33 Incredible Things to Do in Queenstown in Summer
Queenstown in summer is pure paradise.
The days are long, Lake Wakatipu sparkles under the sun, and the atmosphere around town is fun and festive.
Warm days spent by the lake, hitting the trails, sipping cold drinks under the sun—there’s nothing better, really!
I live in Queenstown and look forward to summer every year.
In this guide, I’m sharing my top things to do in Queenstown in summer.
If you’re curious about the classic Queenstown activities but also want to discover hidden gems, hiking trails, and delicious local food and drinks, then I hope you’ll like this guide.
Keep reading for the best things to do in Queenstown this summer!
1. Have a beach day
Queenstown is perched on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, and there are multiple lakeside beaches to soak up the sun and maybe go for an icy-cold swim.
The most popular beach is Queenstown Bay Beach, which is located right in town. In summer, this beach becomes really busy with people lounging under the sunshine, swimming, and kayaking.
If you’d prefer a less-crowded beach, head to Sunshine Bay. It’s located a 5-minute drive (or 1-hour walk) from town, and it’s such a good spot to spend a sunny afternoon.
Other nice beaches on Lake Wakatipu are Frankton Beach, Kelvin Beach, Wilson Bay, and Bob’s Cove
2. Wander the Queenstown Gardens
The Queenstown Gardens are a beautiful greenspace located on a peninsula just a 5-minute walk from town.
They’re completely free to visit and are lovely to wander through.
You can walk along the path through the gardens to admire all of the blooms, and connect to the lakeside trail that loops around the gardens. You’ll get stunning views over Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains.
There’s also a free disc golf course, lawn bowls (which are a fun and cheap activity!), and lots of benches to rest your legs and soak up the sunshine.
My favourite benches are in the rose gardens under the big trees. Bring a good book and linger for a while!
3. Enjoy takeaways by the lake
A classic Queenstown summer activity is grabbing takeaways to eat at the lakefront.
Enjoying a casual meal with views of Lake Wakatipu is always just so nice. You’ll see heaps of people enjoying their takeaways at Queenstown Bay Beach (but if you join in, keep your eyes on the cheeky ducks that’ll try to steal your food!).
The most popular takeaway option is a burger from the famous Fergburger. If the long queues at Fergburger put you off, Devil Burger or Erik’s Fish & Chips are both good choices, too, as is a pie or sandwich from Ferg Baker.
Another fun thing to do is to take your food onboard Perky’s Floating Bar (you can do this if you purchase a drink onboard). They have good drinks and awesome views, and it’s a uniquely Queenstown experience!
4. Try all the ice cream
Queenstown is home to several excellent ice cream and gelato shops, and there’s no better time to sample them than in the summer.
Choose from Patagonia Chocolates or Mrs Ferg’s Gelateria in the town centre, or Anita Gelato up by the Skyline Gondola.
You can’t go wrong as they’re all good, but I will just say that my favourite scoop is the lemon meringue gelato from Mrs Ferg’s.
5. Sip drinks under the sun
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to bars in Queenstown, and in summer, there are some lovely places to have a cold drink while basking in the sunshine.
Public Kitchen is right on the water and does good espresso martinis.
For hand-crafted cocktails, go to Little Blackwood and sit outside on their patio.
World Bar and Yonder are right near each other, and both places have lovely outdoor seating areas.
For a rooftop bar, head to the Sundeck—it has great views and is an awesome place to watch a sunset.
6. Dine alfresco
In summer, I pretty much want to eat all of my meals outside. If you’re the same, you’ll be happy to hear that Queenstown has plenty of great places to enjoy an alfresco meal.
It’s never a bad idea to have a leisurely summer brunch at one of the excellent cafes in Queenstown.
In town, head to Yonder, Vudu, Odd Saint, or Bespoke Kitchen for great food, coffee, and outdoor seating.
The Boat Shed Cafe in the Queenstown Marina is another beautiful spot for breakfast and lunch, and their outdoor seating area offers stellar views over Lake Wakatipu.
Further afield in Arrowtown is Mora Wines & Artisan Kitchen, where you can have a stellar breakfast or long lunch in their sunny garden courtyard.
7. Cruise on Lake Wakatipu
Getting out on the water on a cruise is a relaxed way to experience Queenstown.
You have a few great options for lake cruises in Queenstown:
- The TSS Earnslaw Historic Steamship
- Million Dollar Cruise
- Real NZ Scenic Lake Cruise
I’ve done all of these cruises and love them all.
