The Perfect 3 days in Queenstown Itinerary

Recognized as the adventure funds and found in just one of the most stunning elements of New Zealand, Queenstown seriously does have it all.  While you could very easily commit a 7 days or a lot more below, this 3 working day Queenstown itinerary hits all the highlights with a very little little bit of food, mountaineering, cruising and experience.

About this Queenstown itinerary

Queenstown is a modest city and inside of the central region just about anything is walkable. However, if you stay inside central Queenstown, you are going to pass up some of the best places, so this Queenstown itinerary has you venturing out to Arrowtown and the Gibbston Valley on day 3. There is a reputable and low-priced bus network to support you get there or you can use Ubers, taxis or e-book a working day tour with shuttle transportation.

This itinerary is designed so you can do it at any time of yr but it is particularly superior if you are heading to Queenstown in summer time. If you’re viewing in wintertime, you could possibly want to insert a several times to hit the slopes at the nearby Cardrona ski fields.

What to pack for Queenstown?

Queenstown is just one of the most southern towns in the earth so you can count on chilly temperature even in summer months. In winter there is normally light-weight snow in the town and the normal temperature dips beneath 0°C. New Zealand is also identified for its changeable weather so it’s most effective to pack heaps of layers. 

Getting the adventure money, the society and trend in Queenstown is really outdoorsy. You are going to see tons of puffer jackets, sneakers for all the lake walks, and merino wool tops. For this itinerary, you’ll be performing generally outside pursuits so be ready to wrap up heat with layers you can take off on the hikes and bicycle rides.

Working day 1: Skyline, Ben Lomond, Luge, Queenstown Gardens

The greatest way to get a come to feel for Queenstown when you arrive is to get up high. So, get started your very first day in Queenstown with a trip up the Skyline Gondola. The Gondola takes you 450 meters uphill to the Skyline Centre where by you can see out throughout Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountains. From listed here you have selections to seize some food stuff in the café, stock up on treats at the Jelly Bean Factory or just acquire a seat and delight in the sights.

Ben Lomond Track

In summer months, you have the alternative to retain likely up the mountainside to the peak of Ben Lomond. This trek usually takes all around 7 several hours and guarantees unbeatable views from the summit. The observe is not tricky, but you can only attain the peak in mid-summer as snow covers the trail most of the 12 months. Even if you simply cannot get the whole way up, it’s value continuing on at minimum a smaller way past the Skyline Centre to get away from the crowds and see extra of the surrounding place.

Paragliding or Luge

On the way down, skip the gondola and go for either paragliding or a luge. The luge is like a go-kart that you drive down the mountainside on a zigzagging monitor at higher pace. There’s a starter as well as an advanced monitor in scenario you really do not experience up to jumps and tunnels on your very first go. The moment you complete the journey, possibly bounce on the gondola for a different go or head again down the hill to Queenstown centre. 

Devote the afternoon wandering the lakeshore, heading through Queenstown Botanic Gardens all-around to Frankton, or you can go up to the Queenstown Hill Time Stroll, exactly where you will obtain exhibits on the area’s background unfold along the path. Count on to spend 2 1/2 50 percent hrs to full the Queenstown Hill Time Wander.

Dinner

For supper, splash out on a food at Botswana Butchery, just one of New Zealand’s finest dining establishments which showcases the remarkable nearby generate which includes lamb and venison. The meat-heavy dishes are ideal paired with a glass of Central Otago pinot noir, which you will get a likelihood to attempt extra of on day 3. See their web-site for information

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

It is time to uncover why Queenstown is termed the journey capital of New Zealand and book in for possibly a bungy jump, swing, or catapult. Queenstown is the dwelling of AJ Hackett, the world’s initial professional bungy bounce and you can even now take the leap at their initial website at Kawarau Bridge. They have also expanded to two other bungy jump web pages, both of those taller than the primary Kawarau leap at 47m (Ledge Soar) and 134m (Nevis Jump).  Read through additional at 8 Good Areas to Go Bunjy Leaping in New Zealand

Morning Nevis Bunjy and Swing

If you’ve now tried bungy jumping or want to check out something diverse, there are also the Nevis Swing and the human catapult. Your ticket consists of transport to the web-site and a t-shirt you can use as evidence of your bravery. We did a combo ticket for both. Stop by AJ Hacket for charges and reserving tours.

Lunch Vudu Larder

After an adrenaline-loaded early morning, appear again to Queenstown and settle your nerves around a lazy lunch at Vudu Larder. With a key place correct on the lakefront, Vudu Larder is just one of a assortment of Queenstown cafes that do remarkable breakfasts and lunch with a healthy-ish concentration and lots of vegetarian and vegan helpful options. I recommend pancakes with lemon and coconut. If you have time, the other cafes to try are Yonder and Bespoke Kitchen. 

Afternoon – Jetboat

If your nerve holds, you can try out a jetboat in the afternoon. Pick out amongst KJet, which commences from Lake Wakatipu and contains tons of spins and methods as you experience up the Arrow River, or Shotover Jet which commences somewhat out of town and goes dashing among the slender canyons of the Shotover River.

