The Points Well Made guide to Queenstown - New Zealand
Anyone who knows us is well aware that our three week New Zealand adventure last year was quite possibly out best holiday ever. We absolutely loved it – and Queenstown quickly became one of our favourite places in the country, if not the world.
This lakeside gem, tucked among dramatic alpine peaks, is equal parts adrenaline, beauty, and brilliant food. Whether you're here for the thrills, the eats, or just the views, Queenstown delivers in every possible way.
If you're planning a trip (or just daydreaming), here's our guide to the best of Queenstown: what to eat, where to stay, what to do, and why we didn’t want to leave.
Where to eat in Queenstown
Let’s start with the most important thing: food. Queenstown is an absolute dream for food lovers, and we barely scratched the surface of all the incredible eateries on offer.
Fergburger is a local institution, and we get the hype now. Sometimes you see these places go viral and wonder why. Not with this one! Giant, juicy burgers (seriously, you will need two hands), locally-sourced ingredients, and a queue that snakes around the block – but it moves fast and it’s worth it. Seriously, do NOT be put off by the queue. We went at about 18:00 and had our burgers in our hands about 30 minutes later. I went for the lamb burger which was dairy free and it was amazing, as you can see from the photo below. Side note, throughout our relationship and marriage, Sam has taken many photos of me eating "in the moment" and this is just one of many!
Top tip, queue and order, and then go wander round some of the shops. Or you can pop next door to Ferg Bar which is great for a cheeky drink. When I say the boys behind the bar make a mean spicy margarita I am not joking. Quite possibly one of the best I've ever had!
Also in the Ferg-Fam is Mrs Ferg Gelateria (there are two of them), with an extensive menu of gelato and sorbet, as well as the Fergbaker serving pastries, sandwiches and various other delights. There coffee is amazing, and the baked goods are also fab!
For something a bit more refined, Finz Seafood Restaurant was a standout. The seafood is incredibly fresh, beautifully presented, and packed with flavour. I had some of the best oysters and mussels I’ve ever tasted. It’s a must-visit if you love fish, or just want a break from burgers (though to be fair, we could have happily eaten Fergburger every day).
A couple of months ago New Zealand received it's first round of Michelin Stars (about flipping time). Three restaurants in Queenstown received these stars, with Amisfield and Sherwood receiving one each, and Essence which was the first and only restaurant to earn two stars. We didn't eat at any of them, but I suspect they might just be worth trying!
Where to stay in Queenstown
Queenstown has a bit of everything when it comes to accommodation – luxury hotels, stylish mid-range spots, backpacker hostels, and some brilliant campsites right in town.
For hotels, The Rees Hotel is right on the lakefront with unbeatable views. QT Queenstown is another good shout, with modern alpine-chic rooms and a lively vibe that’s perfect for couples or friends. If you're after something cosy and central, The Dairy Private Hotel is a boutique option full of charm and great service.
If you’re travelling in a campervan (like we did for part of the trip), or fancy pitching a tent, Queenstown has a few great campsites right in town. Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park is walking distance to the town centre, well-equipped, and has amazing mountain views.
We stayed at the fantastic Creeksyde Holiday Park, a quirky, eco-friendly, and super clean campsite , with a fun, artsy feel that makes it more than just a place to park up. It was quiet during the nights, and such an easy walk into the centre of town.
What to do in Queenstown
Queenstown isn’t just the adventure capital of New Zealand – it’s basically one giant adult playground, with the best backdrop imaginable. Whether you’re here to get your heart racing, soak up the natural beauty, or just tick a few bucket-list experiences, Queenstown has so much going on. Here’s what we did, what we loved, and a few things we watched (from a safe distance with a coffee in hand).
Shotover Jet – fast, wild and totally unmissable
This was hands-down one of our favourite things we did in Queenstown. The Shotover Jet is not your average boat ride – it’s a high-speed thrill ride through the narrow canyons of the Shotover River. Expect 360-degree spins, sheer rock faces flying past your shoulder, and an adrenaline buzz that sticks with you for hours. The drivers are total pros (and slightly mad, in the best way), and the whole thing is just ridiculously fun. You will get wet. You will scream. You’ll love it. When we go back this is absolutely something we will do again.
Be sure to check out Canyon Brewing next door for a gorgeous local beer moment. They also serve food which looked delicious, but we just opted for a cold beer each which were fantastic. The craft beer scene in New Zealand is really fantastic, and I don't think we had a bad one between us.
Skyline Gondola & Luge – epic views and Mario Kart vibes
For panoramic views over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, you’ve got to take the Skyline Gondola. It’s a steep, scenic ride up to Bob’s Peak, and once you’re at the top, the views are next level. But don’t head back down just yet, grab a helmet and hit the Queenstown Luge.
