If you love adventure, breathtaking scenery, great wine and delicious food, it’s hard to think of anywhere more perfect than Queenstown. Surrounded by a crown of mountains, this buzzing little resort town on New Zealand’s South Island has made a name for itself for being the adventure capital of the world.
Adrenaline junkies flock here to test their mettle at the bungees, swings and skydives. Snowsports enthusiasts love the winter slopes and wine connoisseurs enjoy the abundance of vineyards in the surrounding Central Otago region.
If you want to spend 3 or 4 days here, planning your Queenstown itinerary can seem a little daunting when there’s just no end of things to do.
I’m here to help!
I’ve spent quite a bit of time in Queenstown (I couldn’t get enough of the place!) so I’ve picked out some of my favourite attractions to add to your bucket list. Ready? Here’s how to spend 4 days in Queenstown.
Quick facts about Queenstown
Don’t miss the Remarkable Mountains at sunset on your Queenstown itinerary!
- Queenstown is a resort town located in the Southwest of New Zealand’s South Island on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.
- The Maori name for Queenstown is Tahuna which means ‘shallow bay’.
- Queenstown is the birthplace of bungee jumping. AJ Hackett turned this hair-raising sport into a commercial venture from Kawarau Bridge.
- The Shotover River was one of the richest gold-bearing rivers in the world before the 19th century Gold Rush.
- Queenstown Gardens are home to the world’s first Frisbee Golf Course.
- The Skyline Queenstown Gondola is the steepest cable car lift in the world and it opened in 1968 together with the luge.
- Queenstown has a long ski season which lasts from early to mid-June through to early October.
- The town is in the Otago Wine Region and over 900 hectares of the surrounding land is dedicated to wine production.
How to get to Queenstown
The view halfway up Queenstown Hill
The easiest way to get to Queenstown is by car or bus. The town does have an international and domestic airport so it’s also possible to fly – although it’s not the most budget-friendly option!
If you’re not a big fan of driving, there is a good range of bus options available. You can make use of popular backpacker tour buses such as Stray and Kiwi Experience.
These buses are great if you’re keen to take the more scenic route to Queenstown. Their passes are flexible and suit a range of budgets and timeframes (you can find out all about Kiwi Experience and how it works here).
Another bus you can take is InterCity. It’s a relatively affordable service but if you want to keep costs down then make sure you book your tickets in advance. I recommend getting the FlexiPass for this as it works a bit like a hop-on, hop-off bus pass.
Best time to visit Queenstown
Another view from Queenstown Hill…
The best time to visit Queenstown really depends on what you’re interested in but in my opinion, there’s really no wrong or right time. The town is packed with adventures all year round.
If you love snow sports then make sure you time your visit with the ski season. Unsurprisingly, temperatures can get pretty chilly this time of year and not all outdoor activities will be running.
That being said, there’s still plenty to do whether you want to hit the slopes or not!
I visited Queenstown in winter and loved it. Yes, the town was busy but most people left for the mountains during the day.
In summer, it tends to fill up with tourists and hotels are usually more expensive. Still, it comes down to preference. Whatever time of year you go, I can guarantee that the atmosphere will be electric.
Looking for more New Zealand travel tips? Check out my complete guide here.
How to spend 4 days in Queenstown
Queenstown Hill… but you can see why there are so many photos
Now that we’ve sorted out the logistics, it’s time to move on to the fun part – your 4-day Queenstown itinerary!
Day 1: Enjoy the Skyline
Put on your walking boots and hike the most famous trail in Queenstown.
The Skyline and Ben Lomond
Queenstown from the Skyline
Queenstown is cradled by mountains so it goes without saying that there are some truly spectacular views. Its most popular local walking trail is up Ben Lomond. If you don’t want to commit to a solid 7-hour hike then you can walk or take the gondola up Bob’s Peak to the Skyline.
