Nestled beneath a monumental mountain range called The Remarkables and overlooking the sapphire waves of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is every outdoorsy traveler’s dream destination.

As part of my ten-day South Island New Zealand road trip, I spent nearly half the time exploring Queenstown and the local towns nearby. 

With a variety of adventure activities for all levels of courage and infinite hiking and biking trails to discover, Queenstown is a breathtaking place you could easily spend forever exploring.

However, rarely ever do we get to stay forever in our favorite travel destinations. This detailed travel guide covers how to spend an unforgettable three days in Queenstown to make forever feel a little less far away.

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Why Visit Queenstown, New Zealand?

Queenstown is a magical place with a variety of things to do for every type of traveler.

Known as the “adventure capital” of New Zealand, there are so many amazing adrenaline-inducing activities for daring travelers. 

From bungee jumping off Kawarau Bridge, to skydiving over the Remarkables, to jetting through the Shotover Canyon, there are numerous ways to get your heart pounding in Queenstown.

But Queenstown offers more than just heart-racing activities. The stunning nature is usually what brings many travelers to New Zealand.

Hiking trails decorate the local landscapes surrounding the South Island town – creating the perfect adventure for outdoorsy travelers of all skill levels.

And with a variety of local eats to indulge in, foodies can feast on a whole lamb shoulder, with buttery potatoes (Pedro’s House of Lamb) or enjoy an intimate, Michelin-inspired dinner (Kamana Nest). The options are endless (and delicious!).

There are so many reasons to add Queenstown to your bucket list. I know you’ll love it as much as I do!

When is the Best Time to Visit Queenstown?

Queenstown is the perfect travel destination year round. 

Spring in Queenstown offers a blend of winter and early summer activities like late-spring skiing. New Zealand tends to be less busy during off- and shoulder-seasons so spring is a great time for budget travelers to visit New Zealand.

Summer in Queenstown, New Zealand’s busiest season, sees relatively warm temperatures and sunny days – the perfect weather for exploring the local scenery and hiking trails.

Fall in Queenstown is the ultimate showcase of vibrant crimsons and bright yellows as the leaves change colors. 

Winter in Queenstown is the perfect time to travel to New Zealand to experience local South Island skiing. Coronet Peak and Cardrona Alpine Resort are two epic ski destinations for winter fanatics.

Where to Stay in Queenstown

BEST BUDGET:

Adventure Queenstown Hostel

Adventure Queenstown Hostel is the perfect social hub for backpackers or families with a tight budget. Located in the heart of downtown Queenstown, Adventure Queenstown Hostel is centrally located and offers comfortable dorm-style and private accommodations for all types of travelers!

BEST MID-RANGE:

The Dairy Private Hotel

The Dairy Private Hotel marries modern luxury with affordable prices. Located in the heart of downtown Queenstown, this four-star hotel is one of the best boutique hotels in Queenstown.

BEST LUXURY:

Kamana Lakehouse

There’s no place quite like Kamana Lakehouse. Featuring coveted lake-view rooms overlooking Walter Peak and Lake Wakatipu, this luxury hotel located outside the hustle-and-bustle of downtown Queenstown is the perfect luxury getaway for couples and families with large budgets.

How to Spend 3 Days in Queenstown

The Perfect Queenstown Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Day 1: Downtown Queenstown and Its Surrounding Scenic Views

Discover local cafes, ride the Skyline Gondola, enjoy Lake Wakatipu from on board the TSS Earnslaw

So you’ve made it to the adventure capital of New Zealand…what next?

Start your morning in Queenstown at one of the many incredible brunch restaurants like Odd Saint which serves up breakfast classics like Eggs Benedict, chicken and waffles, and breakfast sandwiches.

After breakfast enjoy a scenic walk through Downtown Queenstown, stopping in Earnslaw Park to catch a glimpse of the shimmering waves of Lake Wakatipu. 

If you’re planning to visit during New Zealand summer and your Queenstown itinerary falls on a Saturday, visit the local market in Earnslaw Park that showcases handmade goods made by New Zealanders from all over the country. 

My most prized possession – a souvenir that beats every fridge magnet and Christmas ornament I’ve collected – is a handmade New Zealand wine bottle flattened (by high heat) and transformed into a beautiful wall clock.

After your scenic walk through the heart of Queenstown, head to the Skyline Gondola, first stopping at Kiwi Park, a local wildlife sanctuary home to the New Zealand Kiwi. 

Kiwi Park is the perfect family-friendly place to discover local conservation efforts and see the national bird of New Zealand.

Nearby Kiwi Park is the entrance to Queenstown’s Skyline Gondola, a scenic ride up Bob’s Peak that offers breathtaking bird’s-eye views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.

