The Perfect 3 days in Queenstown Itinerary

Known as the adventure capital and situated in one of the most beautiful parts of New Zealand, Queenstown truly has it all. While you could easily spend a week or more here, this 3-day Queenstown itinerary covers all the highlights with a bit of food, hiking, cruising, and adventure.

About this Queenstown Itinerary

Queenstown is a small city and most everything in the central area is within walking distance. However, staying in central Queenstown means you’ll miss out on some of the best spots, so venture to Arrowtown and the Gibbston Valley on Day 3 on this Queenstown itinerary. There is a reliable and cheap bus network to help you get there, or you can use Ubers, taxis or book a day tour with shuttle transport.

This itinerary is designed to be done any time of the year, but it’s especially good if you’re visiting Queenstown in the summer. If you’re arriving in winter you might want to add a few days to explore the slopes at the nearby Cardrona ski resorts.

What to pack for Queenstown?

Queenstown is one of the southernmost cities in the world, so you can expect cool weather even in the summer. In winter, the city often has light snowfall and the average temperature drops below 0°C. New Zealand is also known for its changeable weather, so it’s best to pack lots of layers.

As the adventure capital, culture and fashion in Queenstown are very close to nature. You will see many down jackets, sneakers for all sea hikes and merino wool tops. This itinerary will feature mostly outdoor activities, so prepare to wrap up warm with layers to take off for the hikes and bike rides.

Day 1: Skyline, Ben Lomond, Luge, Queenstown Gardens

The best way to get a feel for Queenstown upon arrival is to rise high. So start your first day in Queenstown with a ride on the Skyline Gondola. The gondola takes you 450 meters uphill to the Skyline Center where you can see Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables Mountains. From here, you have the option to grab a bite to eat at the cafe, stock up on goodies at the Jelly Bean Factory, or just sit and enjoy the view.

Ben Lomond track

In the summer you have the option of walking further up the mountainside to the summit of Ben Lomond. This hike takes around 7 hours and promises unbeatable views from the summit. The route is not difficult, but you can only reach the summit in mid-summer as the trail is covered with snow for most of the year. Even if you don’t get to the top, it’s worth walking at least a little way past the Skyline Center to escape the crowds and see more of the area.

Paragliding or tobogganing

On the way down, skip the gondola and go either paragliding or sledding. Luge is like a go-kart that you zigzag down the mountainside at high speed. There is both a beginner and an advanced course if you don’t get used to the jumps and tunnels right away. When you’ve finished the ride, either hop on the gondola for another ride or head down the hill into central Queenstown.

Spend the afternoon wandering along the lakefront, walking towards Frankton through the Queenstown Botanic Gardens, or you can walk up the Queenstown Hill Time Walk, where you will find exhibits on the history of the area along the way. Allow 2 1/2 hours for the Queenstown Hill Time Walk.

dinner

For dinner, treat yourself to a meal at Botswana Butchery, one of New Zealand’s finest restaurants, showcasing excellent local produce such as lamb and venison. The meat-heavy dishes pair best with a glass of Central Otago Pinot Noir, which you can sample more of on Day 3. Visit the website for more information

Day 2: Bungy Jump, Jet Boat, Lake Cruise, Ferg Burger

It’s time to find out why Queenstown is called the adventure capital of New Zealand and sign up for either a bungee jump, swing or catapult. Queenstown is home to AJ Hackett, the world’s first commercial bungee jump, and you can still take the jump at its original location at the Kawarau Bridge. They have also expanded to two other bungee jump sites, both higher than the original Kawarau jump at 47m (Ledge Jump) and 134m (Nevis Jump). Read more at 8 Great Bunjy Jumping Spots in New Zealand

Tomorrow Nevis Bunjy and Swing

If you’ve already tried bungee jumping or want to try something different, there’s also the Nevis swing and the human catapult. Your ticket includes transportation to the site and a t-shirt to use as a proof of your bravery. We made a combination ticket for both. Visit AJ Hacket for pricing and booking tours.

Lunch Vudu pantry

After an adrenaline-pumping morning, return to Queenstown and calm your nerves with a leisurely lunch at Vudu Larder. With a prime lakefront location, Vudu Larder is one of a number of cafes in Queenstown offering excellent breakfast and lunch with a healthy focus and plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. I recommend pancakes with lemon and coconut. If you have time, the other cafes to try are Yonder and Bespoke Kitchen.

Afternoon – jet boat

If you keep your nerve, you can try a jet boat in the afternoon. Choose between KJet, which starts at Lake Wakatipu and features plenty of twists and tricks as you cruise up the Arrow River, or Shotover Jet, which starts just outside of town and speeds between the narrow canyons of the Shotover River.

