So you’re heading to Queenstown and planning on spending a few days there? Awesome! Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the world and for good reason but looking at all the options can feel a bit overwhelming and it can be hard to know where to start. I have been to Queenstown a few times and tried out most things on offer. The suggested itinerary below combines all my favourite things and I hope it will help you make the most of all the epic activities on offer and even have time for a little relaxation and pampering at the end.
You will need to prebook the activities mentioned below to ensure you can get the day/time you are after as Queenstown can be a very busy place and things do book out.
Where to stay:
Budget: Jucy Snooze Hostel - https://www.jucysnooze.co.nz/
Comfortable: Lomond Lodge - https://www.lomondlodge.com/
Luxury: The Dairy Private Hotel - https://naumihotels.com/thedairyhotel/
Day One
Try to arrive as early as you can so you can make the most of your time in Queenstown. The NZ SuperShuttle airport transfer is the cheapest/easiest way to get into Queenstown from the airport if you don't have your own wheels. The airport is located about a 20-minute drive from Queenstown in a town called Frankton.
After dropping your bags off at your accommodation, head straight into the centre of town and to Queenstown icon Fergburger for an early lunch. Fergburger is a legendary burger joint in Queenstown and has a burger for even the hardest to please punter. You will want to be fuelled up for your first adventure!
After you finish your burger, cross the road and head to the station building on the next corner to check-in for your first adrenaline producing activity - it's time to go bungy jumping!!
No trip to Queenstown would be complete without a trip to the iconic Karawau Bungy centre. The Karawau bridge is known as the world home of bungy as it was the first commercial bungy jumping site in the world! You are going to be jumping off the Karawau Gorge Suspension Bridge and falling 43 metres before the rope catches you just before (or just as - your choice) you reach the Karawau river below. Anyone over the age of 10 can jump (with parents permission needed for those under 14) as long as you weigh somewhere between 35 - 235kgs. You can even jump nude if you need a bit of an extra rush. The centre is really well set up and transport is included and you can buy professional photo and video packs to show all your Instagram buddies how cool you are. Allow 2.5 hours return for this adventure.
After the adrenaline of throwing yourself off a perfectly good bridge, it's time to slow down the pace a little and take a step back in history. Tonight's adventure is a return cruise on the TSS Earnslaw to the Walter Peak High Country farm for a gourmet BBQ dinner and farm tour, including the obligatory sheep shearing demonstration.
Don't stay out too late tonight as tomorrow morning you are waking up very early for an unforgettable adventure!
Day one links
NZ Super Shuttle airport transfer - https://www.supershuttle.co.nz/
Fergburger - https://fergburger.com/
Karawau bridge bungy - https://www.bungy.co.nz/queenstown/kawarau-bungy-centre/kawarau-bridge-bungy/
TSS Earnslaw / Walter Peak Station Dinner cruise - https://www.realjourneys.co.nz/en/experiences/dining/walter-peak-gourmet-bbq-dining/
Day Two
It's an early wake-up call today, but I promise it is 1000% worth it.
This morning you will be taking a scenic flight to Milford Sound and enjoying a scenic cruise in one of the most beautiful places on earth. The morning tour offers the best chance at the weather being good and means you will be in one of the first boats out into Milford Sound, making it feel like you have the whole place to yourself.
Best of all, by flying you get to see the stunning scenery from the sky and cut out about 10 hours of driving making it a half-day activity instead of a full day and saving you precious time.
When you arrive back in Queenstown, you will have a few hours of free time before tonight's activities. If you arrived later in the day on day one now would be an excellent opportunity to do the Karawau bridge bungy or you could take a stroll around the lake, take a ride on the underwater shark (seriously, it exists) or if you get the timing right visit the markets and pick up a souvenir or two to take home. Alternatively, you could enjoy a cold drink or three at Perkys floating bar.
A few hours before sunset it is time to ride the southern hemisphere's steepest cable car 450 metres up the mountain to the Skyline complex for tonight's activities. Take some time to soak in the epic views and then head to luge track to take a few rides on the downhill luge. There are two different tracks to choose from and after you have completed one round on the less steep track the staff will let you loose on the steeper track. The luge is heaps of fun for everyone!!
Once you have enjoyed your luge rides, its time for the second bungy jump of your trip at the Ledge! For this jump you will be secured by a strap around your waist instead of your ankles. This means you can take a flying leap off the platform. Make sure you remember to open your eyes at some point to enjoy the view!
Once you’ve had your afternoon adrenaline rush it’s time to head inside and see the Haka show for a bit of an intro to Maori culture. If you are feeling brave you can jump up on stage and learn and perform the Haka With the cast!
By now you have likely worked up an appetite - it's time for dinner in the Stratosphere restaurant - I recommend looking up the actual sunset time for your visit and timing your dinner booking so sunset happens in the middle. I 100% think it is worth paying the extra money to guarantee yourself a window seat in the restaurant.
After dinner, there is one more thing to do at the skyline complex an that is their stargazing tour. They provide toasty warm Canada Goose jackets and their guides will point out tons of interesting stuff in the night sky and let you use the telescopes.
Take one of the last gondolas of the night back down to Queenstown, and if you need a nightcap before bed I recommend heading to the Minus 5 ice bar for a really cool experience.
Day two links:
Milford Sound scenic flight & cruise - https://www.realjourneys.co.nz/en/experiences/scenic-flights/fly-to-milford-sound/
Queenstown Hydro Attack (shark boat thing) - https://www.hydroattack.co.nz/
Perkys floating bar - https://www.perkys.co.nz/
Skyline Luge, Dinner, bungy & stargazing - https://www.skyline.co.nz/en/queenstown/
Skyline Haka show - https://www.queenstownnz.co.nz/listing/skyline-queenstown/1057/
Minus 5 icebar - https://www.minus5icebar.com/
Day Three
Today is the day you are going to get enough adrenaline to last you a lifetime!
The great thing about Queenstown is that many tour companies realise that people are usually short on time and package together combo tours to help you maximise the amount of adventure you can fit into your time. Today your combo tour is going to take you skydiving, white water rafting and on the iconic Shotover Jet.
This is a full-day trip (around 8-9 hours) and you will need to take a change of clothes and enough food and water to keep you going!
When you get back to Queenstown I recommend getting an early dinner delivered from Pedro's House Of Lamb (there is only one thing on the menu and it's enough to feed 2-3 people).
Once you have had dinner it's time to head back into town and get on the courtesy bus to the Onsen Hot Pools for your well-earned relaxation session. If you get the timing right, you can book your hot pool session to coincide with the sunset, which is just magical. You can also book a massage to soothe your aching muscles.
Day three links:
Skydiving, Jet boat and white water rafting combo tour - https://www.experienceoz.com.au/en/queenstown/queenstown-shotover-skydive-shotover-jet-and-rafting-package
Pedro's house of lamb - https://www.pedros.co.nz/queenstown
Onsen Hot Pools - https://www.onsen.co.nz/
Day Four
Time to continue on your adventure in New Zealand or head home. I hope you had a wonderful trip and made some great memories!!
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