Queenstown New Zealand Tourism (2020) Travel Guide

"Adventure Capital of New Zealand"

Queenstown Tourism

This little town in the Southern Island is not for the faint hearted! With a plethora of activities for the thrill seeker, coupled with some marvellous and picturesque attractions make Queenstown quite a memorable visit.

Situated in the southern island, with a backdrop of the southern alps and the Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is a mesmeric location. Queenstown might not be the most commercial and industrial city in New Zealand, but it's know very well among adventure activists all over the world. It is home to some of the most popular ski resorts in the entire country, and hosts thousands of visitors every year for the same. Apart from that, it is the place for the highest bungy jump in the entire country, the largest rope swing in the world, coupled with other exhilarating activities such as sky diving, ziplining and numerous trekking trails through the nearby hills. Not just adventure, Queenstown will also bring you one to one with some of the most beautiful places to be found anywhere on Earth, like the Milford Sound. The city presents itself as one of the best options for a weekend getaway in New Zealand, and makes a very strong case to be on your itinerary if you're visiting New Zealand for a week or more.

Top Places to Visit In Queenstown

Lake Wakatipu

The Remarkables

Coronet Peak

AJ Hackett Bungy

Skippers Canyon

Milford Sound

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Book Queenstown Activities

Queenstown Skyline Gondola and Luge Ride with Buffet Lunch/Dinner Option

Deals start $27

4.7 /5

1279 ratings

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NZONE Skydive Experience in Queenstown

Deals start $185

4.8 /5

575 ratings

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TSS Earnslaw Steamship Cruise

1 Hrs 30 Min - 4 Hrs Duration

Deals start $41

4.6 /5

249 ratings

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Shotover Jet Boat Ride

30 Min Duration

Deals start $93

4.8 /5

192 ratings

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The Nevis Swing

4 Hrs Duration

Deals start $125

4.9 /5

121 ratings

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Kawarau Zipride

2 Hrs - 5 Hrs Duration

Deals start $29

4.5 /5

63 ratings

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Queenstown Packages

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Magic of Auckland, Rotorua & Queenstown

6 Nights

Starting from $1,175

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Beauteous valley of Auckland, Rotorua & 2 places

7 Nights

Starting from $1,229

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Majestic Auckland, Paihia & 4 places

11 Nights

Starting from $1,426

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Dazzle with Auckland, Paihia & 5 places

12 Nights

Starting from $1,463

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Marvels of Auckland, Rotorua & 7 places

12 Nights

Starting from $1,852

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Romance in Auckland, Rotorua & 2 places

9 Nights

Starting from $1,897

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History of Queenstown

Queenstown and it's surrounding region was initially discovered by the Maoris centuries ago. The European settlers came to the region in the mid 19th century, the first of them being William Gilbert Reese and his brother in law Nicholas von Tunzelmann. Most of the development of the region occurred during the gold rush which took place in the 1850s. Afterwards, the town slowly developed when people began noticing the potential in the region, such as slopes ideal for skiing and the fiordland which was nearby. As more and more people began visiting the city, the area in and around began developing and eventually became what we see today.

Nightlife in Queenstown

ItÃªs wide array of activities during the day, and it's chilled out nightlife by the night, your days in Queenstown will be complete. All of you hip hoppers head to Tardis to have a buzzing night, or head over for an all night dance party to Boiler Room, usually open till 4 am, or just head to Searle Lane, a spacious joint which hosts live shows as well as DJs to dance to.

Shopping in Queenstown

Queenstown has a decent variety of shopping options for a town of it's size and population. Shopping for clothes, shoes, souvenirs, jewellery or accessories can all be done within the central business district of the city. The CBD is also home to many international and local brands.

Currency in Queenstown

The New Zealand Dollar is the only currency accepted in Queenstown. All major visa and MasterCard debit and credit cards are accepted throughout.

Exchanging Money in Queenstown

Travel Money NZ and Travelex provide currency exchanging services in Queenstown, along with a few other local booths as well. Travelex even has an ATM through which you can withdraw cash, which will be automatically converted at a reasonable rate.

Daily Budget for Queenstown

A trip to Queenstown can be managed in less, or it can also be very expensive. This is because adventure activities such as skiing, sky diving, or going to the casino can be very expensive, or you can totally avoid all these altogether, or pick one or two, and stick to hiking and normal tours around the area. Keeping these in mind, a low budget trip can be dealt with around NZD 80 - 130. Mid range budgets can lie around NZD 150 - 200. High budget trips covering most of the activities as well as tours can cost you around NZD 250 - 300 or beyond if you take helicopter rides, spend excessively on food and visit nightclubs on a daily basis.

