The Best Queenstown in Winter Itinerary (Written By a Local!)

This Queenstown winter itinerary highlights 13 of the best things to do!

Planning to visit Queenstown this winter? Lucky you! I reckon Queenstown looks its prettiest in the winter months when the surrounding mountain ranges have a dusting of snow and the lakes look their most spectacular.

Now, I may be biased seeing as I’ve been living in Queenstown for a few years but I’d go so far as to say that Queenstown is the top winter vacation spot in New Zealand. Maybe even in the entire Southern Hemisphere! I mean, there’s so much to do in Queenstown in the cold months. First off, you can go skiing in no less than four nearby ski resorts and you can also tick off other awesome snow-based activities while you’re here – like snowmobiling!

I’ve put together the ideal 5-day Queenstown winter itinerary based on my favorite things to do here when it’s cold. It’s how long I recommend spending here in the winter and it includes the most popular activities in town. Such as skiing and snowmobiling. But it also includes some lesser-known things to do.

Of course, if you have less time you can cross off the activities that don’t appeal to you. And squeeze the ones that do appeal into the time you have.

Day One – Queenstown Highlights

Morning – Skyline Gondola

Your first stop today 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.

Once at the top, be sure to take lots of photos/selfies from the viewing platform. And watch the famous AJ Hackett Ledge Bungy in action. You can even give it a go if you’re feeling brave. A combo ticket for this heart-stopping bungy and its exhilarating swing is $295 NZD per person.

You should definitely try out the luge, up here. It is similar to a go-kart but without the engine! And it goes surprisingly fast, believe me!

Afternoon – Get to know downtown

After coming down from the Skyline Gondola we suggest taking a stroll down to Queenstown Beach (it’s a lake beach, not a sandy beach, FYI). It’s a beautiful spot on the shore of Lake Wakatipu – and from here you can see the Remarkables as well as Cecil Peak.

You can walk from here into the Queenstown Gardens, a popular and easy walking trail around Lake Wakatipu. It’s 3.1 km long and is very flat. It passes by botanic gardens and as I said, boasts epic views of Lake Wakatipu for most of the route.

Then, head into Queenstown Mall, aka the main pedestrianized thoroughfare in town for some lunch. As you’ll see, it’s lined with lots of restaurants, Cafes, clothing stores, and souvenir stores. For lunch, our recommendation is Caribe Latin Kitchen aka, 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 & burritos.

Before this evening’s activity, you could grab a coffee from my favorite Cafe in town – Vudu on Rees Street.

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.

The view from these cedar-lined tubs is one of the best in Queenstown – they overlook the Shotover River Canyon. Imagine sitting in your cozy tub with some light snowfall falling on you! Although it rarely snows in Queenstown, you may get some snow falling here at Onsen Hot Pools because they’re situated higher up in Arthurs Point (not too far from Coronet Peak).

The Original Onsen Experience here lasts for one hour and costs $175 NZD for two people.

Dinner at Blue Kanu

I’ve put my favorite Queenstown restaurant as my recommendation for your first night! 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.

Day Two – Ski Day

It’s winter in Queenstown, after all, so day two’s suggestion is of course to hit the slopes!

Even though skiing in Queenstown is regarded as one of the best places to ski in the Southern Hemisphere IT IS a different experience to most ski resorts in Canada and Europe.

For one, the ski areas here aren’t as big as their overseas counterparts and you won’t come across as much powder, instead, the snow here tends to be harder-packed (aka corduroy) snow. Also, all of the ski fields in Queenstown are a drive from town. So, you’ll need to drive or catch the bus up to your chosen ski resort each morning. 

It makes planning important as you’ll need to get your lift passes, ski lessons, and equipment sorted before you head to the mountain. Below I’ve listed the three most popular ski resorts in Queenstown, which one, you choose depends on your ability and how far you’re willing to travel.

Coronet Peak:

Looking for the closest ski resort near Queenstown? Coronet Peak is the one for you. Choosing Coronet means you can be on the mountain in less than 30 minutes from the town center.

Coronet Peak offers a fantastic experience for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. You’ll find a great mix of groomed trails with varying pitches. For intermediate skiers, Coronet Peak is especially well-suited for those still honing their skills. The resort is packed with plenty of gentle slopes and progressively challenging runs to help you improve. For the more advanced riders, there’s still fun to be had. However, snow cover can vary as it is a lower-altitude ski field, and things get icy if snowfall is lacking. This ski resort is nicknamed ‘Concrete Peak’ locally, so, check the conditions before you go.

You can also go night skiing at Coronet Peak. Yep, you can ski here on Wednesday and Friday evenings (and some Saturdays). You won’t be skiing in darkness, instead, special kinds of street lights light your way and you can enjoy a less-crowded ski experience. There’s also a DJ spinning some tunes as you ski.

Remarkables:

For an all-around epic ski experience, The Remarkables should be at the top of your list. This iconic ski field is just a short 35-minute drive from Queenstown, making it easily accessible.

The Remarkables is perfect for beginners with three magic carpets at the base. Jump on one of the four chairlifts to find progressive trails to help you build your confidence on the slopes.

Then, for experienced skiers and snowboarders, the resort has bigger challenges. You can explore varied terrain across its 550 acres. It consists of three main bowls, and you can head off in any direction without getting lost. As all the longer runs naturally feed back into the center of the resort, where you can find the base building – the place to find refreshments, food, and hot drinks throughout the day. 

Cardrona:

This ski field serves both Queenstown and Wanaka (as it’s located in between the two towns), it’s a one-hour drive for those traveling from Queenstown.

On arrival, you’ll love its epic panoramic views and massive ski area spread across three wide-open bowls. Fun fact, Cardona is actually where I first learned to ski!

