THE PERFECT QUEENSTOWN ITINERARY: THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN 3 DAYS!

LOOKING TO PLAN THE ULTIMATE QUEENSTOWN ITINERARY?

When we road tripped around New Zealand, Queenstown was by the far one of our favourite places we visited on our entire trip. We certainly left a piece of our hearts in Queenstown.

From our experience here, we have now crafted the perfect 3 day Queenstown itinerary (that we personally planned and followed), for you to use and plan your own amazing trip to this wonderful little town on the South Island:

A visual map of New Zealand showing the location of Queenstown on the South Island

QUEENSTOWN ITINERARY:
THE ULTIMATE 3 DAY TRAVEL GUIDE!

As included in our 21 day South Island itinerary, this 3 day Queenstown travel guide is jam-packed with all the key sights and activities to see even in a short amount of time.

From jaw-dropping scenic walks at Queenstown Hill and Bob’s Cove, zooming down the Luge, seeing a Kiwi bird, going back in time to Arrowtown and even thrilling jet boat rides – you are guaranteed to leave a piece of your heart in Queenstown:

DAY 1: DRIVE TO ARROWTOWN & QUEENSTOWN

DETOUR THROUGH ARROWTOWN
First make a quick detour to Arrowtown, located just 25 minutes before Queenstown, an old historic gold-rush mining settlement packed with charm and character.

Walk along the Arrow River before browsing the unique souvenir, wine, interior and clothing shops on the high street. Get free fudge samples at the Remarkables sweet shop.

Pictured: Buckingham Street, the main shopping street of Arrowtown. Photograph taken by Jordie.

Pictured: The unique shops found in Arrowtown. Remember to try the most delicious free fudge samples at the Remarkable Sweet shop! Photographs taken by Jordie.

Top Tip: Just before the diversion turn off for Arrowtown, you can stop off at AJ Hackett en route, a thrill seekers chance for an impromptu bungee jump or just a chance to spectate others taking the leap for free on their viewing platform!

Fun Fact: The best time to visit Arrowtown is April, where the surrounding hills are awash with golden yellows, oranges and reds from the Autumn leaves. They also hold an Arrowtown Autumn Festival every year!

Top Tip: Buckingham Street is where you will find the main high street. You can park up for free in Arrowtown at Buckingham Street Car Park.

EXPLORE QUEENSTOWN CENTRE
Spend the afternoon exploring the quirks of Queenstown’s small but bustling centre, from over 160 bars, lively restaurants, a floating boat bar down by the Bay and even two ice bars (BELOW ZERO and Minus 5º).

Queenstown is also brilliant for shopping, with an endless collection of boutique clothing, gifts and even homeware stores, mostly found on the main Mall street.

One of the best things to add onto your Queenstown itinerary is to go shopping, the best destination being Mall Street, located just off of Queenstown Bay beach! — Pictured: Queenstown’s main high street, Mall street, located just off Queenstown Bay.

Top Tip: There are Queenstown Markets set up near the Bay (in front of Earnslaw Park) to explore every Saturday! Pop down to browse or purchase a creative, unique craft gift for yourself or others.

EAT A FERGBURGER AT QUEENSTOWN BAY BEACH
For dinner, grab an infamous Fergburger and take it to go. Enjoy it at the idyllic Queenstown Bay beach. Conclude today with a scenic sunset stroll along the waters edge in the Queenstown Gardens, located right next to Queenstown Bay beach.

To perfectly conclude Day One on our Queenstown itinerary, head down to watch sunset at Queenstown Bay beach eating an infamous Fergburger! Photographs taken by Jordie.

Wandering the quaint Queenstown Gardens is one of the best free things to do on your Queenstown itinerary! — Pictured: Wandering along the waterside of Queenstown Gardens is one of the best free things to do on your Queenstown itinerary! Photographs taken by Liam.

DAY 2: KIWI PARK & BOB’S COVE WALKING TRAIL

KIWI PARK QUEENSTOWN
Visit the Kiwi Park Queenstown, a wildlife refuge for New Zealand bird species located in the heart of the town. The main draw is their night-vision Kiwi houses, one of the best places you are basically guaranteed to see a real Kiwi bird!

Come early to watch them actively forage during the ‘Kiwi Encounter’ breakfast sessions. Afterwards, roam the rest of the park whilst being guided by the self-guided audio tour and watch a conservation show.

Pictured: The entrance to the Kiwi Park Queenstown. Visit here for the bucket list opportunity to see an real Kiwi bird! Photograph taken by Jordie.

Top Tip: Your day admission ticket allows you to leave and return to the park as many times as you like throughout the same day.

Fun Fact: In the conservation show, you will see New Zealand’s rarest reptile, which is endemic to New Zealand only – The Tuatara. This creature is the last survivor of an order of reptiles which flourished in the age of the dinosaurs!

SPOTTED WILDLIFE!

Kiwi Bird
Kiwi’s are the closest thing to mammals, so much so their feathers actually look more like fur! There are 5/6 different species, some with as little as 300 remaining in the wild. Kiwi’s can live up to 40 years old (the oldest documented Kiwi was 64 years old!) and they start breeding between 3-5 years old. They are territorial, and live / breed as the same pair for their entire life. It takes 78 days to incubate a Kiwi egg.

BOB’S COVE WALKING TRAIL
Stroll along Bob’s Cove Track, an easy trail along Lake Wakatipu and round the peninsula. Pass the scenic boat jetty at the cove before heading up to Bob’s Cove viewpoint for epic views. For any Lord of the Rings fans, continue on a bit further to find the Ithilien Lookout movie location.

Walk around the glorious Bobs Cove, just outside of Queenstown — Pictured: Some of the glorious cove side views you will see along the easy Bob’s Cove walking trail!

Top Tip: There is a small area for free parking at Bob’s Cove Track start, which can fit approximately 5 to 6 vehicles.

DAY 3: QUEENSTOWN HILL SUMMIT & SKYLINE LUGE

QUEENSTOWN HILL SUMMIT WALK
Start here for the Queenstown Hill Summit walking trail, located just on the outskirts of Queenstown. It’s an intermediate 3-hour return trail, complete with a woodland trail and jaw-dropping panoramas of the surrounding mountains at the very top. If you’re going to do any walking trail in Queenstown, it’s this one!

Fun Fact: In the forest, look out for little fairy doors at the foot of numerous tree trunks to add a bit of magic to your day!

Pictured: Jordie walking along the jaw-dropping landscapes you can expect to see along the Queenstown Hill Summit walking trail, one of the best free things to do in Queenstown! Photograph taken by Liam.

Look out for the woodland fairy doors on the Queenstown Hill Summit walk! Photographs taken by Jordie.

Pictured: Jordie stopping in awe at the breathtaking views on the way down from the Queenstown Hill summit trail. Photograph taken by Liam.

SKYLINE LUGE & OBSERVATION DECK
Take the Skyline Gondola up the mountain to channel your inner Mario Kart on super fun Queenstown’s Skyline luge track! Re-charge at their Market Kitchen café. Head onto the outdoor viewing platform just before sunset for insane views of Queenstown.

Top Tip: On arrival, buy the ‘Skyline Gondola & 5 Luge Rides’ $67 option at the ticket office. Though the ‘3 Luge Ride’ option is slightly cheaper initially at $63, it is an extra $15 PER EXTRA RIDE once you’re at the top.

Fun Fact: The Skyline gondola officially opened on 1967, and saw a major revamp in 1987. By 2006, the Skyline Gondola and Luge had received over 10 million visitors, making it one of the most popular things to do in Queenstown New Zealand!

Seeing the sunset from the Queenstown Skyline viewpoint is one of the top things to do on your New Zealand South Island itinerary and your Queenstown itinerary! — Pictured: The priceless view overlooking Queenstown from the Skyline Observation deck! Photograph taken by Jordie.

