What to Do in Queenstown if You’re Not an Adrenaline Junkie

Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of New Zealand, where adrenaline junkies converge to jump, dive and fly from high places at terrifying speeds. But if you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, are there any Queenstown activities for you?

Fear not, my fellow scaredy cats! I’ll show you what to do in Queenstown, no extra adrenaline required.

When I was planning our trip to Aotearoa (the Maori word for New Zealand), I wasn’t too excited about visiting Queenstown. I thought it would be full of young backpackers eagre to zorb, zipline or zoom down the closest mountain after a late night of drinking.

Basically, Queenstown seemed like the exact opposite of what this acrophobic 30-something was looking for!

But much to my surprise, there’s actually quite a bit to do in Queenstown and the surrounding area if you’re not an adrenaline junkie. I was thrilled to discover that Queenstown is quite charming and an absolutely beautiful place to spend a few days.

If you were thinking of skipping Queenstown just because you’re not an adrenaline junkie, I encourage you to reconsider!

Wondering what to do in Queenstown besides bungee jumping and skydiving? Keep reading for my top picks of less adventurous, but just as scenic and fun, Queenstown activities, plus how to get to Queenstown and where to stay once you’re there.

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My top Queenstown activities

Honestly, my favourite part about Queenstown was just walking around and soaking up the vibe of this town. It’s a really charming place!

As soon as you’re walking along the water and admiring the views, you understand why Queenstown is so popular.

I particularly liked walking around Queenstown Gardens, which was less busy but just as beautiful as the main lakefront beach in town.

And if you ask my husband, Colin, he’ll say the best Queenstown activity is riding the luge at Skyline Queenstown. More on that in a minute!

What to do in Queenstown (if you’re not an adrenaline junkie!)

Check out all of the scenic and fun things you can do in and around Queenstown without jumping off of high places and speeding back down to earth.

Ride the Skyline Queenstown gondola & luge

Now I said we wouldn’t have to jump off high places, but that doesn’t mean we have to miss out on the pretty views! For me, a ride on the Skyline Queenstown gondola was more than enough of an adrenaline rush.

Colin and I were in Queenstown in April 2023, right before they changed to the new, larger (and I have to assume less shaky) gondolas. So we rode the 450 metres up the Southern Hemisphere’s steepest cable car in a tiny little gondola car that freaked me out.

Luckily it was a short ride and the views were so worth it!

At the top we walked through the gift shop and checked out the views from the different balconies. We had a beautiful day so enjoyed the bright blue sky and water surrounding Queenstown.

Queenstown really is such a beautiful city, with the coast reaching into the lake and the mountains in the background. It’s definitely worth checking it out from above!

Besides the cable car and nice views, Skyline Queenstown offers a bunch of activities you can do at the top.

I opted out, as just the gondola was enough adrenaline for me, but Colin went on three luge rides and loved it. It was his favourite part of Queenstown!

Other than the luge, which Colin raves about, you can also try out zip-lining, mountain biking, hiking, stargazing and paragliding from the top of Skyline Queenstown.

You can also choose to hike up if you’d rather not take (and pay for) the gondola.

Wander around Queenstown Gardens

The main lakefront beach in Queenstown is, understandably, very popular. It’s packed with tourists taking in the view or enjoying the water.

But follow the shoreline southeast and you’ll soon find yourself in Queenstown Gardens. Described as a “tranquil lakeside sanctuary” this is the perfect place to enjoy Queenstown’s scenery away from the crowds.

We strolled along the Queenstown Gardens Trail, stopped to take in the view from one of many empty benches, and then continued walking through the gardens.

We saw some beautiful flowers and trees, statues and memorials, a water feature, and courts for playing disc golf and racquet sports.

