There are too many activities in Queenstown to describe, so we’ve added some of our favourites below. At both Adventure Queenstown Hostel and Adventure Q2 Hostel in Queenstown, we only recommend the activities that we think represent the best value for money. We encourage waiting to book until you arrive as most activities can be booked as early as the following day and it’s also best to check the weather before planning your adventures. That being said, you’re welcome to contact us before arrival for help booking in advance. Anything outside of town will include transport in the price, and all the pickup locations are less than a minute walk from our front door. We’re able to take care of everything for you at the hostel once you arrive, all you need to do is ask! Prices for activities can vary on season, time of day, and many other factors, so we haven’t included them below but feel free to shoot us a message now or chat with us once you arrive and we can fill you in with further details!
Adventure Queenstown Hostel: reception@aqhostel.co.nz
Adventure Q2 Hostel: reception@adventureq2.co.nz
NZONE SKYDIVE
You know you want to! It’s not as scary as you think. In fact, it’s quite easy to skydive…one, two, three…Go! Operating since the mid-1980s, Nzone have been thrilling jumpers for many year! Don’t miss out on the amazing views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu as a setting for your jump! We only recommend the 12,000ft and 15,000ft jumps, with a free fall time of 40-45 and 60-65 seconds respectively.
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KAWARAU BRIDGE BUNGY
It is the first bungy jump ever opened in the world! It is 43 meters high, and located over the beautiful Kawarau River. Jumper can choose to stay dry or get dunked and it is the only bungy in town that allows for tandem jumps.
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NEVIS BUNGY
This is the BIG one! At 134 meters, the Nevis is Australasia’s highest bungy! The jump is off a glass bottomed platform suspended over a rugged canyon which you’ll need to hop into a cable car to reach. With 8 seconds of free fall this bungy is no joke!
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LEDGE BUNGY
Located right in Queenstown at the top of the gondola, this 47 meter high bungy starts 400 meters above the town! This is a “freestyle” bungy, as you are in a waist harness, so you can take a run and jump, spin, flip, etc. The cost of the gondola is not included in the price, but you can also walk up the hill for free, which takes about an hour.
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SHOTOVER CANYON SWING
Welcome to the world’s highest cliff jump! Started by two local lads in 2002, this is not your ordinary backyard swing. Choose from 70+ jump styles and be prepared to soil your undies! Their uniquely designed system allows you to swing 200m with a 60m vertical freefall down a steep rocky cliff face. Throw their insane staff into the mix and you’ve got the experience of a lifetime. We can’t recommend these guys enough.
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SHOTOVER CANYON FOX
What the fox? All you really need to know is that this thing is crazy sketchy as. This contraption is aimed at encouraging a stream of the most profoundly unsavoury foul language of any adventure activity in the land. So far, fingers crossed, it seems to be working OK. New swear words are regularly made up on the spot. But all kidding aside, this is a one of a kind contraption where swing meets the world of zip, and while scary, it is a stunningly good time.
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SKIPPERS CANYON JET
Owned by a 5th generation gold mining family who still live in the Skippers Canyon, this great adventure delivers all the spins and thrills of a high speed ride which starts and finishes in the canyon. The best bit is the 45 minute drive deep into the canyon which has breathtaking views and is usually placed in the top five most dangerous roads in the world. Don’t worry though, despite the scary cliffs along the narrow track, it’s perfectly safe with a seasoned guide at the wheel.
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QUEENSTOWN RAFTING
Choose one of the two different rivers: The Kawarau River for a more leisurely experience (grade 2-3), or get right into the thrilling rapids of the Shotover River (grade 3-5)! This rafting company can cater for everyone. The Shotover River includes the stunning drive deep into the canyon which will take your breath away! And yes, the water is cold, cold, cold! Don’t worry too much though, you’ll have a nice big wetsuit for your 1.5 hours in the water.
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HORSE BACK RIDING
With three different companies all nearby; Dart Stables, High Country Horses, and Ben Lomond Horse Treks are supremely located in an area recognized for exceptional beauty and natural, untouched qualities. With horses of various breeds, knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides, and over 20 years experience, these three companies provide a great horse riding experience for all levels of rider.
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NEVIS SWING
You will be suspended 160 meters above the valley floor and can either wait for the countdown, have your friends release you, or you can leave it up to the crew to leave you hanging – heart pumping – before letting you go when you least expect it. Once released you will experience a massive rush of adrenaline as you find yourself accelerating through the valley at mind blowing speeds in the worlds largest 300m arc.
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MILFORD SOUND
New Zealand’s #1 tourist attraction, Milford Sound, is just stunning! While it’s a 4-5 hour drive away, it is a beautiful bus trip with scenic photo opportunities. Once in Milford Sound you will board a boat and enjoy a 1.5 – 2 hour long cruise all the way along the fjord, out to the Tasman Sea, and back. After the cruise, it is a straight journey back to Queenstown. The entire trip takes about 12 hours.
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DOUBTFUL SOUND OVERNIGHT CRUISE
Ten times larger than Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound is best seen on an overnight cruise to be able to enjoy all that this tucked away fjord has to offer. Doubtful Sound is overlooked by many visitors due to the difficulty in reaching it. With a bus to Manipouri, you will then take a scenic cruise across the lake followed by another bus through the rain forest and over Wilmot Pass to reach the shores of Doubtful. With an option to kayak and a buffet dinner and breakfast, this overnight cruise is a fantastic way to experience one of the great views of Fiordland Natl. Park.
