Queenstown Guidebook
Romantic couples
A boutique spa facility located 10 minutes from downtown Queenstown. The spa is known primarily for its cedar-lined hot tubs that overlook the Shotover River Canyon (“onsen” means “hot spring” in Japan) but it also offers services like massages and facial treatments.
Onsen Hot Pools is so much more spectacular and impressive in person than it looks online. I guarantee you the the first word out of your mouth will be “wow" as you walk into your experience. The views from the tub will be more gorgeous than you expect; still photos just can’t capture the beauty of the canyons, the river, and the mountains in the distance.
Add in the peaceful music, the swirling hot water, the complimentary wine, and the golden afternoon lighting, and you’re looking at a full hour of pure romance and relaxation.
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온센핫풀즈
162 Arthurs Point RdA boutique spa facility located 10 minutes from downtown Queenstown. The spa is known primarily for its cedar-lined hot tubs that overlook the Shotover River Canyon (“onsen” means “hot spring” in Japan) but it also offers services like massages and facial treatments.
Onsen Hot Pools is so much more spectacular and impressive in person than it looks online. I guarantee you the the first word out of your mouth will be “wow" as you walk into your experience. The views from the tub will be more gorgeous than you expect; still photos just can’t capture the beauty of the canyons, the river, and the mountains in the distance.
Add in the peaceful music, the swirling hot water, the complimentary wine, and the golden afternoon lighting, and you’re looking at a full hour of pure romance and relaxation.
Sightseeing
If you’re looking for one of the most social atmospheres in Queenstown, this is it. You’ll find dozens of backpackers drinking and sunning themselves on this small-yet-scenic stretch of beach, along with cute local ducks, and couples strolling hand-in-hand. The beach is the liveliest in the late afternoon around and early evening; around 7:30pm or so in February, when the sun was warm, golden, and just starting to inch towards the horizon. Pure, fun, summery goodness!
Queenstown Bay Beach
If you’re looking for one of the most social atmospheres in Queenstown, this is it. You’ll find dozens of backpackers drinking and sunning themselves on this small-yet-scenic stretch of beach, along with cute local ducks, and couples strolling hand-in-hand. The beach is the liveliest in the late afternoon around and early evening; around 7:30pm or so in February, when the sun was warm, golden, and just starting to inch towards the horizon. Pure, fun, summery goodness!
Located just a few minutes walk from the city center, the Queenstown Gardens is a blissful, tranquil retreat from the bustle of downtown. Here you’ll find couples napping in the shade of giant sequoia trees, students and backpackers playing disc golf, and locals and travelers alike enjoying the pristine grounds. Be sure to walk all the way to the far end of the park and down the hill to the water for amazing views of Lake Wakatipu.
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퀸스타운 가든
Located just a few minutes walk from the city center, the Queenstown Gardens is a blissful, tranquil retreat from the bustle of downtown. Here you’ll find couples napping in the shade of giant sequoia trees, students and backpackers playing disc golf, and locals and travelers alike enjoying the pristine grounds. Be sure to walk all the way to the far end of the park and down the hill to the water for amazing views of Lake Wakatipu.
Wildlife
A 5-acre wildlife sanctuary in the heart of Queenstown. More than 20 species of birds and reptiles live within the park, including kea, parakeets, wood pigeons, and yes, kiwis! You can actually go inside the enclosures with some of the exotic birds, which really enhances the experience.
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키위 버드라이프 공원
51 Brecon StA 5-acre wildlife sanctuary in the heart of Queenstown. More than 20 species of birds and reptiles live within the park, including kea, parakeets, wood pigeons, and yes, kiwis! You can actually go inside the enclosures with some of the exotic birds, which really enhances the experience.
This small farm is open to the public for sheep shearing demonstrations and meet and greets with the animals.
The best part about this tour is that it only costs $20 NZD for adults and $10 for children. Although self-guided, you do get to feed lots of the animals, and if you’re visiting in the spring, even see baby lambs – which are sooo cute!
Other animals you get the meet include pigs, llamas, farm dogs, chickens, ducks, and more. Kids love the experience.
Glenorchy Animal Experience
225 Glenorchy-Paradise RdThis small farm is open to the public for sheep shearing demonstrations and meet and greets with the animals.
The best part about this tour is that it only costs $20 NZD for adults and $10 for children. Although self-guided, you do get to feed lots of the animals, and if you’re visiting in the spring, even see baby lambs – which are sooo cute!
Other animals you get the meet include pigs, llamas, farm dogs, chickens, ducks, and more. Kids love the experience.
Day Hikes
Time: 60-90 mins each way (depending on how fast you walk, which route you take, and how many photo stops you have – takes me 60 mins up and 60 mins down)
Distance: 1.5-2.5km each way (again, depending on which route you take)
Gradient: moderate (500m elevation – steep in places but mainly ok!)
Starting point: Car Park just off Belfast Terrace, 9300
Top tip: Don’t stop at the famous ‘Basket of Dreams’ – keep going up another 500m or so for even better panoramic views!
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퀸스타운힐워킹트랙
58 Belfast TerraceTime: 60-90 mins each way (depending on how fast you walk, which route you take, and how many photo stops you have – takes me 60 mins up and 60 mins down)
Distance: 1.5-2.5km each way (again, depending on which route you take)
Gradient: moderate (500m elevation – steep in places but mainly ok!)
Starting point: Car Park just off Belfast Terrace, 9300
Top tip: Don’t stop at the famous ‘Basket of Dreams’ – keep going up another 500m or so for even better panoramic views!
An easier, scenic route for that day you just want to take it easy and enjoy the sea!
Time: 30 mins – 1 hour each way
Distance: 4-5km each way
Gradient: easy-moderate (a couple of uphill bits but nothing too challenging)
Starting point: Queenstown city centre
Top tip: Don’t miss the side-track that leads to a waterfall at Two Mile Creek Falls!
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Sunshine Bay Track
An easier, scenic route for that day you just want to take it easy and enjoy the sea!
Time: 30 mins – 1 hour each way
Distance: 4-5km each way
Gradient: easy-moderate (a couple of uphill bits but nothing too challenging)
Starting point: Queenstown city centre
Top tip: Don’t miss the side-track that leads to a waterfall at Two Mile Creek Falls!
An extremely chilled out hike in Queenstown! Starting from the bottom of the gondola, hike up towards the lookout, take some snaps, and then either hike or take the gondola back down.
Time: 60-90 mins each way
Distance: 1.6km each way
Gradient: moderate (300m elevation gain)
Starting point: Behind the gondola on Brecon Street.
티키트레일
An extremely chilled out hike in Queenstown! Starting from the bottom of the gondola, hike up towards the lookout, take some snaps, and then either hike or take the gondola back down.
Time: 60-90 mins each way
Distance: 1.6km each way
Gradient: moderate (300m elevation gain)
Starting point: Behind the gondola on Brecon Street.
This is one of the best day hikes in Queenstown. Expect beautiful views across the city and of Mt Earnslaw and Mt Aspiring when the weather is clear.
Time: 1 hour (bottom > gondola) + 2 hours (gondola to saddle) + 1 hour (saddle > summit)… so 2-4 hours each way, depending on where you start and how far up you go! (although some people say it can take longer to get to the summit!)
Distance: bottom to summit – approx 8km each way
Gradient: steep/ challenging (approx 1000m elevation from the gondola, 1400m from Brecon St)
Starting point: Brecon Street at the gondola base, or Bob’s Peak (the top of the gondola)
Top tip: Make sure you have enough daylight hours to complete the trail! Be prepared for snow and/or ice between April and November. Layer up to combat the differences in temperature as you ascend!
Ben Lomond Track
Ben Lomond TrackThis is one of the best day hikes in Queenstown. Expect beautiful views across the city and of Mt Earnslaw and Mt Aspiring when the weather is clear.
Time: 1 hour (bottom > gondola) + 2 hours (gondola to saddle) + 1 hour (saddle > summit)… so 2-4 hours each way, depending on where you start and how far up you go! (although some people say it can take longer to get to the summit!)
Distance: bottom to summit – approx 8km each way
Gradient: steep/ challenging (approx 1000m elevation from the gondola, 1400m from Brecon St)
Starting point: Brecon Street at the gondola base, or Bob’s Peak (the top of the gondola)
Top tip: Make sure you have enough daylight hours to complete the trail! Be prepared for snow and/or ice between April and November. Layer up to combat the differences in temperature as you ascend!
Food scene
If you didn’t know it was there, you would simply walk by. That’s the best way to describe The Sundeck. The only way to reach the bar is through a small door in the Queenstown Mall that can be tricky to find.
Locals love this place. It’s the best rooftop bar in Queenstown, and even in winter, you can enjoy the outdoor seating with the many fireplaces and heaters they have. Both bars are a little fancier than your typical bar in Queenstown and prices do reflect that. However, they have a large wine selection, and the cocktails and delicious. Also, on weekends you’ll be able to enjoy live music and a bit of a party in Queenstown.
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The Sundeck Rooftop Bar
4 The MalIf you didn’t know it was there, you would simply walk by. That’s the best way to describe The Sundeck. The only way to reach the bar is through a small door in the Queenstown Mall that can be tricky to find.
Locals love this place. It’s the best rooftop bar in Queenstown, and even in winter, you can enjoy the outdoor seating with the many fireplaces and heaters they have. Both bars are a little fancier than your typical bar in Queenstown and prices do reflect that. However, they have a large wine selection, and the cocktails and delicious. Also, on weekends you’ll be able to enjoy live music and a bit of a party in Queenstown.
Fergburger is known for making huge, delicious burgers (obviously), and no matter what time of day or night you go, you’re likely to see countless people standing outside waiting for their fix. They’re massive, so make sure you go on an empty stomach.
If I'm being completely honest with you, the burgers are great, but nothing out of this world. The pies from Ferg Bakery are the real hidden gems (so underrated - best pie I've had in my life). Though in saying that, time spent waiting in the Fergburger queue is an essential Queenstown experience that one must do at least once.
Rather than eating there, get your meal and walk down to the waterfront where this is a great floating bar on an old boat that has good happy hour drink prices and a BYO food policy.
Fergburger is open 21 hours a day, so for a lot of travellers it ends up being one of those fun things to do in Queenstown at night after a heavy drinking session.
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Fergburger
42 Shotover StFergburger is known for making huge, delicious burgers (obviously), and no matter what time of day or night you go, you’re likely to see countless people standing outside waiting for their fix. They’re massive, so make sure you go on an empty stomach.
If I'm being completely honest with you, the burgers are great, but nothing out of this world. The pies from Ferg Bakery are the real hidden gems (so underrated - best pie I've had in my life). Though in saying that, time spent waiting in the Fergburger queue is an essential Queenstown experience that one must do at least once.
Rather than eating there, get your meal and walk down to the waterfront where this is a great floating bar on an old boat that has good happy hour drink prices and a BYO food policy.
Fergburger is open 21 hours a day, so for a lot of travellers it ends up being one of those fun things to do in Queenstown at night after a heavy drinking session.
Tucked away in Searle Lane off Camp Street is a little slice of Cuba – rustic, charming and beckoning you to step inside and settle in amongst the old photographs lining the walls and the 70 or so rums crammed behind the bar. It’s perfect for a pre-dinner drink (be warned: the drinks are delicious, making it nearly impossible to stop at one) or stay a little longer and try one of their rum flights. Happy hour is 6-8pm daily and includes NZD $10 Dark n’ Stormy and NZD $12 house cocktails.
Habana Bar
3 Searle LnTucked away in Searle Lane off Camp Street is a little slice of Cuba – rustic, charming and beckoning you to step inside and settle in amongst the old photographs lining the walls and the 70 or so rums crammed behind the bar. It’s perfect for a pre-dinner drink (be warned: the drinks are delicious, making it nearly impossible to stop at one) or stay a little longer and try one of their rum flights. Happy hour is 6-8pm daily and includes NZD $10 Dark n’ Stormy and NZD $12 house cocktails.
Bardeaux is an old, western-style cozy bar with roaring fires for those chilly winter nights!. With an extensive range of liquor, there's more than enough to keep you merry after a day in the great outdoors!. Bardeaux feels like you're in one of those quintessentially American bars from a thriller film.
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Bardeaux
Bardeaux is an old, western-style cozy bar with roaring fires for those chilly winter nights!. With an extensive range of liquor, there's more than enough to keep you merry after a day in the great outdoors!. Bardeaux feels like you're in one of those quintessentially American bars from a thriller film.
My all time favourite restaurant in Queenstown. If you sit at the main chefs bar, you will have your own little hot pot right in front of you.
The first Japanese hot pot restaurant in the region. Offers high quality Japanese A5 wagyu beef, NZ wagyu beef, lamb, paua, crayfish, oyster, seafood, etc. in sukiyaki or shabu shabu.
From NZ rib eye to Japanese pork belly, it’s your task to cook the ingredients at the table yourself and scoop up every last morsel.
GOKU Shabu Shabu 悟空日式火鍋
Beach StreetMy all time favourite restaurant in Queenstown. If you sit at the main chefs bar, you will have your own little hot pot right in front of you.
The first Japanese hot pot restaurant in the region. Offers high quality Japanese A5 wagyu beef, NZ wagyu beef, lamb, paua, crayfish, oyster, seafood, etc. in sukiyaki or shabu shabu.
From NZ rib eye to Japanese pork belly, it’s your task to cook the ingredients at the table yourself and scoop up every last morsel.
Shopping
Check out the Remarkables Market in the Frankton end of town every Saturday from 9am to 2pm throughout summer. Join in on the relaxed vibes, try an array of cuisine from food stalls, and browse artisan gifts. There’s usually live music too.
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Remarkables Market
23 Hawthorne DrCheck out the Remarkables Market in the Frankton end of town every Saturday from 9am to 2pm throughout summer. Join in on the relaxed vibes, try an array of cuisine from food stalls, and browse artisan gifts. There’s usually live music too.