Otago, New Zealand · New Zealand

Queenstown

Adventure capital, cradled by mountains and a glacial lake.

An alpine town on the shore of Lake Wakatipu where the Remarkables rise straight from the water, adrenaline by day, fine food by night.

Few places pack so much into one valley. Queenstown is bungy jumps and jet boats and ski fields, but also lakeside strolls, historic Arrowtown, a day trip to Milford Sound, and a dining scene that far outranks its size. Summer and winter feel like two different holidays, both extraordinary.

AlpineAdventureLakeScenic

Best for

Adventure + scenery

Ski season

Jun–Aug

From Australia

~3.5 hr flight

Lake

Wakatipu

Best time to visit

December–February (hiking, long days) or June–August (ski season)

Getting there

Fly direct to Queenstown from major Australian cities (approx 3–3.5 hrs).

A local secret

“Drive 20 minutes to Arrowtown and walk the old gold-mining trail along the river, in April the avenue of trees turns molten gold and the crowds are all back in town.”

Eat. Do.
Stay. Know.

Everything in Queenstown, indexed to the bone. Hover a row.

01
BurgersTown$$
Fergburger
The world-famous burger, yes, there's a queue, and yes, it's worth joining once.
UnmissableFamilyKids
02
Fine diningTown$$$$
Rata
Josh Emett's refined, forest-set fine dining, the special-occasion table.
CouplesLuxury
03
GrillLakefront$$$$
Botswana Butchery
Plush, lakeside and meat-forward, a grown-up Queenstown classic.
CouplesLuxury
04
Share platesSteamer Wharf$$$
Public Kitchen & Bar
Share plates on the waterfront, relaxed, lively and reliably good.
FamilyCouples
05
BakeryTown$
Fergbaker
Fergburger's bakery next door, get a pie or a chocolate brioche for the gondola.
FamilyKidsLocal secret
06
Pizza & pastaCow Lane$$
The Cow
A tiny stone-cottage pizzeria that's been warming visitors for decades.
FamilyLocal secret