Queenstown Winter Itinerary: 5 Days of Snow, Scenery, & Cosy Days

If you’re planning a Queenstown winter itinerary, you’re in for a treat.

Snow-covered mountains, cosy cafes, and crisp bluebird days make winter one of the most special times of year to be here.

I live in Queenstown year-round, and the winter season always feels a bit magical to me.

Winter turns Queenstown into a real-life snow globe, with the surrounding scenery dusted in snow and a festive atmosphere around town.

In this itinerary, I’ll show you how to spend five fantastic winter days in Queenstown, with options for both skiers and non-skiers.

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Table of Contents

Quick tips for this Queenstown winter itinerary

A snow-capped mountain peak in Queenstown in winter.

Winter in New Zealand runs from June through August, but in Queenstown it can often feel wintery from June through September—and sometimes into mid-October.
Winter weather in Queenstown can be unpredictable, especially when it comes to snow and road conditions. I’ve designed this itinerary to be flexible, so you can swap days around depending on the weather. For example, I’d save skiing or the Glenorchy drive for clear days.
If you’re planning to ski or snowboard, the best months are usually later in the season—mid-July through September tends to see the most consistent snowfall. That said, the ski fields are typically open from mid-June through mid-October, and snowmaking helps ensure decent coverage even if natural snowfall is limited.
School holidays (usually end of June-mid July) can be a busy time in Queenstown in winter. If you’d prefer to avoid crowds, plan your trip outside of these dates. Otherwise, make sure to book your accommodation and rental car well in advance. Check out my guide to Queenstown in July if you plan to visit during this time.

Getting around Queenstown

A photo taken from the inside of a car looking out the front window at the Crown Range Road with snow covering the sides of the road.

For this itinerary, I recommend hiring a car.

Having your own set of wheels will give you the ultimate flexibility and allow you to go on day trips, which you’ll definitely want to do!

While you don’t need a 4WD vehicle, I do find it helpful if you’re planning to head up to the ski fields.

You’ll also want to ensure that your car hire includes snow chains, as you’re required to carry snow chains in Queenstown in winter.

🚙 I use Discover Cars to search for car rentals in New Zealand, and go with whoever has the best prices and good reviews.

I’m also a big fan of Apex Rentals and often find that they have the best prices around

If you’d prefer not to drive, check out my guide to visiting Queenstown without a car.

Where to stay in Queenstown

If it’s your first time visiting Queenstown, I recommend staying as close to the town centre as possible. Staying in town makes it much easier to walk to restaurants, the lakefront, and activities.

Budget ($) – Tahuna Pod Hostel – A clean, modern hostel with a fantastic central location and comfortable pod-style beds.
Mid-range ($$) – Garden Court Suites & Apartments – Spacious, apartment-style accommodation just a short walk from town. This is a really practical option if you want a bit more space or a kitchenette to prepare some of your own meals.
Luxury ($$$) – Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel – A beautiful boutique stay with exceptional service, stylish rooms, and a peaceful location in the town centre.
Camping – If you’re planning to brave a winter campervan experience, check out my guide to camping in Queenstown.

Queenstown Winter Itinerary (5 Days)

Day 1: Get to know town

A view over Queenstown in winter from Bob's Peak at the top of the Skyline Gondola.

Kick off your Queenstown winter itinerary by getting to know town. I think the best way to do that is to go for a wander around the town centre.

While the mountains around town may be covered in snow, it rarely snows at the town level. This means you can walk around town with ease while enjoying the snowy scenery around you.

Morning

Have brunch at one of the many excellent cafes in the town centre. Warm up with a filling meal and a hot drink before exploring Queenstown further.

I recommend Bespoke Kitchen, Odd Saint, or Vudu—all of these places have excellent food and coffee, so you truly can’t go wrong.

After brunch, wander around town and peek into any shops that strike your fancy. I always love popping into Frank’s Corner for locally-made goods and cosy wool socks.