But if I had to choose one, I’d go for the TSS Earnslaw Cruise and BBQ lunch. The historic steamship is so neat to see, and the farm-to-table lunch is so good!
8. Go kayaking
Kayaking on Lake Wakatipu is one of my all-time favourite summer activities in Queenstown.
If you have your own kayak or paddleboard, bring it along. But for most visitors, it’s easiest to rent gear when you’re in town.
Paddle Queenstown has kayak, paddle board, and water bike rentals set up on the beach. It’s a relaxed paddling experience and lots of fun, as long as you go on a calm day.
You can usually just walk up and rent your gear onsite, but if you’re visiting over Christmas and New Year’s, it’s worth booking ahead.
They’ll give you a lifejacket and safety briefing and then you’re free to explore.
Make sure you wear a hat and sunscreen; the sun here is strong and reflects off the water, and you don’t want a sunburn to ruin your holiday!
9. Drive to Glenorchy
The 45-minute drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy is one of the most scenic road trips from Queenstown.
You’ll follow Lake Wakatipu the entire way, with mountain and lake views to keep you company.
While Glenorchy is the main destination, there are heaps of beautiful hiking trails and side-trips along the way.
And if you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, you’ll be pleased to hear that there are some filming locations around these parts.
Glenorchy itself is a small settlement at the head of Lake Wakatipu, and it’s a relaxed spot to visit.
For a lovely afternoon in Glenorchy, I recommend that you pick up treats from Mrs Woolly’s General Store, check out the historic red Glenorchy Boat Shed and wharf, and walk the peaceful and easy Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway.
10. Explore the Bob’s Cove Track
Bob’s Cove is a sheltered lakeside beach cove located just off the Queenstown-Glenorchy Road.
With crystal-clear water and lush native bush, it’s a picturesque spot that’s easily one of the best summer activities in Queenstown.
Take a short walk to visit the beach, or continue up to the Picnic Point lookout for incredible views over Lake Wakatipu.
Pack your swimsuit and a picnic, because this is a gorgeous spot to spend a sunny afternoon!
Tip: the parking area for Bob’s Cove is quite small, and it fills up early in the day during the summer months. Arrive early for the best chance of getting a parking spot.
Alternatively, you can hike to Bob’s Cove from the Twelve Mile Delta campsite & day use area, which has a lot more parking available. The hike from Twelve Mile Delta to Bob’s Cove takes about 1-1.5 hours each way and you’ll find several other beach coves along the trail.
11. Hike the Mt Crichton Loop Track
The Mt Crichton Loop Track is a locals’ favourite day hike located along the Queenstown-Glenorchy Highway.
This track packs a lot of variety into a relatively short loop, including lush beech forest, a waterfall, a historic hut, an alpine meadow, and mountain views.
I love this hike in summer because it’s mostly shaded in the forest, making it enjoyable even on a hot day.
Most people seem to do this hike clockwise, but I prefer anti-clockwise; that way, you get the uphill bits mostly done at the beginning, and then reach the waterfall and hut (the track’s highlights) on the second half of the trail.
You do need to cross a small creek along this trail, which isn’t usually a big issue in summer when water levels are low.
12. Day hike on the Routeburn Track
The Routeburn Track is one of New Zealand’s famous Great Walks, and doing the whole trail requires several days and two overnighters (plus getting lucky enough to secure a spot!).
However, you can do an epic day hike on the Routeburn Track that’ll take you through a good section of some of the trail’s incredible scenery.
To do a day hike on the trail, you’ll want to start at the Routeburn Shelter, located 25 km from Glenorchy.
From the Routeburn Shelter, you can either hike to Routeburn Flats (14 km return) or Routeburn Falls (18 km return).
Along the way, you’ll walk through native beech forest, see the electric blue water of the Routeburn River, and get incredible mountain vistas.
This is my favourite day hike in the Queenstown area, and if you’re a keen hiker, I really can’t recommend it enough!
13. Walk to Lake Sylvan
Near the Routeburn Track, you’ll find the Lake Sylvan Track, my favourite easy walk in the greater Queenstown area.
This mellow trail takes you along the river and across a swingbridge into dense beech forest, eventually leading to peaceful Lake Sylvan.
You’ll often spot native birds along this trail, including the friendly South Island robin.