Hit the restaurants and bars of Queenstown

There are no shortage of greats restaurants, ice cream shops, candy stores and bars in Queenstown. Some of my favourites from our trip included:

• Delicious ice cream at Patagonia – I went for the mascarpone flavour with local fruit. There’s also a great view from the second floor seating area.
• Fresh baked goods from Fergbaker – we really liked the pork belly and apple pie.
• Rice bowls from Sushi Box and noodles from A Thai.
• You can’t go wrong with fresh fudge from Remarkables!

I did a ton of research before our trip of where to eat in Queenstown, but sadly we didn’t make it to all of the spots I saved.

Here are a few that come highly recommended: Public Kitchen and Bar, Farelli’s by Giovi, Smiths Craft Beer House, Tanoshi Cow Lane, Caribe Latin Kitchen, Devil Burger, Blue Kanu, Botswana Butchery and Bespoke Kitchen.

Get a fergburger

More than just another place to eat in Queenstown, Fergburger is an institution! This famous burger joint is often lined up around the block and said to have the best burgers in the city.

We headed to Fergburger early, knowing there would be a line, but I was pleasantly surprised by how fast the line moved. It didn’t take long for us to order and the wait for our food to be ready wasn’t too bad either.

The Fergburger menu is extensive, so you’ll need the time in line to decide what you’re having. I went with the Tropical Swine (featuring NZ beef, bacon and pineapple) and we took our burgers down to the lakefront to enjoy them.

Overall, I think Fergburger lived up to the hype! The burgers were ginormous and very tasty. I thought they were reasonably priced and we didn’t have to wait too long for them.

Are they the best burgers in Queenstown? Maybe! I didn’t eat enough burgers to know. But I definitely think they’re worth trying.

Enjoy the views of Lake Wakatipu

One of the best things to do in Queenstown for free is just take in the scenery along Lake Wakatipu. It’s the perfect place to stroll, picnic or get out on the water.

If you’re visiting Queenstown with your family, there’s a pretty impressive playground on Queenstown Bay Beach – a free thing to enjoy in Queenstown with kids.

Visit Arrowtown, New Zealand

Arrowtown, New Zealand is a cute little town you should add to your Queenstown itinerary since it takes just 20 minutes to go from Queenstown to Arrowtown. It has a Stars Hollow vibe and is best experienced in peak fall foliage!

When Colin and I visited we stoped in one of Arrowtown’s cafes, Provisions, and enjoyed a drink in their cute garden out back. We then walked along Arrowtown’s main street and over to the Historic Chinese Settlement.

Here we learned about the Chinese gold miners who used to live in Arrowtown in the 1800s and the community they established. As the daughter of a Chinese immigrant, it was very impactful to read the stories and see more of the Chinese diaspora.

There are lots of other things to do in Arrowtown, from shopping to mining for gold, and a number of Arrowtown walks through the forests and along the water.

It’s definitely a cute spot to spend an afternoon or full day from Queenstown.

Go aboard TSS Earnslaw

If the jet boats that race around Lake Wakatipu are too adrenaline filled for you (or if they’re not, definitely enjoy the ride!), you could instead go aboard the TSS Earnslaw.

This cruise and lunch experience invites you to cross the lake on a vintage steamship. Once on the other side you’ll visit Walter Peak High Country Farm, where you can watch a sheep shearing demonstration, and enjoy a gourmet BBQ lunch.

Sadly, Colin and I didn’t get to do this while in Queenstown. But a lot of people in a New Zealand travel Facebook group I’m in totally raved about it!

Take a day trip to Glenorchy, New Zealand

Glenorchy, New Zealand is another must-visit when you’re in Queenstown. The drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy will take you about 45 minutes and is extremely scenic the whole way (like another Queenstown scenic drive I know!).

Our first stop was the famous Glenorchy cafe, Mrs Woolly’s General Store. This place was just as cute as it sounds and I instantly wanted to buy everything and move in.

Part cafe, part general store, part artisan show room and totally charming, Mrs Woolly’s is a must-stop. I ordered a salmon and bacon pie and it was one of the best pies I had in New Zealand. Just looks at that chunk of salmon!

