New Zealand is known as one of the most adventurous places on the planet, with plenty of high-altitude, fast-moving activities to satisfy anyone who likes to experience the great outdoors. Queenstown is often referred to as the adventure capital of New Zealand, so this is where many adrenaline seekers start their trips and spend most of their time on the island. If you're looking for thrills with a bit of relaxation and incredible scenery mixed in, then planning a trip to Queenstown is a must!
Ride the Skyline Gondola in Queenstown Credit: www.bigstock.com Scenic skyline Gondola in Queenstown
Ride the Skyline Queenstown Gondola (Hotels nearby)
To get your bearings and take in the scenery of Queenstown, many visitors begin their adventures with a ride on the Queenstown Skyline. This gondola takes you to the Bob's Peak observation deck, where you can admire the views, eat and drink, and even ride the mountain bike trails. This is a child-friendly activity that is close to the town centre and easy to get to if you are in the town centre. Once you get to the top, you can rent mountain bikes and gear to get active in the fresh air.
Ski or Snowboard at one of the four resorts 
Credit: www.bigstock.com Aerial view of the mountains in Queenstown, New Zealand
Skiing or Snowboarding at one of the four resorts (Hotels nearby)
Skiing and snowboarding are also popular sports in Queenstown, and there are several resorts you can check out to experience the region's snow. The Remarkables is a ski area just east of Queenstown that offers many trails and some terrain parks. These are great slopes to check out if you are planning a trip to New Zealand between June and September. Other ski areas to check out nearby are Treble Cone, Carona and Coronet Peak.
Go Bungee Jumping 
Credit: www.bigstock.com Tourist challenges the Ledge Bungy in Queensland
Go Bungee Jumping (Hotels nearby)
A man by the name of A.J. Hackett started the commercial sport of bungee jumping in New Zealand, and there are many places to try it all over the island. A particularly popular spot for bungee jumping is the Kawarau Bridge, but jumping options are also offered from cliffs, railway viaducts and even rooftops!
Take a 'Lord of the Rings' tour 
Credit: www.bigstock.com Snow-capped mountains Lord of the Rings film location Glenorchy in New Zealand
Take a 'Lord of the Rings' tour (Hotels nearby)
'Lord of the Rings' fans often flock to New Zealand to see the epic settings for scenes from the film. When you're in Queenstown, it's easy to visit these sites to learn about the geography of the area and how the famous scenes were created here. Pure Glenorchy offers scenic 'Lord of the Rings' tours to take you deep into Middle Earth, and Nomad Safaris takes tourists to film sites in the Queenstown and Arrowtown areas, as well as the enchanted forests of Lothlorien and Fangorn.
Hike to Bob's Peak 
Credit: www.bigstock.com Mountain Range The Remarkables from Bobs Peak
Hike to Bob's Peak (Hotels nearby)
If you love the outdoors but prefer to keep your feet on the ground, then a hike to the top of Bob's Peak might be more challenging. The hike is steep and challenging, but it is a fun alternative to take the gondola up. Most people complete the hike within an hour or two, and you'll enjoy the serenity of the forest as you ascend. The Ben Lomond Track is another great hiking area, but it too is steep and typically covered in snow in winter.
Dive into the Onsen Hot Pools 
Credit: www.facebook.com Dive into the ONSEN Hot Pools
Dive into the Hot Pools Onsen (Hotels nearby)
While many of the things on this list are about pumping the adrenaline, this tip is all about relaxing and unwinding after adventurous days in Queenstown. The Onsen Thermal Pools is the perfect place to soak and soothe sore muscles. There are indoor and outdoor pools here with stunning mountain views that are wonderful for taking a dip any time of year. You'll find these hot pools a few miles north of downtown Queenstown, and shuttle service is available when you book your soaking appointment. Massages are also offered here.
Go Whitewater Rafting on the Shotover or Kawarau Rivers 
Credit: www.bigstock.com Rafting on the rapids of the Shotover River near Queenstown in New Zealand
Go Whitewater Rafting on the Shotover or Kawarau Rivers (Hotels nearby)
Rapids rafting is another popular adventure sport around Queenstown, and both the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers are excellent places to get out on the water. You can experience some excellent Class IV and Class V rapids on the Shotover River. Meanwhile, the Kawarau is generally recommended more for beginners and is a popular option among tourists. Half-day, full-day and multi-day adventures are offered on the rivers.
Taste pinot noir and chardonnay in neighbouring wineries 
Credit: www.bigstock.com Gibston Valley and Central Otago wineries
Sample Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at nearby wineries
Just outside Queenstown you will also find a vibrant wine region, which is a perfect place to unwind after great days of adventure. The region around Queenstown is best known for its excellent pinot noir and chardonnay wines. Queenstown Wine Trail Tours offers guided tours and there are about 200 vineyards in the Central Otago region, which is only about a 40-minute drive from the centre of Queenstown.
Ride on a toboggan run 
Credit: www.bigstock.com Luge track with a beautiful lake and mountain at Skyline Queenstown in New Zealand
Ride on a luge track (Hotels nearby)
You may have seen the luge competition at the Olympics and wondered what the sport felt like. When you get to Bob's Peak, there are a couple of toboggan runs where you can try it out! This is a really fun way to experience a new sport and get a great view of the area. The track takes you over 800 metres of tunnels, dams and inclined angles and is open all year round and every day. Combination packages are available with prices for one gondola ride and two toboggan rides at $55 per adult and $41 per child.
Get Airborne with Skydiving or Skydiving 
Credit: www.bigstock.com Hang Paragliding Over Beautiful Landscape in Queenstown, New Zealand
Get Airborne by Skydiving or Paragliding
Getting up in the air during your Queenstown is one of the most memorable things you can do, whether you're gracefully falling out of a plane or flying through the mountains. Soaring high above the scenic landscape is a great way to truly appreciate the natural beauty of New Zealand and get a bird's eye view of the green hills, snow-capped peaks and surrounding waters. This is an ideal way to see Remarkables, Lake Wakatipu and Coronet Peak from a completely new perspective. Skydiving and parachuting are popular activities in Queenstown, so it's a good idea to book your adventure in advance. NZONE Skydive and Skydive Paradise offer skydiving jumps in the Queenstown and Glenorchy area, while Coronet Peak Tandem and GFORCE Paragliding offer fun paragliding adventures.
