Tucked away in New Zealand’s south island, amongst the appropriately named Remarkables, with fresh alpine air and seemingly endless sights, Queenstown punches above its weight as a destination. 3 days in Queenstown will help you see the best of Queenstown, but rest assured, this is a town where you can spend much, much longer.
We’ve found ourselves returning to Queenstown again and again. Whether it’s a romantic getaway, a larger New Zealand road trip or perhaps celebrating a major life milestone, Queenstown has got you covered.
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Getting to Queenstown
By air
Queenstown is home to an international airport which services both domestic New Zealand destinations and major east coast Australian destinations.
The flight into Queenstown is one of the most picturesque landings you’ll ever complete. Zigging and zagging through the Remarkables, it really is the sort of flight that makes you want to stare outside the window.
Flights can be easily booked via Skyscanner where you can compare all of the available flights in.
By car
Perhaps you’re visiting Queenstown as part of a larger road trip? In that case, a car is a great means to get about Queenstown.
Planning your Queenstown itinerary: How to get around
Whether you arrive by air or from somewhere else within New Zealand, we’d recommend a car as the best way to get around.
Many of the recommendations in this itinerary, and most others you may find will have destinations further afield. There are options to get about to some of these, but we’ve found that having control over your visit helps to make the most of a trip to Queenstown.
Where to stay for your 3 days in Queenstown itinerary
We’ve had the pleasure of staying at a few different properties in Queenstown. It’s a city with an ever-improving number of properties, and finding a bad one may well be difficult. Here’s our favoured options below.
The Dairy
Located just up the incline from the centre of town, The Dairy is an intimate, homely property. So named as a former dairy, it only has a handful of rooms. Our rationale for having stayed elsewhere in fact, is that rooms here do book out very quickly.
A special call out here for the hosts who are just lovely. They’ll take you into the Library to check in over a glass of bubbles. This common area is a lovely spot to relax before heading out, or indeed if weather is not your friend on your trip.
Rooms are warm and cosy. Depending on the location of your room, you’ll also get a nice glimpse of the Remarkables too. A highly recommended property.
The Dairy is located right behind the centre of town, up a few flights of stairs. For those who might struggle with walking a few flights of stairs, this might not be the property for you. Best described as centrally, though vertically located!
Heritage Queenstown
Located a bit further outside of town, the Heritage Queenstown is an elder statesman of Queenstown. A more traditional hotel spread over a couple of wings, the big advantage here is the size of the rooms. We were on a longer road trip when we stayed here, and having a bit more space to flex out was perfect.
It’s not a huge distance into town, but similar to The Dairy, the property is located up a hill. With all that said, being located a bit further out, we did opt to drive into town and park rather than walk in. So if you’re driving anyhow, this should be a moot point.
A quiet location with very comfortable beds makes it a great option for the weary traveller.
3 days in Queenstown itinerary: Day 1
At a glance || Get the best panorama of Queenstown || Stroll the Queenstown Gardens || Sample New Zealand’s best burger || A stunning drive to Glenorchy || Aperitif for sunset || A cosy dinner
Start your day with the Skyline Queenstown
Welcome to Queenstown! We start your 3 days in Queenstown itinerary from right above it. If you flew in, you got a chance to see the breathtaking views this part of the world offers.
The Skyline Queenstown will feel like you’ve been transported to Europe. A short ride up it, and you’ll be staring back over the wide expanse of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.
This is a great way to start your time in Queenstown. If the weather is not on your side, see if you can hold this off until a day with better visibility. It’s a stunning sight and will inspire your senses.
Whilst up here, you can even take part in a few different activities. Maybe the most fun of all would be the luge. So be sure to have a few races at around the track!
A ground level view at Queenstown Gardens
Once you’re done soaking in the views from above and racing around the track, head back down. Stroll down the hill and around to the Queenstown Gardens.
These gardens are free to enter and wander about. You’ll get a great view back over lake Wakatipu towards Queenstown proper. The paths here are wide and easy to walk.
For those who prefer to take in the gardens in a different way, why try some frisbee golf? You can pick up some frisbees from the ice rink located inside the gardens. Probably a warning whether you’re playing or not to watch for stray frisbees in your direction!
Try out Fergburger
If you’ve read any blog, or in fact anything about Queenstown, Fergburger surely has rated a mention. Certainly if this is your first time to Queenstown, you must brave the line and sample the burger here.
The lines are always long. Except for one random Saturday evening in summer when we walked straight in, but that I promise is an exception! The lines move quick, and the staff know how to handle a queue. Just pick what you want ahead of time to make it as smooth a process as possible. Just typing about Ferg makes me salivate, so don’t miss your opportunity to try it out. It’s a must on every one of our visits to Queenstown.