QUEENSTOWN DAY TOURS & ACTIVITIES

DAY TRIPS ORIGINATING FROM QUEENSTOWN:

• Dart River ‘Funyak’ Canoe plus Jet Boat Tour from Queenstown 🛶

• Glenorchy and Paradise Half-Day Explorer 🌊

• 4-hour Milford Sound Fly Cruise Fly ex Queenstown ⛰️🛩️

• Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour, Cruise & Picnic Lunch from Queenstown ⛰️⛰️🚢

TOURS & ACTIVITIES IN QUEENSTOWN:

• Small group zip line adventure 💨

• Tandem skydive over Lake Wakatipu 🪂

WHERE TO STAY IN QUEENSTOWN

BEST HOTELS TO STAY AT IN QUEENSTOWN:

The Rees Hotel & Luxury Apartments (Wow factor)

Villa Del Lago (Amazing lake views)

Swiss-Belsuits Pounamu (Choose lakeside option)

WHERE TO STAY IN QUEENSTOWN WITH A CAMPER VAN:

PAID CAMPSITE OPTIONS IN QUEENSTOWN:

QUEENSTOWN CREEKSYDE HOLIDAY PARK 📍

✔️ One of the only places to stay in your camper van in Queenstown. Tight spots, but cute and separated by flower bushes. Powered sites. Quirky designed shared toilets. Shared kitchen. Laundry facilities. Free drinking water ‘well’.

💰 $55 a night (2 people, 1 camper van).

Pictured: Our hired Britz campervan New Zealand parked in one of the best paid campsites we stayed in, Queenstown Creeksyde Holiday Park in Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand! — Pictured: Our **hired Britz campervan** (who we lovingly named Bertie) parked up at Queenstown Creeksyde holiday park!

QUEENSTOWN PACKING LIST

A form of ID (e.g. drivers license).
Your swimsuit (to wear underneath your clothes for water based activities).
A microfibre beach towel (fast drying & lightweight).
A GoPro / waterproof camera to capture amazing footage of your epic activities & tours.
Or! A waterproof dry bag (with a lanyard!) to take photos and videos on your smartphone instead.
Powered battery pack (and cable) for your smart phone.
High factor sun cream (if in the warmer months)
Sun protective clothing, including a hat and sunglasses(if in the warmer months)
Refillable water bottle.

GETTING TO AND AROUND QUEENSTOWN

GETTING TO QUEENSTOWN BY AIR: 🛫

Queenstown has its own airport (ZQN), located just outside of the main town. Though small in size, it services daily internal flights from all other New Zealand airports, inclusive of Auckland and Wellington (North Island) plus Christchurch (South Island).

The direct flight duration from Auckland (AKL) is 1 hour 55 minutes, and operated by Jetstar and Air New Zealand airlines.

The direct flight duration from Christchurch (CHC) is 1 hour 15 minutes, and operated by Air New Zealand airlines.

The direct flight duration from Wellington (WLG) is 1 hour 25 minutes, and operated by Jetstar airlines.

Check SkyScanner for the best flight deals on your dates.

GETTING TO QUEENSTOWN BY BUS:

There is a ‘Kiwi Experience‘ bus (which covers the key locations across both of New Zealand’s islands, including Queenstown). These iconic green buses are a great alternative for those less confident to drive around New Zealand. However, this does restrict your freedom on getting to specific surrounding areas outside of Queenstown, i.e. Bobs Cove and Arrowtown.

GETTING TO QUEENSTOWN BY CAR OR CAMPERVAN:

The most convenient way to get to and around Queenstown is by self-driving your own vehicle. Whether this be a campervan (we recommend a Britz New Zealand camper), driving your own vehicle or even renting a car for a few days, it will give you maximum freedom to explore Queenstown on your own terms!

VISITING QUEENSTOWN:
ADDITIONAL FAQ’S

WHY IS QUEENSTOWN SO POPULAR?

