Queenstown (New Zealand): Queenstown; Arrowtown; Glenorchy, New Zealand: things to do, when to go and how to get there

Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Queenstown lies on the northern shore of Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand’s third‑largest lake, long and S‑shaped, ringed by mountains that turn white in winter, such as the range The Remarkables. The town grew out of the 1862 gold rush and today has about 29,000 residents, but it welcomes many more visitors through the year, who pack the compact lakeside centre.

It’s known as an adventure‑sports hub. At the historic Kawarau River bridge the world’s first commercial bungee jump began in 1988; there are jet boats through the gorges, tandem paragliding flights and mountain‑bike trails. For a quieter pace, the gondola climbs 450 meters above the lake, the 1912 steamship TSS Earnslaw crosses the Wakatipu, and the lakefront gardens occupy a peninsula opposite the centre.

In winter, June to September, Queenstown becomes a ski base, with Coronet Peak and The Remarkables ski areas near town and others toward Wānaka. At any time of year the town is a departure point for Milford Sound via the road from Te Anau and for the pinot noir vineyards of Central Otago.

About 20 km away is Arrowtown, a gold‑rush village with miners’ cottages, a restored Chinese settlement and trees that turn golden in autumn. At the far end of the lake, 45 km away, Glenorchy is the gateway to the Routeburn Track, one of the Great Walks, and to the valleys where scenes of The Lord of the Rings were filmed.

This destination brings together 3 cities: Queenstown, Arrowtown, Glenorchy.

Share: WhatsApp

Traveler, share your experiences through photos Up to 5 photos of each place you visited.

One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Queenstown (New Zealand): Queenstown; Arrowtown; Glenorchy is

Boundaries: Stats NZ / geoBoundaries (CC BY 4.0). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Queenstown (New Zealand): Queenstown; Arrowtown; Glenorchy

✈ Aeroporto de Queenstown (ZQN), in Frankton · 8 km to Queenstown

Queenstown Airport, about 8 km from the centre, has flights from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch and services from Australia. By road the town is roughly 1 hour from Wānaka, 2 hours from Te Anau and 6 hours from Christchurch. Long‑distance coaches link Queenstown with major South Island cities.

Suggested arrival point: Queenstown

Otago · Queenstown (New Zealand): Queenstown; Arrowtown; Glenorchy Suggested arrival point

Queenstown

Queenstown is the adventure-sports and skiing town on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, founded during the 1860s gold rush. The compact town center sits between the lake and the slope of Ben Lomond, served by a gondola. The steamship TSS Earnslaw departs from the wharf, and the gardens occupy the peninsula opposite. It’s the base for Arrowtown, Glenorchy, Milford Sound and the ski resorts.

Otago · Queenstown (New Zealand): Queenstown; Arrowtown; Glenorchy

Arrowtown

Arrowtown is a village of about 2,900 people that began in 1862 when gold was found in the Arrow River, about 20 km from Queenstown. Buckingham Street preserves miners’ cottages from the 1870s, the Lakes District Museum tells the gold‑rush story, and the restored Chinese settlement commemorates Chinese miners. In autumn the village trees turn golden.

Otago · Queenstown (New Zealand): Queenstown; Arrowtown; Glenorchy

Glenorchy

Glenorchy is a village of about 360 people at the end of Lake Wakatipu, 45 km from Queenstown, where the Dart River reaches the lake. The road there runs along the shore between mountains. It is the gateway to the Routeburn Track, one of the Great Walks, and has a boardwalk trail around the lagoon beside the village.

The local experience

Things to do in Queenstown (New Zealand): Queenstown; Arrowtown; Glenorchy

Arrowtown · Otago · Historic site

Arrowtown Chinese Settlement

Restored group of Chinese miners' cottages from the gold era, beside Bush Creek, featuring the old Ah Lum shop. It recalls the contribution of Chinese people to Otago's mining.

Queenstown · Otago · Viewpoint

Skyline Queenstown

Gondola opened in 1967 that climbs the Ben Lomond slope to Bob’s Peak, 450 meters above Lake Wakatipu, with views over the town, the lake and The Remarkables. At the top there is a restaurant and luge tracks.

