Attractions in Queenstown & Southern Lakes
Adventure, alpine lakes, and world-class fun π€ποΈ
Showing 53 attractions · Sorted by importance
Arrowtown Chinese Settlement
📍 Arrowtown
π° CastleExplore the humble, restored dwellings of 19th-century gold miners in this atmospheric and educational historic village.
Cardrona Alpine Resort Mountain Park
📍 Cardrona Valley
π§ AdventureA high-altitude summer adventure park featuring unique mountain carting, lift-accessed mountain biking, and alpine hiking trails.
Coronet Peak
📍 Queenstown
β· Ski Resort1,167-1,629m elevation, 28 runs, 40km of pistes, June-October season, night skiing and high-tech snowmaking infrastructure.
Crown Range Road
📍 Arrowtown
π Road Trip69km paved mountain road (1 hour). New Zealand's highest main road, peaking at 1,076m. Requires careful driving due to hairpins and steep grades. Highlights: Cardrona Hotel, Crown Range Summit Lookout, and panoramic views over the Kawarau River.
Haast Pass (The Heritage Highway)
📍 Wanaka
π Road Trip140km paved section of State Highway 6 (2-3 hours). Links the Southern Lakes to the West Coast. Highlights: Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea viewpoints, Blue Pools walk, Thunder Creek Falls, and dense temperate rainforest.
Lake Wakatipu
📍 Queenstown
π Scenic ViewA deep, lightning-bolt-shaped glacial lake surrounded by the dramatic peaks of the Remarkables mountain range.
Lake Wanaka
📍 Wanaka
π Scenic ViewA pristine alpine lake offering crystal-clear waters and breathtaking reflections of the surrounding Southern Alps.
Mount Aspiring National Park
📍 Glenorchy
π² NatureA vast wilderness of soaring peaks and glaciers offering family-friendly walks and spectacular alpine scenery.
Puzzling World
📍 Wanaka
π¬ ScienceA world-renowned attraction featuring illusion rooms, a 3D maze, and interactive exhibits on human perception and physics.
Queenstown Gardens
📍 Queenstown
πΏ GardenA beautiful lakeside peninsula park featuring a historic rose garden, mature exotic trees, and a disc golf course, offering scenic views for the whole family.
Queenstown Trail
📍 Queenstown
π₯Ύ Hiking & Cycling130km easy-to-moderate multi-day or day cycling network with variable elevation. Includes the Twin Rivers, Lake Hayes, and Gibbston Wine Valley loops. Bike rental: Around the Basin (aroundthebasin.co.nz) or Better By Bike (betterbybike.co.nz).
Routeburn Track
📍 Glenorchy
π₯Ύ Hiking & Cycling33km moderate 3-day multi-day trek with 1,300m elevation gain. One of New Zealand's Great Walks connecting Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks. Equipment rental: Info & Track (infotrack.co.nz).
Roys Peak
📍 Wanaka
π Scenic ViewA world-renowned hiking summit providing panoramic vistas over Lake Wanaka, Mount Aspiring, and the local mountain peaks.
Skyline Queenstown
📍 Queenstown
π§ AdventureA premier adventure hub featuring a scenic gondola, downhill luge tracks, and a world-class mountain bike park with alpine views.
Southern Scenic Route
📍 Queenstown
π Road Trip610km paved touring route (4-6 days). A major multi-region journey starting in Queenstown, passing through Te Anau (Milford Sound gateway), the Catlins coastline, and Invercargill, ending in Dunedin. Major highlights: coastal cliffs, waterfalls, and lakes.
That Wanaka Tree
📍 Wanaka
π LandmarkThe world-famous willow tree growing alone within the waters of Lake Wanaka, a symbol of the Southern Lakes.
The Remarkables
📍 Queenstown
β· Ski Resort1,610-1,943m elevation, 30 runs, 20km of pistes, June-October season, three sun-drenched bowls and 3 terrain park areas.
Treble Cone
📍 Wanaka
β· Ski Resort1,260-1,960m elevation, 40+ runs, 22km of pistes, June-September season, 550 hectares of terrain known for steep runs and long groomed trails.
TSS Earnslaw Steamship
📍 Queenstown
π LandmarkA historic 1912 twin-screw coal-fired steamship that is an iconic sight on the waters of Lake Wakatipu.
Arrowtown Historic District
📍 Arrowtown
π Town / VillageA beautifully preserved gold-rush era town center featuring 19th-century architecture and charming tree-lined streets.
Ben Lomond Track
📍 Queenstown
π₯Ύ Hiking & Cycling11km challenging 6-8 hour return hike with 1,438m elevation gain from the town center. Offers 360-degree views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables. Starts near the Skyline Gondola base or top.
Deer Park Heights
📍 Queenstown
π FarmA drive-through farm safari offering close encounters with deer, goats, and donkeys against a backdrop of famous film locations and panoramic views.
Kawarau Bungy Centre
📍 Queenstown
π§ AdventureThe world's first commercial bungy site offers family-friendly viewing decks, a zipride, and the iconic bridge jump over the Kawarau River.
Kiwi Park Queenstown
📍 Queenstown
π¦ ZooA family-owned wildlife sanctuary dedicated to New Zealand's native species, featuring kiwi bird feedings and conservation-focused shows.
Queenstown to Glenorchy Road
📍 Queenstown
π Road Trip46km paved scenic road (45-60 mins one way). One of the most beautiful drives in the world, tracing the edge of Lake Wakatipu. Key highlights: Bennetts Bluff Lookout, Pig and Pigeon Islands, and views of Mount Aspiring National Park.