If you’re a burger fan, you might also enjoy Devil Burger. If Fergburger didn’t exist, this would be our recommendation. It’s the high quality burger that lives in the shadow of the best.
Jump in the car – we’re off to Glenorchy
After giving big ups to the burgers here, we might be accused of throwing out too many superlatives about this trip. However, if the drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy isn’t one of the most spectacular you’ve been on, well done on living a full life!
Whilst the drive only takes around 45 minutes, you’ll be met with stunning vistas as you ride the edge of Lake Wakatipu. There are many bays you can pull over along the way and take it all in. This little stretch is really what road trips are all about. I just can’t think of anywhere that packs in such stunning sights on a short run like this.
Glenorchy feels a little bit like the end of the road. And in some ways, it is. There are some off road points beyond and some tracks to be walked. But here the sealed roads do indeed end.
This small town is a perfect picture. The postcard of a shed makes for a great photo. As a photography lover, one of the things I love about this shed is the contrast. The rustic red shed. Lush green grass. Bright blue sky (hopefully). And if you visit in autumn you’ll be blessed with yellow and red foliage.
If you need to visit a cute store, look no further than Mrs Woolly’s General Store. Great for souvenirs, practical items and some snacks if you’re hungry.
If you’re heading to Queenstown, you may want to think about adding Milford Sound to your itinerary. Check out our guide to Milford Sound here.
Aperitivo hour with sunset
Enjoy the drive back to Queenstown. I’ll admit the drive back isn’t as nice, given the spectacular views are in the rear mirror. Head back and park at your hotel and make your way into the heart of Queenstown.
The Eichardt is an iconic Queenstown establishment. And for those with deep pockets, and excellent choice of accommodation. If that’s not you, and we haven’t been able to stretch our budget that far, head here for an afternoon drink.
Hang around here until the sun begins to set. Head outside and take it all in. It might be because of Queenstown’s southern location, but the sunsets here rarely disappoint.
Dinner at Botswana Butchery
After a magnificent first day in Queenstown, you need somewhere good for dinner. Look no further than Botswana Butchery. Apologies to all the vegetarians out there, this one isn’t for you.
The slow cooked lamb shoulder here is hands down one of my top ten meals. The portion is for two and coupled with some New Zealand wines, what more do you need for dinner?
3 days in Queenstown itinerary: Day 2
At a glance || A morning on Lake Wakatipu || Long lunch at Amisfield winery || Queenstown at leisure || More tasty lamb for dinner
Another Lake Wakatipu vantage point
Day one of your 3 days in Queenstown itinerary saw numerous vantages of Lake Wakatipu. From the Skyline. From the Queenstown Gardens. And driving to Glenorchy. There’s one last thing to do. Get out on the lake!
And you can do this on another Queenstown icon – the TSS Earnslaw. No doubt you would have seen this steam boat operating on day one. It’ll take you out and around the lake for a scenic cruise. Another great way to take in Queenstown.
You can book your tickets here in advance to avoid disappointment.
Long lunch at Amisfield Winery
Now I’ve been quite pointed about having your own car to get around. But today it will probably be better to leave that at the hotel. Amisfield winery is famed for its spectacular lunches with matching wines. And to fully enjoy this, a taxi might be the most appropriate means of transport.
There are a huge number of wineries around Queenstown, but Amisfield is probably the most famous of them all. Make no mistake, bookings here are essential. So when you book your flights and accommodation, book your reservation here as well.
Queenstown at leisure
If you’re anything like me after a long lunch, activities are probably off limits. So we’ll leave this part of your itinerary to yourself to decide. Maybe it’s an afternoon nap after a few glasses of red. Or maybe you prefer to walk it off around the Queenstown Gardens. Whatever the case, we’ll leave to you to decide!
Sample Pedro’s House of Lamb
Botswana Butchery last night is more of your high end dining experience. Pedro’s House of Lamb is more of your high end street truck style fare. We discovered Pedro’s on our last trip by chance. And we’re so grateful we did. At Pedro’s you’ll find tasty slow cooked lamb, together with roast potatoes and a side of bread.
The menu is not extensive. You come here for lamb and taters. And you won’t look back.
3 days in Queenstown itinerary: Day 3
At a glance || Stunning Arrowtown || Driving through the Remarkables || A visit to New Zealand’s most famous tree || Bungy jumping anyone? || Tacos for dinner
The cute hamlet town of Arrowtown
Just a 20 minute driven from Queenstown is the former gold mining town of Arrowtown. This place is pretty. Like, really pretty. And if you want to see it in its full glory, you’ll need to head here in the autumn when the autumnal leaves make it a right picture.
