Top 10 Places to Visit in Queenstown New Zealand
Introduction
Queenstown is a tourist town in New Zealand’s South Island. It has a reputation for being one of the most picturesque towns in the country and is one of the most visited destinations by travelers. With its location right on Lake Wakatipu, it offers many outdoor activities like swimming, fishing, kayaking, rafting or hiking through one of its four national parks (Fiordland National Park, Mount Aspiring National Park). If you’re planning to visit Queenstown New Zealand then here are top 10 places that you must visit while staying here
Queenstown, New Zealand
Queenstown is a town in the South Island of New Zealand, located on the shore of Lake Wakatipu in Otago. It’s known for its luxury hotels, gourmet restaurants and adrenalin-fuelled adventure activities such as bungy jumping or skydiving.
The town was named after Queen Victoria by Scottish settlers who arrived in 1883.
The Remarkables, New Zealand
The Remarkables are a mountain range in the Otago region of New Zealand’s South Island. They form part of a larger area known as The Remarkables Park, which includes all land within the boundaries of Lake Wakatipu and Lake Wanaka, as well as several smaller lakes and rivers, including Lake Hāwea, Blue Pools and Dart River.
The mountain range itself consists of four peaks: Mounts Aorere (2194m), Ngaruahoe (2109m), Ngatoroirangi (2092m) and Tiroa(2056m). The highest point is Ngaruahoe Peak at 2109 metres above sea level.
Milford Sound, New Zealand
Milford Sound is a fiord that is part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area in New Zealand’s South Island. It is located in the southwest of the South Island, on the west coast of Fiordland National Park.
The sound was first seen by Europeans in 1851 by Charles Edward Douglas, who described it as “a grand fjord”. The name Milford comes from its location near Milford Sound village and not from any association with Lord Milton as some people believe.
The Routeburn Track, New Zealand
The Routeburn Track is a popular tramping track located in Fiordland National Park, New Zealand. It’s a 3-day tramp that takes you through some of the most beautiful mountains and forests in the country. The Routeburn Hut is an excellent place to stay for those who want to hike this trail but don’t have time for an overnight trip. This is a world renowed 32 KM tramping track. Will give a great experience to those who love tramping.
Glenorchy and Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand
Glenorchy is a small town in the South Island of New Zealand, located on the shore of Lake Wakatipu. The town has a population of roughly 600 people and is approximately 45 minutes away from Queenstown by car.
Lake Wakatipu is one of New Zealand’s most famous lakes and one of its most photographed landscapes – it’s also home to several islands including Moturau Island which was featured in Peter Jackson’s film Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring as Isengard island.
Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
Fiordland National Park is a large national park in New Zealand, located in the southwest of the South Island. It covers much of Fiordland and Tasman Districts, as well as small portions of Otago (where it borders Mount Aspiring National Park) and Southland.
The park was established on 6 March 1953 by Order in Council under the National Parks Act 1950 with an area of approximately 1132 sq km.
- In 1987 its boundaries were extended northwards to include what was previously known as Aoraki/Mount Cook Forest Park.
- It contains some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery including two-thirds of its glaciers; rainforests; lakes; rivers; waterfalls; alpine peaks; tussock grasslands and beaches.
Geyserland Scenic Reserve, New Zealand
Geyserland Scenic Reserve is a geothermal area with hot springs and mud pools, just 30 minutes from Queenstown. You can see geysers (which erupt regularly), boiling mud pools and other natural beauty here. It’s also a great place to take some photos of yourself in front of the New Zealand landscape!
Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand
Mount Cook National Park is New Zealand’s largest national park and contains Aoraki/Mount Cook, the highest peak in New Zealand. The park is located in the South Island of New Zealand, just south of Queenstown on State Highway 6.
The mountains within Mount Cook National Park were formed by tectonic movements between two plates (the Pacific Plate and Australian Plate) colliding together about 80 million years ago. The area was once covered with glacial ice sheets up to 3km thick which carved out many deep valleys known today as glacial troughs or cirques on mountainsides such as Tasman Glacier or Hooker Valley Glacier
Mt Aspiring National Park, New Zealand (further up the West Coast)
Mt Aspiring National Park is located in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island. The park covers 2,200 square miles (5,700 square kilometers) and has over 200 miles (322 kilometers) of marked trails. There are plenty of things to do here – hiking, skiing, kayaking and more!
If you’re planning on visiting Mt Aspiring National Park (which we highly recommend), there are several ways to get there:
- Drive down State Highway 6 from Queenstown toward Wanaka then take a right onto State Highway 82 toward Makarora; continue until you reach Paringa Village Road; turn right onto this road and follow it until it ends at Paringa car park near Lake Hawea dam wall.; then walk up through mature beech forest along Lake Hawea Dam wall track until reaching Ball Hut Shelter where there is space for parking cars or campervans overnight before continuing another 2 km further along Ball Hut Track which eventually leads into Mt Aspiring National Park
- Take Helicopter scenic flight over Lake Wakatipu & Mt Aspiring Natl Park area before landing at helipad near Ball Hut Shelter where there is space for parking cars or campervans overnight before continuing another 2km further along Ball Hut Track which eventually leads into Mt Aspiring Natl Park
Manapouri Lake and Fiordland National Park (further up the West Coast)
Manapouri Lake and Fiordland National Park (further up the West Coast)
Manapouri Lake is a large lake that lies in Fiordland National Park, just north of Queenstown. The lake itself is beautiful, but it also offers fantastic views of nearby mountains and waterfalls. To get here from Queenstown, you’ll need to drive about an hour along State Highway 6–a scenic route that will take you through some great scenery! If you have time for even more exploration, consider heading further north along State Highway 95 into Mt Aspiring National Park as well; this park contains many trails through lush forests as well as lakeside beaches where visitors can swim or kayak in crystal clear waters.
Conclusion
Queenstown is a beautiful place to visit, and there are plenty of other places in New Zealand that are worth exploring too. If you want to see some stunning scenery and get away from it all then these locations should be on your list!
