9 Reasons Everyone Should Visit Queenstown New Zealand

Queenstown is always a hit with travellers. People cherish this small-but-mighty New Zealand resort town because of its diverse experiences, scenic wonders and incredible vibes. If you need convincing, here are nine reasons everyone should make this cool Kiwi destination one of their top places to visit.

It’s the birthplace of commercial bungee jumping

AJ Hackett was definitely onto something when he established New Zealand’s first commercial bungee operation in 1988. The country’s (and the world’s) love affair with the extreme sport blossomed from there, and the original Kawarau Bridge bungee is still going strong today. Along with being one of the most famous adrenaline-inducing places in the world, Kawarau Bridge is the only place in Queenstown to offer tandem jumping experiences.

The original Kawarau Bridge bungee is still going strong today

The skiing and snowboarding terrains are ace

The town is buzzing all year round

One of the best things about Queenstown is that seasonal changes are never an issue. There’s so much to check out during the year, from the annual Winter Festival to cool summer concerts and a dynamic live-music scene. Also, unlike certain places in the Central Otago region, Queenstown’s weekend markets are not restricted to the summer months. Other popular year-round attractions include jet boating, hiking, canyon swinging and scenic cruises.

Queenstown’s weekend markets are not restricted to the summer months

The locals are a friendly bunch

Queenstown is regularly rated as one of the friendliest cities in the world. Kiwis are friendly by nature, and will be more than happy to help anyone who is lost or needs pointers. Hospitality is something they take a lot of pride in, so expect people working in restaurants, bars, hotels and retail outlets to be helpful and friendly too.

Queenstown is a goldmine for history

Arrowtown, a mere 15-minute drive from Queenstown, is one of the South Island’s best-known historic settlements. It is a former gold-mining hub which has worked hard to preserve its heritage and history. Many of the buildings along the main street were built in the gold-mining days, and are now home to many everyday venues such as cafes, shops and offices. The Millennium Walk and Macetown biking trail are some of the most popular options for those exploring Arrowtown’s surroundings.

There’s something for everyone

Jet boating, bungee jumping, canyoning, white-water rafting, the luge… you’d be hard-pressed to find an adventure activity that doesn’t make the list of Queenstown must-dos. At the same time, there are also plenty of serene places to unwind, from parks and gardens to scenic getaways and the region’s viticultural treasures.

Try your hand at rafting on the Kawarau River near Arrowtown

Family-friendly is a given

Travelling with kids? No worries – Queenstown can keep all your family members entertained. From video game arcades to go-karting and ice skating, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to family-friendly expeditions. Snow lovers should definitely keep an eye out for family passes for the area’s ski resorts, and chilled-out families will love the TSS Earnslaw cruise to Walter Peak Farm.

Families will love the TSS Earnslaw cruise to Walter Peak Farm

There’s a wide range of accommodation options

Whether you’re looking to splurge on a boutique hotel or you need to stick to a budget, you won’t be short of accommodation options in Queenstown. The only thing to keep in mind is that the most coveted venues, from Airbnbs to backpackers, fill up pretty fast. For peace of mind it’s best to book your accommodation as early as possible.

There are ample scenic landscapes

Lake Wakatipu is a treasure trove of alpine ranges, postcard-worthy vistas and all-round unspoiled scenery. If you want to get the most out of the South Island’s sublime backdrop, Queenstown is one of the best places to do it. Climb up Bob’s Peak to get a full panorama of the town, or soak up the stunning lakeside views by going on a picnic.

Queenstown is one of the best places to get the most out of the South Island’s sublime backdrop

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.