Queenstown

Queenstown is now famously known as the adventure-tourism capital of New Zealand as it offers snowboarding, skiing, bungy-jumping, luging, jet-boating, and much more

Queenstown was first discovered by Maori who were in search of areas to hunt for food. They were impressed by the amount of Moa they found, and they soon learnt that Queenstown was also rich in Pounamu (New Zealand Greenstone). Years later, in the 1860s, Thomas Low and John MacGregor discovered gold in the Arrow and Shotover Rivers. The goldrush peaked in 1863 with several goldfields being declared all over the district. Today, you can still find gold in the Arrow River, however Queenstown is now famously known as the adventure-tourism capital of New Zealand as it offers snowboarding, skiing, bungy-jumping, luging, jet-boating, and much more.

Info

Population: 28,224
Website: queenstownnz.co.nz




Loading Weather
please wait...

Weather

Current Temperature: °C
Speed:
Direction:

View Trail Forecast

There are many more activities in Queenstown to explore – visit the i-SITE Visitor Centre in Queenstown for general enquiries.

Bungy Jumping

Queenstown is the tourism capital of New Zealand due to offering many adventurous activities. Visit A.J Hackett to experience a ledge swing, the Kawarau Zipride, bungy-jump off a bridge and over the Kawarau River, or choose to experience the Ledge Bungy or the Nevis Bungy.

Phone 0800 286 495 to enquire about everything A.J Hackett has to offer, including times available and prices.

Website: www.bungy.co.nz


Rafting and River Surfing

Frogz White Water Sledging – experience sledging 6 km down the Kawarau River, twice! No experience is required. Prices start at $215. Phone 0800 437 649 for enquiries or to make a booking. Website: www.frogz.co.nz

Serious Fun River Surfing – experience beautiful scenery whilst river surfing. Choose either the Chinese Dogleg (grade 2-4) on an 8.9km stretch of the river, or the Roaring Meg (grade 2-3) on a 6km stretch of river. Prices start at $215. Phone 0800 737 468 for information. Website: www.riversurfing.co.nz

Extreme Green Rafting – raft the Shotover or Kawarau River, experience jet boating, and take the opportunity to experience a helicopter flight. Prices start at $195. Phone 03 442 8517 for enquiries. Website: www.extremegreenrafting.co.nz


Skiing and Snowboarding

Cadrona Alpine Resort – perfect for beginners and intermediates. Prices begin at $51. Phone 03 443 7341 for enquiries. 

The Remarkables Ski Area – ideal for beginners, youth, and families. Prices begin at $91. Phone 0800 365 696 for enquiries. Website: 

Coronet Peak – suitable for all levels of experience or skill. Prices begin at $95. Phone 03 450 1970 for enquiries.

For more information visit www.newzealandski.co.nz


Skyline Gondola

Located an easy five minute walk from central Queenstown.  Take the journey on the iconic Gondra up Bob’s Peak. The Skyline Queenstown complex offers restaurant & bar, Kiwi Haka performances and the Skyline Luge which is a very thrilling downhill ride! 

Ph: 03 441 0101, Website: www.skyline.co.nz


Jet Boating

Take a unique breathtaking ride through dramatic and narrow canyons. World famous as the ultimate jet boat experience, Shotover Jet has thrilled over 3 million people since 1970.

Ph: 03 442 8570, Free Phone: 0800 746 868, Email: info@shotoverjet.com                          

Website: www.shotoverjet.com


TSS Earnslaw Steamship Cruises

The stately vintage steamship. The steamship has been carrying goods to isolated settlements and ferrying passengers on the pristine Lake Wakatipu since 1912. There is no better way to bask in the amazing scenery of the area than by enjoying a cruise on the TSS Earnslaw. Ph: 03 442 7500

For more information.


Appellation Central Wine Tours

Celebrate finishing the rail trail with your friends and join Appellation Central Wine Tours on a private wine tour of this world-class Central Otago wine region

For more information


Kiwi Discovery Information and Booking

Kiwi Discovery has been operating in the Queenstown outdoor adventure tourism industry for over 20 years and offers a variety of Milford Sound tours, skiing packages, hiking and outdoor adventure activities. 

Ph: 03 442 7340, Free Phone: 0800 505 504, Email: info@kiwidiscovery.com Website: www.kiwidiscovery.com

37 Camp Street.


Queenstown i-Site Visitor Centre

Queenstown's only official Visitor Information Centre. 

Monday to Friday: 8am - 6.30pm

Ph: 03 442 4100,  Free Phone: 0800 668 888, Email: queenstown@isite.org Website: www.queenstowninformation.co.nz 

Corner Camp & Shotover St.

 


The Rail Trail Guide Book

The single most important resource when travelling the Central Otago Rail Trail

A beautifully crafted book with amazing photography by Peter Andrews showing Central Otago as it truly is, one of the most rugged, extreme and beautiful locations on the planet. Stunning scenery, amazing and important historical and current information, detailed maps, lists of accommodation, frequently asked questions, where to eat, how far between towns, etc. It’s all in here.

More Info