The Skyline Queenstown Gondola is one of the most visited attractions in the region, offering panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables, and the surrounding alpine landscape. Rising 450 metres above Queenstown, the gondola provides a scenic ride to the summit of Bob’s Peak, where visitors can experience a mix of relaxed sightseeing and adrenaline-based activities. 

At the top, you’ll find the famous Skyline Queenstown Luge, which features downhill tracks with twists and tunnels overlooking the lake and town. The summit complex also houses the Stratosfare Restaurant Queenstown, a buffet-style venue known for its elevated dining experience, and a café with floor-to-ceiling windows. Hiking trails, mountain bike access, and cultural experiences are also available, making it a year-round destination for families, solo travellers, and road trippers. 

Whether you’re visiting for the gondola ride Queenstown is known for, or planning a few hours of exploration, this is a natural addition to any list of things to do in Queenstown. 

Surrounded by mountains, braided rivers, and native beech forest, Glenorchy, New Zealand, is known for its unspoilt beauty and remote atmosphere. Located at the head of Lake Wakatipu, it draws travellers for its outdoor adventure opportunities, film locations, and tranquil setting. 

Many visitors are attracted to Glenorchy, New Zealand as a base for hiking, kayaking, jet boating, horse trekking, and backcountry exploration. The area is home to some of the most scenic landscapes in the South Island, including access to national parks and multi-day trails such as the Routeburn Track. 

For others, it’s the stillness and dramatic scenery that stands out – from reflective lagoons and glacial valleys to dramatic peaks like Mount Earnslaw. With its slower pace and open spaces, Glenorchy offers a contrast to Queenstown, while still being close enough for a day trip. 

The Christchurch Gondola offers one of the most scenic rides in New Zealand, with sweeping views of the city, Lyttelton Harbour, and the Southern Alps from the summit of the Port Hills. It's a favourite among visitors of all ages, providing a relaxing and visually rewarding activity just 15 minutes from the city centre. 

Whether you're looking to enjoy the landscape, learn about the area's volcanic past, or simply take a break from urban sightseeing, the gondola is a must-do. It’s especially popular for those seeking Christchurch panoramic views, easy family activities, and a peaceful ride above the Canterbury Plains. 

Nestled beneath the peaks of the Southern Alps, Arrowtown is a historic settlement known for its gold rush heritage, restored 19th-century architecture, and scenic riverside location. Travellers visit for a blend of culture, history, and natural beauty – all within easy reach of Queenstown. 

Once a booming mining town, Arrowtown has preserved much of its original character, from the cobbled lanes and miners' cottages to the restored Chinese Settlement along the banks of the Arrow River. It’s one of the best places to learn about Arrowtown’s gold mining history and offers a strong sense of the past without feeling staged or artificial. 

The town is also popular for its changing seasons, especially autumn, when golden and red foliage surrounds the village and the annual Arrowtown Autumn Festival brings the streets to life with food, markets, and music. 

The Roys Peak Track is one of New Zealand’s most photographed hikes, offering uninterrupted views over Lake Wānaka, the Southern Alps, and Mount Aspiring. The wide, elevated switchbacks of the track provide dramatic panoramas from multiple vantage points, but it’s the viewpoint near the summit that attracts travellers from around the world. 

The hike appeals to a wide range of visitors – from experienced trampers and international travellers to casual walkers chasing that iconic photo. As one of the standout options for hiking in Wānaka, Roys Peak is also popular with photographers, particularly at sunrise when golden light spreads across the lake and valleys. 

For those building a South Island road trip or looking for the best hikes in New Zealand, Roys Peak offers a rewarding challenge with one of the country’s most recognisable scenic payoffs. 

One of New Zealand’s most recognisable natural landmarks, That Wānaka Tree grows alone in the shallows of Lake Wānaka. The tree’s unique location and striking silhouette against the Southern Alps have made it a favourite among photographers, travellers, and social media users. 

The tree is especially popular at sunrise and sunset, when the soft light creates mirror-like reflections on the lake’s surface and casts a warm glow on the surrounding landscape. For many visitors, it offers a chance to connect with nature in a quiet, reflective setting just minutes from the town centre. 

Over the years, it has become an unofficial symbol of Wānaka, celebrated for its understated beauty and its ability to convey the wider character of the region – peaceful, open, and deeply connected to the natural environment. 

The Te Anau Glowworm Caves offer a rare opportunity to explore a hidden underground world lit by thousands of native glowworms. Set beneath the remote western shores of Lake Te Anau in Fiordland, the experience includes a scenic cruise, a short bush walk, and a guided tour through twisting limestone passages. 

Inside the cave system, visitors drift silently by boat beneath a ceiling of glowing pinpricks – the bioluminescent tails of New Zealand’s endemic Arachnocampa luminosa. It’s a tranquil, otherworldly experience that contrasts sharply with the more rugged landscapes above ground. 

Travellers choose the Te Anau caves tour not only for the glowworms but also for the overall experience. The combination of lake and forest, caves and light, makes it one of the most unique natural attractions in the South Island. 

Tucked into a quiet alpine valley just outside Queenstown, Moke Lake is a peaceful escape known for its still waters, mountain reflections, and open skies. It’s a popular destination for nature lovers looking to walk, kayak, camp, or simply enjoy a quieter side of Central Otago. 

The lake is particularly well suited to campervan travellers seeking a place to unwind that’s still close to town but feels remote. Its surroundings offer a mix of gentle walking tracks, open grasslands, and dramatic peaks – ideal for low-key exploration or longer photography sessions. 

Moke Lake is also part of the Queenstown Dark Sky area, making it a popular spot for stargazing. With no light pollution and minimal noise, the lake offers an excellent setting for those wanting to experience New Zealand’s night sky away from busier tourist routes. 

Aoraki Mount Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand and one of the country’s most iconic natural landmarks. Standing at 3,724 metres, it’s the centrepiece of the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park – a destination known for its dramatic alpine landscapes, scenic hiking trails, and unique geological features. 

Visitors come for a range of reasons. The park is home to some of the country’s most accessible and rewarding walks, including the popular Hooker Valley Track, where you can experience swing bridges, glacial rivers, and panoramic mountain views in just a few hours. Others come for glacier exploration, Mt Cook scenic flights, or to experience the night skies of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve – recognised as one of the best stargazing spots in the world. 

Its historical significance is also a drawcard. Aoraki Mount Cook was a training ground for Sir Edmund Hillary, who later became the first person to summit Mount Everest.