When in Queenstown in autumn there are a few things to do that just have to be on your list! See the golden colours in Arrowtown, visit the extraordinary Milford Sound and enjoy the last of the warm days on a jet boat ride. Queenstown in autumn is a fantastic place for adventure seekers, foodies and families. There’s plenty more to it than grabbing a light jacket and roaming the town. Don’t miss some of these best things to do in Queenstown in autumn!
1. Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
See the autumn colouring in Queenstown from the best view, aboard the TSS Earnslaw steamship. Get a whole new perspective on your surroundings from the water and discover some new bays further down the lake. The Earnslaw is an iconic Queenstown fixture, seen cruising across Lake Wakatipu or parked up at the Steamer Wharf. This coal-fired steamship is over 100 years old, and has been impressively maintained and tended to. The vessel is in incredible condition, right down to the engine room that’s open for viewing. A cruise in this Queenstown icon has you cruising past mountain ranges offering spectacular views of The Remarkables and more. Cruise down to Walter Peak farm at the other end of the lake, with a drink from the onboard bar in hand. A must-do in Queenstown in autumn.
2. Check out Arrowtown
Quaint, charming and colourful. Arrowtown is best seen in the autumn months! The mass of trees around this small township turn a wonderful red, yellow and orange between summer and winter. Arrowtown is just a 20-minute drive from Queenstown. Stroll alongside the Arrow River, down the main strip and down to the historic Arrowtown Chinese settlement. You can’t miss the most-photographed little cottage nestled in the trees too. Be sure to check out Arrowtown when visiting Queenstown in Autumn.
3. Walter Peak Dining
A dining experience that involves a cruise across the lake is a must-do in our books. Walter Peak and Walter Peak High Country Farm sit further down Lake Wakatipu, away from the hustle and bustle of Queenstown. Get here by scenic cruise on the TSS Earnslaw steamship. Dine lakeside at the Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant, gourmet barbeque style. This has to be the most spectacular way to enjoy the classic kiwi barbeque, with some of the best food in Queenstown prepared in a buffet setting and tables overlooking the lake. The chefs cook on wood-fired barbeques while you spend hours in the autumn sun grazing and soaking in the experience. After some delicious desserts, have a stroll around the gardens and the lakeshore, before boarding the Earnslaw once again and cruising back to Queenstown. The Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ experience is open for lunch and dinner.
4. Jet boating
New Zealand is where the madness of jet boating began, so naturally, a jet boat ride sits high on the must-do list. The crystal clear waters, often stunning weather conditions and rivers with just enough depth make Queenstown the ‘mecca’ of jet boating in New Zealand. Jet down the Kawarau River at speeds of up to 95 kmph! Your driver will throw your around with some 360-degree spins and adrenaline-feeding turns. The perfect exhilarating Queenstown activity. Autumn is a particularly good time to get out there. The days are still warm and the scenery from the lake is incredible. Before winter kicks in you can tap on whitewater rafting to your jet boat experience in Queenstown!
5. A Day Trip to Milford Sound
There’s not much better than a day trip to Milford Sound from Queenstown! Just when you thought you’d seen it all, a venture out to Fiordland National Park and deep into Milford Sound will absolutely blow your mind. A day trip from Queenstown includes a drive along the Milford Road in a glass-roof coach with a knowledgeable driver. Get all the local know-how from the commentary along the way. Arriving into Milford Sound you’re greeted with views of Mitre Peak and other surrounding mountains towering through the fiord and out towards the Tasman Sea. Enjoy a cruise along the fiord with lunch, wildlife spotting and waterfall chasing. There’s even a bar on board. Kick back and relax during the drive back. You’re in good hands. This is a full day trip from Queenstown (roughly 12 hours all up).
This article was created in paid partnership with Real NZ.
