Fun Things to Do in Queenstown
05 August 2025 .webp)
Queenstown has earned its title as the adventure capital of New Zealand, but the fun doesn’t stop at bungy jumping and ski slopes. Whether you’re soaring through the sky, cruising on the water, or exploring cinematic landscapes, this popular destination packs in unforgettable fun year-round.
From futuristic shark rides to legendary Lord of the Rings sites, here are some of the most fun and exciting Queenstown activities to add to your list.
Top 14 Recommendations for Fun Things to Do in Queenstown
iFLY Indoor Skydiving Queenstown
iFLY Indoor Skydiving Queenstown
Queenstown
If you’ve always wondered what it’s like to fly, here is your chance to find out what it's like! iFLY Indoor Skydiving Queenstown makes the dream of flying a reality. Choose between the popular 2 and 4-flight ...
Indoor skydiving is a great way to feel the thrill of a free fall, without needing to jump out of a plane. At iFLY Queenstown, you can float mid-air inside a vertical wind tunnel, experiencing the feeling of flight in a safe, fun, and fully controlled environment.
It’s perfect for first-timers, kids, and older adults alike. The wind tunnel is located just a short walk from central Queenstown, making it a great addition to your itinerary. Everything is included: training, gear, and one-on-one help from certified instructors.
Hydro Attack Semi-Submersible Shark Ride
Hydro Attack Semi-submersible Shark Ride
Queenstown
Get ready for a thrilling adventure in the shark machine! Launching from our central Queenstown location, we'll embark on an adrenaline-fueled journey across the beautiful Lake Whakatipu. Imagine a stunt plane on water, ...
Want a unique blend of adrenaline rush and underwater calm? The Hydro Attack shark ride is one of the most thrilling Queenstown activities on Lake Wakatipu. You’ll skim across the lake surface before diving under and shooting back out of the water like a missile.
The views of the Southern Alps and surrounding snow-capped mountains make this ride feel straight out of a spy movie. This one-on-one experience allows you to choose your intensity level, from mild to wild, and is just steps from Beach Street in the vibrant town centre.
Sledging on the Kawarau River
Sledging
Queenstown
Enjoy rapids, waves and the beautiful Kawarau River on a sturdy, easy-to-hold, very buoyant, manoeuvrable sledge. The sledge keeps you more on the surface of the water than the bodyboards. You still get all the action-pa ...
Sledging is like rafting, but instead of sitting in a boat, you're in the water with a sturdy board. Ride the Shotover River or Kawarau through grade 2–3 rapids, whirlpools, and wave trains. You’ll feel every twist of the current, making this one for true adrenaline junkies.
It's perfect for those who love outdoor activities and want to try something different. You’ll also float through scenic river valleys and may even spot some hidden wildlife along the way.
Tandem Hang Gliding – Coronet Peak
Tandem Hang Gliding - Summer - Coronet Peak, Queenstown
Queenstown
Fly like a bird! Tandem Hang Glide with a professional pilot from Coronet Peak, Queenstown.
Fly high above the Queenstown region from Coronet Peak, the highest commercial hang gliding launch site in New Zealand. You’ll glide silently above Lake Wakatipu, the Southern Alps, and the famous ski fields, all under the guidance of a skilled pilot.
Whether you want a peaceful glide or a roller-coaster style descent, the choice is yours. And when the flight ends, it’s a smooth wheel landing back on the valley floor. It’s one of those experiences that keeps your blood pumping long after it’s over.
Nomad Safaris Lord of the Rings Tour
Nomad Safaris Lord of The Rings Tours - Queenstown
Queenstown
Explore the magical side of New Zealand and understand why this beautiful country was chosen to portray Middle-earth. The Queenstown area featured prominently in the filming of the incredibly popular Lord of the Rings an ...
If you're a Lord of the Rings fan or simply love dramatic landscapes, this 4WD safari is a must. Explore filming locations like Isengard, Lothlórien, and Ithilien in Glenorchy, and dive into Queenstown’s gold rush and mining past.
