Where to Find the Best Views in Queenstown
Set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu overlooking jagged mountain peaks, Queenstown, New Zealand, is one of those rare places where the real-life scenery is even more magical than the postcards. From high-flying adventures to mountaintop lookouts and lake cruises, here’s where you will find the most spellbinding views in Queenstown.
Skyline Gondola
Step aboard the Skyline Gondola and ride up 1,312 feet (400 meters) to the summit of Bob’s Peak, where you can gaze out over Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the Remarkables mountain range.
Sightseeing Cruises
The glistening waters of Lake Wakatipu and the adjoining rivers offer another perspective on Queenstown’s mountainous surrounds. Sightseeing cruises come in many different forms, from relaxed steamboat excursions to thrill-a-minute jet boat rides.
Helicopter Tours
Hop into a chopper for a high-flying adventure. Helicopter tour options include flights to Milford Sound, where travelers pass over Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Helicopter tours also fly to the Southern Alps, where it’s possible to land on the icy expanse of the Jura Glacier.
Coronet Peak
In the winter, the views from Coronet Peak ski field are often obscured by cloud, but on clear summer days, the panoramas wow with mountain peaks rising in every direction. Between September and April, you can hang glide from the ski field, enjoying bird’s-eye views of the surrounds as you soar through the air.
Queenstown Hill
The 1,640-foot (500-meter) climb up Queenstown Hill is strenuous, though the rewards—views of Cecil Peak, Lake Wakatipu, and the Kawarau River—make it worthwhile. Thrill-hungry travelers can opt for all-terrain vehicle tours, steering their way to the summit.
298 Tours and Activities | All Queenstown Tours
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TSS Earnslaw & BBQ Buffet Lunch
189
Depart Queenstown aboard the TSS ‘Earnslaw’ for a cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Travel round-trip by vintage steamship and dig into a gourmet barbecue lunch at the Colonel’s Homestead. Enjoy chef-prepared Central Otago specialties accompanied by salads, desserts, and local cheeses. Don’t miss the sheep shearing demonstration or showmanship by the farm’s sheepdogs.
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$92.23
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$92.23
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
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Milford Sound Coach Tour with Lunch from Queenstown
372
Upon reaching Milford Sound, board a luxurious catamaran. Peer through panoramic windows of a luxury coach while you travel through the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park with a guide, before a memorable sightseeing cruise by Mitre Peak and the magnificent cliff-side waterfalls of Milford Sound.
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$127.97
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$127.97
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TSS Earnslaw Steamship Cruise from Queenstown
53
Cruise Lake Wakatipu on a vintage Edwardian steamship with tickets for a cruise aboard TSS Earnslaw from Queenstown. Watch the stokers feed the TSS Earnslaw’s coal fires and enjoy views of the mountains. This scenic cruise departs from a central location in Queenstown, with multiple sailings throughout the day.
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$50.05
From
$50.05
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
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Milford Sound Sightseeing Cruise with Scenic Round-Trip Flight from Queenstown
101
Take a window seat for a scenic round-trip flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound, and see the splendor of Fiordland National Park from the air and sea. Board a cruise and pass dramatic waterfalls and Mitre Peak as you travel to the Tasman Sea. Then soar over the Southern Alps on your return.
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From
$278.11
From
$278.11
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Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride from Queenstown
1431
Take a jet boat ride on the Shotover River during an extreme ride, and make use of transport from Queenstown. Experience adrenaline-fueled fun as the jet boat skims the water’s surface at high speed and fishtails into 360-degree spins. Hold on tight as the captain maneuvers the jet boat over rapids and through narrow canyons during one heart-pounding adventure you won’t soon forget.
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From
$100.52
From
$100.52
Pilot's Choice Scenic Flight from Queenstown
52
Soar to new heights on a 20-minute helicopter tour and alpine landing in the Remarkables, a mountain range that dominates the eastern skyline of Queenstown. Hover up close to the eponymous peaks and land 5,046 feet (1,538 meters) above Lake Wakatipu with unparalleled views stretching all the way to the Southern Alps. Your six-passenger helicopter flight includes hotel pickup and drop-off.
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From
$117.97
From
$117.97
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Lake Wakatipu Scenic Catamaran Cruise from Queenstown
93
Enjoy unobstructed views of the Remarkables and the Southern Alps during a catamaran cruise on Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown. Cruise accross the lake, stopping at Bob’s Cove to soak up the views from New Zealand's longest lake. Listen to the captain’s entertaining commentary about the natural landmarks and wildlife as you relax indoors or on the outdoor decks. You have a selection of morning and afternoon cruises to choose from.