14. Visit Moke Lake
For a peaceful escape from the bustle of Queenstown, head to Moke Lake, located about 20 minutes from the town centre.
To get to Moke Lake, you’ll drive for about 10 minutes along the Queenstown-Glenorchy Road before turning right onto the signposted “Moke Lake Road,” which eventually becomes a gravel road.
In summer, the road is fine for even 2WD cars, but it does get narrow in parts, so take it slow.
At Moke Lake, you’ll find a picturesque lake ringed in mountains. There’s a wonderful loop walk here—the Moke Lake Loop Track—which takes about 2-3 hours to complete and is suitable for most levels of hiking.
If you’re keen for a paddle, you can book a kayak experience at Moke Lake with Paddle Queenstown.
There’s also a beautiful DOC Campsite at Moke Lake, which makes for a lovely camping trip under the stars. This is my favourite campsite around Queenstown, and it’s great for both campervans or tent camping.
15. Climb Queenstown Hill
The Queenstown Hill Walkway is a mountain trail located right in the heart of Queenstown.
This trail covers 5 km and takes about 2-3 hours return. It’s quite steep and requires a decent level of fitness, but the effort is worth it. The views from the summit are incredible!
While the walk starts at Belfast Terrace, you can also start it from town if you don’t mind the extra elevation gain.
Once you’re on the trail, you’ll start by climbing up through pine forest. You’ll eventually emerge above the treeline and this is where the views really start to get good!
Check out the Basket of Dreams Sculpture before finishing the final climb to the summit, where you’ll get panoramic vistas over Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the Remarkables.
16. Tackle the Ben Lomond Track
For a challenging day hike in Queenstown, head up the Ben Lomond Track. This trail feels like a backcountry alpine hike even though it’s right in Queenstown!
This steep trail starts at Bob’s Peak at the top of the Skyline Gondola and covers 7 km (roughly 4 to 6 hours return).
Alternatively, you can start the trail by first climbing the Tiki Trail, but I do need to warn you that it can make this quite a gruelling hike if you do so!
From Bob’s Peak, you’ll climb up to the Ben Lomond Saddle, which makes a good turnaround point if you want to shorten the track.
To keep going, though, you’ll continue on to the Ben Lomond Summit, where you’ll get panoramic views over Queenstown on a clear day.
This hike is best suited to experienced and fit hikers. The weather can change rapidly, particularly at the summit—I once hiked this trail in the summer and it started snowing near the summit on an otherwise clear, sunny day!
Pack layers, snacks, water, and consider popping into the DOC Visitor Centre in town to check on the conditions before you start this hike.
17. Day trip to Arrowtown
Arrowtown is a historic gold-mining town located a 20-minute drive (or 40-minute bus ride) from Queenstown.
This wee town looks like something out of a Hallmark movie. With heritage buildings, leafy surroundings, and a beautiful river running through it, Arrowtown makes for a charming and easy day trip from Queenstown.
Start your Arrowtown visit with a wander down Buckingham Street to peek into boutique shops and cafes.
Wolf Coffee Roasters is an excellent spot to grab a locally-roasted cup of coffee, and Provisions Cafe does the best sticky buns.
Then head down to the Arrow River and check out the historic Chinese Gold Mining Village, which is free to visit and gives you a look into Arrowtown’s gold mining past.
If you’re keen for a longer walk, there are numerous trails in Arrowtown. The Arrowtown River Trail is my favourite easy walk; a woodland trail leads you along the Arrow River, and you might just find a swimming hole to go for a dip.
A longer and more challenging trail is the Sawpit Gully Trail, which leads you up to panoramic views over the Wakatipu Basin.
After you’re done exploring Arrowtown, grab a drink or bite to eat at either the Fork and Tap Pub or Slow Cuts.
Further reading: the scenic drive from Queenstown to Arrowtown
18. Cycle Queenstown’s bike trails
Queenstown has a network of gorgeous off-road cycling trails, with a range of trail levels from easy to challenging.
I recommend hiring an e-bike from one of Queenstown’s bike rental companies so you can hit the trails with ease. Better by Bike and Around the Basin are two great companies to hire from.
The hardest part is choosing which trail to ride!
Around the Basin offers an awesome shuttle option from Queenstown to Arrowtown, where you hop on a bike and cycle back to Queenstown. You’ll get gorgeous river and lake views and can even stop for a cheeky beer at Altitude Brewery along the way.