Religion of Queenstown

Queenstown is mostly Christian.

Queenstown Customs

Queenstown not being very populous or large, the majority of the population here is very friendly and outgoing. DonÃªt be surprised if strangers greet you with a "Hello" on the streets. The general behaviour of the locals is quite casual and welcoming. It's customary in New Zealand however, that whenever you're invited to someone's house, you should carry a gift. There are no fixed notions on clothing either. Just dress neatly and you're good to go. be careful not to litter, as the Kiwis take very good care of their localities. It is not considered necessary to tip, however, as always you can leave a tip if you were happy with the service you were provided.

Language of Queenstown

The official language of Queenstown is English. It is spoken by mostly everybody in the city. About 2% of the population also speak French in the region.

Restaurants and Local Food in Queenstown

Local food in Queenstown is of a wide variety. There are more than a 100 cafes and restaurants, as well as fast food joints. Visit Rata on Ballarat Street, with Michelin Star chef Josh Emmets in the kitchen. Fishbone, like the name suggests is the perfect destination for fresh and delicious sea food. La Rumbla on Buckingham Street will leave you smacking your lips with it's Spanish and Mexican cuisine. Strolling around town you will discover many quaint and cosy cafes as well, serving some brilliant local food.
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Best Time to Visit Queenstown

Commuting within Queenstown

Visa Policy New Zealand

Queenstown Photos

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Top Hotels In Queenstown

Speargrass Rise

9.9 (43 reviews)

$ 256 onwards

The Old Ferry Hotel Bed & Breakfast

9.8 (115 reviews)

$ 152 onwards

The Canyons B&B

9.8 (125 reviews)

$ 160 onwards

Tihi Chalet by Touch of Spice

9.8 (5 reviews)

$ 866 onwards

White Peaks Villa

9.7 (8 reviews)

$ 446 onwards

Remarkable Queenstown Lake House

9.7 (10 reviews)

$ 433 onwards

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FAQs on Queenstown

What are the things to do in Queenstown?

The top things to do in Queenstown are Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, AJ Hackett Bungy, Skippers Canyon, Milford Sound. You can see all the places to visit in Queenstown here

What are the places near Queenstown?

The top places near to Queenstown are Te anau which is 85 km from Queenstown, Invercargill which is located 155 km from Queenstown, Glenorchy which is located 29 km from Queenstown, Arrowtown which is located 16 km from Queenstown, Dunedin which is located 171 km from Queenstown

What is the local food in Queenstown?

How much does a package cost for Queenstown?

The packages for Queenstown start at INR 88840 which can be further customized based on number of people, days, hotel category, vehicle type and customizations. You can have a look at all packages here

What are the top hotels in Queenstown?

There are 764 in Queenstown which can be booked through Holidify. The most popular hotels in Queenstown are The Alpine Retreat, Point Vista - Queenstown Holiday House, Speargrass Rise, Shimmerlake by MajorDomo, Remarkable Scene, Wakatipu Central. You can see all the hotels in Queenstown here

What is the best time to visit Queenstown?

Queenstown is fabulous throughout the year. This makes choosing an objective best time to visit fairly difficult, as different people have different requirements. Winters are a great time to visit Queenstown. This is due to many reasons, none more important than the fact that ski fields open during this period, which is usually the main reason people visit Queenstown. The town is bustling and fairly busy during the winters, and the end of June also sees the Queenstown Winter Festival being celebrated. Summers, on the other hand, are a busy time as well. Temperatures are warm and pleasant and everybody is out and about. You can go for treks, or relax at the shores of the Lake Wakatipu, or even take a swim! It is also a great time to stroll around and explore the town.
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Queenstown Reviews

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Ken Chiramel 1 year ago

Located on the South Island of New Zealand, Queenstown has become a mecca for adventure sports enthusiasts from around the world. Dubbed ?The Adventure Capital of the World?, Queenstown is home to many forms of adventure sports. The Kawrau Gorge suspension bridge crosses the Kawrau river, and allows people to bungee jump from the bridge into the waters below. Sky-diving from a plane above the Lake Wakatipu is a breathtaking experience. Walks along the lakeshore also provides splendid views of the Southern Alps. The legendary Fergburger burger joint will satiate any thrill-seeker?s appetite. However, Queenstown is far more than an adrenaline-junkie?s paradise, and it?s many wineries and vineyards stand testament to that. Taking a wine tour of a vineyard allows visitors to experience the wine country of New Zealand and indulge in the acclaimed wines of the region.

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