Glenorchy · Otago · Trail

Routeburn Track

One of New Zealand’s Great Walks: 32 km between Routeburn Shelter, near Glenorchy, and The Divide on the Milford road, crossing Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks via the Harris Saddle.

Arrowtown · Otago · Museum

Lakes District Museum

History museum of Arrowtown and the lake district, housed in a group of historic buildings on Buckingham Street, focused on the gold rush and the early settlers.

See 7 more places in Queenstown (New Zealand): Queenstown; Arrowtown; Glenorchy

Glenorchy · Otago · Trail

Glenorchy Walkway

A roughly 3.2 km boardwalk circuit around the lagoon beside Glenorchy village, with waterbirds and views of the mountains at the head of Lake Wakatipu.

Queenstown · Otago · Boat trip

TSS Earnslaw

A coal‑fired steamship launched in 1912 that crosses Lake Wakatipu between Queenstown and Walter Peak. It is the only coal‑fired passenger steamship still in commercial service in the Southern Hemisphere.

Arrowtown · Otago · Historic street

Buckingham Street

Arrowtown’s main street, with gold-era buildings and seven miners’ cottages from the 1870s protected as heritage, under trees that turn golden in autumn.

Queenstown · Otago · Garden

Queenstown Gardens

Park on a peninsula opposite Queenstown town centre, between Queenstown Bay and the Frankton Arm, with mature trees, a rose garden, a lake, a shoreline trail and views of The Remarkables.

Queenstown · Otago · Historic bridge

Kawarau Suspension Bridge

Suspension bridge from 1880 over the Kawarau River gorge, about 23 km from Queenstown, where the world’s first commercial bungee jump was made in 1988. Jumps continue there, and the walkway allows spectators to watch.

Queenstown · Otago · Mountain

The Remarkables

A mountain range of jagged peaks that closes the horizon above Queenstown, east of Lake Wakatipu, with elevations above 2,300 meters. In winter a ski area of the same name operates on the slopes.

Queenstown · Otago · Wildlife park

Kiwi Birdlife Park

A native wildlife park at the base of the Queenstown gondola, with nocturnal houses where you can see kiwis, as well as other native birds and conservation presentations.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

December to March, with long warm days, is best for hiking, the lake and outings. In April and May autumn turns Arrowtown’s trees golden. June to September is ski season, with mountain snow and cold, clear days. The town is busy year‑round; book ahead.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Four days: one for the town centre, the gondola and the gardens; one for Arrowtown; one for Glenorchy or an adventure activity; and one for Milford Sound on a full‑day tour. In winter add ski days.

Which city to stay in

The lakeside centre puts restaurants, boat piers and the gondola within walking distance, with livelier evenings. The slopes above the centre and Fernhill have lake views. Frankton, near the airport, and quieter Arrowtown are alternatives if you have a car.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Queenstown (New Zealand): Queenstown; Arrowtown; Glenorchy

How many days to stay in Queenstown?

Four days allow you to see the town, Arrowtown and Glenorchy and do a full‑day Milford Sound trip. With three days, choose between Glenorchy and an adventure activity.

Can you go from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a day?

Yes, but it’s a long day: bus tours take around 12 hours round‑trip via the road through Te Anau. There are also scenic flights that can return in a few hours, weather permitting. Staying overnight in Te Anau shortens the trip.

What is the best time to visit Queenstown?

December to March for hiking and the lake; April and May for autumn colours; June to September for skiing. The town attracts visitors year‑round.

Do you need a car in Queenstown?

Not for the centre, which is walkable, nor for Arrowtown and Frankton, which are served by local buses. A car helps for Glenorchy, the ski areas and Wānaka, although there is transport to ski fields in winter.

Where did bungee jumping originate?

The world’s first commercial bungee jump was made in 1988 at the Kawarau River bridge, about 25 minutes from Queenstown, where jumps still take place.

Queenstown (New Zealand): Queenstown; Arrowtown; Glenorchy

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The cities on this trip