Other lovely trails are the Frankton Arm, Arrow River Bridges Trail, or biking to the wineries in Gibbston Valley.
19. Walk the Kelvin Peninsula Trail
For an easy but beautiful walk near Queenstown, I recommend the Kelvin Heights Peninsula Trail.
This lovely, easy loop walk circles the Queenstown Golf Course on a lakeside path. There are sculptures to check out, pine trees for shade, and beaches along the way.
If you’d like to extend your walk, you can continue on to the Frankton Arm Walkway.
20. Visit Deer Park Heights
Deer Park Heights is a scenic drive, animal encounter, and Lord of the Rings filming site all-in-one.
This scenic destination is located in Kelvin Heights, and I personally think it offers one of the best views over Queenstown. It’s an excellent place to bring a picnic and spend several hours taking in the sights and views.
To access Deer Park Heights, you’ll need to book ahead. It costs $75 per vehicle (as of 2025, for up to 8 people).
Bring $2 coins with you to purchase animal feed so you can feed the animals. They have the cutest Kunekune pigs, deer, highland cattle, sheep and some very mischievous goats (seriously —watch your car around them!).
21. Play disc golf
If you like disc golf, you’ll be happy to hear that Queenstown has several disc golf courses (all of which are free!).
I’m terrible at disc golf, but always have fun playing anyways. It helps that our disc golf courses are in beautiful locations, too!
The disc golf course in the Queenstown Gardens is the best-known course, but there are also courses at Jardine Park (in Kelvin Heights) and Tucker Beach (located along the Shotover River).
Pack your discs if you have your own; otherwise, you can buy or rent them from Small Planet Sports in town. The Queenstown Ice Arena in the gardens also rents discs.
22. Ride the Skyline Gondola & luge
The Skyline Gondola is one of Queenstown’s most popular attractions.
You’ll be whisked up to the top of Bob’s Peak, where you’ll get spectacular views over Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the Southern Alps.
At Bob’s Peak, you’ll find a bar and restaurant, the Luge, ziplining tours, and the trailhead for the Ben Lomond Track. You could easily spend hours up there!
It’s a gorgeous spot any time of day, although I think sunset is a particularly magical time to visit.
23. Go jetboating
Jet boating is a classic Queenstown activity, and it is a lot of fun.
You have several options for jet boating in Queenstown.
The most iconic jet boat experience is the Shotover Jet, which zips you down the beautiful Shotover River Canyons at thrilling speeds. The Shotover Jet departs from their base in Arthur’s Point, a 10-minute drive from the town centre.
There’s also the Kjet, which departs from the wharf in Queenstown Bay and takes you across Lake Wakatipu and up parts of the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers on a 1-hour ride. This is a great option if you’d prefer a longer boat ride, and it’s convenient since it leaves right from town.
Another fun option is the Skippers Canyon Jet, which is a longer (and very scenic) trip involving a guided tour of Skippers Canyon, plus a jet boat ride on a narrow section of the Shotover River. It’s an adventurous backcountry experience you won’t find anywhere but Queenstown.
24. Watch (or try) bungy jumping
Queenstown is home to the first commercial bungy jump operation at the Kawarau Bridge Bungy.
If I’m being honest, I don’t think you could even pay me to do a bungy jump, but I really love watching other people take the plunge!
At the Kawarau Bridge Bungy, you can either try the bungy jump yourself, or simply watch other adventurous souls do the jump. There’s a viewing platform overlooking the bungy and Kawarau River.
The Kawarau Bridge Bungy is located in Gibbston Valley, which is home to multiple Queenstown wineries. So, it makes for an easy stop if you’re heading towards the wine region (more on that below!).
25. Go wine tasting
Central Otago is home to numerous vineyards producing outstanding wines. Near Queenstown, there are two main wine regions: Gibbston Valley and Bannockburn.
Gibbston Valley is located just a 20-minute drive from Queenstown, and it’s a beautiful place to sample some wine with views of the craggy mountains all around you. My favourite cellar doors in the region are Mt Rosa and Kinross.
Further down the road towards Cromwell is Bannockburn, a place of stark beauty and gold mining heritage. In Bannockburn, I recommend visiting either Mt Difficulty or Carrick Winery for a tasting and lunch.
If you’re planning to visit more than one winery, consider booking a wine tour. Let someone else do the driving so you can try the wine!
