Experience Summer in Queenstown

Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown

Queenstown, New Zealand is well known as a top winter destination due to its proximity to several excellent ski fields. However it also makes an excellent stop for a few days during a summer tour of New Zealand’s South Island.

Queenstown sits on the edge of beautiful Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by picturesque mountains that are often capped with snow. The town has good shopping and also makes a great adventure playground, where you can go hiking, jet boating, bungy jumping, white water rafting or whatever else your adventurous appetite can handle.

On my tour of the South Island we spent three days in Queenstown, and camped in our campervan right next to the lake. Here’s what to do during summer in Queenstown.

Having a beer at our camping spot on Lake Wakatipu

Queenstown Ski resorts

Although there is no snow to ski on during the summer in Queenstown, the chair lifts at the ski resorts still operate and you can get some amazing views from Coronet Peak and The Remarkables, which is well worth checking out.

View from Coronet Peak

Arrowtown

Arrowtown is a historic gold mining town, located about 20 minutes drive from Queenstown. Sitting on the Arrow River ,which was rich in gold in the 1800’s, the town’s historic buildings are well preserved and walking its streets has a real old feel to it. There are also plenty of interesting shops and cafes to check out.

Arrowtown

Luging

Luge down the mountains above Queenstown and enjoy incredible views at the same time. The gondola ride up above Queenstown is well worth it. There is also a nice buffet restaurant with some of the best views of Queenstown (stunning around sunset).

Jet boating

A visit to Queenstown should always include a jet boat ride! Flying across the water at incredible speeds while doing 360 degree spins is great fun. There are a lot of jet boating companies at different locations in Queenstown, but I found the best (and most daring) to be the Shotover Jet on the Shotover River. The jet boat speeds through the narrow Shotover gorge doing 360 degree spins where you think that you will smash into the sides of the gorge. It’s very exhilarating and I highly recommend the experience.

Jet boating on the Shotover River

Steam boating

If jet boating isn’t your thing, or you just want a slower change of pace from all of the extreme sports that you have been participating in,  then a steam boat cruise on Lake Wakatipu is perfect. The TSS Earnslaw is a vintage steam boat that does daily cruises on Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country farm, where you can take a guided tour to see how a New Zealand sheep farm operates. They also offer evening dinner cruises, however I only did the day cruise to the farm which was nice and relaxing.

The TSS Earnslaw docked on Lake Wakatipu

Skipper’s Canyon

Skipper’s Canyon Road is one of the most dangerous roads in New Zealand, and in fact hire cars are not insured if you drive on the road. Following along the Shotover River, the road is cut into the cliff side of the gorge, and at some points is 100m above the river. Taking a tour along the road is a great experience and the gorge is very beautiful. I found it incredible how the people had to cut the road by hand, all to gain access to the gold deposits in the river. Some scenes from “The Lord of the Rings” were also filmed in the canyon. Who knows how they got down there!? Summer in Queenstown is the time to take this tour as the road is closed in the colder months due to snow hazards.

Skipper’s Canyon Rd with the Shotover River below

Wine Tasting

Summer in Queenstown is a great time to do some wine tasting at one of the world class vineyards in the area. One of our favourites is Gibbston Valley Winery.

Gibbston Valley Winery

I could have easily spent a couple of weeks in Queenstown and would have never been bored. Anytime of the year is a great time to visit Queenstown.