Queenstown Travel Guide
Queenstown accommodation, Queenstown activities and attractions, Queenstown maps, transportation to and around Queenstown - the ALL NEW Jasons Queenstown Destination Travel Guide is your complete visitor guide for Queenstown.
Overlooking beautiful
Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the rugged peaks of the Remarkables, sophisticated Queenstown is one of
New Zealand's premier resorts and a great base for exploring the magnificent
Southern Lakes and
Fiordland regions. Famous as
New Zealand's Adventure Capital, Queenstown offers a raft of year-round activities to set your pulses racing. From bungy jumping and skydiving to jetboating, rafting and canyoning - you're sure to find something to bring out the adventurer in you. Queenstown's compact centre makes it easy to explore on foot, and there is excellent shopping, a lively café scene and plenty of events to keep you entertained.
During the cooler months, the clear blue skies and crisp days make it easy to get into the great outdoors and go exploring. The Queenstown countryside turns to stunning shades of gold and russet as autumn arrives, and the many lakes and rivers are perfect places for a picnic. You can take to the hills and go mountain biking, quad biking and horseriding, or enjoy the mountain views on one of Queenstown's walkways. For more leisurely sightseeing, go cruising aboard Queenstown's historic
steamship, take a balloon safari or scenic flight or ride the
gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak for a breathtaking vista across Queenstown and the lake. Wine and food lovers will enjoy a
tour of the region's award-winning vineyards. After dark, there's still plenty to do in Queenstown, with a casino, live jazz and bars and nightclubs open until the small hours.
Of course, winter means the start of the ski season and the region's world class
ski areas draw thousands of skiers and boarders each season to enjoy the winter fun at
Coronet Peak,
The Remarkables and
Cardrona. Queenstown’s après-ski nightlife is especially lively or just spend the evening relaxing at a cosy bar and enjoy the warmth of a roaring log fire. Winter also sees the arrival of Queenstown’s famous
Winter Festival – 10 days of outrageous events that welcome the start of winter with mountain races, wacky competitions, street parties, fireworks, live concerts, comedy, theatre and loads of family fun.
Further afield, you can visit charming
Arrowtown to explore the area's colourful goldmining history, and check out Queenstown's sister resort of
Wanaka, on the shores of
Lake Wanaka. Arrowtown makes a lovely stop in autumn, when the exotic trees on the main avenue put on a spectacular show of colour, and the town celebrates with its annual
Autumn Festival.
Geographic Location
South-west of the South Island
Population
16,050
Climate
Summer average: 19 - 29°C
Winter average: 3-10°C
Average rainfall: 1300mm/year
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