If you’re planning on staying in Queenstown for several days, I recommend purchasing the three-day Skyline Gondola pass, which includes unlimited use of the Gondola for three consecutive days. This pass is also great for travelers who plan to hike the Ben Lomond track, which starts at the top of the Skyline Gondola.

There are numerous options for lunch in Queenstown. Some of my favorites include Pog Mahone’s, a local pub and grill, and Bella Cucina, a centrally-located Italian restaurant.

After lunch it’s time to explore Queenstown onboard the TSS Earnlsaw – the Southern Hemisphere’s ONLY passenger-carrying, fully-functional steam ship.

The TSS Earnslaw is the best family-friendly activity in Queenstown and is one of my favorite activities overall in New Zealand. As an Engineer, I was fascinated to see how the steam ship operated while cruising around Lake Wakatipu (the scenery was unimaginably beautiful!).

This scenic boat ride cruises out and back to Walter Peak Farm. However, several tours like this gourmet BBQ at Walter Peak Farm allow you to ride the TSS Earnslaw to the farm and depart to explore the farm. Horseback riding in Queenstown is the perfect way to explore the scenic backcountry around Walter Peak.

After an unforgettable cruise along Lake Wakatipu, end your first day in Queenstown at the scenic restaurant inside Kamana Lakehouse, Nest at Kamana.

Every table at Nest has a beautiful view of the lake and the scenery surrounding it. This Michelin-inspired restaurant is romantic and intimate, and offers quality, locally-sourced meals for an affordable price.

That concludes day one of your three-day Queenstown itinerary! Get some rest – tomorrow’s schedule is filled with thrill-seeking adventure!

Day 2: Adventurous Queenstown and Its Local Flavors

Choose you own adventure activity and discover Queenstown’s local restaurant scene

Day 2 in Queenstown is all about experiencing the thrills of New Zealand. 

After all, what’s the point of visiting the adventure capital of New Zealand if you’re not going to partake in any adrenaline-inducing adventure?

Start your morning at Fergbaker, a local-approved bakery serving fresh made pastries and more loaves of bread than you can count. Fergbaker is adjacent to the town’s most popular burger joint, Fergburger, which sources its hamburger buns from the bakery next door.

Queenstown has enough adventure activities to satisfy even the most courageous of travelers. After day two in Queenstown, ADVENTURE will become your middle name. 

Here are the top adventure activities in Queenstown:

Bungee Jumping

Brought to Kawarau Bridge by adventure extraordinaire, AJ Hackett in 1988, bungee jumping is the most popular adventure activity in Queenstown. If you’ve never bungee jumped before, I recommend starting with the 43 meter leap off of Kawarau Bridge – the birthplace of bungee jumping in New Zealand.

There are even higher leaps (Nevis Bungy) and tandem swings (Nevis Swing) if you want to skip ahead to the “final bosses” of adventure activities, but bungee jumping at Kawarau Bridge is a great place to start.

Queenstown Shotover Jet

There’s no better way to explore the scenic landscapes surrounding the Shotover Canyon than onboard the supersonic (it feels like) Queenstown Shotover Jet.

This family-friendly adventure activity is a thrilling step above the relaxing cruise along Lake Wakatipu onboard the TSS Earnslaw and is perfect for people who don’t want to jump off a bridge.

Queenstown Paragliding

I first tried (and fell in love with) paragliding in Interlaken, Switzerland. I loved soaring over scenic landscapes as if I was a bird flying high in the sky.

Queenstown offers unforgettable paragliding experiences departing from Bob’s Peak and Coronet Peak. This activity is a little less nail-biting as bungee jumping, but still requires a decent amount of courage!

Canyoning

For a more “rugged” experience through the local landscapes, try a half-day canyoning adventure. Canyoning combines the best adventure activities, clmbing, swimming, zipling and more, for an incredible experience through stunning New Zealand landscapes.

Take your pick, or choose multiple! You won’t have any regrets in the adventure capital of New Zealand.

If you have some time before dinner (or after an early dinner) and want to relax after an adrenaline-inducing experience in Queenstown, I recommend booking a private hot tub and massage at Onsen Day Spa. 

Overlooking the breathtaking scenery of the Shotover Canyon, a relaxing soak in a cedar-lined hot tub at Onsen Day Spa is the ultimate way to sooth your nerves and relax your sore muscles. 

Dinnertime calls for a Queenstown classic – Pedro’s House of Lamb. Serving up the one-dish specialty, an entire lamb shoulder plated with buttery roasted potatoes, Pedro’s House of Lamb is the perfect dinner to wrap up your second day in Queenstown. 

To sit on a picnic bench outside the small local-approved restaurant, devouring a juicy, slide-off-the-bone lamb shoulder with my hands (like a cavewoman) was the PERFECT way to end the day. Lamb so good, you’ll want to come back for seconds!