Here, you can find a breathtaking lookout point, cafes, souvenir shops and the formidable AJ Hackett Ledge Bungy. It’s not for the faint-hearted. If you’re not quite ready to take it on then you can also do the luge (my preferred choice).
To get to the summit of Ben Lomond, follow the same route up Bob’s Peak and carry on going past the Skyline. The trail is pretty steep but you can cheat and take the gondola up some of the way.
Safety tip: In winter, the final leg will most likely be under a blanket of snow and ice. You don’t need a guide but it’s a good idea to have the right equipment (boots, thick clothing and walking poles etc) and bring a friend along just in case.
Read More: How to Hike the Tongariro Crossing in Winter
Day 2: Trip to Milford Sound
The best day trip from Queenstown is hands down Milford Sound.
Located in Fiordland National Park in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island, Milford Sound is known for its breathtaking rainforests; mountains that rise up out of the inky water; tumbling waterfalls and wildlife, including fur seals, penguins and dolphins.
With an average rainfall of 182 days in the year, Milford Sound is one of the wettest inhabited places in the country – and even the world.
It’s an extraordinary experience and deserves a place on any New Zealand itinerary. Here’s how to see it:
Milford Sound day trip
Milford Sound on an unusually sunny day
The easiest way to see Milford Sound is by cruise. Alternatively, you can take a scenic flight or hike some of the popular Milford Sound trails. To get there, drive or take the coach (which is a lot less hassle).
The most cost-effective way to enjoy Milford Sound is if you book a day tour that includes all your travel and a cruise.
There is a range of tour companies to choose from, including InterCity and Kiwi Experience. They depart every morning from Queenstown and arrive in Milford Sound at lunchtime. Return journeys depart in the afternoon and arrive in Queenstown in the early evening.
The tour takes you on a scenic drive through the mountains before embarking on a cruise across the fjord (‘Sound’ is actually a misnomer) before looping back around. The whole cruise takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. Highlights include Lady Bowen Falls, Mitre Peak and Seal Rock.
You can buy food on the cruise but I would still bring some snacks and a packed lunch too. View the Milford Sound tour here.
I recommend doing this Milford Sound tour as it’s the one I did and I loved it. It includes transfers from Queenstown and a cruise featuring live commentary. It’s also an Eco-Certified tour so it’s kind to the planet too.
Looking for more day trips from Queenstown? Check out this guide.
Day 3: Do a tour
Queenstown is in the middle of the Central Otago wine region and there are some truly amazing local vineyards producing some of the most prestigious wines in the world.
Queenstown Wine Trail Tour
Enjoying the Central Otago region
If you want to get a true taste of the local area, do a Queenstown wine tour. It takes you to four cellar doors and you have the opportunity to taste up to 20 of the best Central Otago wines, including its famous Pinot Noirs.
The tour is a flexible 5-6 hours and you get to stop for lunch (at your own cost) at a gorgeous vineyard. The tours are small-group only and you get to learn a lot about the local area and why it’s so surprisingly perfect for producing top-quality wine. View the tour here.
Make sure you bring plenty of snacks. I learnt this the hard way…
Tip: Wine not your thing? If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan I recommend this 4WD Half Day Tour complete with Afternoon Tea! Alternatively, explore the canopies in this top-rated boat cruise on the TSS Earnslaw!
Day 4 : Become a thrill-seeker
Do some local activities. Want to get hair-raising? You decide!
Queenstown Hill hike
Summit of Queenstown Hill
Queenstown Hill is another local trail with breathtaking panoramic views from the summit. At just 500-metres, it’s a short ascent but it still has its fair share of steep sections.
Start the trail from the small car park just off Belfast Terrace, a few minutes from the town centre. Wind your way through pine forests to the summit of Te Tapu-nui (mountain of intense sacredness) and you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views from all directions as far as the eye can see.
Read More: How to Hike to Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand
Shotover Jet
There are many adrenaline-fuelled activities in Queenstown. It is, after all, the adventure capital of the world!
