The best of
Queenstown. Ranked.

AJ Hackett Kawarau Bridge Bungy

The world's first commercial bungy jump — a 43m leap into the Kawarau Gorge that started it all in 1988. The original, and still the most photographed jump in adventure tourism.

Booking

Book ahead in summer and ski season; the 43m Kawarau jump is the busiest of the three AJ Hackett sites.

Season

Operates year-round, weather permitting. Watching from the viewing platform costs nothing if you are undecided.

Shotover Jet

Queenstown's signature jet boat — 360° spins through the narrow Shotover Canyon at 85 km/h, just centimetres from sheer rock walls. The only operator allowed in the canyon.

Booking

Book a day or more ahead in peak season. Trips run in rain, so it is a good wet-weather fallback.

Season

Year-round, from Arthurs Point. Dress warmer than you think in winter — it is fast, open and over cold water.

TSS Earnslaw Lake Cruise

Step aboard the 1912 coal-fired steamship — the "Lady of the Lake" — for a serene cruise to Walter Peak high country farm. A century-old icon still running daily.

Booking

Book ahead, especially for the Walter Peak dinner and farm-tour combinations, which sell out first.

Season

Sails year-round. The best bad-weather booking in Queenstown — the vessel is enclosed and heated.

Ben Lomond Track

Queenstown's most rewarding day hike — 11km return from the gondola top to a 1748m summit with 360° alpine views. Allow 6–8 hours and respect the weather.

Booking

No booking. Take the gondola up to cut roughly two hours off the climb, or start from the Tiki Trail for free.

Season

Summer track. Snow and ice make the summit ridge dangerous in winter — turn back at the saddle June–October unless properly equipped.

Onsen Hot Pools

Private cedar-lined hot pools with a retracting wall framing the Shotover Gorge — one of the most photographed wellness experiences in NZ. Book ahead, especially at sunset.

Booking

Book well ahead — sunset slots are the first to go and the pools are private, so capacity is genuinely limited.

Season

Year-round, and best in winter with snow on the gorge walls.

Coronet Peak Ski Area

Queenstown's closest ski field — 25 minutes from town with night skiing, the longest groomed runs in the region and the famous Coronet sunset over the Wakatipu basin.

Booking

Buy passes online in advance; drive up early or take the ski bus, as the car park fills on powder days.

Season

Winter only — the Queenstown ski season generally runs from around June to early October, weather depending. Coronet Peak is the only local field with night skiing.

Nevis Bungy & Swing

Push past the Kawarau and you'll find the Nevis — NZ's highest bungy at 134m and the world's biggest swing. A serious step up for thrill seekers.

Queenstown Gardens

A free peninsula of mature trees, a frisbee golf course, ice rink and lakeside walking loop right in the centre of town. The locals' favourite picnic spot.

Ziptrek Ecotours

Zipline through native forest off the Skyline Gondola top — including the steepest tree-to-tree zipline in the world — with eco-guides and huge Lake Wakatipu views.

Shotover Canyon Swing

Locally owned since 2002 — a 60m freefall into the Shotover Canyon and a giant swing, with the team famous for talking nervous jumpers off the platform in dozens of release styles.

NZONE Skydive

Tandem skydiving over the Wakatipu basin since 1990 — up to 60 seconds of freefall at 200km/h with the Remarkables and lake spread out below.

Dart River Adventures

Wilderness jet boating and Funyak inflatable kayaking from Glenorchy into the Dart River and Mount Aspiring National Park — a full-day trip through World Heritage scenery.