It's basically a downhill go-kart track with a twisty, scenic course, and it’s so addictive. There are two tracks, an easier one to get you used to the kart and a faster , harder one which was just so much fun. The views whilst zooming down a hill over some sheer drops (seriously, the harder track doesn't disappoint) were incredible. You can book multiple luge rides, I think we went with either the 5 or the 6 which is plenty, but you can also book an unlimited one.
You can also mountain bike up there (hire gear on-site), grab a drink at the bar with those crazy views, or stay for sunset which I kind of wish we had done.
Queenstown Gardens – peaceful, pretty and surprisingly fun
After all that adrenaline, the Queenstown Gardens are the perfect place to slow down. Right on the edge of the lake, the gardens are beautifully kept with loads of little trails, picnic spots, and views across to The Remarkables. It’s a great spot to walk off lunch or just chill out and watch the world go by.
Skydiving – a show worth watching
If you’ve ever wanted to throw yourself out of a plane with a stranger strapped to your back, Queenstown is one of the most beautiful places in the world to do it. The local skydiving companies offer jumps from up to 15,000 feet, with views over mountains, lakes, and rivers as far as the eye can see.
We stayed firmly on the ground (although Sam did end up doing an 18,000 jump a couple of days later), but watching the parachutes float down from the sky above the lake was still pretty magical. Respect to the brave ones.
Bungee Jumping – nope, but we watched from the deck
Queenstown is where bungee jumping began, and it’s still one of the most iconic things to do here. The Kawarau Bridge Bungy is the original – a 43-metre leap off a historic bridge into the river below. There’s also the Nevis Bungy, which is 134 metres and truly terrifying (in a good way?). We didn’t fancy it ourselves, but you can watch from the viewing platforms, and the atmosphere is electric. If you’re a thrill-seeker, this is the ultimate Queenstown challenge.
Lake Wakatipu – paddle, cruise, or swim
This lake looks like it’s been edited in photoshop. The water is crystal-clear and glacial blue, surrounded by mountains, hills and of course The Remarkables. You can get out on the lake in loads of ways – paddleboarding, swimming, kayaking, jet skiing, or taking a scenic cruise on the historic TSS Earnslaw, a 1912 steamship that still runs daily trips.
We opted for a scenic cruising with Million Dollar Cruising. The guides were fantastic as we drifted around different parts of the lake, plus there was a bar on board which was cool.
There are lakeside walking trails, picnic spots, and plenty of places to just sit with a coffee and soak it all in. Queenstown’s waterfront is one of the prettiest we’ve seen anywhere in the world.
Lord of the Rings filming locations – real-life Middle-earth
Even if you’re not a massive Lord of the Rings fan, the landscapes around Queenstown are pure movie magic. You can take a guided tour (with props and behind-the-scenes stories), or DIY it with a rental car. Glenorchy is a must – just 45 minutes from Queenstown, with jaw-dropping scenery that stood in for Isengard, Lothlórien, and more. The drive there is worth the trip alone. Other filming spots include Deer Park Heights, The Remarkables which really are ... well ... remarkable, and Skippers Canyon – all ridiculously photogenic even if you’ve never seen the films.
Bonus ideas – because there’s always more
Still got time (or energy)? Here are a few more Queenstown adventures worth adding to your list:
Wine tasting in Gibbston Valley – incredible Pinot Noir and vineyard views. This was the way we drove to and from Queenstown and it was utterly beautiful.
Hiking the Ben Lomond Track – this is apparently really rather tough but the veiws along the way are so rewarding.
Paragliding off the Skyline – for a scenic, wind-in-your-face buzz. Again, if that is your jam. The only flying I do is planes darling!
Day trip to Arrowtown – a charming gold rush village with autumn colours, boutique shops and top-notch coffee. You don't need a whole day here, but a few hours of peace and charm await.
Our guide – why Queenstown won our hearts
Queenstown is one of those rare places that offers the perfect mix: adrenaline and relaxation, great food and natural beauty, laid-back charm and bucket list adventure. Every day felt like a new discovery, and honestly, we were already planning our next trip back before we even left. We both felt we could have stayed a week there and still would have left with things on our list to do, but we'll hopefully be back one day soon to tick off a few more things!
Whether you’re chasing thrills, amazing eats, lakeside strolls or mountain magic, Queenstown is the kind of place you’ll never forget, trust us.
We’d go back in a heartbeat.
Helena
Points Well Made is a passion project from Sam and Helena. If you've enjoyed this and want to help us keep the lights on, please consider buying us a Ko-fi or subscribing monthly. You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for more of the same. Thanks for reading.
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