One of my absolute favourites is the Shotover Jet Boat. Located on the Shotover River, this thrilling experience treats you to the beauty of the canyons at top speed.
Adult tickets are about 149 NZD and you get kitted out in a thick waterproof jacket, a lifejacket and gloves because it gets pretty cold on the river.
Alternative activities
The Shotover Jet
Here are a few extra activities if you feel like swapping them in or have some more time:
Skydiving
New Zealand is no stranger to epic skydives and where better to do it than over Queenstown? A test for the ultimate thrill-seekers, Nzone Skydive offers tandem dives at 9,000, 12,000 and 15,000 ft.
Prices start at 299 NZD but you can upgrade to get photos and videos of your best hair-raising moments.
Skiing
If you’re heading to Queenstown in winter, you might want to make use of its epic ski season. Check out this website to find packages and equipment rentals for both skiing and snowboarding.
Adventure sports
There is a wealth of wild activities to do in Queenstown. Just some of them include ebike rentals, Kawarau Zipride, Nevis Catapult, Nevis Bungy, Ledge Swing and Ledge Bungy. Check out the full list here.
Just an FYI, the Nevis Bungy is the highest in New Zealand so stick that on your bucket list!
Frisbee golf
Frisbee golf is perhaps the most unlikely activity on the list. This unusual sport takes place in Queenstown Gardens and you can get involved in games and tournaments on Sundays.
The rules are similar to golf and this particular course has eighteen holes.
Where to stay in Queenstown
The pods at Jucy Snooze Queenstown!
Queenstown is popular with backpackers so accommodation is fairly pricey wherever you stay.
Hostels were more in my budget at the time but there is a range of options to suit any preference, including hotels and Airbnbs.
Here are a few of my top recommendations below:
Budget-friendly
- The most popular backpacker hostels are Nomads, Haka Lodge and YHA Queenstown Lakefront.
- If you’re looking for more pod-style hostels with a little more privacy with a backpacker vibe, my favourite one is Blacksheep Backpackers. It has a pool too! I also love Jucy Snooze. Each pod is spacious and comfortable with a locker underneath for your bag. You have your own light, USB charging cable and a blind you can pull down for privacy. Tahuna Pod Hostel is another great option.
- For affordable private rooms, the award-winning Mi-Pad Smart Hotel is a good choice.
Mid-range
- Handy if you’ve hired a vehicle, Queenstown Motel Apartments is a reasonably priced 4-star hotel with a kitchenette in each room.
- You can’t go wrong with Kamana Lakehouse which includes a top-rated restaurant and private hot tubs for guests to enjoy.
- The Crowne Plaza is affordable luxury located on the banks of Lake Wakatipu. The hotel is a committed member of the IHG Green Engage System which helps hotels track and evaluate their impact on the environment.
Fancy
- Treating yourself? Why not try Matakauri Lodge with private luxury suites overlooking Lake Wakatipu.
- Azur Lodge for a spa break.
- Hulbert House, a boutique hotel in a restored Victorian villa.
Something unusual
- Glam Camping Queenstown offers a cosy stay in luxury glamping tents and an a la carte breakfast is served every morning.
- Live like a local at the top-rated Jack’s Point Family Homestay.
- Have a wilderness retreat with Kinloch’s Ecoscapes and wake up to jaw-dropping mountain views every morning. Fair warning, you might find it hard to leave…
Sustainable hotels are not unusual in New Zealand!
The country has invested a huge amount of time and dedication to sustainable tourism and it’s actually one of the top ecotourism destinations in the world! You can read more about green tourism in this guide.
Read more: Best Places To Stay In New Zealand
Best places to eat and drink in Queenstown
Chilling in Below Zero
Here are a few of my favourite places:
Fergburger
If you know about Queenstown then you might have already heard of Fergburger. It’s a bit of a legend in these parts, if not the Southern Hemisphere!
