Experience the hidden gems and unique experiences in Queenstown when you take your time and find a sense of connection with the people and place. Adventure to walking trails that seem out of this world and get off the beaten track with local tour guides, gaining deeper insights from expert knowledge. Stay up after dark to experience the night sky and hang with the locals to get insider tips and tricks for the ultimate Queenstown experience. Enjoy a slow-paced stay that leaves you with a new-found love and appreciation for Queenstown.
1. Day walk on the Routeburn Track
Famed as one of the New Zealand Great Walks, the Routeburn Track is a world-class walking track in the depths of the spectacular Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks. Marvelling at wide open valleys, meandering through dense wild bush and taking in the sound of native birdlife is sure to leave you rejuvenated. Accessible from Queenstown, this incredible walking track is easy to get to, and the option of a day walk on this multi-day hike makes it more within reach.
Get a taste of this track with a self-guided day walk to the first Department of Conservation hut, Routeburn Flats. This walk starts at the Routeburn Shelter car park, roughly 35 minutes from Glenorchy. The well-maintained track weaves through beech tree forests, across suspension bridges and alongside crystal-clear blue rivers. This is a 15 km return day walk, taking between three and five hours with a stop halfway at the alpine meadows of Routeburn Flats. This day walk option allows you to enjoy a piece of this Great Walk, without having to book huts several months in advance. Plus, it’s a great walk for most, not just seasoned hikers. The small town of Glenorchy is the perfect place to spend some time. Check out the local spots like Mrs Woolly’s General Store and Akin (formally known as The Trading Post) for supplies and other goods. Snacks and caffeine are recommended to fuel your adventures! With a unique range of lodges, retreats and campgrounds in the area, allow time to stay a few nights and explore this beautiful corner of the world.
If you’re interested in making this a privately guided day walk experience, check out the team at Alpine Luxury Tours.
2. Local guided tours
Take the planning out of your expeditions and opt for a guided tour in Queenstown. For a truly unique experience, link in with the locals who can offer a more in-depth tour and allow you to delve deeper into stories that make the people and place special. If e-biking through unbelievable scenery is your idea of heaven, a guided e-bike tour with Ride to the Sky will not disappoint. Not only will you benefit from having knowledgeable local guides, but you’re granted access to a private farm that wouldn’t otherwise be accessible.
Spend time in a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the experts at The Great Glenorchy Alpine Base Camp, with multiday adventures involving hiking, camping, mountaineering and more. These off-the-beaten-track adventures test your limits and take you to places you’d only dream of.
Nomad Safaris offer guided tours in remarkable locations like Skippers Canyon and Paradise, in the comfort of luxury Teslas. Experience the great outdoors in style on small group tours. For those looking to add a touch of wine culture to their days, check out Altitude Tours for expert wine tours, gin tours and craft beer tours.
3. Stargazing
For those who want to keep the adventure going into the night, stargazing is particularly beautiful in Queenstown, with minimal light pollution and impressive vantage spots. It’s even one of the places where lucky viewers may have a chance to see the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) between March and September.
Skyline Stargazing takes you high above the Skyline Gondola for an immersive stargazing experience in winter. Guides will help you see the Southern Cross, Milky Way and beyond with their top-tier telescopes. Local tour guides at Authentic As will help you feel at home in Queenstown, with their carefully curated stargazing tours that weave astrophotography into the mix. Take the guesswork out of where to go and capture the ultimate image of the distant galaxies.
Even the transition from day to night is spectacular, with stunning spots to watch the sunset like Moke Lake and Bennett’s Bluff. After a day full of adventure, simply slow down the pace, wrap up and find a quiet spot for an evening of marvelling at the night sky. This unique experience is guaranteed to foster a deeper appreciation for this incredible place.
4. Kayaking on Lake Whakatipu, Moke Lake and Glenorchy
See Queenstown from a unique perspective by kayaking on Lake Whakatipu. This lake is the centrepiece of the picturesque town, and its many secluded bays and often calm, clear water make for a memorable setting to clock some time paddling. Paddle Queenstown offer kayaks for hire right from the shores of Queenstown Beach.
Journey to Moke Lake, just 20 minutes out of Queenstown, to kayak on this secluded lake surrounded by mountains. This Paddle Queenstown Moke Lake experience is utterly breathtaking and unlike any other activity in the area. Guides will pick you up in Queenstown and drive you to Moke Lake, ensuring you’re set up with all the gear and local tidbits to make you feel at home.
Explore the top end of Lake Whakatipu with a guided kayaking tour in Kinloch. See the sights of this special corner of Queenstown, where the Dart River meets the lake. Combine kayaking and island exploring with the team at Rippled Earth, with guided kayak tours from Glenorchy.
5. Get to know the locals
There’s no better way to enhance your time in Queenstown than feeling like you explored like a local. Find the best coffee, get some insider tips and do something a little different. Start your days at cafes like Bespoke Kitchen or Hustl and begin your evenings with dinner at Atlas; these local favourites boast friendly atmospheres, Hustl supports the single-use cup-free movement and Atlas is the go-to for a steak after finishing the Queenstown Trail by bike or foot. Soak up the community feel at local farmers markets Remarkables Market and Arrowtown Market by chatting with the stall owners.
Find a local planting day or join a dig night to connect with the passionate mountain biking community. Keep an eye on Queenstown’s events calendar for quiz nights and open mic nights. These wholesome and low-key events are the perfect unique experiences that strengthen your tie with Queenstown.
This article was created in paid partnership with Queenstown NZ.