Queenstown is primarily so popular for being the base of adventurous and adrenaline filled activities in New Zealand, including bungee jumping, skiing, water sports, jet boat rides, skydives, etc. You name it, Queenstown probably does it, with over 200+ activities and tours to choose from!

Personally, we are not adrenaline junkies so we weren’t too sure what to expect when we arrived. However, after visiting Queenstown, we found out the true reason of its popularity and the reason why everyone should visit.

Queenstown is a small, quirky town exploding with an electric buzz and Scandinavian vibe. The bold-coloured houses layered into Queenstown’s hill, the distant snow-capped mountains, crisp alpine air, countless lakeside walking trails and a collection of other less dare-devil tours make it simply criminal for you not to visit and experience Queenstown yourself!

WHAT ARE THE BEST MONTHS TO VISIT QUEENSTOWN?

The best time of year to visit Queenstown, and the South Island in general, depends a lot on the purpose of your visit:

• Warmer weather: The warmest months in Queenstown are during New Zealand’s Summer, from December to February. This period is your best bet for warmer weather, though is also the busier ‘peak season’ for tourists.

• Winter activities: On the contrary, the best time to visit epic winter sports and activities in Queenstown, including skiing and snowboarding, is during New Zealand’s Winter months, particularly August.

THE BEST MONTHS TO VISIT QUEENSTOWN

Generally, we believe the overall best time of year to visit Queenstown are the two shoulder seasons (Autumn and Spring), where you should experience comfortable weather and everything is far less busy:

• Autumn (March – May): Cooling temperatures, beautiful autumnal colours on the trees.

• Spring (September – November): Ranges from warm and sunny to cold frosts. Expect beautiful new foliage and baby lambs everywhere you go!

HOW MANY DAYS ARE ENOUGH FOR QUEENSTOWN?

From experience, we believe anywhere from 3 to 4 full days in Queenstown is a great amount of time to see the majority of epic highlights of this magical lakeside town!

FUN FACTS ABOUT QUEENSTOWN

Queenstown has an in-town population of 15,450 (as per June 2021 figures), ranking in as the 35th-largest urban area in New Zealand.
Queenstown hosts more than 2 million visitors every single year!
The locals are famed for their warmth and friendliness – making Queenstown one of the friendliest places in the world.
Scenic Queenstown and its surrounding landscapes have been the top spot for many movie locations, including: Lord of the Rings, 10,000 BC, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian and Wolverine!
Queenstown’s Māori name “Tāhuna” is translated to ‘Shallow Bay’. The Māori people originally occupied this land over 1000 years ago, and had already vacated when European settlers arrived back in the 1850’s.
It is believed to have received its English name “Queenstown” in 1863 during a public meeting, where it is rumoured a miner proclaimed the location as being ‘fit for a Queen’!
Queenstown is surrounded by ice-capped mountains, making for a brilliant ski-location, one of the best things to do in Queenstown in Winter. These mountain ranges are: The Remarkables, Cecil Peak, Walter Peak, Queenstown Hill and Ben Lomond.
Queenstown hosts the largest gay pride festival in the Southern Hemisphere. It is aptly named Gay Ski Week or Winter Pride, which happens every year in September!

CONCLUSION: QUEENSTOWN ITINERARY

To conclude, 3 days is perfect amount to time to allocate to your Queenstown itinerary.

It allows for a stop off at the historic Arrowtown before exploring around Queenstown on foot to see everything this town has to offer. Spot real kiwi birds, zoom down the Skyline Luge, indulge in awe-inspiring views at Queenstown Hill and Bob’s Cove and get your adrenaline pumping on a jet boat!

We hope you have the best time following our Queenstown travel guide, and make memories that will last a lifetime!

A photo of Jordie, the author of this specific blog post and owner of the wesbite.

This blog post was written by Jordie Flain!

Founder of TheFlainsTravel.com

A travel-obsessed Sagittarius creating honest, easy-to-follow guides. Powered by tea, chocolate and a slightly concerning amount of tomato ketchup.

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