Listing the best things to do on a two-day Queenstown itinerary, written by a local who’s lived here for 4+ years!
Stunning Queenstown is one of the most popular tourist destinations in New Zealand. Attracting over 350,000 tourists each year. This lakeside town will make your jaw drop on every turn with snow-capped mountains and sparkling blue lakes to be seen all-around!
You’re here because you’ve got two days to spend in Queenstown – lucky you. And, I may be biased seeing as I live in Queenstown but it’s one of the most beautiful places on earth!
I’ve tried not to squeeze too much into this two-day Queenstown itinerary because I think you’ll miss the beauty and magic of Queenstown if you just rush around from activity to activity. This is why I recommend doing no more than three activities in one day that way you’ll have time to wander around the downtown area and sit and have coffee in a cozy cafe.
If you follow this two-day Queenstown itinerary you’ll get to tick off memorable activities like the Skyline Gondola, the TSS Earnslaw, and even the Shotover Jet or a bungee jump if you’re up for it!
Day One – Skyline Gondola, TSS Earnslaw, Onsen Hot Pools
Morning: Skyline Gondola
Your first stop on day one in Queenstown should be the world-famous Skyline Gondola, which climbs 450 meters above Queenstown. The views along the ride and from the top are wow-worthy! An adult pass (including 3 luge rides) is $81 NZD per adult and $57 NZD per child.
You can actually hike up instead of getting the gondola if you’re up for it. The trail is known as the Tiki Trail and it’s one of the most famous hikes in Queenstown, however, it’s a tough one as it’s mostly uphill. It will take around an hour to do!
Once at the top, be sure to take lots of photos/selfies from the viewing platform. Then grab a coffee from their onsite cafe before making your way up to the surprisingly fast luge. Which is similar to a go-kart but without the engine! It goes surprisingly fast, believe me!
This is definitely one of the best things to do in Queenstown with kids! You could spend several hours here, high up above it all.
One of the best views up here can actually be viewed from where the paragliders leave from, follow the signs for G-Force paragliding and you’ll come to an incredible view of Lake Wakatipu and Cecile and Walter Peaks. It’s actually one of my favorite photo spots in Queenstown (I mean, look at the view in the photo above!)
Afternoon: TSS Earnslaw
One of the most popular tours from Queenstown is the TSS Earnslaw, a historic steamship (it was built in 1912) that chugs across Lake Wakatipu a couple of times a day to Walter Peak Farm. The Earnslaw is a Queenstown icon, and hopping on board is one of the best ways to see Queenstown in all its glory.
During the cruise across the lake, you can watch the giant steam engines at work. If you wish, you can hop off at Walter Peak for an early lunch and watch a farm tour. We highly recommend booking the lunch and farm tour option as the food is amazing (my husband said it’s the best meal he’s had in Queenstown) and the farm tour is so interesting. You’ll get to witness a sheep-shearing demonstration and watch the sheepdogs round up the sheep.
We advise booking the 1 pm lunch and farm tour option, this is 3.5 hours long, so you’ll be back in Queenstown at 4:30 pm.
Prices for the TSS Earnslaw lunch and farm tour cost from $189 NZD per person.
BOOK the TSS Earnslaw Lunch & Farm Tour option here!
Evening: Onsen Hot Pools
What better way to end your first day in Queenstown than relaxing in a private hot pool with the most epic mountain view? Onsen Hot Pools is one of the most popular things to do in Queenstown and slots sell out quickly. It’s located in Arthurs Point, about a 10-minute drive from downtown Queenstown.
The view from these cedar-lined tubs is one of the best in Queenstown – they overlook the Shotover River Canyon.
The Original Onsen Experience lasts for one hour and costs $175 NZD for two people.
Day Two – Go on a hike, Adventure activity, Arrowtown
Morning: Go on a hike
When you see the scenery that surrounds Queenstown you’ll understand why so many locals and tourists make hiking here top of their to-do list. There are just SO MANY awesome hikes here. From short, easy hikes to some of New Zealand’s Great Walks which can take a few days.
This morning, you’ll have time to conquer a short but scenic walk, below are my top suggestions.
Lake Alta Hike
At the top of the Remarkables mountain range, you can hike to the glorious Alta Lake in the summer months in Queenstown. It’s typically accessible from November to March. The trail is 2.4 km in total and will take around 1.5 hours to complete. And I’d rate it as fairly challenging as you may be scrambling over rocks in some parts and it’s quite steep.
The trail starts from the Remarkables skifield, there’s a car park here you can park at and you must pay a small toll fee to access this road.
Bob’s Cove Track
Around 15 minutes from town is one of my favorite places in Queenstown – Bob’s Cove. A turquoise water paradise surrounded by native bush. Here, you can simply laze on the lake beach and take it all in or walk the steep hill up to Picnic Point for the epic views. The hike is a steep climb that will take around 15 minutes to hike up but coming down will be a lot quicker.