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CORONET PEAK TANDEMS
We all see people paragliding from the top of Bob’s peak in town, but a flight from the base of the ski fields gives you more than twice the flight time! With up to 20 minutes of air time, you won’t be sorry as you get the chance to do more tricks and turns before landing a few thousand meters further down the valley. Offering both para-gliding and hang-gliding in the summer, in the winter they offer the opportunity to take the chairlift to the summit for an even more exhilarating para-glide experience.
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SKYLINE LUGING
Skyline Luge has become a worldwide favourite and a must do activity while in Queenstown. Jump in your specialized luge cart and enjoy a thrilling, gravity fuelled downhill ride. Take it easy on the blue track or zoom around the curves and over the bumps of the red track, then hop on the chairlift and do it all over again – once is never enough!
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PURE GLENORCHY LORD OF THE RINGS TOUR
The 45 minute drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy is legendary on it’s own. It’s a quintessential South Island experience, just like Glenorchy itself. Lord of the Rings films were all shot in this region, known for vast fields and dramatic mountainous backgrounds aptly named”Paradise”. This guided tour is a great way to experience one of the must stunning and uninterrupted landscapes in the world.
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Gibbston Valley Wine Tasting
Through a number of different tour options you can learn about the humble beginnings of Central Otago wines in Gibbston Valley, just a 20 minute drive from town, and a region many thought would never sustain grape growing. With world leading pinot noir, how wrong they were!
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SKYLINE DOWNHILL MOUNTAIN BIKING
If you don’t love mountain biking now, you will after you visit Queenstown which boats some of the best downhill mountain bike trails in the world. Simply rent a bike, take the gondola up and take one of the numerous trails back down. The trails are no joy ride though: with hairpin turns, rock sections, and jumps scattered through the downhill course they will take your adrenaline rush from normal to heavy in seconds.
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CANYONING NEW ZEALAND
In short, this is the sport of getting from the top to the bottom of a canyon using any means possible. Abseiling down waterfalls, jumping from cliffs, sliding down rock formations, swimming through pools and climbing through narrow passage-ways are just some of what you will do. A good hard work-out and an incredible amount of fun!
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SERIOUS FUN RIVER BOARDING
Bodyboard, yes bodyboard up to 14 km of New Zealand white water. Conquer grade 2-3 rapids not in a conventional raft, but in the thick of it with just a bit of foam, your wits, and a highly trained guide to get you through. You’ll enjoy surfing standing waves, riding whirl pools, and catching some underwater currents if you’re brave enough. The high volume Kawarau River rocks with adrenaline, and this trip will challenge your nerves from start to finish.
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TSS EARNSLAW CRUISE
A leisurely 90 minute cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the iconic steamship the TSS Earnslaw, which has been running since 1912, is undoubtedly one of the best ways to experience Queenstown’s famed scenic beauty. You can visit the engine room and see its engines at work, check out the bridge, or kick back and enjoy a wine or beer. You can also combine the cruise with a visit to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a guided farm tour, barbecue lunch or evening dinner.
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SCENIC FLIGHT TO MILFORD SOUND
Flying over the Southern Alps from Queenstown to Milford Sound is awe-inspiring. On arrival, join a scenic cruise with excellent viewing opportunities. Keep a lookout for wildlife and scenic highlights such as iconic Mitre Peak as your cruise through the fjord. After your cruise, fly back to Queenstown with views of the incredible scenery of Fiordland National Park such as a remote valleys, cascading waterfalls, lush rainforest, alpine lakes and cloud-piercing summits.
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HIKING
If you love to hike, there are lots of options from the center of town. Queenstown Hill may be the most popular short trek at a cruisy 2-2.5 hours round trip, but it is the 5-6 hour round trip hike up to Ben Lomond Peak that will make you gasp for air (literally) at the breathtaking view. From the top you get a beautiful 360 degree vantage point to look out on an epic landscape.
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FRISBEE/DISC GOLF
Disc golf has been played in and around the Wakatipu for decades, most notably in the Queenstown Gardens. The course in the gardens was the first permanently marked out course in New Zealand. Starting out with 17 object targets and one lone basket back in 1996, it has grown over the years and has now become a full 18 basket tournament course. Not sure how to play? It’s easy, just ask!
CARDRONA SKI FIELD
Cardrona is a mountain located between Queenstown and Wanaka that suits all skiers with wine open pistes, great terrain, and a massive park which makes it the ideal option if you’re a novice or serious skier. It is one of the highest ski areas in the region with the most chairlifts, and some of New Zealand’s best snow conditions. The only downside is that Cardrona is just over an hour drive away and therefore has fewer transport departure times.
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TREBLE CONE SKI FIELD
This is the largest ski field on the south island and is a great hill for the intermediate and advanced skier. With lots of natural chutes, drops, and half pipes this is an excellent option for those looking to get off piste and have some fun. The ski field is a 2 hour drive from Queenstown.
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THE REMARKABLES SKI FIELD
Better known as “remarks”, this ski field has three slower old style lifts and one new high speed lift. It is great for freestyle, park, and off piste. The location is about a 45 minute drive from Queenstown.
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CORONET PEAK SKI FIELD
With three modern high speed lifts and a lot of pisted terrain, we recommend this ski field for on piste skiing and boarding. Coronet Peak is about a 30 minute journey from Queenstown.
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