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$27.88
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$27.88
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Half-Day Milford Helicopter Flight and Cruise from Queenstown - 202
58
Located in the heart of Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound forms part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. Explore the stunning fiord by air and water during a half-day excursion. The exhilarating, round-trip helicopter flight from Queenstown includes a glacier landing on Mt. Tutoko. Perhaps spot dolphins, seals, and penguins during an unforgettable cruise.
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From
$646.31
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$646.31
Queenstown 60-minute Jet Boat Ride on the Shotover & Kawarau Rivers
241
Experience heart-racing fun on an exhilarating Queenstown jet-boat ride. The expert captain races across Lake Wakatipu, navigates tricky turns on the Kawarau River and speeds through the milky waters of the Shotover River. Grab hold of your seat as the jet boat makes 360-degree spins and fishtails on a rollercoaster ride over the water.
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$72.57
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$72.57
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Milford Sound Experience Full Day from Queenstown
719
Arguably the most scenic destination in New Zealand, Milford Sound offers a sweeping landscape of jagged snow-capped mountains, shimmering fjords and lakes, towering waterfalls and emerald greenery. Travel with a small group by coach from Queenstown to Fiordland National Park to explore this lush wilderness, including a boat cruise on the Milford Sound. You also see The Remarkables mountain range, Lake Wakatipu—New Zealand's longest lake, and Lake Te Anau—the South Island’s the largest lake.
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$178.74
From
$178.74
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
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Southern Glacier Experience Helicopter Flight from Queenstown
32
Take to the skies on a 50-minute Queenstown helicopter flight that includes a snow landing on Jura Glacier. Soar above Lake Wakatipu’s northern shores and discover unparalleled views of New Zealand’s Southern Alps from an aerial perspective. After your pilot lands atop the glacier, snap photos of surrounding alpine peaks, such as Mt Aspiring, before the return helicopter ride over glacier-fed lakes and the Rees and Dart River valleys.
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From
$389.64
From
$389.64
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Luxury Milford Sound Coach and Scenic Cruise
270
Cruise Milford Sound and explore New Zealand’s Fiordland on a full-day trip from Queenstown by luxury coach. See some of the South Island’s most dramatic scenery through the glass roof of the coach, then cruise past towering waterfalls and seal colonies to the Tasman Sea, choosing between open decks and cabins that are comfortable in any weather. With pickup and drop-off at selected hotels in Queenstown, this Milford Sound trip is a spectacular day of scenery and wildlife in Fiordland National Park.
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From
$142.27
From
$142.27
Half-Day Milford Sound Flight and Cruise from Queenstown
387
The glacial waters, soaring cliffs, and thundering waterfalls of Milford Sound are spectacular from all angles, and this half-day tour takes in all the highlights. Enjoy thrilling aerial views of the Fiordland National Park on a round-trip flight from Queenstown, and marvel at Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, and Mount Pembroke on a scenic Milford Sound cruise. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.
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From
$329.24
From
$329.24
Milford Sound Cruise from Queenstown or Te Anau
61
Travel to the Tasman Sea on a Milford Sound cruise aboard the ‘Milford Mariner’, 'Milford Sinbad', or ‘Milford Wanderer.’ Pass by the world-renowned Mitre Peak and drift alongside rushing waterfalls as you search for wildlife including New Zealand fur seals, dolphins, and Fiordland-crested penguins. An onboard nature specialist provides expert commentary. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available from Milford Sound, Queenstown, and Te Anau by luxury coach.
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$92.23
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$92.23
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Guides required to regularly wash hands
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Milford Sound Day Tour and Cruise from Queenstown
310
Receive a passport to some of New Zealand’s most dramatic scenery on this full-day excursion to Milford Sound. Part of the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park, the region features a glacier-carved fjord, soaring mountains, and tumbling waterfalls. Explore via glass-topped bus, go for a cruise along the sound’s waters, stroll the Mirror Lakes Walk, enjoy lunch along the way, and much more.
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$127.97
From
$127.97
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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50-Minute Glacier Explorer Flight from Queenstown
55
Take your Queenstown visit to new ‘heights’ of adventure thanks to this 50-minute helicopter flight complete with a glacier landing. Soar above the spectacular scenery of Mt. Aspiring National Park, gliding above turquoise ice formations, hidden alpine lakes and towering mountains before landing on top of a glacier for photos.
