Sitting right along the charming coast of Lake Wakatipu hides New Zealand’s best-kept secret. This delightful resort town offers year-round adventure and fun, nestled between the soaring peaks of the Southern Alps. Whether you’ve come to ski the nearby slopes, or enjoy a swim or sail in the lake, Queenstown is a must-see, do and stay.
Experience our Queenstown tour packages
Visit Queenstown: get started
Any good Queenstown vacation includes panoramic views of the lake from the Skyline Gondola & Luge. For high-adrenaline adventures and watersports, check out the Shotover River Jet Boat Ride, or leap from the original bungy at Kawarau Bridge or the Nevis Highwire. If you're looking for a family-friendly nature vacation, enjoy meeting New Zealand’s native birds at the Kiwi Birdlife Park wildlife sanctuary, or walking the Queenstown Trail’s network of scenic routes. Finally, indulge your inner sommelier with wine tours in the Gibbston Valley.
Queenstown travel guide
Destination facts
Language
English and Māori
When to visit
Visit during their winter from June to August for skiing and snowboarding, or their summer between December and February for outdoor activities. Skip the crowds in fall and spring and enjoy mild temperatures and gorgeous surroundings.
What to bring back
Wool knitwear and sheepskin products sourced from local farms, greenstone and bone carvings, as well as fine wines.
What to eat
New Zealand is famous for its seafood, with crayfish and salmon as highlights. New Zealand lamb is renowned around the world, with the local Canterbury lamb being a specialty. New Zealand pies can also be found in multiple flavours, making them a great meal on the go. For something sweet, Kiwis are big fans of pavlova and ice cream (check out hokey pokey: vanilla ice cream with honeycomb toffee bits). The local pinot noir is also famous worldwide.
Fun fact
Queenstown was the site of a gold rush in 1862, and some historic buildings from that era remain, including the Artbay Gallery, the Queenstown Police Station and Eichardt’s Private Hotel, which is one of the oldest buildings in the city.
Important info
For more information on all necessary documents for travel to Queenstown from Canada including visa, taxes and more, check Air Canada’s Travel Requirements page and the Government of Canada’s Travel and Tourism website.
