Queenstown
New Zealand
Skyline gondolaPhoto: Bob Linsdell · CC BY 3.0
Lake WakatipuPhoto: Hagai Agmon-Snir حچاي اچمون-سنير חגי אגמון-שניר · CC BY-SA 4.0
TSS Earnslaw steamshipPhoto: trakesht (talk) · Attribution
ArrowtownPhoto: Bgabel · CC BY-SA 3.0
Milford SoundPhoto: Maros M r a z (Maros) · CC BY-SA 3.0
About Queenstown
Queenstown is a small town on the shore of Lake Wakatipu beneath the Remarkables range on New Zealand's South Island. Born in the 19th-century gold rush, it is now the country's adventure-tourism capital.
Bungy jumping, jet boating, skiing and hiking stand out, while the gondola view from Bob's Peak, the steamship TSS Earnslaw and historic Arrowtown offer calmer options. The town is also the main base for trips to Milford Sound.
How many days do you need?
Three or four days is a good length: one for the town, the gondola and the lakefront, one for Arrowtown and the Gibbston Valley, one for Milford Sound (a long day trip), and the rest for adventure sports or hikes.
Where to stay
- Town centre — On the lakefront, within walking distance of restaurants and tour departures.
- Frankton — Close to the airport and shopping centres, with lake views.
- Arrowtown — A quiet historic town linked to Queenstown by bus.
From the airport to the city
Queenstown Airport (ZQN) is in Frankton, about a 10-minute drive from the town centre. Orbus buses run from the airport to town every 15 minutes, taking about 25 minutes. Besides domestic routes, the airport has direct flights from Australia.
Getting around
The centre is easily walkable. Orbus buses link it with Frankton, Arrowtown and surrounding suburbs. For farther places such as Milford Sound or Glenorchy, you need a tour, a rental car or a private transfer.
Good to know
- Mountain weather changes fast; dress in layers even in summer.
- In winter, snow chains may be required on roads to the ski fields.
- The road to Milford Sound can close in bad weather; check conditions before setting out.
Useful links
- Destination Queenstown (official tourism site) queenstownnz.co.nz
- Queenstown Airport queenstownairport.co.nz
- Otago Regional Council (Orbus buses) orc.govt.nz
When to go?
Best time to visit for the weather: February–March. The warmest month is January (average high 69 °F); the wettest is May (4.8 in).
Monthly climate
| Month | Avg. high °F | Rain in | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 69.3 | 4.69 | Good |
| February | 69.3 | 3.91 | Ideal |
| March | 65.3 | 3.81 | Ideal |
| April | 58.8 | 4.11 | Cool or rainy |
| May | 52.2 | 4.79 | Cool or rainy |
| June | 46.4 | 3.65 | Cool or rainy |
| July | 45.3 | 4.11 | Cool or rainy |
| August | 48.7 | 3.66 | Cool or rainy |
| September | 53.2 | 4.52 | Cool or rainy |
| October | 57.0 | 4.78 | Cool or rainy |
| November | 62.1 | 4.15 | Good |
| December | 66.9 | 4.46 | Good |
Source: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), 2005–2024 monthly averages of daily high temperature and total rainfall. Values are estimates for an area of about 50 km and may differ from the city-centre weather station.
Public holidays 2027
- New Year's DayJanuary 1
- Day after New Year's DayJanuary 2
- Waitangi DayFebruary 6
- Good FridayMarch 26
- Easter MondayMarch 29
- ANZAC DayApril 25
- King's BirthdayJune 7
- MatarikiJune 25
- Labour DayOctober 25
- Christmas DayDecember 25
- Boxing DayDecember 26
Sources: date-holidays and python-holidays open data projects; for Northern Cyprus, its public holidays law.
Practical info
- CurrencyNew Zealand Dollar ($)
- Dialling code+64
- Plugs & voltageType I · 230 V · 50 Hz
- Emergency111
- DrivingOn the left
Sources: IEC plug types, Wikidata, Wikipedia; unverified details are left blank.