You feel this in its unpretentious vibe, where adventurous souls share quiet moments with locals who value authenticity over polish, creating an atmosphere of grounded resilience rather than touristy spectacle. It remains a place where breathtaking alpine scenery meets a laid-back community, inviting you to explore not just for the adrenaline, but for the genuine connection found in its winding streets and lakefronts.
Do Queenstown the way locals do: start slow at Tiki Trail- Top Station, eat where the regulars do at Fergburger, let the evening run long at Minus 5° ICE BAR.
Top things to do in Queenstown Ranked by rating and review volume. These earn their hype. Booking links may earn Roam a commission, at no cost to you.
1
Skyline Queenstown
Tourist Attraction · ★ 4.6 (13,789 reviews)
Attraction featuring a gondola to a panoramic restaurant/bar, hiking trails & a luge ride down.
Check tours & tickets 2
Puzzling World
Amusement Center · ★ 4.5 (6,060 reviews)
Attraction featuring a multi-level outdoor maze, optical illusion rooms & a cafe with table puzzles.
Check tours & tickets 3
Queenstown Gardens
Park · ★ 4.8 (1,626 reviews)
Lush, lakefront peninsula with a waterfront trail & alpine vistas, plus an ice rink & skate ramps.
Check tours & tickets 4
National Transport & Toy Museum
Museum · ★ 4.7 (1,675 reviews)
Unique museum with a collection of 50,000+ toys & vehicles, plus a picnic area, playground & shop.
Check tours & tickets 5
Historic Arrowtown Chinese Settlement
Historical Place · ★ 4.4 (2,564 reviews)
Partially restored 1880s village of Chinese gold miners, with rustic huts & interpretive signs.
Check tours & tickets 6
Kiwi Park Queenstown
Wildlife Refuge · ★ 4.5 (2,048 reviews)
Wildlife centre working with endangered species, with over 20 native bird & reptile species.
Check tours & tickets 7
Tiki Trail- Top Station
Hiking Area · ★ 4.7 (1,460 reviews)
Challenging hiking trail up a sometimes-steep incline with a gondola & scenic views from the top.
Check tours & tickets 8
Shotover Canyon Swing
adventure_sports_center, tourist_attraction · ★ 4.9 (1,048 reviews)
Adrenaline attraction featuring a freefalling swing ride & zip lines over sheer river canyon walls.
Check tours & tickets 9
Queenstown Hill Walking Track
Hiking Area · ★ 4.8 (1,196 reviews)
This popular hiking trail traverses hills & forest & offers panoramic views of a lake & mountains.
Check tours & tickets 10
RealNZ | TSS Earnslaw Queenstown Cruise
Tourist Attraction · ★ 4.7 (1,338 reviews)
Check tours & tickets Where to eat Local favorites, not tourist traps.
11
Fergburger
Hamburger Restaurant · ★ 4.6 (25,494 reviews)
Busy joint known for high-end, inventive burgers made with beef, chicken & other exotic proteins.
Website 12
Bella Cucina
Italian Restaurant · ★ 4.7 (5,427 reviews)
Website 13
Public Italian Kitchen
Restaurant · ★ 4.7 (3,349 reviews)
Website 14
Yonder
Restaurant · ★ 4.4 (2,440 reviews)
Trendy restaurant with a terrace serving homemade, international fare & brunch, plus cocktails.
Website 15
Fat Badgers Pizza Bar Queenstown
Pizza Restaurant · ★ 4.4 (2,153 reviews)
Website 16
Margo's Queenstown
Mexican Restaurant · ★ 4.6 (1,511 reviews)
Website 17
Devil Burger
Hamburger Restaurant · ★ 4.3 (2,364 reviews)
Website 18
Blue Kanu
Restaurant · ★ 4.6 (1,393 reviews)
Website Hungry for more? Book a food tour or tasting in Queenstown
Tours worth booking ahead These sell out, so lock them in early.
19
Skyline Queenstown
Tourist Attraction · ★ 4.6 (13,789 reviews)
Attraction featuring a gondola to a panoramic restaurant/bar, hiking trails & a luge ride down.
Check tours & tickets 22
RealNZ | TSS Earnslaw Queenstown Cruise
Tourist Attraction · ★ 4.7 (1,338 reviews)
Check tours & tickets Get outside 25
Tiki Trail- Top Station
Hiking Area · ★ 4.7 (1,460 reviews)
Challenging hiking trail up a sometimes-steep incline with a gondola & scenic views from the top.
Website 26
Queenstown Hill Walking Track
Hiking Area · ★ 4.8 (1,196 reviews)
This popular hiking trail traverses hills & forest & offers panoramic views of a lake & mountains.
Website 27
Bob's Cove Track
Hiking Area · ★ 4.7 (490 reviews)
Lakeside walking path through native bush, passing an 1800s lime kiln plus swimming & fishing spots.
Website 28
Glenorchy Lagoon Scenic Walkway
Hiking Area · ★ 4.7 (364 reviews)
Website 29
Sunshine Bay Track
Hiking Area · ★ 4.8 (231 reviews)
Unpaved hiking path along the shoreline of Sunshine Bay, with lookout points for views.
After dark 30
Minus 5° ICE BAR
Tourist Attraction · ★ 4.6 (1,807 reviews)
Website 31
Cowboy's Queenstown
Bar · ★ 4.5 (1,396 reviews)
Website 32
1876
Bar · ★ 4.3 (1,442 reviews)
Polished restaurant/bar in a circa-1876 stone-built courthouse offering upscale pub grub & a deck.
Website 33
The World Bar
Restaurant · ★ 4.3 (1,263 reviews)
Funky, multilevel bar featuring a menu of burgers & pub grub, plus craft beers & teapot cocktails.
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