Queenstown New Zealand: why everyone stays longer than planned

Queenstown is one of those places where everything comes together: rugged mountains, a deep blue lake, adrenaline-packed activities for thrill-seekers and plenty of laid-back hotspots for those who just want to relax. You can go hiking, taste wine, jump in a jet boat or simply sink into a seat with a gigantic burger in this super fun little town. The town is small but vibrant, and you immediately feel the energy that makes Queenstown so famous. There are great restaurants with stunning views over the water and a lively atmosphere everywhere you look. And of course, every tourist grabs the famous Fergburger.

We ended up here after our amazing days in Wanaka and quickly understood why Queenstown is often called New Zealand’s favorite spot by travelers. Looking back, two nights was truly not enough for us. You’ll read exactly why in this blog. We even said: we could actually live here. Unfortunately, our family & friends are just a bit too far away to make that happen. It’s also the perfect stopover on your route towards Doubtful – & Milford Sound.

Lunch with a view from Wanaka

Before driving into Queenstown, we looked for a beautiful lunch spot in the Queenstown-Lakes District. And it turned into lunch with a view! You can find the exact location on Google Maps here. A tip from a local in Wanaka: take Cardrona Valley Road between Wanaka and Queenstown. This route is much more scenic and not much longer than the one Google Maps normally suggests. If you open the link above, you’ll see the difference in route. With our sandwiches in hand and mountains in the background, we immediately got into the right mood. Since it was already December, we decided to add a bit of Christmas spirit with a cheerful holiday playlist. A special combination: 17 degrees, mountains, and still Last Christmas blasting through the speakers. To be honest, it didn’t quite feel the same as in the Netherlands.

Queenstown itself: small but vibrant

Normally we’re not really “city people,” but we absolutely loved Queenstown. It’s a small town (by New Zealand standards relatively large), beautifully located on Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by rugged peaks. In winter you can ski in the nearby ski areas, in summer it’s fantastic for hiking. Queenstown is perfectly located for every nature lover. Too bad it’s so far away from our home country!

We wandered through the streets, along the small beach, through a park and over the waterfront. Everywhere you see cozy terraces, people strolling by the water with an ice cream or coffee, and that relaxed atmosphere that is so typically New Zealand. You’ll also find plenty of shops here if you want to stock up for the rest of your trip.

Everyone eats a Fergburger

When you walk through Queenstown around dinner time, one thing will stand out: you’ll see a lot of people eating a hamburger. A Fergburger, to be precise. There’s a lot of hype around this burger joint. It’s said to be one of the best burgers in the world! Well, our curiosity was definitely triggered while we were in Queenstown. We also went in search of the Fergburger. And it absolutely did not disappoint!

Another personal favorite: the Cookie Time Cookie Bar. A must for anyone with a sweet tooth. We had already become fans of this cookie brand during our trip (you can only buy it in New Zealand), so a visit to the bar was a must. And yes… we ended the day with a thick cookie for dessert.

Adventure & adrenaline in Queenstown

Queenstown is known as the place where commercial bungee jumping once began. You can jump from the Kawarau Bridge (43 m) or, if you want something even more extreme, the Nevis Bungy (134 m!).

Other typical adrenaline activities:

• Shotover Jet – A high-speed jet boat ride through the narrow Shotover Canyon.
• Skydiving – Free fall with views over the Southern Alps and Lake Wakatipu.
• Paragliding – From Bob’s Peak you’ll often see paragliders landing in the valley.
• Mountain biking & luge – Take the Skyline Gondola up and race down with a luge (cart) or downhill mountain bike.

We didn’t do these ourselves, but the vibe of Queenstown is clear: this is where you can do everything that makes your heart race.

We went skydiving in Wanaka ourselves. In Queenstown, I would recommend booking in advance, because it’s one of the busier towns in New Zealand during summer and therefore fairly crowded by New Zealand standards.

The Remarkables & Lake Alta Track

The mountains you see from Queenstown are called The Remarkables for a reason. In winter you can ski here, but in summer this area is just as beautiful. There’s a great hike here: the Lake Alta Track.

What we didn’t know: before you reach the starting point, you first have to drive 14 kilometers uphill. The final stretch is unpaved and winds up toward the ski area. Quite an adventure in itself, but absolutely worth it! You’ll see planes taking off and landing while you’re standing much higher up, and you’ll have fantastic views over Queenstown.