Along the way, you’ll pass Bob’s Peak, hidden valleys, and jaw-dropping mountain backdrops. These tours are loaded with trivia and the area’s history, making them just as informative as they are fun.
Intro to Rock Climbing
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This half-day climbing experience takes you to cliffs near Queenstown Gardens or the stunning Matukituki Valley. With small groups and expert instructors, it's perfect for beginners who want to try something challenging but accessible.
The panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu while climbing make this one of the most scenic and rewarding outdoor activities around. Add it to your day trip list if you're keen to get off the beaten path.
River Surfing on the Kawarau
River Surfing
Queenstown
Bodyboard New Zealand's best white water tailored by the world`s best river guides. Conquer grade 2-3 rapids and become King or Queen of the River, riding the rapids on a bodyboard. You'll enjoy surfing standing waves, r ...
Want to surf a river instead of the sea? Grab a bodyboard and take on the waves of the powerful Kawarau. You’ll zip through rapids, whirlpools, and swirling currents with expert river guides leading the way.
Between the action, enjoy a gentle float downstream with views of snow-capped mountains and forested hills. River surfing is a staple for adrenaline junkies and is an amazing way to explore New Zealand’s untamed rivers.
Bay Ride Segway Tour
Bay Ride
Queenstown
Learn to ride and go for a glide. The 1-hour Bay Ride can fit into any schedule for an experience of how much fun these machines are to ride.
Cruise through Queenstown Gardens, along Lake Wakatipu, and through the vibrant town centre on an eco-friendly Segway. This super fun tour starts with a quick training session before you head off along the waterfront and through the main street.
With plenty of photo stops, local insights, and smooth gliding action, this is one of the best ways to see Queenstown at your own pace. It’s easy to learn, suitable for most fitness levels, and an excellent option on a rainy day, too.
8-Line Wilderness Zipline Adventure
8 Line Wilderness Zipline Adventure
Queenstown
Paradise Ziplines provides a wilderness adventure like no other. Our 8-line zipline course takes you on a very diverse journey by wire and walking track through the pristine native forest of the Oxburn Valley over the cr ...
Set in a remote bush near Paradise, this zipline experience takes you through beech forests, across ravines, and into a dramatic canyon only accessible by tour. One line even zips you straight through the aptly named Orc Chasm, while another crosses over crystal-clear alpine streams.
If you love recreational activities with a dose of scenic wonder, this tour delivers both. The safety-focused guides and small-group setup make it ideal for anyone seeking a rush without going too extreme.
Fiordland’s Finest Heli Adventure
Queenstown to Fiordland: Scenic Helicopter Tour
Queenstown
The Fiordland’s Finest scenic helicopter flight from Queenstown takes you deep into the World Heritage‑listed Fiordland National Park with breathtaking aerial views of rugged mountains, alpine lakes, waterfalls, glac ...
For jaw-dropping scenery, it doesn’t get better than a scenic flight through Milford Sound and the Earnslaw Burn. This adventure takes you over New Zealand’s most iconic natural landmarks, including snow-capped mountains, thundering waterfalls, and glacier-fed lakes.
You’ll land in three remote spots: a glacier, an alpine lake, and a valley surrounded by waterfalls. It’s the kind of journey that reminds you why Queenstown is the adventure capital. Don’t forget your camera; these are the kind of incredible views that stay with you for a lifetime.
Blast Through Three Waterways on a 60-Minute Jet Boat Ride
60 minute Jet boat ride on the Shotover & Kawarau Rivers
Queenstown
Queenstown’s original Jet boat operator, KJet, takes you on a wild 60-minute high-speed Jet boat ride across three waterways, traveling at speeds of up to 95kph. Our trip takes you across Lake Wakatipu and down the wor ...
If you're looking for high-speed Queenstown activities that combine lake views with river thrills, this 60-minute jet boat ride delivers big time. Departing every hour from the Main Town Pier, this ride rockets across Lake Wakatipu, then takes you racing down the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers. You’ll hit speeds of up to 95kph, skimming through water that's sometimes just 5cm deep. There’s no shortage of adrenaline here, especially with the signature 360-degree spins and sudden turns.