You can book a guided wine tour or a more DIY hop-on, hop-off bus to visit the wine regions.
26. Sample local craft beer
Queenstown is home to several craft breweries and some excellent craft beer bars.
It’s hard to beat sipping on a cold beer in the mountain air under the sun!
For craft breweries near town, head to Altitude Brewing, Searchlight Brewery, or Canyon Brewing.
These breweries all have good food onsite, too—the Smoke & Pickle food truck at Altitude does fantastic burgers, and Tacos Jaguar at Searchlight is arguably the best Mexican food in town.
In town itself, you’ll find a few wonderful craft beer bars: Atlas, Smith’s, and Beechtree. They all serve a range of New Zealand craft beers and they’re honestly all great, so just pick one and go for it!
27. Shop at the Remarkables Market
In the summer months, the Remarkables Market runs every Saturday from 9am to 2pm.
This bustling market is located in Frankton and features food trucks and goods from local artisans.
My favourite stall at the market is Welcome Rock Gardens, which sells the freshest seasonal produce, grown just down the road in Garston, along with local eggs and honey.
28. Check out Ayrburn
Ayrburn is an upscale dining precinct near Arrowtown, with stunning grounds and multiple venues to choose from, ranging from casual (the Bakehouse) to high end (the Woolshed).
Even if you don’t plan to dine at Ayrburn, it’s worth visiting this destination to simply wander around the property and take it all in. It’s a world-class development that’s sure to impress.
29. Explore Country Lane
Country Lane is a small retail and dining village in Frankton. It has a cosy local vibe and is a hidden gem in Queenstown.
I usually visit Country Lane to eat at Sundays, an eatery in a restored church with a beautiful outdoor patio and delicious woodfired pizzas. It’s easily one of the best casual restaurants in Queenstown.
There’s also the Buzzstop Honey Centre & Cafe, Black Lab Coffee Roasters, and cute boutique shops.
Go check it out if you like authentic, locally-run spots—I think you’ll love it!
30. Visit the Queenstown Marina
The Queenstown Marina is located on the sunny Frankton arm, and it’s a beautiful place to visit for a drink, meal, or wander.
At the Marina, you’ll find colourful boat sheds that house various places to eat and drink.
The Boat Shed Bakery is a wonderful spot for pastries, and the Italian Way does excellent woodfired pizzas.
Close to the Marina are two other great spots: Altitude Brewing and the Boat Shed Cafe.
You can drive or bus to the Marina, but a more fun way to get there is to take the water taxi from town! Another option is to bike or walk the Frankton Track, which leads you here along a mellow trail that follows Lake Wakatipu.
After you’ve indulged in some food and drinks at the Marina, it’s nice to walk it all off with a stroll along the Frankton Arm, possibly paired with a swim in the lake at Frankton Beach.
31. Drive up to the Ski Fields
Visiting the ski fields is an obvious thing to do in Queenstown in winter, but they’re also beautiful destinations when they’re sans-snow in the summer.
The Remarkables and Coronet Peak are the two ski fields in Queenstown, and they both offer up incredible views year-round.
Head up to the Remarkables if you’d like to hike to Lake Alta, a beautiful alpine lake that’s best visited in the summer (as it’s covered in snow in winter!). The hike is just 2.4 km and is a gem of a spot in Queenstown.
When you drive up to the Remarkables in summer, you’ll need to pay a road fee of $15 (as of 2025), which you can pay at the entrance. The road itself is quite steep and winding, but the views are incredible nearly the entire way up.
Coronet Peak is also well worth a visit, and you don’t need to pay to drive up the Coronet Peak road in summer.
Visit Coronet Peak around sunset for incredible golden hour lighting. Park at the top carpark, and take in one of the best free views of Queenstown!
If you’re keen to spend more time up there, you can also visit during the daytime to enjoy a range of paid summertime activities at Coronet Peak, including a gondola, a 9-hole disc golf course, and mountain bike tracks.
32. Go to Wanaka
Wanaka is a lakeside town located about 70 km from Queenstown.
It’s an absolutely gorgeous place with an abundance of outdoor adventures close by.
While it’s similar to Queenstown in many ways—it’s set on a picturesque lake and surrounded by mountains—it has more of a relaxed, local feel and a little less of Queenstown’s bustle.
You can easily day trip from Queenstown to Wanaka, but if you have the time, I recommend spending a couple of nights in Wanaka. You’ll find no shortage of things to do.
