Queenstown
New Zealand
Backpacking Queenstown
Information on Queenstown, sights to see, nightlife, activities and more.
Known as the adventure capital of New Zealand Queenstown never disappoints. Situated on the side of Lake Wakatipu with a backdrop of magnificent mountains, Queenstown is one of those places that is so beautiful it doesn’t look real – more like something painted in a picture. The town itself is a resort town made up of eateries, bars and accommodation. The buzzing atmosphere is more prominent in the winter season, due to the opening of the nearby ski fields, and in the summer with the super long sunny days. Backpackers and working holidaymakers alike flock here for adrenaline activities, excellent hiking opportunities and the social scene. Queenstown is the “Adrenaline Capital of the World” and for good reason. This town has it all! Just outside of Queenstown was the first-ever commercial bungy jump and it is home to NZ’s highest bungy jump. A few more activities, you can do include skydiving, jet boating, white water rafting, canyon swing, climbing, canyoning and paragliding. A popular activity in spring and summer is mountain biking. You can hire a bike and take the Skyline Gondola to some quality biking trails or go to Rabbit Ridge Bike Resort. Take a steady lakeside stroll through Queenstown Gardens and along the Frankton Track. There are a number of day hikes in order to get a panoramic view such as the scramble up the Tiki Trail to the top of the Skyline Gondola. Other popular hikes are Queenstown Hill and Ben Lomond. Kicking the winter season off with the Winter Festival, Queenstown loves the cold primarily for the snow sports. The Remarkables and Coronet Peak are the closet ski fields to Queenstown, with Cardrona and Treble Cone taking little over an hour to get to but still worth the trip. The best skiing and riding is from mid-season to spring to really take advantage of all the trails in the mountains. Treble Cone and Coronet Peak are ideal for building on the vertical metres, whereas The Remarkables and Cardrona are a snowsports playground with heaps of features in the terrain parks.
Must See
Lake Wakatipu - An inland lake with a length of 80 kilometres (50 miles), the sublime Lake Wakatipu is New Zealand’s longest and third largest. Particularly renowned for its majestic beauty, Queenstown’s locals and visitors absolutely adore walking, cycling, and picnicking along the lake’s elongated shores.
Bob’s Peak and Skyline Gondola - Bob’s Peak is the place to visit if you want to get the best panoramic views in town. Getting to its highest point is as simple as going on a self-guided trek (locally known as the Tiki Trail) or travelling up the Skyline Gondola. Whichever route you decide to take, you can rest assured you’ll get a front-seat view of the breathtaking landscapes Queenstown is so famous for.
Must Do
Bungee Jumping - There are a couple of bungy locations around the area, including the Kawarau Bridge just outside of town which is where the first commercial bungy operation started, or if you want to keep it local you can head up Queenstown Hill. The Ledge Bungy is one that will scare you, even if you think it won’t. At 47 metres high it is not the tallest or craziest one around, but with the beautiful view 450m over Queenstown seeming to stretch on forever and ever, your mind will play games on you.
Jet Boating - Jet boats are fast and agile vessels that are capable of driving at enormous speeds, and spinning 360 degrees on a dime. I think you see where this is going. The boat charges down the Shotover River at 85km/h through the narrow canyon, huge cliffs towering above you, and drifting ever-so-close to the rocks to really get your heart pumping.
Sky Diving - Offering insane views over the lakes and mountains the regions are known for, it’s guaranteed to be an activity that you’ll remember for years to come.
Hit the Slopes - When winter comes around, Queenstown becomes a snow-lovers paradise, with three amazing ski resorts all within an hour of downtown. Coronet Peak, Cardrona and The Remarkables all have amazing lift-accessed terrain and are suitable for beginners right through to professionals. With up to 7m of snow falling on some of the mountains around here as well, there’s a good chance you’ll have the opportunity to tear up some Kiwi powder while you’re there.
Nightlife
Aside from being the “Adventure Capital of New Zealand”, Queenstown also aptly has a reputation for being the “Party Capital”. For any night owl, Queenstown is an absolute must during a New Zealand gap year. With almost nightly bar crawls, ice bar experiences, themed bars, clubs and alternative music scene, you’re bound to find something for you among Queenstown’s nightlife. A great way to meet people, get huge discounts, and take part in some hilarious games is with a bar crawl in Queenstown. From Tuesdays to Saturdays, you’ll find a bar crawl to get messy on.
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