Queenstown, South Island

Built around Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu on the South Island of New Zealand, Queenstown is an enchanting combination of natural beauty, epic film locations from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, beautiful spas & resorts, exceptional cuisine, and a range of adventure sports, including the world’s first Bungy jump, jet boating, river rafting, hiking, horse trekking, cycling and skiing in the winter.

Queenstown is the gateway to Milford Sound, a breathtaking fjord that Rudyard Kipling once called the “eighth wonder of the world.” Visitors can take guided tours by bus, drive themselves, or even fly to Milford Sounds from here. For those familiar with the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit series of films, Glenorchy, a 45 minute drive from Queenstown, is a must visit. Glenorchy is the filming location for several of the mythical destinations in the film series, including Isengard, Amon Hen, the Lothlorien Forest, the Misty Mountains, and Ithilien. Other key sights close to Queenstown include Arrowtown, with its rich gold mining history, Lake Wanaka, the Lindis Pass, and Lake Pukaki, which is famous for its turquoise blue waters and spectacular views of Mount Cook.

Activities

Exciting and memorable things to do

Skyline Queenstown

Take a scenic gondola ride up to the top of Bob’s peak for breathtaking views of the Queenstown Area and Lake Wakatipu. Then, experience the various attractions on Bob’s Peak including fine dining at the Stratosfare Restaurant & Bar, the Skyline Luge, various hiking and biking trails, or Skyline’s guided stargazing experience.

Shotover Jet Boat Experience

Experience the beauty of the Kimiākau (Shotover River) Canyons, and learn about the Ngāi Tahu, the indigenous Māori people of the Queenstown area, while traveling at over 90 kilometers per hour over water as shallow as 10 centimeters on one of the world’s most exhilarating jet boat rides.

Milford Sound Cruise

Explore Milford Sound, a dramatic fjord on New Zealand’s south island that Rudyard Kipling once called the “eighth wonder of the world.” Sail past Bowen Falls, Sinbad Gully, Mount Pembroke, and the mighty Mitre Peak all the way to the Tasman Sea, and lookout for fjordland crested penguins and bottlenose dolphins along the way.

Kawarau Bridge Bungy Jump

No visit to Queenstown would be complete without a stop at the historic Kawarau Bridge Bungy center, the world’s first Bungy jump, which started operations in 1988. Nestled into a rock face overlooking the stunning Kawarau River, this 43 meter Bungy jump is still one of the most popular and exhilarating adventure experiences in the world!

Middle Earth Helicopter Tour

Discover Middle Earth from the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies, on this helicopter tour from Queenstown. Fly over the Shotover River gorge recognisable as the ‘Ford of Bruinen’ as well as ‘Isengard’, ‘Lothlorien’ and much more. Land high on a glacier alongside the ‘Misty Mountains’ and get a sense of what it might be like to cross ‘The Redhorn Pass.’