queenstown information

Queenstown, New Zealand - Adventure capital of the world

Usual Climate / Weather Conditions

Spring (September to November)
Changeable - 9-15 degrees Celsius in the daytime

Summer (December to February)
Hot and dry - 19-29 degrees Celsius in the daytime

Autumn (March to May)
Warm - 10-22 degrees Celsius in the daytime

Winter (June to August)
Cool and clear - 3-10 degrees Celsius in the daytime

Queenstown Information

Queenstown has a reputation earned through the actions of a number of locally residing thrill seekers who have developed several unbelievable, adrenalin stirring adventures in a wildly exciting environment.

You can bungy jump, skydive, climb mountains, ski, snowboard, raft, kayak, fish, horse ride, cycle, walk, take a scenic flight, sail, river surf, jet boat, hang-glide, snowmobile, snowboard, dance, go canyoning, heliski and parapente. Over the years Queenstown has also expanded into all sorts of attractions including new wineries, art galleries, arts trails and challenging golf courses.

Downtown Queenstown is a compact and picturesque area where you’ll find superb shopping with international labels alongside the best in New Zealand designs. It’s an imaginative and vibrant retail scene. Shops are open all day and much of the evening, 365 days of the year, so many hours can be happily whiled away in Queenstown’s attractive town centre.

Dining is a serious business in Queenstown and there are more than 100 great eateries to choose from. Nothing goes better with a great meal than a great wine and Central Otago is well known for these.

Top restaurants, stylish cafés, family eateries, sushi bars, wineries ... you choose the style. During balmy summer and autumn days and evenings, alfresco diners pack sidewalk cafés, restaurant gardens and wineries to enjoy great food and wine, warm conditions and 10pm sunsets. In winter, roaring log fires warm restaurants and hearty menus warm diners and the beverage lists respond to cooler outside temperatures adding mulled wine. It's the perfect time of the year for one of Central Otago's famous Pinot Noirs.

From rugged mountains to a wild and deserted coastline, golden hill country to crystal alpine lakes, the Southern Lakes region is one of the most diverse and physically beautiful area on earth. It’s easy to see why New Zealand film director Peter Jackson chose this region for so many Lord of the Rings locations. Fans will recognise the Misty Mountains, Isengard, the Ford of Bruinen, Lothlorien, and locations Rohan and the Pillars of Argonath. Stunning, movie-inspiring scenery aside, there’s a deep cultural bent to this area. Meandering wine regions, villages rich in history, high country sheep farming and primordial world heritage areas sit alongside international standard tourism resorts.