25 Unforgettable Things to Do in Queenstown: From Thrill-Seeking to Scenic Relaxation
Queenstown is like that friend who insists you “just try” bungee jumping while casually sipping a flat white. Whether you’re here to dangle from rubber cords or dangle a fishing line, here’s how to out-weird the adventure capital’s own resume. Pro tip: Blame the adrenaline shakes on the coffee.
For the “Hold My Juice Box, I’ve Got This” Crowd
- Leap off a perfectly good bridge at Kawarau Bungy, because gravity doesn’t care about your life choices.
- Jet boat through canyons like a caffeinated duck. Spoiler: You’ll exit with a new hairstyle (thanks, 85km/h winds).
- Zipline over herds of confused deer at night. It’s like being a ninja, but with more LED lights and liability waivers.
For Scenic Relaxation (aka “Rebooting Your Soul”)
Swap adrenaline for alpacas. Cruise Lake Wakatipu on a steamship older than your gym membership, or hike the Routeburn Track while sheep judge your snack choices. Prefer horizontal sightseeing? Nap in a lakeside hammock until someone yells, “DID YOU SEE THAT SUNSET?” (You didn’t. You were busy drooling.)
The “Wait, That’s a Tourist Activity?” Section
- Race down a mountain on a luge designed for 8-year-olds. It’s socially acceptable—they serve wine at the bottom.
- Pet a sheepdog at Walter Peak Farm. Warning: You’ll question your career choices.
- Eat a Fergburger. It’s not a “thing to do” until you’ve debated jalapeños vs. beetroot at 2 a.m. with strangers.
So there you go—25 ways to leave Queenstown either exhilarated, bewildered, or possibly still stuck in a canyon. No pressure, but the mountains are judging you.
Hidden Gems & Unique Experiences: Local-Approved Queenstown Activities (Beyond the Tourist Trail)
Forage Like a Squirrel (But With Better Snacks) at The Bulk Food Store
Tired of overpriced souvenir muesli? Slip into The Bulk Food Store, a labyrinth of bins where locals stock up on everything from spirulina dust to chocolate-covered apricots that may or may not contain actual fruit. It’s like a hipster treasure hunt, minus the cryptic map. Pro tip: Bring reusable containers or risk becoming *“that tourist”* awkwardly cupping quinoa into a reusable coffee cup. Bonus: They’ll let you sample the 17 types of peanut butter. Seventeen. Choose wisely.
Picnic With Ghosts (and Panoramic Views) at Queenstown Hill Cemetery
Swap the crowded Ben Lomond trail for a stroll through Queenstown Hill Cemetery, where the residents are *very* quiet but the views are loud. Wander past Victorian-era headstones with epitaphs like “Devoted Husband, Avid Gold Panner, and Terrible Swimmer” while snacking on a pie from *Ferg’s lesser-known cousin*, Ferg Baker. Sunset here is spookily Instagrammable—just don’t blame us if your picnic blanket gains a spectral third guest.
- Local hack: Find the grave of “Two-Scoop Tom,” a 19th-century ice cream vendor who allegedly haunts anyone who orders vanilla.
- Views: 10/10. Ghosts: Polite but nosy.
Join the “Secret” Sheep Parliament of Paradise (Yes, Paradise)
Drive 40 minutes to Paradise (a real place, we swear), where the sheep wear GPS collars and the scenery looks like Middle-earth’s boardroom. This is where local farmers send their *”problematic” flocks*—sheep that’ve mastered fence-hopping, synchronized bleating, and staring judgmentally at hikers. Pull over, snap photos of their ovine debates, and visit the Paradise Trust Hut for a cuppa beside a wood stove. Warning: The resident farm dog is a corgi named Derek. He accepts bribes (sausage rolls).
- Pro tip: Rent a 4WD. The road’s rougher than a post-bungee jump hair day.
- Bonus absurdity: Dip your toes in the Dart River. It’s colder than a Yeti’s freezer, but hey—you’ve technically swum in Paradise.