Roys Peak Track
📍 Wanaka
π₯Ύ Hiking & Cycling16km challenging 5-6 hour day hike with 1,228m elevation gain. Famous for its ridge-line views overlooking Lake Wanaka and Mount Aspiring. This is a steep uphill climb on a well-formed track.
Walter Peak High Country Farm
📍 Queenstown
π FarmAn iconic lakeside farm experience where families enjoy sheepdog demonstrations, farm tours, and high-country hospitality via a vintage steamship cruise.
Wanaka Lakefront
📍 Wanaka
β± BeachA scenic recreation area featuring pebble beaches, clear waters for paddling, and the famous 'That Wanaka Tree' nearby.
Lake Hawea
📍 Lake Hawea
π Scenic ViewA deep-blue glacial lake known for its rugged shoreline and high-altitude scenery, separated from Lake Wanaka by a narrow mountain ridge.
Lindis Pass (SH8)
📍 Wanaka
π Road Trip63km paved mountain pass (1 hour). High-altitude highway connecting Wanaka/Cromwell to the Mackenzie Basin. Characterized by vast golden tussock-covered hills and dramatic treeless alpine scenery reaching 971m at the summit.
National Transport and Toy Museum
📍 Wanaka
π¬ ScienceA massive collection of aircraft, vehicles, and vintage toys showcasing technological history and mechanical evolution.
Queenstown Hill
📍 Queenstown
π Scenic ViewA popular hiking peak accessible from the town center, featuring the 'Basket of Dreams' sculpture and 360-degree views of the region.
Rees-Dart Track
📍 Glenorchy
π₯Ύ Hiking & Cycling63km challenging 4-5 day multi-day loop through Mount Aspiring National Park. Features alpine passes and river valleys. High level of fitness required. Transport: Glenorchy Journeys (glenorchyjourneys.co.nz).
Snow Farm NZ
📍 Cardrona Valley
β· Ski Resort1,500-1,550m elevation, 55km of groomed trails, June-September season, New Zealand's only dedicated cross-country ski resort with world-class facilities.
Alpine Aqualand
📍 Queenstown
π Water ParkA premier indoor aquatic centre featuring a leisure pool, lazy river, and hydroslides, perfect for family recreation regardless of the weather.
Bennett's Bluff Lookout
📍 Glenorchy
π Scenic ViewAn iconic roadside viewpoint offering a spectacular perspective of Lake Wakatipu winding through the rugged mountains toward Glenorchy.
Cardrona Historic Village
📍 Cardrona
π Town / VillageA high-country settlement known for its iconic 1863 hotel and remnants of its past as a thriving gold-mining hub.
Glenorchy Animal Experience
📍 Glenorchy
π FarmA charming, interactive farm park where visitors can feed and pet a variety of farm animals surrounded by stunning mountain scenery.
Glenorchy Wharf & Red Shed
📍 Glenorchy
π LandmarkThe iconic bright red steamship shed at the edge of Lake Wakatipu, set against a backdrop of rugged mountains.
Isthmus Peak Track
📍 Lake Hawea
π₯Ύ Hiking & Cycling16km challenging 5-7 hour day hike with 1,130m elevation gain. Provides views of both Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka from the summit ridge. Often used as an alternative to Roys Peak.
Kawarau Gorge Road
📍 Queenstown
π Road Trip35km paved highway (40 mins). Follows the Kawarau River through a deep rocky canyon between Queenstown and Cromwell. Highlights: AJ Hackett Kawarau Bridge Bungy, Roaring Meg lookout, gold mining history, and steep schist cliffs.
Lake Dunstan Trail
📍 Cromwell
π₯Ύ Hiking & Cycling55km moderate 1-day cycling route with 800m elevation gain. Famous for spectacular cantilevered bridges bolted to rock faces above the lake. Bike rental and shuttles: Lake Dunstan Explorer (lakedunstanexplorer.co.nz).
Lake Hawea Foreshore
📍 Lake Hawea
β± BeachA dramatic and pristine lakefront known for its deep blue water and mountain scenery, ideal for swimming and kite surfing.
Lakes District Museum & Gallery
📍 Arrowtown
π Town / VillageAn award-winning museum that brings the region's MΔori and gold mining history to life through immersive exhibits.
Lakes District Museum & Gallery
📍 Arrowtown
πΌ Art GalleryThis award-winning museum offers a hands-on look at the region's gold mining history alongside diverse art exhibitions that appeal to all ages.
Oxbow Adventure Co
📍 Queenstown
π§ AdventureA custom-built adventure park offering unique high-octane experiences including jet sprint boats and off-road ultimate off-roaders.
Wanaka Lavender Farm
📍 Wanaka
π FarmA fragrant rural retreat featuring beautiful lavender fields, friendly farm animals to feed, and artisanal lavender-based products.
Wanaka Pool
📍 Wanaka
π Water ParkA modern facility at the Wanaka Recreation Centre offering a lap pool and dedicated children's leisure pool in a bright, scenic setting.
Wildwire Wanaka
📍 Wanaka
π§ AdventureAn outdoor adventure center offering the world's highest waterfall via ferrata climbing experiences suitable for various skill levels.
Ziptrek Ecotours Queenstown
📍 Queenstown
π§ AdventureAn eco-adventure park located in the forest canopy above Queenstown, featuring multiple zipline courses with educational sustainability themes.