It’s one of the most classic adventure activities in Queenstown, and for good reason, this is the original jet boat experience that’s been going strong for over 60 years. Infants aged 2–4 ride free with an adult, making it one of those rare things to do in Queenstown with kids that is exciting for the whole family. Please note: pregnant riders are not permitted to participate for safety reasons.
Discover a Hidden Glacier on the Earnslaw Burn Heli-Hike
Earnslaw Burn Heli-Hike
Queenstown
The Earnslaw Burn with its hanging glacier and cascading waterfalls really is New Zealand’s best-kept secret, and our guided heli hike is the best way to experience it.
If you're after a more off-the-beaten-path kind of adventure, the Earnslaw Burn Heli-Hike is hands-down one of the most unforgettable Queenstown tours. Starting with a scenic helicopter flight over Glenorchy, the Dart River, and Mt Alfred, you’ll land in the basin below the hanging Earnslaw Glacier, a place few people get to see up close.
From there, you’ll take a guided hike through wide-open tussock fields, glacier-fed streams, and cascading waterfalls. It's quiet, beautiful, and surprisingly peaceful. The final leg leads to the base of the glacier itself, where you can sit by a waterfall, enjoy a picnic, and take it all in. With minimal inclines and easy terrain, this one’s perfect for anyone with moderate fitness. It’s one of those Queenstown sightseeing experiences that feels like stepping into another world.
Ride to the Top on the Mountain Experience Quad Bike Tour
The Mountain Experience Quad Bike Tour
Wanaka
The ultimate alpine quad bike experience! Offering challenging and varied terrain with breathtaking panoramic views, this ride takes you right from the bottom to the top of the mountain into the snow in winter!! Unquesti ...
This one’s for the explorers. If you’ve never been on a quad bike before, don’t worry, these Yamaha 350cc Grizzlies are fully automatic and super easy to handle. The Mountain Experience Quad Bike Tour is based in Wanaka (about an hour from Queenstown), and it’s the only quad bike tour in the area. That means exclusive access to rugged alpine trails that most people never see.
It’s one of the most hands-on adventure activities in Queenstown, with routes that are customised based on your confidence level. Whether you want a scenic ride or a full-on backcountry adventure, the guide will tailor the tour to suit your needs. Additionally, the heated handlebars are particularly useful on colder days. Tours run with a minimum of two riders, so solo travellers may need to pair up, but it’s worth the wait.
Cycle from Arrowtown to Gibbston on the Valley of the Vines Bike Tour
Valley of the Vines Bike Tour - Arrowtown to Gibbston
Queenstown
Valley of the Vines Bike Tour - Arrowtown to Gibbston Return Shuttle from Queenstown Starting at $99. Ride time: 2 Hours. Easy, fun, hassle-free wine-drinking experience over the breathtaking Twin Rivers Trail. A must-do ...
For something more relaxed but just as scenic, this guided bike ride is one of the most fun and laid-back Queenstown tours you can take. It starts with a short shuttle to Arrowtown, where you’ll get a quick history lesson on local gold mining before heading out on your bike.
The ride itself crosses seven bridges and two rivers, winding through farmland, forests, and finally into the Gibbston wine region. It’s great for couples, families, or anyone looking for fun things to do in Queenstown that don’t involve a motor or a harness. Along the way, you’ll find plenty of brunch spots and cellar doors to stop at, perfect for a long, slow afternoon. If you're after scenic things to do in Queenstown with kids or just want to spend time outside, this trail hits the mark.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re gliding over peaks, zipping through forests, or relaxing by the lake, Queenstown offers more than just thrills; it delivers unforgettable memories. With this mix of adventure activities, scenic spots, and local legends, it’s no wonder visiting Queenstown is at the top of so many travellers’ lists.
Start planning your next day trip, or pack your days full of jet boating, wine tasting, and bike tours. No matter what you choose, you’ll find something fun that suits your style. Pick your favourite things to do in Queenstown and book the fun with See and Do NZ!