For a more sedate possibility, there is the steamboat cruise on the TSS Earnslaw which normally takes you out across Lake Wakatipu in the direction of Glenorchy and the seems. This is a incredibly calming way to see a person of the most attractive areas of New Zealand with soaring snow-capped mountains and lush indigenous bush bordering the lake. For a romantic solution, ebook the sunset cruise with wine and cheese.

This tour is a 1.5-hour Queenstown scenic cruise taking you out to Lake Wakatipu the place you’ll get pleasure from sights of the Remarkables, Bob’s Cove, Cecil Peak and Mt. Earnslaw from the ease and comfort of the Spirit of Queenstown.

Supper

Cap off your day with drinks at Perky’s Boat bar (a quirky boat bar anchored at the lakefront) or Lodge Wine Bar (a classier possibility to some degree weirdly found in the front of a men’s garments retailer). For food stuff, you need to attempt 1 of the New Zealand-renowned burgers from Ferg’s, the queues can be prolonged but it’s really worth it for delightful burgers larger than your head. My favorite is the Sweet Bambi venison burger with boysenberry and brie but there are vegetarian selections. Leading it off with a scoop of ice cream from Mrs Ferg’s Gelateria just next door. 

Working day 3: Arrowtown, Arrow River Path, Gibbston Valley wineries, Millbrook

By working day 3, you really should be rather familiar with Queenstown’s smaller city centre so it is time to head out toward Arrowtown. It is only a short bus trip on the blue Arthurs Point bus which will accumulate you from Stanley Avenue in central Queenstown. 

I endorse obtaining an early begin so you can get brunch in Arrowtown at Provisions, a café down the tranquil conclude of the key road that has a mouth-watering array of baked items as very well as a single of the ideal Kiwi significant breakfasts I’ve ever eaten. 

Arrowtown is at its very best in autumn when the trees lining the riverbank and the principal streets are a vivid fiery orange but at any time of calendar year, this historic mining town is whole of character. You could be mistaken for considering the major avenue is straight out of Disneyland as the buildings nevertheless maintain their Gold Hurry-era facades. Make guaranteed to pop into The Remarkables Sweet Store for tastings of their selfmade fudge or to fill a bag with aged-fashioned candies from all-around the earth. 

Arrowtown is comprehensive of boutique stores if you’re hunting for a bit of retail therapy. Otherwise, for foodies, there is the Gibbston Valley Cheese retail outlet and Patagonia Chocolates, each down by the riverfront. These are area artisan producers that you are going to only discover about Queenstown and Arrowtown. 

While you are in Arrowtown, consider the time to walk down to the riverbanks and see the outdated Gold Miner’s Cottages. They’re extremely compact and standard but offer an perception into the life of the very first European and Chinese settlers in this spot. 

Arrow River Trail

From there, you can hire bikes or e-bikes and head out along the Arrow River Trail into the Gibbston Valley. The river path is value carrying out on its have for the surroundings, you get to velocity above suspension bridges, previous gorges, farms, and mountains and even check out out the bungy jumpers as you move Kawarau Bridge.

Check out a Vineyard

The Gibbston Valley, accessed by bike or car or truck from Arrowtown, is where you are going to locate most of the wineries in close proximity to Queenstown. Nearly all are open up for tastings so just seize a map from the bike employ the service of shop and cease into wherever takes your fancy. Wherever you go, the most well-known wine variety is the pinot noir but you’ll also obtain a variety of grapes like Gamays, pinot blancs and purple blends. My favourite Gibbston Valley wineries are Peregrine and Mount Edward. Most wineries offer foods, both platters or total bistro foods. Closer to Arrowtown, there is also Amisfield Vineyard which has an award-winning restaurant on web-site. 

Afternoon

To cap off the working day, head to Millbrook Vacation resort for a round of golf or a spa remedy. Millbrook is established on 650 acres of stunning grounds whole of burbling streams, very little stone bridges, and cottages. The massages are so enjoyable I just about fell asleep. Afterward you can get pleasure from tea in the lounge overlooking the golf system. The resort will fortunately arrange a shuttle back to Queenstown at the end of the day.

Queenstown genuinely is a single of the most amazing components of the world with all the dramatic scenery New Zealand is recognized for and plenty of things to do to make the most of it. This 3 working day Queenstown itinerary is just the start of what’s on supply.  If you have a little bit additional time, contemplate heading out to Te Anau and strolling aspect of the Milford Monitor or driving up the Cardrona Ranges to the Cardrona Distillery and Cardrona Hotel.

Where to Remain in Queenstown

SofiTel Queenstown – Situated in Central Queenstown, this luxurious motels is near to the Skyline Gondola and Ferberger. It is going for walks length to several Queenstown sights, and is just 15 minutes from the airport. It is going for walks length to Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown’s scenic see.

Queenstown Novotel Lakeside – Positioned on the lake entrance in city it is a primary area. There is a incredibly hot tub, cafe, parking and no cost Online.

And that is the perfect 3 days in Queenstown Itinerary. When you program your travels to New Zealand make sure to commit at minimum 3 days in the country’s adventure capital. There are so a lot of issues to do, you could expend weeks checking out it all.

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