There’s also a large wooden jetty close to the start of the trail to Picnic Point that’s the perfect spot to jump off and cool down in the cold water.
Moke Lake
The Lord of the Rings-esque scenery of Moke Lake is unforgettable and it’s around a 15-minute drive from Queenstown. We regularly went cycling here (we had our own bikes) but if you want you can rent a bike from Around the Basin bike rental based in Searle Lane in town and cycle to Moke Lake.
Worth noting is that it’s a gravel road into Moke Lake so drive slowly, plus there are lots of lambs and rolling green hills on your drive in that I’m sure you’ll want to photograph.
The hike around Moke Lake, it will take you about an hour and a half and because its mostly flat it’s one of the easiest hikes in Queenstown.
Queenstown Gardens
This one involves no travel time as it’s located in town and starts from Queenstown Beach. This trail is 3.1 km long and is very easy and flat. It passes by botanic gardens and follows along the shores of Lake Wakatipu for most of the route.
Related Read: If you have longer in Queenstown, i.e. 3 days in Queenstown you could head out to Glenorchy as there are lots of lovely hikes that start there!
Lunch: Fergburger
Fergburger, I’m sure you’ve heard of it – this delicious takeaway spot is always jam-packed and has attracted many celebrities over the years. In my years living here, I’ve tried Fergburger countless times and never been disappointed.
My go-to order here is the Tropical Swine, an NZ beef burger with streaky bacon, cheese, and pineapple. While, my husband loves the Big Al – a double burger that comes with egg, bacon, cheese, and aioli. A burger here costs around $16.50 NZD so it’s the perfect choice if you’re on a budget in Queenstown.
Afternoon: Adventure activity
As I said, Queenstown is the adventure capital of the world so, if you’re an adrenalin junkie then this is the place for you. There are loads of adventure activities on offer in Queenstown and most run throughout the year. My top picks for this afternoon are the Shotover Jet, Bungee jump from the Kawarau Bridge, and a helicopter tour.
Shotover Jet
Another one of the most popular tours in Queenstown is the heartstopping Shotover Jet. It takes place in the Shotover Canyon and the specialized jetboat speeds through the narrow twists and turns of the canyon at 85 kph!
When the driver goes slower, you’ll be able to take in the stunning natural beauty of this spot – but when he puts his foot down, you’ll need to hold onto your hat (literally)! The driver will also throw in a couple of 360-degree turns for fun, and just a warning – you likely will get wet!
A ticket costs from $159 NZD per adult, and there are various departure times throughout the day.
Kawarau Bungee
Another adrenalin-pumping activity in Queenstown is the Kawarau Bridge bungy jump, which is the oldest commercial bunjy jump in the world. Operated by AJ Hackett, this bungy is 43 meters tall and you can even ask your jump instructor to lengthen the bungy rope so that your head will touch the freezing-cold water below.
Helicopter tour
Top off your final day in Queenstown on a high (literally) with a scenic helicopter tour with an alpine landing. The flight is 50 minutes long and includes a son landing on Jura Glacier – so special! On the flight, you’ll fly over Lake Wakatipu, the Dart River, and the Southern Alps. It’s honestly one of the most bucket-list-worthy tours in Queenstown! I did it twice when I lived in Queenstown!
This tour includes pick-up and drop-off to most Queenstown hotels and costs from $743 NZD per person.
Evening: Arrowtown
Arrowtown is a cute, picture-perfect town about a 20-minute drive from Queenstown. And it’s our suggested place to come for dinner this evening.
FYI, the number 2 bus goes from Queenstown to Arrowtown, if you don’t have a car.
But before dinner, be sure to take a walk along the town’s main street – Buckingham Street. It looks like something from a movie set and many of the storefronts here have been maintained from the town’s gold rush days.
Yes, Arrowtown was at the center of the mining boom in the South Island in the late 1800s, and its mining past is evident on a stroll around town. First, you have the Chinese Settlement built along the banks of the Arrow River, this is where Chinese miners lived at the height of the boom. In pretty bad conditions!
You can even go panning for gold in the Arrow River, which is a family-favorite Arrowtown activity!
For dinner, there are loads of great restaurants here in Arrowtown. But our personal favorites include Aosta a fine-dining Italian eatery on Buckingham Street and Slow Cuts also on Buckingham Street which specializes in juicy burgers and slow-roasted meats.
My favorite restaurants in Queenstown
On this two-day Queenstown itinerary, you won’t get the chance to try all of my favorite Queenstown restaurants, But, look – it’s just another excuse to return again for longer!
Rata
Rata is a fine-dining eatery tucked away down a little side street in the center of Queenstown. The interior is modern and light-filled, and oh boy, is the food bucket-list-worthy. If New Zealand did Michelin stars, Rata would definitely have one.
