Queenstown

If you’re a bit of a tramping fiend, chances are you’ve lowkey got your eye on crossing off all of the New Zealand Great Walks. If you haven’t done the Routeburn yet, it should be high on your list. 

After a long morning walk and a day spent lounging lakeside, a bar hop chasing the sun seems the next appropriate step.

2024 is almost done and dusted. Only one question remains—where will you be when the new year dawns?

Here are the best events happening in Queenstown in 2025.

Get amped up for the most wonderful time of the year. We’re talkin’ New Zealand’s festival season. Across the country, lads and lasses will be locking in tickets to some of the best festivals our country has to offer, all promising an epic mash-up of beats, vibes and all round good times.

It’s not too late to rally the troops, or just yourself, to raise a bit of cashola for this totally worthy and far-too-close-to-home cause.

Calling all snow homies, holiday heroes, music-mad, and just plain festy frothers—epic destination festival, Snow Machine is next week. And. You. Don’t. Want. To. Miss. Out. 

Summer, winter, autumn or spring, Queenstown is a beauty to behold.

QT Queenstown has given us yet another excellent excuse for a cheeky getaway, and it’s Champagne-soaked. Pop a bottle, The Champagne Parlour's back. 

Forget what you know about the Southern Lights. Aurora Australis? Please…we have something much more exciting for you! Come Queen’s Birthday weekend, Queenstown’s waterfront is set to transform into a magical forest wonderland, lit up with interactive light sculptures and illuminated art installations.

Whether you’re heading to QT for a ski getaway or to dance the night away with your pals, we’ve done the research and found the very best hotels on offer. Take your pick, these are the best hotels in Queenstown. 

So if you don’t know your drop kick from your dropout, don’t worry, you can still get some skin in the game.

We’ve got the buzz on the best luxury hotels around the country, so you can be drinking champagne in a spa pool as soon as physically possible. Start packing those bags.

Whether you’re looking for a classy establishment for date night or a lively spot to dance the night away, here’s our guide to the best bars in Queenstown.

After having opened in the midst of various lockdowns, multi-award-winning distillery Broken Heart Spirits has launched Queenstown’s first-ever boutique gin garden.

If you’re longing for a summer break but are short on time and funds, why not check out some gems on our very own doorstep? A summer on the Land of the Long White Cloud has so much to offer—even in terms of bargain hotel deals.

We might be biased, but one thing is for sure; Aotearoa punches above its weight with our homegrown music talent. 

Double double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble. The most frightful night of the year approaches—it’s time to get spooky with these actually good Halloween costume ideas. 

Stay up to date with our live list of the latest updates of restrictions around Auckland and New Zealand.

Sitting at the base of Bob’s Peak Mountain and the iconic Skyline Gondola, Queenstown’s rad new dining and entertainment precinct, Upper Village awaits. 

Whether you're a total novice or expert-level skier, Queenstown has you covered for an epic ski season. This winter wonderland ticks all of the boxes, from gear hire to transportation, lessons and the all-important après-ski scene. 

We're counting down the days till when can get out and make the most of summer. Because after the year that was, we’re so ready for a break from the daily desk, coffee, walk, repeat routine.

From live yoga and pilates-inspired workouts, to world-renowned Les Mills classes, getting fit at home has never been easier (or more accessible). So chuck on your trainers, clear a space in your living room or head to the driveway, and get moving. 

Queenstown’s constantly evolving culinary scene never fails to impress. Whether you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful spot to refuel after a day full of activities or a fine dining establishment to celebrate a special occasion, our adventure capital has a whole host of world class restaurants you’re sure to love. We’ve done the research and know the must-visit restaurants in QT, so read on for the best restaurants in Queenstown.

From late night eats to gorgeous gondola rides and delicious cocktails to live gigs, Queenstown is an epic city around the clock. Here are the best things to do in Queenstown at night.

Given Aotearoa is perched on the Pacific Ring Of Fire it's no wonder we love our hot water. And while we're blessed to have so many stunning natural hot springs, we couldn't help but create a whole lot more—cue the man-made hot pool.

Throw on your puffer jacket and lace up those boots—winter is well and truly here and we’re ready to make it the best one yet. Lucky for us, it’s not hard with a slew of unmissable events going down across the country this chilly season. 

Winter is coming, and that means ski party season is too. So, dust off your boots and grab your warmest jackets, because things are about to get seriously cool.

The Urban Wine Walk is an epic self-guided wine tasting experience, allowing participants to meander their way through New Zealand’s adventure playground's bustling bar and restaurant scene while sipping on a lip-smacking selection of NZ wines along the way.

We're talking luxurious resorts, pristine winter powder and indulgent eats.

Looking for the ultimate, all-inclusive South Island holiday package for Spring 21/Summer 22? Book this exclusive 10-day New Zealand staycation to explore the South Island in complete luxury.

Fortunately for us, scenic drives are plentiful in this part of the world. As well as views for Africa, we’re graced with plenty to do along the way. From discovering cute little settlements, to ultimate picnic spots and places to stop off for a dip in the lake.

Start digging out your gear, tuning your ski and snowboard and booking flights to Queenstown this winter because the NZ ski season starts this June. 

Adventure enthusiasts, unite! Banff Mountain Film Festival is just around the corner and it’s packed with enough jaw-dropping moments to set even the most adrenaline junkie of hearts a flutter. 

