Your 3 day itinerary : Things to do in Queenstown

Queenstown. The place where you can have it all. Adventure, relaxation, romance and more. But, time is a little short and you may have only three days. Fret not, we are here. The things to do in Queenstown are quite a few, but three days is more than enough time for you to get a taste of the place.

Here for you, the perfect 3 day Queenstown trip.

Most of the flights to Queenstown, with connecting stops, are all more than 15 hours. So our advice to you is to get a few hours of sleep before you step out for your next 3 days of experience in Queenstown. We give you two itinerary options for both the adventurer and the leisure seeking traveller. So go on!

If you just need to relax and not get high on adrenaline, clap your hands

Day 1:

Arrowtown:

Arrowtown is a small town in Southern New Zealand, established during the gold rush period of the 1860’s. Start off with some visits to old, but well preserved buildings used by European and Chinese immigrant during the 19th century. You can also visit Sir Michael Hill’s Championship Golf Course, which is home to the New Zealand Golf Open, making it one of the best things to do in Queenstown if you are a golf enthusiast. Explore this and more with our tailored New Zealand travel packages.

After having lunch at one of Arrowtown’s many wineries, you can rent a car and drive past Lake Hayes. Apart from being one of the most photographed lakes, the scene where Arwen and Frodo cross a river to get a sick Frodo to Rivendell after outrunning the Ringwraiths was filmed here.

You can either drive around town for a while and have dinner or go back to Queenstown and to try out different cuisines.

Where can I eat?

Amisfield Winery & Bistro

 Arrow Thai Food

 Bonjour

 Mantra Restaurant

Off Piste Pizza

 The Fork and Tap

Day 2

Milford Sound:

Buses:

Hotel and Lodges in Queenstown have a number of options for a one day visit to Milford Sound. After breakfast at your place of stay, you are usually picked up in a bus with glass ceilings so that the New Zealand sky is not be missed out things to do in Queenstown. Numerous stops which are a photographers’ joy is all along the way of things to do in Queenstown. At the end of the drive, spectacular scenery with glaciers, valleys, fjords, waterfalls and exotic wildlife awaits you. The drive, along with the stops in between and at Milford Sound takes up almost the whole day. It is a wonderful opportunity to meet new people, and wonder at the natural beauty of Middle Earth aka, New Zealand.

Cruise:

But taking the bus is not the only way to reach Milford Sound. There are also a number of cruises from the port of Queenstown to Milford Sound. The facilities provided on the cruise differ from one agency to another, but one thing is common for all. All the cruises traverse deep into the Milford Sound waters, past St.Anne’s lighthouse and into the Tasman Sea. Astounding scenery like the Sindbad Gully which is a hanging valley, and 160 mtr high Bowen Falls and also the Mitre Peak, rising from the sea.

Where can I eat?

Distinction Luxmore Hotel

Distinction Te Anau Hotel

Milford Sound Lodge

Day 3

Queenstown:

And so you have come to the last day of your stay. Over the past few days, you have relaxed, got back some energy to push you through the next few months of your life. And on this last day, you want to play it safe and stay in town to catch your flight without any delays, We get it. There are no of things to do in Queenstown to chill out.

Queenstown has no shortage of spas and pools and saunas. Many spas offer special massages and treatments which use ancient Maori methods.

Shopaholics rejoice. Queenstown is one of the best places to shop in all of New Zealand. Starting from top-notch designer products to cheap rip-offs which will not make you feel guilty when you discard it after three months, the Queenstown shopping scene caters to all.  After spending a day strolling through the Queenstown, you can catch your flight happy, knowing that you got the most you can out of the three days that you had.

Where can I eat?

The Bunker

Rata

Jervois Steak House Queenstown

Taco Medic

Caribe Latin Kitchen

Perky’s Floating Bar

Tanoshi Teppan and Sake Bar

IS THIS YOU?

 If you need an adrenaline high and not just relax, clap your hands.

Day 1:

Queenstown:

After touching down at Queenstown after a long flight and resting for a few hours, it is now time for adventure.

Due to the things to do in Queenstown, it is rightfully considered the adventure capital of New Zealand. Skyline Gondola is something that can get the adrenaline flowing. The gondola, high above the Queenstown skyline and offers you breath-taking views of Coronet Peak, across Lake Wakatipu to Cecil, Walter Peaks and The Remarkables mountain range.

Once the pace is set, you can enjoy various other adventure activities like bungee jumping, downhill mountain bike tracks and even white water rafting.

And when the sun goes down, cool off your rush with a stargazing session, all within 15 mins walking distance from the centre of the city.

Day 2

Shotover Jet:

No, you don’t fly. But you feel it. Shotover Jet Rides have been voted The World’s Most Exciting Jet Boat Ride. Speed over 10 cm deep water along the Shotover river and into the Shotover River Canyons.

At 85kmph, your certified expert driver will whip through the narrow streaks of water and turn around spin the boat around to avoid the boulders and rocks. Meanwhile, you will be holding on for dear life, not being able to see what’s happening because the speed of the boat riles up the water to spray like white crystals right into your eyes. The absence of sight heightens your senses and you are more aware of everything that you can vaguely see.

The prices differ for kids and adults, and many visitors even go take the jet twice on the same day.

Day 3

Rafting in Shotover River:

The whitewater rafting on the Shotover River is the most popular and happening rafting place in New Zealand.

You start off with a coach trip into Skippers Canyon. This place is famous for it’s edges and cliffs and if you decide you want the actual thrilling adventure, you meet your river guide at the end of Skippers Canyon.

It starts off peaceful enough. Flowing gently through the Deep Creek Waters, and then…

There are a number of rapids and from their names, it is possible to ascertain how the experience is. You paddle through Aftershock, Squeeze, Toilet, Oh Sh*t, Pinball and Jaws, while screaming your heart out. And just like that, half a day is over and it’s time for you to grab a snack, go back to your hotel, pack and catch your flight back home.

Where can I eat?

Cavells Cafe and Bar

Gantleys Restaurant

The Taj Indian Kitchen

The Bodhi Tree

Mrs Ferg Gelateria

OR IS THIS YOU?