, a charming main street, and some of the best pies in the South Island. Easy to do in a half day.

Glenorchy

45 minutes away

The drive alone is worth it. The road hugs the edge of Lake Wakatipu through some of the most stunning scenery in New Zealand. The town at the end is small and slow. Buy a coffee and stay a while to take in the view. Has short hiking trails too.

Wanaka

1 hour away

Quieter than Queenstown. A lake town with a slower pace. The drive over the Crown Range is one of the best in the country.

Mount Cook

3.5 hours away

New Zealand's highest peak, deep in the Southern Alps. The drive through Mackenzie Country and past the turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki is half the experience. It has several hiking trails ranging from easy to hard. Absolutely worth it.

Milford Sound

5 hours away

A full day. The drive there is half the experience. Better when it rains.

Good to know

A few practical things that will make your stay smoother.

Tipping isn't expected. New Zealand doesn't have a tipping culture. Exceptional service is always appreciated, but you'll never be expected to leave one.

Always wear your seatbelt. Yes, even passengers at the back. Passengers, not the driver, are fined if they're seen not wearing a seatbelt.

Coffee is taken seriously here. Flat whites were born in this part of the world. Skip the Americano or Latte and order one. You won't go back.

Trust the chef. New Zealand's best restaurants tend to cook with what's local and seasonal. If a place has a degustation or a chef's menu, it's usually worth trusting it. The food here is genuinely good when it leans into where it comes from.

The tap water is drinkable. Everywhere. Fill a bottle and don't think twice about it.

Shops close earlier than you'd expect. Most close by 6pm, some by 5. Plan any errands earlier in the day.

The weather changes quickly. Queenstown in late summer is generally mild, but conditions can shift easily. A light layer in your bag is always a good idea.

Cards are accepted almost everywhere. New Zealand is largely cashless. You'll rarely need physical money, but having a small amount on hand for markets doesn't hurt.

The left side of the road. Driving is on the left, steering wheel on the right. Take the first few minutes to settle in before getting onto busier roads.

GST is included in all prices. No surprises at checkout. What you see on the menu or price tag is what you pay.