Destination
Queenstown, New Zealand
Queenstown is the adventure capital of the southern hemisphere, a lakeside resort of bungy jumps, jet boats, ski fields and the road to Milford Sound.
Trips to Queenstown from every city
No live trip to Queenstown right now. Ask for one and we price it for your city.
When to go
| Month | Season |
|---|---|
| January | best |
| February | best |
| March | best |
| April | best |
| May | fine |
| June | fine |
| July | best |
| August | best |
| September | best |
| October | fine |
| November | fine |
| December | best |
- June, July, August, September, October: Ski season at Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Cardrona, roughly mid-June to early October, with the Winter Festival in late June.
- April, May: Autumn gold in Arrowtown and along the Wakatipu lakeshore.
- December, January, February: Peak summer for hiking, Milford Sound and lake days, with the highest prices.
Where to stay in Queenstown
- Queenstown town centre: Lakefront hotels, bars and the gondola, everything on foot.
- Frankton and Kelvin Heights: Lakeside apartments and golf near the airport, a short drive from town.
- Arrowtown: Gold-rush village 20 minutes away with cottages and autumn colour.
- Fernhill and Sunshine Bay: Hillside lodges with Lake Wakatipu views on the road to Glenorchy.
What to do in Queenstown
- Bungy jump at the Kawarau Bridge
- Shotover Jet through the canyon
- Day trip or scenic flight to Milford Sound
- Ski Coronet Peak or The Remarkables
- Gondola to Bob's Peak and the luge
- Central Otago pinot noir tasting in the Gibbston Valley
Good to know
| Airports | Queenstown Airport (ZQN) |
|---|---|
| Passport for US citizens | yes |
| Price level | upscale |
| Time zone | Pacific/Auckland |
| Kind of trip | adventure, ski, lake-mountain, nature, wine |
Questions about Queenstown
When is the best time to visit Queenstown?
January, February, March, April, July, August, September and December.
Do US citizens need a passport for Queenstown?
Yes. Queenstown is in New Zealand; bring a valid passport.
How expensive is Queenstown on the ground?
Queenstown is upscale by US standards: plan about $130 per person per day for food, getting around and tickets.