Fergburger is famous for its deliciously enormous burgers. People queue around the block every day without fail to get their hands on one and then hang about outside devouring the lot.
The joint is open twenty-one hours in the day and they have a mouthwatering menu of traditional and slightly more adventurous burgers. They also cater for vegetarians and gluten intolerance.
Personally, you can’t go wrong with a Holier Than Thou stuffed with tempura tofu, spicy satay and coconut & coriander sauce. Divine.
Fat Badger
Fat Badger is a pizzeria and bar – the best kind of place, right? They serve a delicious selection of New York-style pizzas and you can choose from a twelve-inch or a twenty-inch.
These pizzas are best shared but if you don’t fancy eating the same one you can swap out half for a different combination of toppings. Fat Badger has a great range of vegetarian and vegan options too.
Cookie Time
If you’ve got a sweet tooth and enjoy novelty, head to Cookie Time. It’s a shop dedicated to all things cookie and you can expect to see a menu bursting with hot cookies, shakes, ice cream, hot chocolate, s’mores and cookie dough.
Nightlife
Just like many resort towns with a ski season, Queenstown has legendary nightlife and there are bars on every corner. Some favourites include Winnie’s, Cowboys and World Bar.
Ice bars
There are two ice bars in Queenstown: Below Zero and Minus 5. You have to book a timeslot before you arrive as the bars are quite small (they’re made from ice after all!).
You get a cocktail or soft drink served in a glass made of ice, warm coats, boots and gloves included in the price. Everything is made out of ice, including the bar and seating area so it goes without saying that it’s pretty chilly!
Read my complete New Zealand packing list for all seasons here
Final Thoughts: Queenstown Itinerary
Queenstown cat
Queenstown is an amazing town with a buzzing atmosphere and no end of things to do. I hope you found this 4-day Queenstown itinerary useful for planning your trip.
The town is also a fantastic base for if you want to venture further down towards Dunedin and Invercargill.
If you have any questions about Queenstown or indeed New Zealand, don’t hesitate to drop me a message in the comments.
Read Next
- The Ultimate Guide to Travelling Solo in New Zealand
- Epic 2-Week South Island New Zealand Itinerary
- New Zealand North Island Itinerary: The Best 2 Week Road Trip
- The Best Place to See Whales in New Zealand
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What an incredible resort town! I’m not a winter sports person so I’ll just stick to the summer :). The hike up to Queenstown Hill looks incredible!!
It’s really beautiful up there! Haha yeah, I get that, it’s chilly!
We didn’t get to Queenstown on our visit to NZ. However, we hope to return to see it in winter. I’ve saved this post for when we eventually go as there is so much useful information here. We stayed at the Jucy in Auckland and was very impressed with it so would consider the one here too.
Thank you! Queenstown is so fun in winter so I know you’ll love it. I really like that Jucy Snooze allows you to have some space which is not always the case in hostels!
I LOVED Queenstown (I think it might be the prettiest airport in the world when you take off in the middle of the mountains!!) We didn’t have much time there, so we just hiked up Bob’s peak. Next time I would like to spend more time in this area as there are soooo many amazing hikes!
I bet the views from the plane were unreal! It’s definitely worth another visit just for the hikes alone and you’re close to Wanaka which has the legendary Roy’s Peak.
I absolutely loved Queenstown when I visited i 2014. I still regret that I didn’t do the Milford Sound tour!! I did however go ski diving, bungee jumping and on the shotover jet! It is such an amazing city and as you said, can be visited whenever. I went in winter and it was so beautiful with the snow!
Queenstown is so much fun in the snow! It sounds like you did it all too! I was never brave enough to tackle the skydive and the bungee but the jet was so fun!
Excellent work Francesca, this guide is really conclusive. I would pass on the bungy too, but I’d be up for the rest. The hiking sounds really fantastic.
Thank you! The hiking is out of this world for sure!