Queenstown
City guide · Otago · New Zealand
Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand's third-largest lake by surface area · The Remarkables mountain range to the town's southeast
About Queenstown
Queenstown (Māori: Tāhuna) is a resort town in Otago in the south-west of New Zealand's South Island. It sits on the northwestern edge of Lake Wakatipu, a long, thin, S-shaped lake formed by glacial processes, with views of nearby mountains such as The Remarkables, Cecil Peak, Walter Peak, and, just above the town, Ben Lomond and Queenstown Hill. Known for its tourism businesses, especially adventure and ski tourism, Queenstown is the largest town in the Queenstown-Lakes District and its primary administrative centre. The town is at a relatively low altitude for a ski and snowboarding centre, at 310 metres above sea level at the lake shore, but is nestled among mountains, most notably The Remarkables to the town's southeast. Queenstown lies close to the heart of the Central Otago wine region.
Who this destination fits
Highlights worth planning around
Strong fit
- Known for its tourism businesses, especially adventure and ski tourism
- Scenic location on Lake Wakatipu with views of The Remarkables and other mountains
- Close to the heart of the Central Otago wine region
- Relatively moderate altitude (310 metres) with an oceanic climate, offering long warm summer days
- Largest town in the Queenstown-Lakes District and primary administrative centre
Tradeoffs
- Winters are cold with temperatures often in single digits and frequent snowfall
- More susceptible to rain-bearing fronts than nearby Cromwell, Wānaka, and Alexandra
- Historic flooding risk: in November 1999, the lake rose to 312.77 m, causing the most severe flooding in Queenstown's recorded history, with properties flooded up to 1 m deep and around $50 million in insurance claims
Plan the trip
Best time to visit
Summer has long warm days with temperatures that can reach 30 °C; winters are cold with temperatures often in single digits and frequent snowfall, although there is no permanent snow cover during the year