Queenstown Travel Guide
Weather, best time to visit, and the best food, culture, nature and activities.
Typical prices
- Budget mealNZ$18.00≈ $10.21
- Mid-range mealNZ$38.00≈ $21.55
- CappuccinoNZ$5.00≈ $2.84
- Domestic beerNZ$10.00≈ $5.67
- Taxi (per km)NZ$3.00≈ $1.70
- Public transport ticketNZ$2.00≈ $1.13
- Museum entryNZ$30.00≈ $17.01
- Mid-range hotel (night)NZ$220.00≈ $124.77
Food & Drink
- FergburgerBurgers · $$
Legendary burger joint with a near-permanent queue, famous for oversized burgers like the Sweet Bambi venison burger.
- RataContemporary New Zealand · $$$$
Fine-dining restaurant by chef Josh Emett focused on New Zealand produce like Fiordland venison and local lamb.
- Fishbone Bar & GrillSeafood · $$$
Long-standing seafood restaurant on the main street known for its blue cod and chowder.
- Botswana ButcherySteakhouse · $$$$
Steakhouse and bar with lake views, popular for its dry-aged New Zealand beef.
- Vudu Cafe & LarderCafe · $$
Popular cafe for breakfast and coffee, known for its counter of baked goods and hearty brunch plates.
- The World Bar
Quirky bar known for its flaming Woo Woo shot ritual and eclectic decor, a rite of passage for visitors.
- Below Zero Bar
Ice bar where drinks are served in glasses made of ice inside a chilled room, a novelty stop on a night out.
Culture & History
- Kiwi Birdlife Park
Conservation park in town where visitors can see live kiwi birds in nocturnal enclosures alongside other native species.
- Reading Cinemas Queenstown
Small-town multiplex screening current releases, with a boutique 'Deluxe' lounge-seating cinema upstairs.
- Winter Festival (Queenstown Winter Pride/Festival)
Multi-day winter festival with fireworks over the lake, ski and snowboard events, and live entertainment.
Nature & Outdoors
- The Remarkables
Dramatic jagged mountain range and ski field directly across the lake from town, one of Queenstown's two main winter ski areas.
- Coronet Peak
Queenstown's original ski field, closest to town, with night skiing sessions under floodlights in winter.
- Ben Lomond
Peak reachable via the Skyline Gondola and a hiking track, offering panoramic views over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.
Active & Fun
- Snap Fitness Queenstown
24-hour gym chain location near the town center with standard cardio and weight equipment.
- Alpine Aqualand
Public indoor pool and leisure center with a heated lap pool, popular for escaping the winter cold.