1 Hour Activities
Activities in Queenstown
It might be departure day or maybe you have just arrived in our little slice of heaven and for some reason you only have an hour to spend. Well an hour is not enough to make the most of Queenstown that is for sure - but if you are thinking I just have to squeeze something in these here is our pick of the 10 of the best 1-hour activities in Queenstown
1. Skyline Gondola
With the take-off point for the Skyline Gondola just a five-minute walk from the centre of town, there’s no excuse to miss out on this Queenstown highlight. The short gondola ride takes you 450 metres to the top of Bob’s Peak for truly spectacular views above Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. Don’t forget your camera. If you’ve got extra time, grab a ticket for the luge ride. The downhill track is gentle enough for the whole family but be careful, it’s highly addictive and one ride is not enough.
2) Fish n’ Chips on the beach
Find yourself a spot on the Lake Wakatipu beachfront and be prepared for all the entertainment this busy little town provides. A meal of fish n’ chips is the perfect way to enhance the experience. If the striking views across the lake framed by Walter Peak and Cecil Peak aren’t enough to impress you, then there are plenty of other goings-on to delight. Watch the TSS Earnslaw cruise majestically into her berth, or the jet boats roar out across the lake. At sunset, the views are unbeatable. Expect to be joined by the odd seagull looking for a snack.
3) Kelvin Peninsula Lake Walk
A 1-hour walk around Kelvin Height’s Frankton Arm is the perfect way to stretch the legs and soak up the scenery. One of the most scenic local walks, the Kelvin Peninsula track follows the Lake Wakatipu shoreline and gives you a peek into the stunning homes and gardens of Kelvin Heights. Start the walk at Kawarau Falls or Jardines Park.
4) Kawarau Jet
If you need a dose of adrenaline and only have 1 hour to spare, then a Kawarau Jet boat experience is your best option. The Kawarau Jet leaves from the main pier in the centre of Queenstown and will shoot you off at speeds of 85 kilometres per hour along Lake Wakatipu, the Kawarau River and the Shotover River. They will even throw in a few 360-degree spins for extra fun.
5) Scenic Helicopter Flight and Snow Landing
Thirty minutes is all you need for a once-in-a-lifetime experience above Queenstown. A scenic helicopter flight gives you a bird’s eye view of Queenstown’s amazing scenery, its snowy peaks and a snow-landing allows you to dip your toes in the white stuff. This is a truly thrilling way to experience Queenstown and well worth the expense. You’ll have the remaining 30 minutes to recover from this spectacular experience.
6) The Fergburger Experience
You’ve heard about it, now it’s time to experience it. No visit to Queenstown is complete without a Fergburger experience. More than a burger, this is an iconic Queenstown experience. You will have as much fun waiting in the queue, as you will devouring the delicious burgers. With burgers like ‘Little Lamby’, ‘Cockadoodle Oink’ and ‘Holier Than Thou’ (tofu burger), this is one of the most entertaining places in Queenstown to grab a meal.
7) Hire a bike
When the snow melts, biking takes over as the biggest outdoor activity in Queenstown. With plenty of downhill biking tracks around Queenstown, there are a number of options for hiring a bike. If extreme biking is not your thing, take a scenic ride around Lake Wakatipu for an easy ride taking you from the centre of town to Kelvin Heights (and on to Jack’s Point if you’re after a longer ride).
8) Wine Tasting at The Winery
One hour doesn’t give you enough time to get out to a winery, but it does give you enough time for a wine experience in the centre of town. The Winery, located on Beach Street is a wine tasting experience where you can sample over 80 New Zealand wines. Don’t miss the famous Central Otago Pinot Noirs.
9) Mini Golf
If you fancy a hit of golf but don’t have time to make it to one of the many Queenstown Golf Courses, then a round of mini golf is your perfect 1-hour option. Choose from the outdoor Mini Golf or the indoor Caddy Shack, both located on Brecon Street and offer a fun way to spend an hour. Perfect for beginners, pros, or families.
10) A meal with a view
One of our favourite Queenstown experiences is soaking up the view. So why not do it while enjoying a meal? There are a load of restaurants, pubs and cafes along the waterfront that offer a prime position to enjoy the view. Take your pick from a full course meal at Public Bar, a quick drink at Pub on Wharf, a delicious ice-cream at Patagonia Chocolate, an unbeatable coffee and light snack at Vudu Café or many, many more.
If you’re in Queenstown but don’t have much time, don’t waste a minute.