Queenstown
The long-haul entry, and the one that flips the calendar: New Zealand's summer runs December to February, making Queenstown the answer when Europe is grey.
- Best forAdventure seekers · Walkers & hikers · Skiers & snowboarders
- In April14°C · 13 rainy days
- Ideal stay4–5 nights
- Approx. flying time~14h 10m from Los Angeles
- CurrencyNZDNew Zealand dollar
- LanguageEnglish and Māori
- Local time21:3112h ahead of the UK
- PlugsType IBring an adapter
- Drive on theLeftSame as the UK
- Dialling code+64
Why go
Queenstown sits on a bay of Lake Wakatipu with the Remarkables rising straight out of the far shore, and it has organised itself almost entirely around being outdoors. Jet boats, bungy jumping, paragliding, mountain biking and several ski fields within an hour or so all operate from a town small enough to walk across in fifteen minutes. Around it lie the Gibbston Valley vineyards, gold-rush Arrowtown and the roads into Fiordland.
The southern hemisphere flips the calendar: December to February is summer, June to September the ski season, and both are busy. Four or five nights lets you fit in Milford or Doubtful Sound, a day walk and the wine valley without rushing. Flights are long from Europe, so it usually forms part of a wider South Island trip. Book accommodation and hire cars months out, particularly over Christmas.
- Ideal stay
- 4–5 nights
- The vibe
- Alpine, adrenal, lake-bright
From our guides
Lake Wakatipu bends beneath the saw-toothed Remarkables, and the town does everything from jet boats to genuinely great wine in the nearby Gibbston Valley. Skip the busiest bungy queues and ride the Skyline gondola at dusk instead. Book cars and rooms months ahead.
Featured in Ten lake-and-mountain towns for a perfect summer week
Things to do
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Skyline gondola and Bob's Peak
A steep cable car to a terrace above town, with luge tracks, walking trails and the standard view straight down the lake.
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The Remarkables
The saw-toothed range across the water, a ski field in winter and a road up to alpine tarns and walks in summer.
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Gibbston Valley
Pinot noir country fifteen minutes east, with cellar doors linked by a cycle trail along the Kawarau river.
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Arrowtown
A preserved gold-rush settlement of tiny stone cottages twenty minutes from town, at its best when the poplars turn gold in April.
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Milford Sound
A long day out by road through the Homer Tunnel, or a short flight, to fjord walls, waterfalls and boat cruises.
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Routeburn and Ben Lomond
Serious walking on the doorstep, from a half-day climb above town to multi-day alpine tracks needing permits and huts.
Getting there
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Fly to
Queenstown (ZQN)
Nearest airport to Queenstown, about 7km away as the crow flies.
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Then
To Queenstown
About 15 minutes by bus or taxi from Queenstown (ZQN) at Frankton into the centre, with most flights arriving from Auckland, Christchurch or Australia.
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On the ground
Getting around
The lakefront town is walkable, buses run to Frankton and Arrowtown, boats cross Lake Wakatipu, and operators collect you for the Gibbston Valley wineries and the jet boats.
Public transport: Local buses are cheap and frequent within Queenstown, though a hire car opens up Glenorchy, Wanaka and the drive to Milford.
Flights
Los Angeles Queenstown, New Zealand
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Roughly 14h 10m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.
Check dates and prices
Pick your departure date, then your return.
Search flightsNot sure when? Compare fares across a whole month.
Flight times are estimates; prices open on Google Flights.
When to go
Daytime highs run from about 5°C in July to 21°C in January. Driest January to March and June; wettest in September, with rain on about 17 days.
The year at a glance — pick a month for detail
April14° · rain 13 daysCool and often wet.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis). Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
Lakeview hotels and apartment blocks, backpacker hostels, luxury lodges up the valleys and a lot of self catering. Plenty of international brands, plus holiday homes rented by the week.
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Best base overall
Queenstown town centre
Walk to the lake, the gondola, the bars and every activity desk, with no car needed until you head for Milford. Rooms are the priciest in the country and the centre is loud.
Find stays in Queenstown town centre -
Best with children
Frankton
By the airport and the marina, with newer apartments, supermarkets, a swimming beach and free parking. A bus or short drive puts you back in town when you want it.
Find stays in Frankton -
Best value
Fernhill
Up the hill towards Glenorchy, ten minutes' walk down and rather more back, with lake views for less. Handy for Coronet Peak transfers, dull in the evening.
Find stays in Fernhill -
Quietest
Arrowtown
A gold rush village twenty minutes away, all timber shopfronts and autumn colour, with cottages and small lodges. You will drive to most things, which many people consider a bonus.
Find stays in Arrowtown
Worth knowing before you book: New Zealand's summer holidays from late December and the July ski weeks both sell out early, often with minimum stays. Book the hire car at the same time as the room.
Search everything else in Queenstown by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.
Good to know
- Book ahead
- Great Walk huts, Milford cruises and hire cars all sell out well in advance for summer and school holidays.
- Driving
- New Zealand drives on the left, and the roads to Milford and Glenorchy are long, winding and short on fuel stops.
- Timing
- Autumn, from March to May, gives colour, clear air and lower prices between the two busy seasons.
- Sandflies
- The west coast and Fiordland have them in numbers. Repellent and covered ankles are not optional there.
- Weather
- Alpine conditions change fast. Check the forecast before any walk and carry layers even on a warm morning.
Further afield
Related articles
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Queenstown?
Daytime highs run from about 5°C in July to 21°C in January. Driest January to March and June; wettest in September, with rain on about 17 days.
How long should I spend in Queenstown?
Our suggestion: 4–5 nights.
How do I get to Queenstown?
About 15 minutes by bus or taxi from Queenstown (ZQN) at Frankton into the centre, with most flights arriving from Auckland, Christchurch or Australia.
Do I need a car in Queenstown?
No. Local buses are cheap and frequent within Queenstown, though a hire car opens up Glenorchy, Wanaka and the drive to Milford.
What currency and language are used in Queenstown?
Currency: New Zealand dollar (NZD). Language: English and Māori. Plugs: type I.
Who is Queenstown best for?
Best for adventure seekers, walkers & hikers and skiers & snowboarders. In a phrase: alpine, adrenal, lake-bright.