Colin got a chicken flatbread, which was also delicious, and we took a chocolate raspberry brownie to go (yummy but a tad overpriced at $9.50 NZD). After I tore myself away from browsing this cute shop, we drove over to the wharf.

The Glenorchy Wharf with its famous red shed is the main attraction in Glenorchy.

It’s an old steamship depot that was originally built for the New Zealand Railways Department to store goods. It was rebuilt in 1999 after the original was damaged due to floods.

You can read more about the importance of the wharf shed here. But these days, most people just come to snap its photo because you have to admit, it’s pretty photogenic!

Besides the wharf shed, you can continue to walk along the Glenorchy Lagoon Scenic Walkway for more lakefront views.

If you drive another 15 minutes you can see a Lord of the Rings site near Glenorchy, the Isengard Lookout. We headed out here after our time in Glenorchy and had the whole area to ourselves.

Don’t want to drive? Jump on this day tour to Glenorchy which includes Lord of the Rings filming locations and Maori history!

Soak in the Onsen Hot Pools

Just as scenic as skydiving but way more relaxing is a soak in Queenstown’s Onsen Hot Pools. Enjoy cedar hot tubs filled with mineral water and beautiful views over the Shotover River.

There are a number of different tubs and spa experiences to choose from, such as the original indoor onsen with retractable roof or outdoor garden onsen.

You can book a daytime or evening soak, and have the option to add on snacks, champagne and a shuttle from downtown Queenstown.

Check out all of the relaxing options at Onsen Hot Pools here.

Hike Bob’s Cove

Just 15 minutes from Queenstown, Bob’s Cove is a beautiful hike that even non-hikers like me can appreciate.

It’s on the way to Glenorchy and when we hiked it in April 2023, there were only a handful of other people around.

We had planned to just walk from the car park to the beach lookout, which would have been a fairly flat and short walk. Once we got there, we learned there was an old kiln coming up on the trail and then a jetty with a cool view, so we continued on to those.

From there, we somehow got it in our heads that we should push on to the top of the trail and see the epic viewpoint.

I will say, it was hard work! There was a lot of uphill and someone (Colin) was getting grumpy and saying we should turn around.

But I convinced him we should keep going and we’re both very glad I did. We made it to the top – sweatier and more out of breath than we’d have liked – but the view was awesome!

It was so cool to have a 360 degree view all around us and to see the ridge with water on both sides.

If you’re up for a slightly steep but short walk/hike, I think the view is worth it. We’re not hikers by any stretch and we made it. If you’re a hiker, I’m sure this will be a breeze for you.

But Bob’s Cove is also a very pleasant walk if you just want to go as far as the beach, kiln or jetty. You’ll know you’ve gone too far when the path starts heading uphill!

There are lots of other walks in the area too like the Mt Crichton Loop Track, Bennetts Bluff Viewpoint Walking Track and Sunshine Bay Track.

Spend the day in Wanaka, New Zealand

A popular day trip from Queenstown is Wanaka, a charming little town made famous by a tree out in the lake. #ThatWanakaTree is a real thing and, while touristy, is worth seeing.

Besides the tree, there are lots of other things to do in Wanaka. You can go on hikes or see nearby waterfalls, visit Puzzling World or the Wanaka Lavender Farm, or hang out at an old school cinema.

My favourite thing to do in Wanaka was just hang out in town. It’s a really nice place to grab a meal, browse the shops and sit by the lake admiring the view.

The drive from Queenstown to Wanaka is just under an hour; there’s also a bus you can take or you can visit both Arrowtown and Wanaka on this half day tour from Queenstown.

Go on a Milford Sound day trip from Queenstown

Probably the most popular tour to go on is a Milford Sound day trip from Queenstown.

Milford Sound is a stunning fiord known for its mountains, cascading waterfalls, sheer cliffs and impressive wildlife.

While quite a long trip – the drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound is four hours without stops (and you’ll want to make stops!) – I think Milford Sound is absolutely worth visiting while you’re in New Zealand.

