36 Hours in Queenstown, New Zealand

Skyline Queenstown’s revamped gondola to the summit of Bob’s Peak, a 1,500-foot mountain a few minutes’ drive from the center of town, delivers riders to an elevated view of the Remarkables mountain range and lightning bolt-shaped Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand’s longest lake. New 10-seater cable cars, introduced in 2023 as part of an ongoing major upgrade, shorten wait times and offer faster, more spacious rides. Take the seven-minute gondola lift up, then drive a plastic cart down the banked corners and dips of a mile-long luge course. A new restaurant and expanded viewing deck is expected by 2029. Single gondola return trip, 66 New Zealand dollars, or about $38. Three gondola and luge rides, 89 dollars.

The TSS Earnslaw, a 1912 steamship, was once a critical link for farm settlements along Lake Wakatipu, a roadless frontier before the 1860s gold rush. The antique vessel is still in service, only now, instead of dry goods and sheep, it ferries sightseers to a barbecue dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm (189 dollars per person). An all-you-can-eat buffet at the water’s edge is a surprisingly gourmet feast of green-lipped mussels; five kinds of fish and rotisserie-cooked meats; and garden vegetables cooked in a hangi, the traditional Maori underground oven. After dinner, ranchers show off the abilities of their Border collies to muster mobs of sheep. While the TSS Earnslaw undergoes annual maintenance from May 18 to June 26, the Spirit of Queenstown, a modern catamaran, offers a stand-in cruising experience.

Grab one of Queenstown’s most sought-after brunch reservations at the Boat Shed Cafe & Bistro, inside a restored 157-year-old New Zealand Railways office. Then wander next door to Queenstown Marina, a modern counterpoint to the heritage cafe that consists of a bakery, a Pilates studio and watersports outfitters housed in candy-colored floating sheds. Continue onto the Frankton Track, an easygoing shoreline route (this portion is open while much of the track is closed for infrastructure upgrades in 2026). It’s 10 minutes to Frankton Beach, a shallow swimming spot with amenities, and 30 minutes to a pedestrian bridge over the mighty Kawarau River that lets out onto the Kelvin Peninsula. Alternatively, you can drive to the peninsula and park at either end of Grove Lane to access the Kelvin Heights Sculpture Trail, a two-mile segment with beach coves and art installations.

Queenstown has no shortage of adventure activities that square a zeal for exhilaration with a scenic backdrop. The Maori-owned Shotover Jet, a ride that, this year, celebrates its 61st birthday, is one of the town’s original thrills: A fast-moving, 25-minute ride on the Shotover River that glides on as little as four inches of water, with plenty of 360-degree spins and close shaves with jagged cliff faces (179 dollars per person). Daredevils might opt for another Queenstown classic: Bungee jumping off the 140-foot Kawarau Bridge, the commercial birthplace of the sport (320 dollars per person). A viewing platform offers spectators a place to gasp and cheer as others take the leap, with the option to dunk head-first in the turquoise vein of the glacial river below.

Warm up with a cup — or “cuppa” in local dialect — from Coffee Jo Good, an abandoned garage-turned-coffeehouse that opened in January on Queenstown’s main drag. Order a flat white, the New Zealand standard, and pay an extra dollar for Windy Ridge Milk, an extra-creamy premium option (7.50 dollars). Across the street is Fergbaker, the town’s elite purveyor of meat pies (from 8.50 dollars). While this Kiwi staple food classically consists of a gravy-slathered minced beef filling, Fergbaker delivers a dozen savory options. Don’t be daunted by the line of customers blocking the door; they’re waiting for Fergburger, the bakery’s next-door parent, which consistently tops national burger awards. Bring your pastry to Marine Parade’s public lawns for a lakeside lunch in view of street performers, snack carts and thrill ride hawkers.

Steam and relax in a new floating sauna, which opened on Lake Wakatipu in December. (Another operator plans to open a second one on the lake later this year). The steamy experience by Watershed Saunas is steps from the town core, yet feels a world away. The glass-walled hot room looks onto the lake’s undeveloped banks, creating the illusion of solitude. Alternate between the 185-degree sauna and cold dips in an outdoor lake water plunge pool. Pre-book a 75-minute group session (59 dollars per person), which includes complimentary lockers and towels and factors in time to change into swim gear.

In 1861, Eichardt’s Private Hotel opened in an old wool-shearing shed to provide pioneers and prospectors with the first lodging accommodation in Queenstown, a former gold rush outpost. A regal presence on the lake, the 11-suite hotel’s white stone facade has not surprisingly become a popular backdrop for tourists to take selfies, even if they don’t want to spring for a room (from 2,587 dollars). Tucked inside its Victorian architecture is the town’s oldest watering hole. Tiny and chic, Eichardt’s Bar is a cozy, stone-walled tavern anchored by plush sofas and a rustic fireplace. The 155-year-old parlor room bar shakes up a decadent apple-pie martini topped with foam and burnt cinnamon (26 dollars), as well as Prohibition-era standards. Walk-ins only.

Drive 20 minutes northeast to Arrowtown, a frozen-in-time gold rush village where oak, sycamore and cork elm trees turn red and gold in autumn. Begin with breakfast at Provisions of Arrowtown, popular for its sticky buns (8 dollars) and brisket-topped toast (32 dollars), then set off on the newly relaunched Arrowtown Arts Trail, a Google Maps-based guide to the town’s commercial galleries and artist studios. The trail includes a visit to the Lakes District Museum & Art Gallery, where you can pan for gold in a trough with a guarantee of finding a few specs or rent a pan (5 dollars) and try your luck in the Arrow River. The 40th annual Arrowtown Autumn Festival (April 15 to 19) celebrates the town’s fiery foliage with a street parade, food and wine events and music and comedy performances.