Chase adrenaline highs by bungee, take meandering strolls within the forest, hit the slopes, spend an evening in town, or take a day journey to among the most unimaginable marvels of the pure world. Planning your subsequent journey to New Zealand? (Sky)dive into our final information for exploring Queenstown on New Zealand’s South Island.
Greatest time to go to Queenstown
Similar to the finest time to go to New Zealand general, when to go to Queenstown will depend on what you wish to get out of your journey. Summer time in Queenstown, New Zealand (between December and February), has the warmest climate, though it rains usually in New Zealand year-round, and the perfect alternatives for mountain climbing, kayaking, and outside adventures. Summer time can also be the most well-liked time to go to, so lodges may ebook up effectively upfront. If you wish to ski or snowboard, then visiting in winter (June to August) is a no brainer. We now have a specific gentle spot for November as the perfect time to go to Queenstown, with the climate warming up and town not but too busy.
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Climate in Queenstown
Should you’re focused on visiting Queenstown, New Zealand, you need to begin your packing record with a raincoat. Though it has predictable dry and moist seasons, you’ll be able to count on roughly 200 to 240 wet days per 12 months in Queenstown. Should you’re visiting between November and February, count on some rain, however the climate in Queenstown in summer season is gentle, with a excessive temperature between 20°C (68°F) and 27°C (81°F) most days. Winter does see some snowfall, however the local weather is heat sufficient that a lot of the snow down within the metropolis does not stick round lengthy in comparison with what accumulates on the mountaintops, which is nice information for the ski slopes! Fall and spring are wetter seasons, with temperatures getting near freezing.
The place is the perfect mountain climbing in Queenstown?
Hikers can entry a number of nice trails from Queenstown, New Zealand. Bob’s Cove is a fast hike that’s only a few minutes’ drive outdoors of town centre. It is a 90-minute round-trip hike by the forest on a clearly marked path. The cove in query has a beautiful little jetty, and the water is superbly clear. In summer season, put on a swimsuit below your mountain climbing gear and take a dip. If you wish to work up extra of a sweat, Queenstown Hill is a three-hour hike that’s well-maintained however steep. The views of Queenstown are effectively value it.
If a three-hour hike appears like little one’s play, put aside a full day and deal with Ben Lomond for the perfect mountain climbing in Queenstown. You may take the gondola to shave off a few hours, however the place are the bragging rights in that? Whereas it’s not technically a mountain climbing spot, there are designated strolling areas inside Deer Park Heights. In case you have your individual car in Queenstown, it is a must-do for unparalleled views and cute animals that you could feed (convey a NZ$2 coin to purchase some pellets). The dust roads aren’t simple to drive, however the lookout factors are definitely worth the journey. Bonus: it was a Lord of the Rings filming location, with most of the Rohan scenes shot right here.
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Greatest snowboarding in Queenstown
Surrounded by white-capped peaks virtually year-round, it’s no shock that Queenstown has a status as an excellent snowboarding vacation spot. Opening as early as mid-June, 4 most important snowboarding locations are inside a 1.5-hour drive from Queenstown centre: Coronet Peak, the Remarkables, Cardrona Alpine Resort, and Treble Cone (nearer to Wanaka). Whereas the talk nonetheless rages about which mountain has the perfect snowboarding in Queenstown, we’d go for the Remarkables as a result of even the identify doesn’t do them justice. The string of iconic mountains operating north to south alongside Lake Wakatipu is immediately recognizable from pictures in The Lord of the Rings, however lately they provide spectacular downhill snowboarding and snowboarding with beautiful views of Queenstown and the lake.
Greatest Queenstown adrenaline actions
Often known as the journey capital of the world, Queenstown, New Zealand, has loads of adrenaline actions to get your coronary heart price up. The world’s first business bungee bounce opened in Queenstown, and there are many scenic spots to plummet from, one of many finest issues to do in New Zealand. If that’s not excessive sufficient, you’ll be able to all the time skydive in Queenstown, and there’s arguably no prettier place to do it. For among the finest Queenstown adrenaline actions, join a vast go on the Queenstown Luge, a go-kart-esque exercise the place you management your pace (or don’t) and careen down the mountain. For travellers who love a scramble with their leaping, join a day of canyoning, the place you’ll swim, zip line, and climb. For a hands-off adrenaline rush that helps Maori-owned companies, seize a seat on the Shotover Jet for a high-speed spinning experience on the river.
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The place to eat in Queenstown
Queenstown has a whole lot of incredible eating places, so that you received’t be starved for some good locations to eat. Fergburger has a stellar advertising and marketing technique, so seize one to say you probably did, however strive visiting between normal meal occasions for those who don’t wish to look forward to hours. For glorious Mexican meals and a laid-back vibe, ebook a desk at Margo’s. Strive the goat birria tacos and thank us later. For what could be the perfect bagels on this planet, head to Balls and Bangles. Seize yours to go and head to the waterfront for a scenic chew, however dine in-house if you would like certainly one of their insane freak shakes as a result of it’s gonna get messy. Should you’re up for a brief drive, ebook a desk at The Boat Shed Café for a stellar breakfast with a aspect of superb views.
Greatest bars in Queenstown
Queenstown nightlife is buzzing, and with the solar setting so late within the hotter months, it’s much more of a vibe. Queenstown’s thriving craft beer scene is value investigating. You may’t beat Canyon Brewing on a pleasant day. As for the perfect bar in Queenstown, we love Beech Tree, with 26 rotating craft beers on faucet. The bartenders know what they’re doing, so inform them what you want they usually’ll curate a tasting flight for you. Strive the whiskey and barbecue wings.
Greatest day journeys from Queenstown
The area is thought for its pinot noir, so for those who love your wine, ebook a wine tasting tour from Queenstown, New Zealand. Should you’re a fan of fantasy, ebook a Lord of the Rings tour in Queenstown for a day full of beautiful surroundings and trivia that delights devoted followers. Wanaka is effectively value a day journey, even when only for a pic of That Wanaka Tree and brunch at Scroggin Espresso and Eatery. Arrowtown (of gold-rush fame) is half-hour away and is an architectural delight.
A day journey to Milford Sound is obligatory. E book a cruise or flight (or you’ll be able to even kayak), however spend as a lot time as potential marvelling on the waterfalls and mountains and see for those who can spot among the dolphins. Uncertain Sound is much less well-known, however simply as lovely.
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Free issues to do in Queenstown
Queenstown, New Zealand, isn’t identified for being a funds spot to go to, however the metropolis nonetheless has loads of free issues to do. All of Queenstown’s mountain climbing choices are free, whether or not you’re doing fast jaunts to Bob’s Cove or larger endeavours like Ben Lomond. The drive between Queenstown and Glenorchy is among the prettiest on this planet. Queenstown Backyard is free, as are day journeys to Wanaka and Arrowtown. Even visiting Milford Sound is free, and there are some pretty walks across the water that you simply don’t must pay for (although it’s value forking out for a cruise). Hold round Queenstown’s Lake Wakatipu at nightfall for a million-dollar sundown that doesn’t value a factor. Discover pretty market stalls on the waterfront which can be free to browse, however don’t blame us if you wish to purchase!
The best way to get round Queenstown
Queenstown is thought for its walkability (and tough parking). Most points of interest provide shuttle providers that choose you up out of your lodging or town centre, however if you wish to discover by yourself, Queenstown additionally has a dependable bus service, ferry choices, and taxis. Renting a automobile gives extra freedom of motion, particularly if you wish to discover Glenorchy, Arrowtown, and the opposite pleasant little locations surrounding Queenstown with out being tied to a bus schedule.