That concludes day two of your epic three-day Queenstown itinerary! Tomorrow we embark on an outdoor adventure and discover local towns near Queenstown!

Day 3: Queenstown Outdoors and Nearby Towns

Embark on scenic hikes or nature walks and visit nearby towns with New Zealand flair

Queenstown is the ultimate destination for hikers, bikers and outdoor adventure extraordinaires.

Day three in Queenstown is all about discovering epic local trails with scenic views of unbeatable New Zealand scenery.

Start your morning early at Balls and Bangles, a local donut and bagel shop serving mouthwatering bagel sandwiches and donut delicacies.

Balls and Bangles offers quick bites for an affordable price – perfect proportions for hikers hoping to load up on carbs before hitting the trails.

If you’re not an advanced hiker, or prefer a scenic stroll rather than a challenging climb, I recommend enjoying the morning discovering the walking trails in Queenstown Gardens – a beautiful botanic garden with scenic views and great places to picnic or relax with a book.

For the advanced hikers visiting Queenstown, I highly recommend you spend at least one day of your Queenstown itinerary hiking the challenging-but-rewarding Ben Lomond Track.

Offering spectacular bird’s-eye views of Queenstown at the summit, Ben Lomond Track is the most popular hike in Queenstown.

Starting from the top of the Skyline Gondola (Bob’s Peak), you’ll traverse 11 kilometers of rugged New Zealand trail and climb over 1,400 meters in elevation. This formidable track is no easy feat – but it is ABSOLUTELY worth the climb. 

The hike to the Ben Lomond summit is difficult and you’ll need to plan for 6-8 hours of hiking to complete the trek.

Start early to avoid potential afternoon weather and always be prepared with necessary hiking gear and snacks! I recommend visiting a local grocery store in Queenstown and stocking up on local snacks. Cured local venison and fresh fruit were my snacks of choice!

Once the challenging trek to the Ben Lomond summit is complete, you’ll be hungry for something distinctly local. Head to Fergburger, Queenstown’s most popular burger joint, for a post-hike reward. There’s nothing like a juicy hamburger with a bucket of greasy fries after a challenging hike! You earned it.

Exhausted from the challenging day of hiking, you’ll probably want to spend the afternoon resting before dinner. Earnslaw Park is the perfect place to unwind and stretch your muscles.

If you have access to a car, I recommend driving to the nearby town of Arrowtown for dinner. This former mining town in the heart of the Central Otago region of New Zealand is one of the most beautiful small towns in the South Island. 

For a romantic dinner in Arrowtown, I recommend booking reservations at Aosta, a local Italian restaurant serving traditional Italian recipes with fresh, New Zealand ingredients. 

That concludes day three of your epic Queenstown three-day itinerary! Enjoy the rest of the South Island!

If you have an extra day in Queenstown…

If you have extra time to spend in the South Island I recommend taking a day trip from Queenstown to other incredible regions such as the scenic Central Otago Wine Route (a wine lover’s dream!) or Milford Sound (an incredible National Park worth the drive!).

(EXTRA) Day 4: Day Trips from Queenstown 

Milford Sound

Discover Fiordland National Park by guided tour or drive yourself!

Fiordland National Park should be at the top of everyone’s South Island New Zealand bucket list. 

With monumental mountains ascending high over the dark waters of Milford Sound, this fantasy-like National Park is the epitome of New Zealand’s natural beauty. Waterfalls cascade down rocky cliffs, rainforests blanket the valleys, and mist drifts across the fjords like a fantasy novel come-to-life. 

Whether you’re cruising through Milford Sound, hiking one of the scenic walking tracks like the Routeburn Track, or soaking in the serenity of the landscape, Fiordland feels like stepping into another realm.

Self-guided E-bike Tour of Gibbston Valley Winery

Explore New Zealand’s local wine region at your own pace

When I visited New Zealand, I had no idea how important viticulture was to the local economy.

Queenstown is just outside the Central Otago Scenic Route which features a collection of local wineries.

The most common varieties include Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, and Chardonnay. Each winery has their own method and secrets to growing and producing local New Zealand wine.

A self-guided E-bike tour along the Central Otago Scenic Route is a great way to support the local economy, enjoy local wine varieties, and get your exercise in for the day.

Conclusion

Is Three Days in Queenstown Enough Time?

Three days in Queenstown is the perfect amount of time to discover downtown attractions, embark on thrill-seeking adventures, and traverse the scenic landscapes surrounding Queenstown. If you have more than three days to spend in New Zealand, consider a South Island road trip!

I hope you enjoy the beauty of Queenstown – it’s one of my favorite places not only in New Zealand, but in the entire world!