If you only have a day for Milford Sound, I highly recommend joining a tour from Queenstown so you can leave the driving to someone else. Otherwise, you’ll be driving 8+ hours in one day!

Check out these tour options:

Explore more of the local region on a day trip from Queenstown

I’ve already suggested side trips to Arrowtown, Wanaka, Glenorchy and Milford Sound. But if you can believe it, there are even more awesome day trips you can take from Queenstown!

If you’ve come to New Zealand and don’t plan to rent a car, Queenstown is one of the best places to base yourself since there are so many easy tours you can jump on.

If you’re a big Lord of the Rings fan, besides visiting the set tour of Hobbiton on the North Island, you can head out on a LOTR filming locations tour from Queenstown, complete with an optional costume!

Prefer wine to wizards? Check out this wine tour through the Central Otago that stops at four vineyards and includes lunch.

Or pay a visit to New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki Mt Cook, on this Mt Cook tour from Queenstown. I loved our time at Aoraki Mt Cook and highly recommend it!

How to get to Queenstown: Auckland to Queenstown

The easiest way to get from Auckland to Queenstown is to fly. The flight is just under two hours and is served by both Air New Zealand and Jetstar (a more budget airline).

You could also drive from Auckland to Queenstown, which many people do on a New Zealand road trip.

The drive time is around 22 hours, including a four hour inter-island ferry, and doesn’t include all of the stops and detours you’ll want to make throughout Aotearoa.

We chose to fly from Auckland to Queenstown, rather than rush to drive the length of both islands. We flew with Air New Zealand and paid $120 NZD ($75 USD) per person.

Once we arrived at Queenstown Airport, I was shocked to learn that the 10 minute drive from the airport to our accommodation was going to cost us $37 NZD ($23 USD) via Uber or $54 NZD ($34 USD) via taxi.

To save money, we waited for the public bus, buying Bee cards that we used throughout our stay.

Where to stay: Accommodation in Queenstown

Accommodation in Queenstown is notoriously expensive! This is a very small town that a lot of people want to visit, so expect to pay some big bucks to stay here.

We stayed at Queenstown Motel Apartments, paying $153 NZD ($96 USD) per night for our stay in April 2023.

Overall, it was a good stay and I’d recommend it if you’re looking for something clean, basic, well-located and well-priced.

Our room was huge, with three beds and a kitchenette, but not as modern as I would have liked. It definitely felt like an old school motel.

But the wifi was strong and the bathroom was very clean and spacious, which I appreciated.

The motel also had very affordable laundry (free washer, $2 NZD dryer) on site, free parking, a surprisingly nice view of the lake and was within walking distance to the main part of Queenstown.

Final thoughts: Is Queenstown worth visiting if you’re not an adrenaline junkie?

Fellow Nervous Nellies, unite! Turns out, there’s something in New Zealand’s adrenaline capital for us too.

If you’re dreading going to Queenstown because you think it’s only for adrenaline junkies – or worse, if you’re being dragged there by an adrenaline junkie – fear not. There’s lots to love about Queenstown even if you’re not leaping off a high ledge.

I didn’t have high expectations for Queenstown but it totally won me over. It’s an extremely pretty place and I can see why people love it.

Queenstown is also the gateway to the South Island with lots of places to visit nearby. So there’s a good chance you’ll end up in Queenstown at some point during your New Zealand trip – might as well enjoy it!

That being said, I wouldn’t recommend spending a ton of time in Queenstown. Sure, it’s a beautiful city, but it’s only a fraction of the beauty that New Zealand has to offer.

After all, no one comes to New Zealand for its cities!

And it’s very expensive to stay in Queenstown. Even if you’re not paying to bungee jump or skydive, just eating and accommodation in Queenstown can blow your budget.

So I say, enjoy your time in Queenstown – whether that’s with two feet on the ground or up in the air – and then move onto a more beautiful and more budget-friendly parts of New Zealand.

For more adventures on the South Island of New Zealand, check out these posts: