The Perfect 7-Day Queenstown Itinerary
Queenstown makes an ideal base for a 7-day itinerary in New Zealand’s South Island.
With stunning alpine landscapes at its doorstep, epic day trips nearby, and great places to eat and drink, you certainly won’t get bored with a week in Queenstown.
The challenge is that there’s so much to do here that it can feel overwhelming trying to structure your days. Believe me, I know.
I’m here to help. I live in Queenstown and love helping visitors enjoy this incredible place to its fullest.
In this 7-day itinerary, you’ll experience Queenstown’s highlights, go on a few epic day trips, and enjoy activities like hiking and wine tasting.
Here’s how to spend an unforgettable week in Queenstown.
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Getting around Queenstown
I recommend renting a car for this itinerary, as having your own set of wheels will let you experience the wider region at your own pace.
🚙 Discover Cars is a good resource for comparing prices on car rentals, and I also recommend Apex Rentals (they’re usually my go-to for car rentals in New Zealand).
If you’re planning to visit Queenstown but don’t want to drive, see my guide to visiting Queenstown without a car.
Where to stay in Queenstown
I don’t know about you, but when I stay somewhere for a week, I really like having a kitchen or kitchenette in my accommodation so I don’t have to go out for every meal.
I’d also make sure you book accommodation with parking available onsite, since you’ll want to have a car for this itinerary.
Here are some accommodation options I recommend:
A quick note about this 7-day Queenstown itinerary
This is a 7-day itinerary based in Queenstown, with day trips to nearby destinations like Glenorchy, Wanaka, and Milford Sound.
If you’d prefer a larger South Island itinerary instead, check out my 7-day Christchurch to Queenstown road trip or this 7-day South Island road trip (which starts in Queenstown).
7-day Queenstown itinerary day-by-day
Day 1: Get to know town
Spend your first day in Queenstown getting acquainted with town.
The Queenstown town centre is compact, easily walkable, and in the most gorgeous setting you could imagine. Surrounded by mountains and with Lake Wakatipu at its doorstep, it’s hard to picture a more beautiful location!
It’s easy to get around the town centre on foot, and you’ll get two more perspectives today: one from the water, and one from high above town on the gondola.
Morning: Breakfast & Queenstown Gardens walk
Kick off your day with a light breakfast and gentle walk.
I’d pick up a pastry and coffee at Fergbaker, the sister bakery to the famous Fergburger joint (which is right next door, and don’t worry—you’ll get to try it a bit later).
Take your food and coffee to Queenstown Bay Beach to enjoy while you get great views over Lake Wakatipu.
Then continue walking along the lakefront to the Queenstown Gardens, which are completely free to visit and beautiful year-round.
The peninsula track around the gardens is a mellow walk offering great views over the lake and mountains, and it’s the perfect way to work off that pastry.
I love this walk so much that I do it almost daily, and I think you’re going to love it, too!
Midday/Afternoon: Lake cruise
This afternoon, get out on the water on one of Queenstown’s most iconic activities: a BBQ lunch at Walter Peak Station via the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship.
The TSS Earnslaw will cruise you across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station, where you’ll enjoy a gourmet lunch buffet with fresh salads, BBQ meats and delicious desserts.
The first time I went on this tour, I was honestly blown away by how good the food is here—it’s not your typical buffet fare! Hot tip—don’t miss the sticky date pudding; I dream about it 😅
After lunch, you’ll have time to wander around the gardens and visit friendly farm animals before watching a farm dog show, which is honestly quite impressive and a lot of fun.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer a Queenstown lake cruise without the lunch and farm tour option, you could simply book the TSS Earnslaw Cruise (without the lunch option), the Spirit of Queenstown Cruise, or the Million Dollar Cruise.
Evening: Gondola views
Once you return to town after your lake cruise, head up to the Skyline Gondola, located just a short walk uphill from the lakefront.
The Skyline Gondola whisks you up to Bob’s Peak, where you’ll get panoramic views over Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the Southern Alps.
The view from up here is the one you’ve seen in all of those Queenstown skyline photos—and it’s even more impressive in person.
You can also try a very fun activity up here: the luge, which is like real-life Mario Kart.
If the luge sounds too thrilling, you can opt for a drink at the bar instead, and sip on your beverage of choice with one of the best views in town.
If you’re feeling peckish again at this stage, head back to town to queue up for a famous Fergburger. I like taking my burger to Perky’s Floating Bar, which allows you to bring your own food onboard.
Alternatively, if you’re still feeling full from your BBQ lunch but want a little treat, get a scoop of ice cream from Anita Gelato near the gondola base.
Day 2: Visit Arrowtown & Gibbston Valley
On your second day in Queenstown, go on a day trip to Arrowtown, a historic gold mining village packed with charm.
Morning: drive to Arrowtown (and go jetboating)
The drive from Queenstown to Arrowtown takes just 20 minutes, but it’s beautiful in and of itself.
I recommend driving from Queenstown via Gorge Road through Arthur’s Point and Malaghan’s Road, where you’ll get to see some truly lovely countryside.
On the way to Arrowtown, stop by the Shotover River to go on a jet boat ride.
The Shotover Jet is one of Queenstown’s most popular attractions, and for good reason—you’ll get to zip down Shotover River Gorge at thrilling speeds and take in beautiful scenery along the way. It’ll certainly wake you up this morning!
If you’re not keen on a jet boat ride yourself, a nice option is to instead go for a walk on the Oxenbridge Tunnel Track, a short but scenic walk that follows the Shotover River and gives you a good glimpse at the jet boats on the river.
After the Shotover River, continue driving to Arrowtown.
Late morning/midday: explore Arrowtown
Once you arrive in Arrowtown, have a leisurely brunch at either Dishery or Provisions Cafe, which both serve up excellent food and coffee.
After your meal, explore Arrowtown. I always love strolling down Buckingham Street, which has cute shops lining the quaint street.
Another place I recommend is the Royalburn Farm Shop, where you can pick up local produce and gourmet gifts in the sweetest little store set in a converted shed.
Then make your way down to the Arrow River to visit the historic Arrowtown Chinese Settlement, which is free to visit.
From the Arrow River, you can set out on a number of different walks and hikes.
The Arrowtown Millennium Walk is my favourite easy walk here, with a gentle trail following the Arrow River in a woodland setting that feels like something out of a fairytale.
Or, if you’re keen for a longer hike, go on the Sawpit Gully Track, a beautiful loop trail that takes you into the hills behind Arrowtown.
Arrowtown is beautiful to visit year-round, but autumn is particularly gorgeous—the tree-topped hills around town light up in stunning shades of red and gold, and it’s truly a sight to behold.
Afternoon: Gibbston wine country
After exploring Arrowtown, head into Gibbston Valley, a beautiful Central Otago wine region.
As you drive from Arrowtown to Gibbston Valley, you might want to stop by the AJ Hackett Bungy at the Kawarau Bridge—it’s the location of the world’s first commercial bungy jump, after all, and it’s still going strong!
I don’t tend to partake in adrenaline activities like this myself, but I always love watching other people take the plunge, and it’s just a lovely spot to view the Kawarau River regardless.
Then continue into Gibbston Valley to do a little wine tasting at your cellar door of choice.
My two favourite cellar doors here are Mt Rosa and Kinross—both have lovely settings with outdoor seating, not to mention delicious platters and other nibbles, too.
Another option is to head to Ayrburn, a wine and food precinct right near Arrowtown. They have a number of different restaurant and bar venues, including the Barrel Room for wine tasting. The grounds are really impressive—it’s worth visiting even just to walk around the property!
Evening: Onsen Hot Pools
The Onsen Hot Pools are located between Arrowtown and Queenstown, and make for a very relaxing end to the day.
You’ll get to soak in your own private cedar-lined hot tub with incredible views over the Shotover River. It’s magical!
I recommend booking your hot pool in advance, because this is a popular place and they do book out. Also, if you can time your visit around sunset, you won’t regret it—sunset lighting followed by a soak under the stars is quite hard to beat!
Itinerary note: If you’d like to sample more than just a little of the region’s wine today, it’s obviously best not to drive yourself. In that case, consider booking a wine tour!
🍇 The Wine Hopper bus is one of my favourite options, with a flexible winery shuttle service that allows you to customise the day as you’d like.
Day 3: Day trip to Glenorchy
Today is all about making the most of one of my absolute favourite mini road trips from Queenstown—the drive to Glenorchy!
The drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy technically takes about 45 minutes one way, but believe me when I say you’ll want to plan on a full day to enjoy the drive.
I’ve done this drive countless times over the years and it never ceases to make my jaw drop.
The Queenstown-Glenorchy road skirts along the shores of Lake Wakatipu, with epic views of the lake and mountains the entire way. You’ll want to make stops at the scenic lookouts and walks along the way, so get an early start if you can.
I recommend packing snacks and plenty of drinking water, because there aren’t any major shops around Glenorchy.
Morning: drive to Glenorchy
Have breakfast in Queenstown before setting out towards Glenorchy. One quick option I like is a breakfast bun and coffee from Brunch on Church.
Then it’s time to hit the road!
There are two stops I definitely recommend you make as you drive to Glenorchy.
The first stop is Bob’s Cove, where you can take a short walk to reach a picturesque sandy beach in a small bay on Lake Wakatipu. If you’re up for a bit more walking, you can continue up to Picnic Point for an amazing view.
Another stop worth making is the Bennett’s Bluff Viewpoint, a short walk to a great lookout over the lake and mountains.
Midday: Glenorchy
Glenorchy is a small village at the head of Lake Wakatipu.
Its most famous attraction is the historic red Glenorchy boat shed, which looks like something from a Wes Anderson movie. The boat shed is located right beside the Glenorchy Wharf, a popular photography spot.
Another nice thing to do in Glenorchy is the Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway, a mellow trail featuring boardwalks and peaceful reflective pools in the lagoon. There are some beautiful benches to sit at along the walk to soak up the views.
While you’re in Glenorchy, I highly recommend visiting Mrs Woolly’s General Store, a charming little shop and cafe. Check out their handpicked range of gifts and books, and grab a sandwich or pie for lunch.
Another great spot for lunch in town is Casa Jaguar, a great Mexican joint with awesome tacos and nachos.
Afternoon: drive into Mount Aspiring National Park
After enjoying some time in Glenorchy, continue driving beyond Glenorchy into Mount Aspiring National Park.
The scenery becomes even more magnificent as you get closer to the mountains—it really feels like Lord of the Rings country out this way (and in fact, it is! Some of the locations here were used as filming sites for the movies).
Depending on how much time you have, I also recommend doing a hike out this way.
The Lake Sylvan Track is my favourite short hike in the area, with an easy trail that follows the turquoise Routeburn River before leading you across a swingbridge and into beech forest to reach peaceful Lake Sylvan.
Or, if you’re keen on a bigger hike, you could skip past some of the other stops I’ve mentioned and head straight for the Routeburn Shelter to do a day hike on the Routeburn Track to either Routeburn Flats or Routeburn Falls.
Evening: dinner back in Queenstown
After a full day of exploring Glenorchy and beyond, make your way back to Queenstown.
I’m guessing you’re going to be pretty tired after a big day out, so I’d plan on a casual dinner. Steamer Wharf has some nice options, including Saigon Kingdom for Vietnamese food or Atlas Beer Cafe for craft beer and steak or burger.
Day 4: Go on a Milford Sound tour
Milford Sound is sometimes referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” and I have to say I agree.
Technically a fiord rather than a sound, Milford Sound is a place of towering mountains, inky-blue water filled with marine life, numerous waterfalls, and dense rainforest scenery.
If you have extra time to add to your itinerary, I’d actually recommend staying for a couple of nights in Te Anau and driving yourself from Te Anau to Milford Sound—my Queenstown to Milford Sound itinerary covers this route.
Otherwise, the best way to visit Milford Sound from Queenstown is to take a tour! Despite what you may have read online, it’s too far to drive yourself from Queenstown to Milford Sound on a day trip, so a tour is the best choice.
You have a few different options for tours from Queenstown to Milford Sound, all of which include a cruise on Milford Sound once you arrive.
Milford Sound tour options
- Milford Sound coach tour: this is the longest option involving a total of 8+ hours on a coach, but it’s also the most affordable. Milford Road is stunningly beautiful, so it’s nice to enjoy the scenery from the comfort of a bus while someone else does the driving.
- Milford Sound coach-cruise-fly tour: this option gives you the best of both worlds—the chance to see Milford Road on a coach ride to Milford Sound, followed by a scenic flight to return to Queenstown after cruising Milford Sound.
- Milford Sound fly-cruise-fly tour: flying to and from Milford Sound is the quickest, most convenient option—and the views over Fiordland from the sky are magnificent.
Day 5: Hiking & views around Queenstown
Spend today enjoying some of the beautiful places around Queenstown.
I suggest going on a hike this morning, followed by a visit to one of Queenstown’s most scenic viewpoints later in the day.
Morning/Midday: hike the Moke Lake Loop Track
After a bit of a sleep-in this morning (Milford Sound was a big day!), drive out to one of my favourite hidden-away places near Queenstown: Moke Lake.
Moke Lake is a peaceful lake surrounded by mountains, with a lovely hiking trail that circles the lake.
It feels like you’re in the backcountry here, but it’s located just a short detour off the Queenstown-Glenorchy Road, about a 20-minute drive from the Queenstown town centre.
The Moke Lake Loop Track is 6 km and usually takes me about 2.5 hours with stops for photos and snacks. It’s a mostly-easy hike with a couple of uphill sections, and it’s a great trail for all ages.
Pack drinking water and snacks, because you’ll want to take your time once you get here, and there are lots of great spots for a picnic!
Afternoon: Deer Park Heights
Later this afternoon, head to Deer Park Heights for a unique Queenstown experience.
Located in Kelvin Heights, Deer Park Heights is a scenic drive, animal encounter, and Lord of the Rings filming site all in one.
From up here, you’ll get sweeping views over Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown—it’s absolutely breathtaking!
You’ll need to book your ticket in advance (at the time of writing, it’s $75 per vehicle for up to 8 passengers).
Also bring $2 coins to purchase animal feed near the entrance if you’d like to feed the animals—the kunekune pigs are my favourite little guys, but there are also sheep, donkeys, miniature horses, and some very cheeky goats (seriously, watch your car around the goats!).
Evening: dinner around Frankton
On your drive back to Queenstown, stop for dinner around Frankton.
Sundays is a great spot for woodfired pizzas—it’s set in a charming restored church in Country Lane and has a wonderful atmosphere.
Or head to the Queenstown Marina for a craft beer at Altitude Brewing, along with a burger from the Smoke and Pickle food truck (I think these are the best burgers in Queenstown, personally!).
Day 6: Day trip to Wanaka
Today you’ll go on another fantastic day trip from Queenstown, this time to the lovely lakeside town of Wanaka.
Wanaka is located about a 1 to 1.5 hour drive from Queenstown.
While it’s similar to Queenstown in a lot of ways, Wanaka has more of a local, relaxed vibe.
Most people who visit Wanaka fall in love with it—and I bet you will, too!
Morning: drive to Wanaka via Cromwell
There are two ways you can drive from Queenstown to Wanaka: via the Crown Range Road, and via State Highway 6 and Cromwell.
To make the most of the day, I actually recommend making a loop. Drive via Highway 6 and Cromwell on the way to Wanaka, then drive back to Queenstown via the Crown Range Road.
On the drive to Wanaka via State Highway 6, you’ll follow the Kawarau River before reaching Cromwell. If you’re visiting in summer or autumn, you’ll find some nice fruit stalls around Cromwell selling local stone fruit or pears and apples, depending on the season.
The Cromwell Heritage Precinct is worth a visit, too—it’s home to historic buildings from the gold rush era, and takes just a quick wander to explore. Pinot Junction is a nice spot here for a coffee and cinnamon scroll.
Then continue driving from Cromwell for about 40 minutes to reach Wanaka.