The town is quaint, packed with cute streets and sits right on the Arrow river. You can explore some of the little huts that remain here from the gold rush days too. Packed with history and beauty in equal measure, it’s a worthy addition to your Queenstown itinerary.
The drive to Wanaka
Our next destination is Wanaka. And like the trip to Glenorchy, the journey is part of the experience. As you wind up through mountains, you start to get some more stunning views to Queenstown and the Gibbston Valley. There are vantage points you can stop off at along the way and I’d encourage you to do that.
The weather up in the Crown Ranges can be windy and cold, so come prepared for that. There’s a great spot where you can watch the planes come into land which look almost toy like as they approach Queenstown airport.
Along the drive, the historic Cardrona Pub is a worthwhile stop, even if for nothing more than a photo. One of New Zealand’s oldest pubs, you can’t miss it on this drive.
I’ve used the word icon in this Queenstown itinerary a lot, so I won’t use it on this next point. However, the Cardona bra fence (or Bradrona!) does make our list of, err, unique sights. This attraction started with people attaching bras to the fence along here. Now there are some many hundreds if not thousands of bras along this fence.
Admittedly, it’s a bit weird. But just the sort of attraction that makes travelling great. You won’t need more than five minutes here, I promise you that!
Hello Wanaka
After your drive, it’s time to eat. Wanaka is home to a number of fantastic restaurants, and we’ve been lucky enough to try a few. The Big Fig Café is our number one pick. With an array of colourful veggies and lovingly cooked meats, your difficulty will be knowing what to choose. For our vegetarian readers, there’s even some great vego options here too.
Fun, casual and well priced, the Big Fig is an easy option.
Prefer something else? The Trout Bar and Restaurant is another great option. Grab a table in the sun, some fish and chips and a beer and look out to the lake.
Are you a road trip fan? Also located on the South Island are The Catlins. A lesser explored region, there is plenty to take in on this drive. Read our guide to The Catlins here.
The Wanaka Tree
You’ve come all the way to Wanaka, so you need to see ‘that tree’. The Wanaka Tree sits at one end of town. And naturally, it is a well-known landmark of Wanaka. Perhaps one of the most well-known on the South Island in fact.
This solitary tree stands resolutely in the water, just off the beach. It does make for tremendous photos, particularly against a stunning background. A quick Google search will show you the tree in various seasons and times of day. And it does make for a striking capture. So make sure you get yours too!
Take the jump?
So far you’ve had 3 days in Queenstown and there’s been no mention of thrill seeking. So before your 3 days wrap up, it’s time.
The AJ Hackett bungy is the home of bungy jumping. And you can make a detour to it easily on your drive back to Queenstown. Now, full disclosure from me on this. I’ve never bungy jumped, and likely never will. But I did enjoy the visit, watching numerous others take the plunge. Clearly not for the faint hearted, but if you’re going to bungy anywhere, it may as well be here!
Last dinner in Queenstown
It’s been something of a lamb fest with our recommendations. So for something different on your last evening, head to Taco Medic. Taco Medic serves up an impressive array of tacos and other Mexican dishes. They’re great value and are simply delicious. Wash it down with a couple of beers or a margarita to cap your perfect 3 days in Queenstown.
Any other tips for a 3 days in Queenstown itinerary?
You can spend a lot of time in Queenstown very easily. For the adventurous, endless mountains and tracks await. Within one to two hours of Queenstown you have so many options.
That’s also true for those who like to take it easy. It’s a laid back, beautiful city filled with great eateries and bars.
On top of our already provided recommendations, the one that we didn’t find time for in this itinerary was Ferg Bakery. Located next to Fergburger, it’s the sister restaurant that has a range of excellent pie options. The burgers are well known, but the pies are fantastic in their own right.
And for the adventure seekers, whilst this Queenstown itinerary probably hasn’t been for you, there are so many options. The Shotover Jet and Canyon Swing are very popular activities too. There’s no shortage of activities for adrenalin junkies.
What time of year is best to visit Queenstown?
We aren’t avid skiers, but those that are will sing the delights on a visit during winter. Nearby Cardrona has some excellent ski fields. Queenstown is a buzzing hub during this time as well.
Our visits have been during summer and autumn. Summer brings lots of daylight, and long sunsets. Autumn brings with it stunning fall colours. And spring, which we haven’t added to our belt yet, yields stunning regeneration. The South Island lupins really come to life at this time.
So in short, there’s no bad option to visit. But if you want to see a lot more and aren’t chasing the snow, summer, autumn and spring would be your best bet.
This concludes our Queenstown itinerary. As you can see, there’s so much to experience. Have you visited? We’d love to hear about your trip in the comments below. Is there anything else you’d add to this 3 day Queenstown itinerary?
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