We’ve got an epic announcement that will be music to your ears—literally!

Time to let op-shop fever set in. Whether you could easily lose a day browsing pre-loved goodies, or you’ve come across some of the harrowing stats about the clothing industry, there’s no denying the demand for second-hand clothes is growing.

If you’re on constant lookout for new adventure and enjoy a healthy dose of adrenaline in your bloodstream, then canyoning is a must. 

Whether it’s the reflection lakes of Wanaka or the emerald green waters that crater the Tongariro Crossing, Aotearoa is home to some amazing bodies of water. 

We’ve found seven cool and quirky places to camp in and around Queenstown. So pack your bags and get out there.

Margo’s, Queenstown’s hottest new Mexican Restaurant and Bar has launched a new bottomless brunch just in time for Summer, and we’re not lying when we say we’re bloody pumped for this one. 

If you’re planning a Queenstown getaway, make it a memorable one by heading out to Glenorchy and exploring the impressive scenery in an electric 4WD buggy. Delta Discovery offers self-drive tours (so much more fun taking on river crossings yourself) in a 100% emissions free vehicle loaded with GPS technology. 

Queenstown is synonymous with adrenaline—it has not only forged an enduring reputation as a world leader in adventure tourism but has continued to adapt, innovate and evolve to reach new heights (excuse the pun) in the name of tourism—and we just can’t get enough. 

Round up your exercise crew because our friends over at Snap fitness are throwing open their doors this week to let you work up a sweat for free.

After 102 days clear of community transmission and a sudden lockdown, it's been announced that Auckland will join the rest of New Zealand at Alert Level 1 from midnight on Wednesday October 7.  We've rounded up the info on everything you can and can't do at this alert level so bone up, and proceed with caution.

Because we know 2020 has been the year of cancelled holidays, we've teamed up with the legends at Intrepid Travel to put together a three-day escape to Wanaka where you'll sip a lot of wine, sample a bunch of delicious produce from the region, and take in all the natural beauty that in the past, we might have taken for granted.

Darkfield, famous for their FLIGHT multi-sensory shipping container experience, have crafted a new experience specifically tailored to the socially distanced era.

Holy Taco, A Delicious Mexican Joint Has Just Opened in Queenstown.

From raw and rocky coastlines to stunning lake and alpine ranges (did someone say Southern Alps?) and some of the world’s most accessible glaciers, we can’t help but fall in love with what the west coast is putting out. But if you still need a little convincing that west is best, we’ve put together a list of five must dos that will be sure to make up your mind. 

From spa days and hot pools to romantic dinners and garden strolls, these are the most romantic things to do in Queenstown.

COVID-19 may have meant goodbye to this year's Euro-trip, but it's now the perfect time for us to explore our beautiful country without the 3.5 million-plus tourists that visit each year. We've put together a list of well-known (and a few more secret) spots around the South Island you need to check out now that tourist numbers are down—and the best part is, a lot of these places are free.

Check out of work and on to the next available flight with Jetstar’s epic Hello NZ sale. 

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced that the country is being moved up to alert level 4 as of midnight on the 25 March 2020 as we battle to contain the virus that has swept over the globe.

Lace up your Sneakers, chuck on a good podcast and head outdoors to one of the best running tracks in Queenstown.

Take your mum, pals, bff, best boo, nan, whoever’s got the inclination for adventure to get outta town, hop in the car and trail through Otago. There’s wine. There’s mountains. There’s lakes. There’s the tastiest grub you can imagine. And yes, there’s some more wine. Nan will be thrilled.

If you love to eat, you might already be aware of the progressive dinner concept. All the rage throughout New Zealand, progressive dinners allow you to location hop from one restaurant to another. Basically it’s a dinner with successive courses being prepared and eaten at various locations, usually with the consumption of one course per location. 

Get ready because Queenstown’s best-kept secret is back this summer and better than ever.

Fancy getting inked? Why not do it for a good cause at Ink Me at QT. Oh, and did we mention celebrity tattooist Lauren Winzer? She’ll be there.

Whether you’re heading to QT for a ski getaway or to dance the night away with your pals, we’ve done the research and found the very best hotels on offer. Take your pick, these are the best hotels in Queenstown. 

The North Face Frontier is a highlight within the Winter Games New Zealand calender and one worth marking in and checking out. 

If there’s one thing we just love here at Urban List, it’s a glass of champers—the only drink you can justifiably enjoy at breakfast, lunch or dinner…and anytime in between. Mix it with our favourite town for a winter escape and we’ve pretty much reached peak happiness. 

Flowing champagne, dreamy Queenstown backdrops and delicious food—this is the ultimate winter weekend away. 

Ice cream fiends, here's your chance to stay in your very own Halo Top ice-cream themed hotel room.

BMW are back for the 10th year running with their high horsepower, tyre-sliding playground perched atop the snow-capped peaks of Queenstown and Wanaka. 

As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, we’re starting the get amped up for the most wonderful time of the year. We’re talkin’ New Zealand’s summer festival season. Across the country, lads and lasses will be locking in tickets to some of the best summer festivals our country has to offer, all promising an epic mash-up of beats, vibes and all round good times in the sunshine. 

Between skydiving and bungy jumping, you’ll want to ensure you hit up the following spots for a perfectly brewed coffee.