Afternoon: explore Wanaka
When you arrive in Wanaka, park by the lakefront and soak up the gorgeous views of Lake Wanaka and the nearby mountains. With such peaceful surroundings, it’s hard not to feel at ease here.
Then go for a walk along the lakefront path to see the famous Wanaka Tree, arguably Wanaka’s most popular attraction. I think the tree is a bit overrated, to be honest, but I still think it’s worth seeing—and the walk to get there is absolutely lovely!
After seeing the famous tree, have some lunch in Wanaka. I recommend the Big Fig for a Mediterranean-inspired meal of fresh salads and slow-cooked meats, or the Brownston Street food trucks (Burrito Craft is my go-to food truck here!).
Once you’ve fuelled up with some lunch, you’ll be spoilt for choice on how to spend the rest of the day.
You could visit the Wanaka Lavender Farm if you’re here in summer, or set out on another nice walk around the area.
Mount Iron is a great little hike close to town, or you could do a section of the Glendhu Bay Track or Upper Clutha River Track for something mellow.
Late afternoon/evening: drive back to Queenstown
Once you’ve explored Wanaka, start making your way back to Queenstown via the Crown Range Road.
Before you reach the Crown Range Road, you’ll pass by the wee settlement of Cardrona. This is home to the historic Cardrona Hotel, one of the most-photographed buildings in New Zealand.
The Cardrona Hotel has a lovely restaurant and pub onsite, and it’s the perfect spot to grab a bite before continuing on to Queenstown. Their beautiful garden courtyard is a wonderful spot to enjoy a meal, or sit inside the cosy pub if it’s a bit chilly out.
Then make your way over the Crown Range Road, New Zealand’s highest main road.
This is a winding and steep road, but it’s a very scenic drive. That said, if you’re visiting in winter or early spring, it’s worth checking the road conditions before setting out, as the road can sometimes close if conditions are unsafe to drive.
There’s a nice viewpoint at the Crown Range summit where you can pull over and soak up the views over the Wakatipu Basin before winding your way back down to Queenstown.
Day 7: Depart
How you spend your final day in Queenstown depends on what time your flight is today.
If you have an afternoon flight, you’ll have some time to linger around Queenstown a bit more before you depart.
After checking out of your accommodation, I recommend heading to Frankton Beach, a lovely lakeside reserve that’s close to the airport.
You can park at Frankton Beach and then go for a nice, easy stroll along the Frankton Arm to the Queenstown Marina, where you can have brunch at the Boatshed Cafe or grab a pastry and coffee from the Boatshed Bakery. Both spots have great food and excellent views over the lake.
After brunch, walk back to Frankton Beach—and if you’d like to keep walking, you can continue along the lakeside path towards the Kelvin Peninsula Trail, turning around whenever you’d like!
Then head to the Queenstown Airport to return your rental car and depart.
Best time of year for this 7-day Queenstown itinerary
You can follow this itinerary year-round. That said, November through April will be the best months for longer daylight hours and (usually) snow-free roads and hikes.
Here’s what to consider for each season.
- Spring in Queenstown (September, October, November)
September through mid-October is good for spring skiing, but some higher elevation hikes might be unsafe to do with lingering snow. November is a good shoulder season month to visit before summer crowds arrive. - Summer in Queenstown (December, January, February)
Summer is great for swimming in the lake and long sunny days, but it’s also very busy and expensive—book everything well in advance, especially from the end of December through January! - Autumn in Queenstown (March, April, May)
March is usually a fantastic month for settled weather and fewer crowds. April in Queenstown showcases amazing autumn colours. May is a slower month tourism-wise and is good for visiting Queenstown on a budget. - Winter in Queenstown (June, July, August)
If you want to go skiing and/or see snowy scenery, winter is the time for you. June is usually a pretty quiet month and there often isn’t much natural snow yet. July and August are usually better for snow, but plan for school holiday crowds in Queenstown in July. Check out my Queenstown winter itinerary if you plan to visit in winter!
Thanks for reading my 7-day Queenstown itinerary!
I truly hope this has helped you plan your visit to Queenstown.
As always, please leave a comment if you have any questions or feedback for me—I really love hearing from you!
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