Queenstown
Adventure and ski travellers in the Southern Hemisphere who want Southern Lights as a bonus experience
About Queenstown
Queenstown, New Zealand's adventure capital, sits at 45°S in Otago at the foot of the Remarkables mountain range on Lake Wakatipu. The Southern Lights are visible several times a year during periods of elevated solar activity — typically best from the dark lake shores of nearby Lake Tekapo (a designated Dark Sky Reserve) rather than from Queenstown itself. Dedicated stargazing tours to the Mackenzie Basin, designated an International Dark Sky Reserve, give the best viewing opportunities. Queenstown's primary draw remains world-class skiing at The Remarkables and Coronet Peak, extreme adventure sports (bungee jumping was invented here at Kawarau Bridge), and proximity to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. The surrounding Otago wine region produces world-renowned Pinot Noir.
Best Time to Visit
Monthly Weather & Aurora
| Month | Avg Temp | Dark Hours | Aurora Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | +18°C | 3h | — |
| Feb | +18°C | 5h | — |
| Mar | +14°C | 8h | Low |
| Apr | +10°C | 11h | Low |
| May | +7°C | 13h | Med |
| Jun★ Best | +4°C | 14h | Med |
| Jul★ Best | +3°C | 14h | Med |
| Aug★ Best | +5°C | 12h | Med |
| Sep | +9°C | 10h | Low |
| Oct | +12°C | 7h | Low |
| Nov | +15°C | 5h | — |
| Dec | +18°C | 3h | — |
Activities
Getting There
Queenstown Airport is well-served from Auckland (1.5h), Sydney (3h), and Melbourne (3h). Air New Zealand, Jetstar, and Qantas operate routes.
Accommodation Highlights
- ✓Luxury Lodges
- ✓Boutique Hotels
- ✓Vineyard Stays
Location
Budget Estimator
Based on avg $140/day in Queenstown. Includes accommodation, food, local transport & one guided tour. Flights not included.
Quick Info
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Compare Now →🏨Where to Stay(10)
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Pencarrow Boutique Lodge
Pencarrow Lane, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
hotel
Queenstown House Boutique B&B
69 Hallenstein Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
bed and breakfast
Adventure Queenstown Hostel
36 Camp Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
hostel
The Rees Hotel, Luxury Apartments & Lakeside Residences
377 Frankton Road, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
hotel
Kamana Lakehouse
139 Fernhill Road, Fernhill, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
hotelHotel St Moritz Queenstown - MGallery Collection
10/18 Brunswick Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
hotelNovotel Queenstown Lakeside
Cnr Earl St, Marine Parade, And, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
hotelCrowne Plaza Queenstown by IHG
93 Beach Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
hotelMelbourne Lodge Queenstown
35 Melbourne Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
lodgingFour Seasons Motel Queenstown
12 Stanley Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
motel🍽️Where to Eat(10)
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TOAST & OAK
15 Shotover Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
restaurant
Sunfire Queenstown
Steamer Wharf Ground Floor/88 Beach Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
restaurant
odd saint
1 Earl Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
restaurant
Public Italian Kitchen
Steamer Wharf/Beach, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
restaurant
Bella Cucina
6 Brecon Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
italian restaurantSODA
2 Rees Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
restaurantRātā Restaurant
43 Ballarat Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
restaurantMomentos By The Lake Restaurant
50 Beach Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
restaurantNEST
139 Fernhill Road, Fernhill, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
restaurantThe Bunker Restaurant
14 Cow Lane, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
restaurant🎯Things to Do(10)
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Altitude Tours
75/83 Gorge Road, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
tourist attraction
Queenstown Heritage Tours Ltd.
174 Glenda Drive, Frankton, Queenstown 9348, New Zealand
tour agency
Off Road Adventures Queenstown
61a Shotover Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
tour agency
Nomad Safaris
37 Shotover Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
tourist information center
Canyon Explorers
39 Camp Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
adventure sports centerQueenstown Expeditions
161 Gorge Road, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
taxi serviceOff Road Expeditions Queenstown
61A Shotover Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
tour agencyFamily Adventures
4 Brecon Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
tourist attractionZiptrek Ecotours
45 Camp Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
tourist attractionCheeky Kiwi Travel Queenstown
160 Gorge Road, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
transportation serviceNearby Destinations
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