Their dishes use only the freshest quality produce and ingredients from the South Island, and so the menu here is seasonal. Their wine list is also exceptional.
Blue Kanu
Blue Kanu is a unique eatery as it serves up what it dubs ‘Polynasia’ cuisine – a mixture of Pacific Island and Asian cuisine. Their dishes are so fresh and exotic-tasting – I love their lamb jungle curry and braised pork belly.
If you’re lucky enough the staff will even sing and play guitar to you while you dine. Fun!
Botswana Butchery
Set within the historic Archer’s Cottage overlooking Lake Wakatipu, Botswana Butchery is one of the most famous restaurants in Queenstown. They have a cozy seating area inside (complete with fireplace) and a large outdoor seating area which overlooks the lake. The specialize in steak but also serve a wide variety of other dishes.
Caribe Latin Kitchen
A casual eatery on the pedestrianized Queenstown Mall, Caribe Latin Kitchen is my favorite ‘cheap eat’ in Queenstown. I just love Mexican cuisine and this small restaurant serves up latin American and Mexican dishes. My go-to orders here are their excellent quesadillas & burrito’s
Local Tip: If you really want to experience the restaurant scene in Queenstown, we recommend downloading the First Table app. On this app you can get the first seating of the night (typically 5:30 pm) at many restaurants in Queenstown for 50% off. You do have to pay $10 USD to make the booking & the discount doesn’t apply to alcohol.
Where to Stay in Queenstown
Kamana Lakehouse
High up in Fernhill, around a 25-minute walk or short bus journey from Queenstown CBD is Kamana Lakehouse. This hotel has arguably the best view of any hotel in Queenstown on account of its steep position. The rooms here are modern and funky, and some come with balconies overlooking the lake. You can even book the Lakeview Luxe Suite which comes with its own private hot tub. A room at Kamana Lakehouse will set you back around $241 NZD per night.
Matakauri Lodge
Located on the road to Glenorchy, around a 7-minute drive from the center of town, Matakauri Lodge is the most luxurious place to stay in Queenstown. I worked at this 5-star property for a couple of years and honestly, the views, the suites, and the food are all perfect. It has an on-site pool with insane views, a spa and there’s even a walkway down to a private beach. It’s definitely a bucket-list-worthy place to stay in Queenstown!
Sherwood Queenstown
Situated in Frankton, around a 20-minute walk into Queenstown, is the very cool Sherwood Queenstown. We actually stayed here twice and loved its cozy boho decor. And it’s actually one of the most sustainable hotels in the world! Again, it boasts spectacular lake views and the rooms are spacious, stylish, and comfortable. The on-site restaurant is excellent and is a local favorite! A room here costs around $240 NZD per night.
Ramada Queenstown Central
If you’re looking for a reasonably priced hotel in downtown Queenstown look no further than the Ramada Queenstown Central, which has rooms starting from $200 NZD. The rooms here are stylish and sleek and some offer views of the Remarkables, Lake Wakatipu, and Kelvin Heights Peninsula. The hotel only opened in 2020 so it’s very modern both inside and outside. There’s an on-site restaurant and bar.
Glebe Apartments
Centrally located (next to Queenstown Gardens in the CBD) the stylish Glebe Apartments are a great option if you want to cook in as they offer kitchens in all units. You can choose from Studio, One; Two or Three bedroom apartments.
Apartments at Spinnaker Bay
Luxurious apartments with great lake views, these apartments are located on Frankton Road. You can walk the Frankton Track into the CBD – taking about 25 minutes. The Apartments at Spinnaker Bay are very stylish – choose from One, Two or Three-bedroom apartments.
Renting a car in Queenstown
For the above 2 days in Queenstown itinerary, we really recommend hiring a rental car as public transport in Queenstown is limited! Like, you can’t get public transport to hidden gem spots like Moke Lake and Bob’s Cove. Luckily, driving in Queenstown is fairly straightforward – there are no big motorways, just single-lane highways, and it’s considered a safe place to drive.
We tend to always book our rental car through Discover Cars – which is a search engine for rental cars and allows you to filter by price if you’re on a budget or by vehicle type if there’s a specific car you’re after. I’ve tried many times to rent directly with the companies, and it took me a long time to filter through each company.
Be sure to check out our detailed guide to renting a car in New Zealand before you go!
Thanks for stopping by!
And that’s a wrap on this two-day Queenstown itinerary, I hope it gives you plenty of inspiration for your upcoming visit! I just know you’ll have a blast here, Queenstown is such a fun town!
Some other popular New Zealand posts I wrote (that you may enjoy) include –
Which Doubtful Sound Cruise Should I Pick?
How to Get to Milford Sound from Queenstown
Which Milford Sound Cruise Should I Choose?
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Last Updated on December 5, 2024 by snaphappytravel