This resort is perfect for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. You’ll find a great mix of terrain, from gentle slopes for beginners to challenging runs for experts.

One of the big draws to ‘Cardies’ is the world-famous freestyle terrain park. Don’t be surprised to see professional riders hanging out here through winter. There are four terrain parks and two halfpipes. If you’re brave you can show off your skills or watch pros practice for international competitions.

Evening – Apres Ski

After a day on the slopes, Queenstown’s après-ski scene comes alive. There’s a huge choice of bars and pubs catering to all tastes. Start off at a cozy fireside venue like Lodge Bar on the lakefront, then grab a locally brewed ale at Little Blackwood on Steamer Wharf hitting the dance floor at a nightclub like Sundeck. Well, that’s how I (a local) would spend the perfect apres-ski night in Queenstown!

Day Three – Adventure Day

Morning – Shotover Jet

This morning’s activity is for the adrenalin junkies reading – introducing the heartstopping Shotover Jet. This famed jetboat ride 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 for the Shotover Jet costs from $159 NZD per adult, and there are various departure times throughout the day.

Afternoon – Snowmobiling & Helicopter Tour

Combine a scenic helicopter flight from Queenstown to the Garvie Mountain Range with an exhilarating guided snowmobiling tour.

This tour is 2.5 hours long and as the name suggests it includes a return scenic helicopter flight from Queenstown to the Garvie Mountains, where you will start your speedy snowmobiling adventure.

On the way there, you’ll soar over the Hector mountains and Nevis River Valley. And when you land it’s time to suit up for your fast-paced snowmobiling through stunning winter scenery. On your return helicopter flight, you’ll go a different way so that you can fly over the Western face of the Remarkables mountains.

It includes all equipment, including protective clothing, too. As well as pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Queenstown. Now, it is pricey at around $1,000 NZD per person – but when you think about it, it combines two bucket-list Queenstown activities!

If you’re on a budget but are really keen to fly in a helicopter over Queenstown’s snowy landscape – then, consider this 20-minute helicopter flight. Which costs $359 NZD per person. For that price, you’ll get to land atop the Remarkables – and, fly over Lake Wakatipu and the other surrounding mountain ranges.

Evening – Fergburger for dinner and catch the sunset

Tonight’s dinner recommendation is easily the most famous burger joint in New Zealand. Fergburger, I’m sure you’ve heard of it! As such, it 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.

My recommendation is to get your order to-go and head to Perky’s Floating Bar. This boat is permanently docked in the lake where you can bring your own food and purchase reasonably-priced drinks. But, be sure to dress warmly – it is outside and it’s winter!

Day Four – Milford Sound

One of the most popular things to do in Queenstown is go on a tour to Milford Sound. And visiting Milford Sound is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! It is one of the most beautiful places in the world. In fact, Rudyard Kipling re-named it the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World.’

There are a couple of ways to get from Queenstown to Milford Sound. If you have a car you could do the trip in one day. But that involves 4 hours of driving each way. And when you consider that a cruise through Milford Sound is a minimum of 90 minutes long and the fact that you’ll want to make some stops along the drive – you’ll need to prepare yourself for a 12-hour-plus day.

And you will need to leave Queenstown super-early, i.e., around 6 am, to make the most of this drive. The best stops along the way include Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Homer Tunnel, and The Chasm.

The alternative to driving to Milford Sound is to book a guided tour. There are plenty to choose from, but our personal favorite is the coach-cruise-fly option, which allows you to experience the best of this region by getting a luxury coach there and flying back. On the coach journey, you’ll stop at scenic sights along the road and snap some epic photos. And then on the flight back, you’ll see Milford and Fiordland National Park in its full glory from high above. And not forgetting that this tour includes an epic boat cruise through Milford Sound.

Alternatively, if you’re on a budget and are after a more intimate tour, then consider this small group tour. It involves getting a luxury minibus there and back and a boat cruise of Milford Sound. It’s 13 hours long and passes by the best sights along the drive into Milford Sound. The cruise section of this tour is a small boutique cruise with a maximum capacity of 75 guests. Meaning you’re getting a less-crowded and more personalized experience.

Day Five – Relaxing Day

Morning – TSS Earnslaw

The TSS Earnslaw is a historic steamship that was built way back in 1912. It chugs across Lake Wakatipu a couple of times a day to Walter Peak Farm.

The return journey is 1.5 hours, and during the ride, 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 doing this 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 the lunch and farm tour option, which is 3.5 hours long. It includes everything I’ve listed above – an awesome lunch, a farm tour, and the return boat journey.

Prices for the TSS Earnslaw cost from $89 NZD per person.

Afternoon – Arrowtown

Arrowtown is a cute, picture-perfect town about a 20-minute drive from Queenstown. That’s especially stunning in the fall.

While you’re here, 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.

Yep, 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.

There are also lots of great Cafes in Arrowtown if you need a caffeine fix, we love Provisions on Buckingham Street.

Related Read: If you’re after the best Cafes on the South Island then you must read our detailed guide (P.S. they all have awesome views!)

Evening – Dinner at Rata

For your final evening in Queenstown, we recommend having dinner downtown. Our recommended restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Queenstown! 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. You’ll definitely need to book a table here in advance.

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 5 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!

Thanks for stopping by!

And that’s a wrap on this Queenstown winter itinerary, I hope it gives you plenty of inspiration for your upcoming visit here during the colder months!

Some other popular New Zealand posts I wrote (that you may enjoy) include –

5 Best Road Trips From Queenstown

BEST Stops on the Southern Scenic Route (Dunedin to Queenstown)

Road trip from Queenstown to Mount Cook

Last Updated on March 12, 2025 by snaphappytravel