Once at the top, the hike begins toward the glacial lake Lake Alta, located at more than 1,800 meters altitude. The trail isn’t very long, but it’s challenging due to the elevation and loose stones. At the top, an incredible view awaits: a crystal-clear blue lake surrounded by rugged mountain peaks and sometimes even patches of snow if you visit in November or December. We thought this was a fantastic hike and a fun adventure, because of course you still have to make your way back down.

I once read that a scene from The Lord of the Rings was filmed at Lake Alta, but I couldn’t find much more about it. Are you a big fan? Maybe you’ll recognize it. I noticed before that this can be quite difficult because of all the special effects used in the movie.

More famous hikes around Queenstown

Below is another beautiful list of hikes I would have loved to do myself… but unfortunately, we only planned 2 days here. Still a huge shame and definitely a reason to return one day. Choose for yourself which hikes appeal to you most. The Ben Lomond Track in particular is very well known.

Ben Lomond Track

An absolute classic. You start from Queenstown (or take the gondola) and climb in 6–8 hours to the summit (1748 m). At the top, a 360° view awaits over Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables and the Southern Alps. Tough, but worth it.

Queenstown Hill (Te Tapu-nui)

A shorter hike (2–3 hours return) to a beautiful viewpoint. At the top stands the Basket of Dreams: an artwork symbolizing dreams and ambitions. We thought this was a perfect hike for anyone wanting a quick impression.

Routeburn Track

One of New Zealand’s official Great Walks. The starting point is in Glenorchy (about a 45-minute drive). You can walk the full 32 km over several days, but you can also do day hikes. Expect impressive valleys, waterfalls and mountain passes.

Lake Hayes Walkway

An easy 8 km loop walk, ideal for a relaxed afternoon. At sunset, the mountains reflect beautifully in the lake.

Moke Lake Track

Just outside Queenstown, a peaceful 2-hour walk around a small lake. Less touristy, very beautiful.

More highlights & activities

We didn’t do these ourselves, but they might be great for you!

• TSS Earnslaw Cruise – Historic steamship cruise over Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Farm. Touristy, but a true classic.
• Onsen Hot Pools – Private hot pools overlooking the Shotover River. Especially popular with couples.
• Wine tours in Gibbston Valley – Known for Pinot Noir. You can visit multiple vineyards by car or bike.

Day trips from Queenstown

• Milford Sound & Doubtful Sound – The fjords are accessible from Queenstown with a day trip or multi-day tour. (Check my separate blogs about these as well!)
• Glenorchy & Paradise – At the end of Lake Wakatipu. Known for Lord of the Rings filming locations.
• Arrowtown – An old gold mining village just 20 minutes away. Very atmospheric, especially in autumn.
• Cardrona – On the way toward Wanaka. Known for the Cardrona Hotel (very photogenic) and the hilarious Bra Fence. This is along the route I mentioned at the beginning of this blog.

Stargazing in Queenstown

At night there’s yet another reason to stay: stargazing. Recently, official Dark Sky zones have been established nearby: the Kawarau Gibbston Dark Sky Park and the Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary. Perfect for anyone wanting to see the Milky Way or the Southern Cross without driving far.

Final tips for Queenstown

• Campsites: Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park is popular among camper travelers. Book early during high season. Around Christmas, almost everything is fully booked. Planning to stay at a campsite during the holidays? Start looking right now.
• Best time to visit: summer months (Dec–Feb) for hiking and outdoor activities, winter (June–Aug) for skiing.
• Transport: parking in Queenstown can be tricky. Many parking spots in the center are paid. We had a hotel on the edge of town and simply walked into the center from there.

Queenstown is truly packed with great hotels. We stayed at Scenic Suites Queenstown, which was very neat and comfortable. Your car is parked on their property, so you can easily walk into town. Queenstown is full of hotels, as you can see on the map below.

Lees ook: Doubtful Sound Cruise Boat Trip

Queenstown is a place that surprises you. We came for the nature and hikes, but were surprised by the lively atmosphere, the great food and the combination of town and mountains. It’s small, cozy and at the same time a hub of adventure. For us, it felt like a place where you’d easily want to stay longer.

From Queenstown we continued to Doubtful Sound for a 2-day cruise (an absolute must!) and later also to Milford Sound. Here you’ll find New Zealand’s impressive fjords. Queenstown turned out to be the ideal stopover: a vibrant town surrounded by mountains and lakes, and the perfect base to further explore the south of New Zealand.