Say kia ora to the adventure capital of the world and get ready to embark on the trip of a lifetime.Â
Nestled on New Zealand’s South Island, Queenstown is not only a breathtaking city (no, literally, it might take your breath away) but also a heart-stopping place full of adventure. Characterized by its mountain ranges, sweeping lakes, and adrenaline-pumping activities, this resort town will provide you with a ton of jaw-dropping photos and even more unforgettable moments. From shooting along the Shotover river at 85kph and visiting the small charming region of Arrowtown, to relaxing with a glass of champagne in an onsen pool, our tours and holidays in Queenstown (Tahuna in Maori) are quite simply, nothing short of remarkable. Whether you've just finished a premium South Island Tour of New Zealand or you're waiting to begin a cycle New Zealand tour, make sure you check this town off your bucket list.Â
Our Queenstown Tours
10 Days
From
3988
Explore New Zealand’s South Island on a 10-day small group tour which includes Franz...
6 Days
From
1688
Explore the rugged reaches of the South Island on this six-day trip with Intrepid from...
4 Days
From
1095
Cycle New Zealand's South Island, from Queenstown to Middlemarch’s Otago plains. Follow...
17 Days
From
7749
Discover the best of New Zealand on a 17-day Premium adventure, taking in the most...
18 Days
From
7749
Discover the best of New Zealand on a 17-day Premium adventure, taking in the most...
Tailor-Made trips
Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
Things to do in Queenstown

Embark on a day trip to Arrowtown
If you love learning about the history of the place you’re travelling to then taking a trip with your Queenstown tour to the fascinating, old-mining destination of Arrowtown should be high on your priority list. Located a short 21km from Queenstown, Arrowtown provides an insight into New Zealand’s gold mining past and is surrounded by lush greenery and historical buildings. Walking along its quaint streets and browsing through the unique shops are just a few of the many things you can do in Arrowtown. Just a short amount of time in this town is all it takes to begin to understand the legacy of the miners who once lived there.

Speed along the Shotover river
If bungy jumping isn’t for you but you still want to experience something that’ll get your heart rate up, then racing through some of New Zealand’s breathtaking canyons at 85kph on your Queenstown tour is sure to do the trick. Embark a jetboat ride on the Kimi Akau (Shotover River) that’ll take you through the spectacular canyons at lightning speed on what is guaranteed to be a wonderfully exhilarating adventure. Operated by the Ngai Tahu, Maori people with a deeply spiritual and centuries-old connection with the land, you’ll be speeding over water as shallow as 10cm and we’re not even exaggerating.

Relax in one of Queenstown's Onsen hot pools
You know that speed boat activity we were just talking about? Well how about relaxing in a perfectly warmed, private spa with a glass of champagne while you’re overlooking part of the route that that very same boat takes? Indulge in the tranquility of your surroundings and let your mind relive all the fantastic memories you’ve made on this trip while your body starts to unwind. Offering a high-quality boutique day spa experience with a nod to traditional Japanese bathing techniques, this world-renowned spot is perched on the cliffs overlooking the Shotover River and has a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountain ranges.

Take a Lake Wakatipu boat cruise
There are few better ways to appreciate all New Zealand’s natural beauty than on a restored steamship gently gliding over the serene Lake Wakatipu. The third largest lake in New Zealand, Lake Wakatipu is interestingly in the shape of a lightning bolt and gives you a magnificent view of one of this country’s most beloved mountain ranges, the Remarkables. This cruise gives you ample time to absorb the stunning alpine scenery before you and might even have you wishing you never had to disembark. Â

Travel on a gondola up the skyline Queenstown
Offering the best view in all of Queenstown, the gondola at Skyline Queenstown not only provides the ultimate gateway to exhilarating adventures but also to one of the best culinary experiences going ‘round at their Stratosphere restaurant and bar. A whopping 450 metres high, the Southern Hemisphere’s steepest cable car allows you the chance to participate in once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, from exploring the galaxies on a clear night to traveling back down the mountain on a luge cart, taking corners and going through tunnels at speed.

