Milford Sound (Piopiotahi)
A steep-sided fiord in Fiordland National Park, with sheer cliffs, waterfalls and rainforest. Visitors cruise or kayak its length, usually on long day trips from Queenstown by road or air.
Queenstown
Bungy jumping, jet boats and ski fields are the draws of this lakeside adventure town, with day trips to Milford Sound also on offer.
Attractive locations
Lake Wakatipu
A long, S-shaped lake that stretches beside the town, surrounded by steep mountains. Visitors take boat trips, walk the shoreline or simply enjoy the views from the waterfront.
The Remarkables
A jagged mountain range across the lake from town, a backdrop to Queenstown from many angles. It is a base for skiing in winter and for walking and viewpoints in warmer months.
Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge
A historic bridge over the Kawarau River, known as the site where commercial bungy jumping began. Visitors can watch the jumpers from the viewing areas or try a jump themselves.
Queenstown Gardens
A peaceful park on a small peninsula at the edge of the town, with lawns, mature trees, rose beds and paths along the lake. It is a gentle walk close to the centre.
Skippers Canyon
A steep, rugged canyon north of Queenstown that was once a gold mining area. A narrow, winding mountain road leads in, with remains of mining history and dramatic scenery.
Arrowtown
A former gold-rush town with restored miners' cottages and tree-lined streets. The Chinese settlement, the nearby river and the autumn colours add to its appeal.
Airports
Queenstown Airport ZQN
It is about 7 km in a straight line from Queenstown.
Wanaka Airport WKA
It is about 57 km in a straight line from Queenstown.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the New Zealand page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan11.0 °C121 mm
- Feb10.9 °C100 mm
- Mar9.1 °C95 mm
- Apr6.1 °C98 mm
- May3.3 °C121 mm
- Jun0.7 °C103 mm
- Jul0.0 °C96 mm
- Aug1.4 °C89 mm
- Sep3.2 °C110 mm
- Oct4.9 °C117 mm
- Nov7.3 °C109 mm
- Dec9.8 °C120 mm
Driest months: Mar, Jul, Aug. Wettest months: Jan, May, Dec.
Costs
Prices here are about 86% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
festival
Queenstown Winter Festival
Street parties open the ski season.
Who can help
Emergency
111 for police, fire and ambulance.
local government
New Zealand Police (111 and 105)
Helps with: National police. Call 111 when you need an emergency response from Police, Fire or Ambulance. Call 105 to report things that do not need urgent police help.
Who qualifies: Anyone in New Zealand, including visitors.
Phone: 111
ngo
New Zealand Red Cross
Helps with: New Zealand's national Red Cross society. Contact its national office in Wellington by phone or post for its humanitarian services.
Who qualifies: People in New Zealand who need its services.
Phone: 0800 733 27677
Address: 69 Molesworth Street, Thorndon, Wellington
embassy
Diplomatic missions in New Zealand (MFAT order of precedence)
Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy. The foreign ministry page lists heads of mission in New Zealand and the city each is based in.
Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own embassy or high commission.