The most direct route is via the Crown Range Road, New Zealand’s highest main road.
In early summer, the Crown Range is often lined with patches of lupins, and it’s beautiful. Once you descend the Crown Range, stop at the historic Cardrona Hotel for a photo and maybe a coffee or snack.
Once you reach Wanaka, you’ll have plenty of ways to spend the day.
Visit the famous Wanaka Tree, wander through the Wanaka Lavender Farm, or go on a hike—Roy’s Peak is the most famous Wanaka hike, but my all-time favourite trail is the Rob Roy Glacier Track.
33. Visit Milford Sound
Last but not least is the magnificent Milford Sound, located in Fiordland National Park.
Sometimes referred to as the “eighth wonder of the world,” Milford Sound is one of the South Island’s most spectacular landscapes.
Technically a fiord rather than a sound, it’s a place of towering mountains, inky blue water, and thundering waterfalls, with dolphins, seals, and penguins sometimes spotted on the cruises. It’s easy to see why it’s a must-visit for many New Zealand travellers.
Many people use Queenstown as a base to visit Milford Sound, which is a 4-hour drive each way, or a shorter (and breathtaking) scenic flight.
If you only have one day, a guided tour from Queenstown is the best option. These typically include a bus or flight to Milford Sound, followed by a cruise through the fiord.
If you have two or more days, I highly recommend that you drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound and stay overnight in Te Anau. This gives you time to enjoy the incredible lookouts and hiking trails along the way.
Getting around Queenstown
The best way to get around Queenstown is to rent a car, campervan, or motorhome.
Having your own set of wheels will give you the most flexibility and freedom if you plan to get out and explore.
🚙 Car rentals: I use Discover Cars to compare car rental prices in New Zealand, and I’m also a big fan of Apex Rentals.
🚐 Campervan and motorhome rentals: Motorhome Republic is my go-to resource for comparing campervan and motorhome rentals in New Zealand.
I also love JUCY vans. They have a depot in Queenstown and their bright green campervans are an iconic way to road trip around New Zealand.
If you’d prefer not to drive, check out my guide to visiting Queenstown without a car.
Where to stay in Queenstown
I recommend staying near the town centre if possible, and booking accommodation that has parking available. Parking in Queenstown in summer can be a nightmare.
Here are some accommodation options I recommend:
- The Alexis Motel: Comfortable rooms—some with lake views—and just a short walk to town.
- Garden Court Suites: Spacious self-contained units with kitchenettes, also a short walk to town.
- The Crowne Plaza Hotel: A central hotel right across from the waterfront with private balconies and paid parking available.
When is Summer in Queenstown?
Summer in Queenstown runs from December through February (our seasons are opposite to the Northern Hemisphere).
Weather in Queenstown in Summer
If you’re visiting Queenstown in summer, you can expect the weather to be warm during the day, with cool nights.
Daytime temperatures can range from highs of 20-30 ℃ (68-86 ℉), with overnight lows averaging between 8-10 ℃ (46-50 ℃).
While we get many days of sunshine in summer, it can also rain occasionally, and it can often get windy.
It’s best to pack layers, including warm-weather clothes for the daytime, a cosy midlayer like a fleece or sweater, and a lightweight jacket for the evenings. A light raincoat is also good to bring along, just in case.
Tips for visiting Queenstown in Summer
- Summer is peak season in Queenstown. In particular, the weeks between Christmas and New Year’s are extremely busy. Make sure to book things in advance! This includes your hotel, vehicle, and any paid activities.
- There can be traffic in Queenstown in summer, particularly along Frankton Road (the main road into town to and from the airport). Give yourself plenty of time to get places, particularly the airport.
- Before heading outside, don’t forget to apply sunscreen and wear a hat! The sun can be fierce in Queenstown and it’s not uncommon to get a sunburn within 20 minutes of being outside without sun protection.
- While the Queenstown town centre is very busy in summer, it’s easy to escape the crowds if you hit the trails! I never find our hiking trails to be super busy, which is one of the many reasons why I love living here.
Thanks for reading!
I truly hope this has helped you plan your summer visit to Queenstown.
As always, please leave a comment if you have any questions or feedback for me. I really love hearing from you!
Further reading: itineraries including Queenstown
If you’re planning to include Queenstown on a larger New Zealand road trip, you might find these itineraries helpful!