Afternoon

A view across Queenstown Bay in winter, with boats anchored in the lake, the Queenstown Gardens with green trees, and snow-capped mountains in the Remarkables Ranges beyond that.

Go for a nice stroll along the waterfront to soak up the crisp winter air and take in the scenery.

If you head towards Saint Omer Park, you’ll get some excellent views over Queenstown Bay with the Remarkables in the backdrop.

Then head along the lakefront path towards the Queenstown Gardens, which are lovely (and free!) to visit any time of year. A gentle path winds around the gardens and showcases gorgeous views of Lake Wakatipu and the Southern Alps.

After your walk, take the Skyline Gondola up to Bob’s Peak for incredible views over Queenstown. There’s a fun luge at the top of the gondola, too, which is always a good time for kids and adults alike.

And if you’re ready for a drink, the bar here is a great place to sit back and relax while enjoying a cocktail, beer, or wine with amazing views.

Evening

Enjoy a relaxed dinner in town at one of Queenstown’s most iconic restaurants—the Cow.

This cosy restaurant has a rustic atmosphere with a crackling fireplace and candle-lit tables, and delicious pizza and pasta on the menu.

Their spaghetti bolognese is always my go-to order, along with a side of garlic bread for the table.

Day 2: Ski day or walk + lake cruise

Day 2 of this itinerary is a choose-your-own-adventure situation.

If you’ve come to Queenstown to ski, that’ll be the plan for today. But if you’re a non-skier, don’t worry—there’s plenty in store for you today, too!

Option 1: Ski Day

Views of snow and a ski lift at the Remarkables Ski Field in Queenstown in winter.

If you’re visiting Queenstown to ski or snowboard, today’s the day to hit the slopes.

There are two ski fields in Queenstown to choose from. Here’s a quick overview of each one:

The Remarkables: Located a 40-minute drive from the Queenstown town centre, this is the largest of the ski fields in Queenstown, and as a local, it’s my go-to ski field. There’s a good variety of terrain with wide-open runs ranging from beginner to advanced.
Coronet Peak: This is the easiest ski field to access in Queenstown, located just a 20-minute drive from the town centre. Coronet Peak sits at a lower elevation than the Remarkables, so it doesn’t usually get quite as much snow and the conditions can sometimes be icy. That said, the views are awesome.

When you purchase a lift pass, it’s valid for use at either the Remarkables or Coronet Peak.

If you don’t have your own gear, you can easily hire gear in town or up at the ski fields. I have my own gear so haven’t needed to hire it, but I’ve heard good things about Brown’s Ski Shop (who will even deliver to most hotels in Queenstown!).

After your day of skiing, have dinner and drinks at Steamer Wharf back in town. I recommend Little Blackwood for a cocktail or Atlas for a craft beer, followed by Saigon Kingdom or Flame for dinner.

Option 2: Lake Wakatipu walk + cruise

The historic red and white TSS Earnslaw steamship, parked up at Walter Peak on Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown. — The TSS Earnslaw steamship is such a fun way to get out on the water while staying cosy!

Not into skiing or snowboarding? No problem.

Instead of hitting the slopes, spend today enjoying some relaxing activities around Lake Wakatipu.

In the morning, bundle up and head to the Queenstown Marina for breakfast and a walk.

At the Marina, the Boat Shed Cafe is great for a sit-down breakfast, with a cosy interior and great views of Lake Wakatipu. I love their chorizo scramble and order it pretty much every time I’m here.

Alternatively, for something lighter, the Boat Shed Bakery is the perfect spot to pick up a pastry and coffee.

After breakfast, stretch your legs with a walk along the Frankton Arm Walkway. I like walking from the Queenstown Marina to the historic dam, where you can watch jet boats go by and soak in gorgeous views of the lake and mountains.

In the afternoon, book a cruise on the TSS Earnslaw, a historic steam ship that glides you across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station.

You can pair the cruise with a BBQ lunch or dinner, and the food is fantastic.