As one of the top 5 must see places in the South Island, a New Zealand trip just wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Queenstown – not only is it the epicentre of adventure sports, but one of the most beautiful places you have ever seen.
Campervan hire in New Zealand is becoming increasingly popular, with so many awesome places that are easily accessible if you have your own vehicle.
As one of the top 5 must see places in the South Island, a New Zealand trip just wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Queenstown – not only is it the epicentre of adventure sports, but one of the most beautiful places you have ever seen.
There are plenty of options for campervan hire from Queenstown – you can fly into Queenstown Airport and rent your campervan from there. No matter what time of year you decide to visit, this region has a ton of things to do that are enjoyable for the whole family, couples, or groups of friends with a keen sense of adventure and appreciation for stunning landscapes.
Let’s check out some incredible things to do in the Queenstown area – you may want to book in an extra few days just to fit it all in!
1) Bungy jumping
(courtesy of Pixabay)
Did you know that the first commercial bungy site in the world was started in Queenstown by daredevil entrepreneur AJ Hackett?
One of the most kiwi things to do when visiting New Zealand is of course bungy jumping, and while there are many situated around the country, perhaps the most popular are found in the Queenstown region.
The Kawarau Bridge jump at just 43 metres is perfect for those who just want to try it once, but If you’re looking to really get your heart racing, you can head to the Nevis bungy, which at 134 metres is New Zealand’s highest.
2) Vineyard hopping
Wine lovers will no doubt want to experience some of that fabulous vino that New Zealand is famous for. If you have a campervan hired from Queenstown, you will be able to find around 80 wineries within 40 minutes’ drive of the town centre. This makes it super easy to get around to quite a few in one day and do cellar door tasting or have lunch in the winery restaurant. If you do fancy a few drinks, we strongly suggest you leave the campervan behind, so you can make the most out of your day and take up one of the many vineyard tours on offer.
3) Hit the slopes
If you are planning to visit Queenstown during the winter months, you would be crazy not to spend some time on one of the ski fields such as Coronet Peak, Treble Cone, The Remarkables, or Cadrona located just a short drive away. Even if you’ve never skied before, you can take lessons on the beginner slopes, while there are more challenging slopes available for those with a bit more experience.
4) Lake Wanaka
(courtesy of Pixabay)
Just 50 minutes’ drive away from Queenstown, you can find the beautiful Lake Wanaka nestled in front of Mount Aspiring National Park. Driving your campervan rental over the Crown Range to get there is truly magical in itself, and there are a bunch of adventure activities to immerse yourself in.
In Wanaka town you’ll find many gorgeous restaurants and cafes to sit and watch the world go by, plus you can take the kids to check out classic planes and cars at the Warbirds and Wheels museum.
5) Arrowtown
(courtesy of Pixabay)
Arrowtown was once a world-famous gold mining spot, where miners came from all around the world in the 1800s to try their luck at striking gold. Today you can experience this historical town with its carefully preserved buildings, art studios, galleries, and vibrant hospitality spots. It’s just 20 minutes away from Queenstown, and you can park your campervan rental in Arrowtown Holiday Park and spend a day or two having a look around.
The town is at its best in April and May, with stunning autumn colours being a delight for any photographer. You can also check out the Arrowtown Autumn Festival in mid-April which has fun activities for the whole family.
6) Lord of the Rings tours
(courtesy of Pixabay)
If you are a Lord of the Rings fan, you may have already thought about visiting some of the spectacular landscapes that are featured in the films. Middle Earth, Wizards Vale, and the Lothlorien and Fangorn forests are all found near to Queenstown, so you can either take a self-guided tour or leave the campervan behind for the day and let a company like Nomad Safaris do the driving for you with a professional guide.
7) Head up Bob’s Peak for the best view of Queenstown
(courtesy of Pixabay)
The best view of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu is most certainly from Bob’s Peak – 450 metres above the town. This is the perfect photo spot with views as far as the eye can see on a clear sunny day.
Getting up there can be done in two ways – either get on the Gondola and enjoy the ride up (at a cost), or if you have a bit more energy then you can walk up the Tiki Trail which will take about two hours round trip.
This area is buzzing with adventure, so while you are on your way up or down look out for zipliners, paragliders and mountain bikers.
8) Freedom camping at Glenorchy
(courtesy of Pixabay)
If your campervan hire from Queenstown is fully self-contained, you can take part in freedom camping just outside of Glenorchy. About a 45-minute drive northwest of Queenstown, this gorgeous paradise sits at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu and is surrounded by national parks and snow-capped mountains. Park your campervan up next to the lake and truly be at one with nature, waking up to postcard perfect views.
One of New Zealand’s great walks called the Routeburn Track is just near here, plus there are many smaller walks suitable for all ability levels closer to Glenorchy town. On your way there from Queenstown, don’t forget to stop off at Bennetts Bluff Lookout for some pics that will make all of your family and friends back home jealous.
9) Soak in some hot pools
(courtesy of www.onsen.co.nz)
What could be more relaxing then having a soak in a hot pool on a cool winters’ day? At Onsen Hot Pools, you get your own private pool room, complete with retractable roof and windows so you can enjoy either an indoor or outdoor setting while surrounded by nature.
The pools are about 10 kilometres outside of Queenstown and makes a good stopover on your way back from a thrilling ride on the Shotover Jet.
10) Have lunch at Cardrona Hotel
Thought to be the most photographed building in all of New Zealand, the Cadrona Hotel is also one of the oldest hotels still in existence. Found between Queenstown and Wanaka, the Cadrona has an award-winning restaurant and a superb beer garden. It is a perfect place for chilling out after you’ve spent some time up at Cardrona ski field, or while you are touring around the area in your campervan.
Looking at campervan hire in Queenstown?
Taking advantage of campervan hire from Queenstown means you have so much more flexibility in where can you go and what you can do. Our list above is just a few of the fun things you can do in this region, so it is good to allow some time to take everything in. No matter where you plan to visit, don’t forget to check out our top 6 tips for campervan hire in New Zealand.
