Queenstown
A lake town near The Remarkables, known for adventure sports, ski fields and day trips to Milford Sound.
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Queenstown is a resort town on the south-west side of New Zealand's South Island, in the Otago region. It is the largest town in the Queenstown-Lakes District and sits on the north-western edge of Lake Wakatipu, a long, thin, S-shaped glacial lake. Mountain views open in all directions. Nearby peaks include The Remarkables, Ben Lomond and Queenstown Hill, and the last two rise just above the town.
The town grew from gold. Prospectors arrived after gold turned up in the Arrow River in 1862, and many streets in the old centre still carry gold-era names such as Camp Street, so the centre is easy to explore on foot. Today Queenstown is known mainly for adventure sports and skiing, with four main ski fields nearby and a base for activities on the lake and in the mountains. Summers are long and warm, and winters are cold with frequent snow but no permanent snow cover. Arrowtown, a gold-rush village, is a short drive away, and Milford Sound is a long day trip, about 12 hours return by bus.
Queenstown in five
- Book rooms early in summer and ski seasonDecember to February and July to August are the busiest months. Prices rise and small places sell out, especially on school holiday weeks.
- Plan Milford Sound as a long dayThe drive is about 4 hours each way via Te Anau. Coach and cruise trips run daily, and scenic flights cut the travel time when the weather allows.
- Use the local buses around the basinPublic buses link the airport, town, Frankton and Arrowtown. You only need a car for the ski fields or Glenorchy.
- Carry chains on alpine roads in winterSki field roads and the road to Milford can need snow chains. Rental companies can supply them; check road conditions each morning.
Things to do in Queenstown
See all attractions in Queenstown
Need to know
- Airport
- Queenstown (ZQN), about 15–20 min to town
- Getting there
- Domestic and trans-Tasman flights; about 1 hour drive from Wanaka
- Getting around
- Local buses, walking; car for ski fields and Glenorchy
- Best base
- The town center, or Frankton for the airport
- Time needed
- 3–5 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh20°Low11°Warm, long daysJanuaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 118 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, long days
- FebruaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh20°Low10°Warm, dryFebruaryPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 129 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, dry
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh18°Low9°Mild, settledMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 114 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, settled
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh14°Low7°Autumn colorAprilRain
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 119 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh10°Low4°Cool, quietMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 144 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh7°Low2°Ski season opensJunePartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 99 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Ski season opens
- JulyRain13 rainy daysHigh6°Low1°Ski season, coldJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 137 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Ski season, cold
- AugustRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low1°Ski seasonAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 104 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Ski season
- SeptemberRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh9°Low2°Spring snowSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 217 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring snow
- OctoberRain16 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh12°Low4°ChangeableOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 175 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Changeable
- NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh16°Low6°MildNovemberRain
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 129 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- DecemberRain16 rainy daysHigh18°Low9°Summer, busyDecemberRain
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 149 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Summer, busy
Average daily high and low in Queenstown, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Queenstown
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
7
- Feels like
- 6°
- Humidity
- 82%
- Wind
- 1 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 94%
Queenstown
09:38 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today13°7°94%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 13°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Wed15°9°91%Wednesday: Rain. High 15°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 91%.
- Thu17°8°55%Thursday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 55%.
- Fri17°8°66%Friday: Drizzle. High 17°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 66%.
- Sat16°7°20%Saturday: Fog. High 16°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Sun16°3°57%Sunday: Fog. High 16°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 57%.
Updated 06:55 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.778 NZD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Milford Soundabout 4 hours each way by roadFiord cruise below Mitre Peak; or fly in weather permitting.Read the guide
- Arrowtownabout 20–25 min by bus or carGold-rush main street and autumn color in April.
- Glenorchyabout 45 min by carLake-head scenery and the start of the Routeburn Track.
Before you go to Queenstown
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Rules for Queenstown, checked
- Most visitors need an NZeTA or visa-free entry before flying to New Zealand. Check your passport status on immigration.govt.nz before you book.Source
- Declare food, plants and animal products on the arrival card. Clean boots and outdoor gear first, because biosecurity officers inspect them.Source
- Dial 111 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in New Zealand.
- Tipping is not expected in New Zealand, so you do not need to add extra to restaurant or taxi bills.
Plan around Queenstown
Both islands, entry rules and the best months
Read the guideFiordlandMilford and Doubtful sounds, Great Walks
Read the guideAucklandDirect flights from the main gateway
Read the guideBest time to visit New ZealandSummer and ski season, month by month
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for ski, bungy and alpine roads
Read the guideNZeTA explainedWho needs one and what the visitor levy covers
Read the guideQueenstown and WānakaWhere to stay and how to split days between the two towns.
Read the guideQueenstown FAQ
How many days do I need in Queenstown?
Three days covers the lake, an adventure activity and Arrowtown. Add a day for Milford Sound and another for Glenorchy or Wanaka.
Is a day trip to Milford Sound from Queenstown worth it?
It is a long day, about 8 hours of driving round trip. If you can, stay a night in Te Anau and drive in early.
When is ski season in Queenstown?
The ski fields usually open in June and run to late September or early October, depending on snow.
Do I need a car in Queenstown?
Not for the town, the lake and Arrowtown, which local buses reach. Rent one for the ski fields, Glenorchy or when you drive on to Fiordland.
Should I stay in Queenstown or Wanaka?
Queenstown for the biggest choice of activities, restaurants and nightlife. Wanaka for a quieter lake town about an hour away with its own ski fields. Many trips use both.