Pig out at Fergburger
Becoming a compulsory stop in Queenstown, Fergburger is guaranteed to tickle your tastebuds. From the classic ‘Fergburger’ with prime NZ beef, lettuce, tomato, and onion to the ‘Ferg-lafel’ full of falafel patties, lettuce, avocado, and lemon yoghurt, this internationally famous takeaway spot ensure you’ll always be spoilt for choice. Don’t let its quaint appearance fool you, this fast-food restaurant not only packs a punch but also delivers on the flavour.
Queenstown Tour ReviewsÂ
Queenstown FAQs
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).Â
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.
Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
If you're traveling to Queenstown from a different part of New Zealand then the quickest and easiest way to do it would be via taking a flight into Queenstown airport with daily flights landing from destinations such as Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. However driving to Queenstown is also an option as all major highways are clearly marked with directions and offer easy transportation into the town with a scenic view along the way.Â
Getting around Queenstown is fairly easy with a bunch of different transportation options. If you traveled to Queenstown by car or want to hire one on your arrival then getting around Queenstown is quick and efficient with generous parking available in the town center. Alternately, Queenstown has an excellent public transportation system with the local bus network providing fares for $2 to all major suburbs within the town.Â
The weather in Queenstown is very different across the four seasons, from cold and snowy Winters to long and hot Summers. Some days in Queenstown can also feel like a mixture of a few seasons in one! Sitting against the Southern Alps, Summers in Queenstown can see temperatures between 20°C and 30°C, with Winters dropping down to 5°C. Despite these temperatures, Queenstown sees visitors at any time of the year, with lots do across the four seasons.Â
What to pack for Queenstown largely depends on what time of the year you're going in. As Winters can be quite cold, rainproof jackets, insulated clothing, and thick jumpers and coats are recommended, as well as gloves, socks, and beanies. If you're traveling in Summer then the temperature can be quite hot so dresses, t-shirts, shorts are acceptable. Remember to pack sunscreen to put on before you go outside to protect you against the sun's UV rays. It's also a good idea to bring sensible hiking boots or walking shoes as there are many trails in Queenstown you might want to explore.Â
Hiring a car in Queenstown is relatively easy. If you're flying into Queenstown from other parts of New Zealand, then you can hire a car easily from the airport with 9 car rental companies to choose from. The average cost of renting a car in Queenstown is roughly $36 per day and varies on the type of car you rent and how long you need it for.Â
For the months between April and September New Zealand uses NZST (New Zealand Standard Time) and from October to March, New Zealand observes daylight savings and so switches to NZDT (New Zealand Daylight Time). During NZST, New Zealand is 2 hours in front of the time in Australian cities such as Sydney and Melbourne, and 19 hours in front of Los Angeles time.Â
Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. Queenstown prides itself on providing accessible and inclusive adventures so everyone's able to experience the many activities that this town has to offer, and have a whole heap of accommodation with disabled access for ultimate convenience.Â
Read more about New Zealand
Jan 01, 2023
9 ways to get to know a place through...
Sometimes the best way to really get to know a place is by getting out into nature...
Dec 06, 2021
Get your feed on at these top Wanaka...
Refuel and recharge at these top restaurants in Wanaka.
Jun 25, 2021
6 culturally cool activities in...
Get your culture on with these cool cultural activities in Australia and New...
Jun 23, 2021
Family fun for every age in Australia...
Even if your family has already seen a lot of Australia and New Zealand, these kid...
Oct 07, 2021
East coast of the North Island in New...
The east coast of the North Island of New Zealand includes the stunning scenery of...
Aug 23, 2021
5 reasons to visit New Zealand’s...
The South Island of New Zealand is the star of the show for many visitors. Here...
Sep 28, 2021
South Island vs. North Island: which...
New Zealand is full of bustling cities and beautiful scenery but which island does...
Apr 20, 2023
10 ways to get closer to nature with...
Whether we’re exploring sparkling glacier caves in Iceland or virgin rainforests...
Aug 12, 2022
Australia or New Zealand? Where to go...
Here's an idea: visit one and then immediately go to the other one straight after.
Oct 25, 2017
Want to visit Lonely Planet’s 2018...
Looking for adventure in 2018? Look no further.
Apr 12, 2021
5 reasons to hop across the pond from...
With the announcement of a trans-Tasman bubble, we’ve compiled five fantastic...
Jun 15, 2018
Wandering the Winterless North: a day...
Calling the Bay of Islands the ‘Winterless North’ is a big statement, but this...
Jul 25, 2018
How to hike New Zealand’s Tongariro...
A go-to guide to New Zealand's most epic one-day hike.
Jan 17, 2022
7 Nelson walks that’ll take your...
The best way to explore Nelson is by walking around it.
Sep 30, 2021
The 6 best places to go for breakfast...
Choosing where to go for breakfast can be tough. Make sure you get it right!
Dec 03, 2021
5 of the best restaurants in Hawke’s Bay
Discover some of New Zealand’s most delicious dining options at 5 of the best...
Nov 21, 2021
Australia and New Zealand: 5 new...
Here are some of our favourite new Intrepid Premium accommodation options for an...
Aug 27, 2021
Arrowtown: the ultimate guide to...
It turns out that Queenstown is not where Mother Nature's beauty ends...
Aug 12, 2021
10 natural wonders you’ll only find...
There’s nowhere else on the planet that offers the diversity of landscapes,...
Sep 27, 2021
Sip your way through the 8 best bars...
From classic cocktails to creative concoctions, these top Christchurch bars have...
Oct 27, 2021
12 of the best Bay of Islands...
In case you're feeling overwhelmed at the many activities you can do in the Bay of...
Jul 16, 2018
Action-packed Aotearoa: an adrenaline...
It's not just Queenstown that gets the heart rate going.