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From
$370.34
From
$370.34
Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Queenstown
107
Join a Doubtful Sound cruise from Queenstown and discover this alpine gem nestled in the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park. Traveling by coach, take a ferry across Lake Manapouri and cross over Wilmot Pass for your catamaran cruise. Admire the fiord’s vivid beauty as you search for dolphins, fur seals, and penguins amid a dramatic landscape of soaring granite peaks and crystal-clear waters.
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$156.57
From
$156.57
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The Original Onsen Queenstown
363
Relax and unwind at the Onsen Retreat and Day Spa at Arthurs Point, just 10 minutes from Queenstown. With this package, spend up to an hour soaking in one of the traditional Japanese-style ‘onsens’—an open-air hot tub—with friends or family, accompanied by drinks and snacks. As you bathe in the steamy waters, gaze out over the stunning natural scenery of the Shotover River Canyon below and look out for jet boats whizzing along the river.
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From
$51.98
Price varies by group size
From
$51.98
Price varies by group size
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Guides required to regularly wash hands
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Milford Sound Cruise with Optional Bus Tour
178
Enjoy uninterrupted views of glacier-carved cliffs on a Milford Sound cruise aboard the Maiden of Milford, a 3-deck vessel. This sightseeing cruise through one of the South Island’s most stunning natural wonders takes you past vivid waterfalls to frolicking dolphins and New Zealand fur seals. Meet at the pier or opt for a round-trip coach tour of UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park from Queenstown, and stop for photographs and some short nature walks en route to Milford Sound.
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$70.78
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$70.78
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Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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TSS Earnslaw & Walter Peak Farm Experience with Afternoon Tea
161
Cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm aboard the TSS ‘Earnslaw,’ a vintage steamship. Stroll the lakeside gardens and enjoy a traditional morning or afternoon tea and take a walking tour of the farm. You’ll watch sheepdogs in action and see sheep shearing demonstrations. Treat yourself to home-baked goods and alpine views of the Remarkables mountain range. Savor a delicious afternoon tea and an amble through lakeside gardens before heading back to Queenstown by boat.
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$67.92
From
$67.92
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Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
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Queenstown Segway Tour
935
This Segway tour of Queenstown covers a lot of ground in less time. Embark on a 1- or 2-hour tour aboard your personal transporter. Your guide leads you around the shores of Lake Wakatipu, passing natural landmarks along the way. Select from various departure times throughout the day. This small-group tour is limited to eight people to ensure personalized attention.
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From
$65.27
From
$65.27
Queenstown Twilight Wine and Craft Beer Tour
157
Enjoy an evening of drinking local wines and/or craft beer without worrying about getting home safely on this wine and craft beer tour. This fun group tour will take you to three wineries in the Gibbston region for tastings at each and shared antipasto platters are provided at one of the locations. Your guide will tell you all about the region’s history on the way, for an enjoyable and informative evening trip. Tour the Central Otago wine region without worrying about transport, transfers from central Queenstown are included.
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From
$135.12
From
$135.12
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
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Dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm and Cruise from Queenstown
134
Board the TSS "Earnslaw," a vintage steamship, for an evening cruise on Queenstown’s scenic Lake Wakatipu. Arriving at Walter Peak High Country Farm, you’re treated to a sumptuous barbecue dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead. Sink your teeth into roasted meats and seafood, homemade desserts, and a New Zealand cheeseboard. After dinner, see farm demonstrations or purchase a drink and simply relax in the bar.
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From
$106.53
From
$106.53
Mt Cook Tour & Ultimate Alpine Experience Combo from Queenstown
1
Mt Cook Tour & Ultimate Alpine Experience, this small group, fully guided day trip combines all of the key highlights of Mt Cook with scenic flights in a helicopter and a ski plane including a Tasman Glacier landing plus free time to do other optional activities of your choice. Led by our famously passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge, and run in modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety.
While the destinations you will be visiting are truly spectacular, we at Cheeky Kiwi Travel believe it is our small groups, our guides, the journey and the little details that set our tours well apart. Secret stops, wildlife viewings, specially designed vehicles, complementary refreshments and many other pleasant surprises ensure our tours are an experience to remember.
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From
$390.54
$20.55 savings
From
$390.54
$20.55 savings
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
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