For a more sedate option, there’s the TSS Earnslaw steamboat cruise, which takes you across Lake Wakatipu towards Glenorchy and the Sounds. This is a very relaxing way to see one of the most beautiful parts of New Zealand with towering snow-capped mountains and lush native bush lining the lake’s edge. For a romantic option, book the Sunset Wine and Cheese Cruise.

This tour is a 1.5 hour scenic tour of Queenstown that takes you to Lake Wakatipu where you can enjoy views of the Remarkables, Bob’s Cove, Cecil Peak and Mt Earnslaw from the comfort of the Spirit of Queenstown.

dinner

End your day with drinks at Perky’s Boat Bar (a quirky boat bar anchored on the lake shore) or the Lodge Wine Bar (a more posh option oddly located in front of a menswear shop). For food you must try one of Ferg’s famous New Zealand burgers, the queues can be long but it’s worth it for delicious burgers bigger than your head. My favorite is the Sweet Bambi Wildburger with boysenberry and brie, but there are also vegetarian options. Top it off with a scoop of ice cream from Mrs. Ferg’s Gelateria next door.

Day 3: Arrowtown, Arrow River Trail, Gibbston Valley Wineries, Millbrook

By day three you should be fairly familiar with Queenstown’s small city centre, so it’s time to head towards Arrowtown. It’s a short bus ride on the blue Arthurs Point Bus, which picks you up from Stanley Street in central Queenstown.

I recommend getting up early so you can brunch in Arrowtown at Provisions, a coffee shop at the quiet end of Main Street that has a delicious selection of baked goods as well as one of the best full kiwi breakfasts I’ve eaten.

Arrowtown is at its loveliest in the fall, when the riverside trees and main streets are a brilliant orange, but this historic mining town is full of character any time of the year. One might be mistaken for thinking that Main Street is straight out of Disneyland, as the buildings still retain their Gold Rush-era facades. Be sure to visit The Remarkables Sweet Shop to try their homemade fudge or fill up a bag with old-fashioned sweets from around the world.

Arrowtown is packed with boutiques if you’re looking for a bit of retail therapy. Otherwise, for foodies, there’s Gibbston Valley Cheese Store and Patagonia Chocolates, both down the riverbank. These are local artisans that you will only find in Queenstown and Arrowtown.

When in Arrowtown, take the time to walk down to the riverfront and see the old gold miners’ cottages. Extremely small and simple, they offer a glimpse into life for the first European and Chinese settlers in the area.

Arrow River Trail

From there you can rent bikes or e-bikes and ride the Arrow River Trail into the Gibbston Valley. The river trail is worth a visit for the scenery alone, you can speed over hanging bridges, cruise past gorges, farms and mountains, and even see the bungee jumpers as you pass the Kawarau Bridge.

Visit a vineyard

The Gibbston Valley, accessible by bike or car from Arrowtown, is where you’ll find most of the wineries near Queenstown. Almost all are open for tastings, so just grab a map from the bike rentals and stop where you feel like it. Wherever you go, the most popular type of wine is Pinot Noir, but you’ll also find a range of grapes including Gamays, Pinot Blancs and red blends. My favorite Gibbston Valley wineries are Peregrine and Mount Edward. Most wineries offer food, either platters or full bistro fare. Also near Arrowtown is the Amisfield Winery, which has an award-winning restaurant.

afternoon

To end the day, head to Millbrook Resort for a round of golf or a spa treatment. Millbrook sits on 1,500 acres of beautiful grounds filled with babbling brooks, little stone bridges and cottages. The massages are so relaxing I almost fell asleep. Afterwards, you can enjoy tea in the lounge overlooking the golf course. At the end of the day, the resort is happy to arrange a shuttle back to Queenstown.

Queenstown truly is one of the most spectacular parts of the world with all of the dramatic scenery that New Zealand is known for and plenty of activities to make the most of it. This 3-day tour of Queenstown is just the beginning of what’s on offer. If you have a little more time, consider driving to Te Anau and walking part of the Milford Track, or driving up the Cardrona Ranges to the Cardrona Distillery and Cardrona Hotel.

Where to stay in Queenstown

SofiTel Queenstown – This luxury hotel in central Queenstown is near the Skyline Gondola and Ferberger. Many Queenstown attractions are within walking distance and the airport is only 15 minutes away. Walking distance to Lake Wakatipu and scenic Queenstown views.

Queenstown Novotel Lakeside – Located on the lakeside in the city, this is a prime location. There is a hot tub, restaurant, parking and free internet.

And that’s the perfect 3 days in Queenstown itinerary. When planning your trip to New Zealand, you should spend at least three days in the country’s adventure capital. There are so many things to do that you could spend weeks exploring them all.

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