13 Best Day Trips From Queenstown

Surrounded by mountains and filled to the brim with life and adrenaline, you can be forgiven for thinking Queenstown is the key attraction on the South Island. And while it might be a top destination on the South Island, and definitely one that should be on your To Visit List, it’s also an amazing base to explore from, with numerous opportunities to take some epic day trips from Queenstown.

Thanks to the fairly central and easy location, you can set yourself up in Queenstown for a few nights and make the most of your hire car. In almost every direction, there’s a world-class destination within just a few hours’ drive: historic Arrowtown for a slow wander, postcard-perfect Glenorchy at the end of the lake, the turquoise stillness of Lake Tekapo, the cinematic drama of Milford Sound, and the easygoing charm of Wānaka and Cardrona.

Whether you’re travelling by car, joining a tour, or just curious how far you can roam in a single day, this guide rounds up 13 of the best Queenstown day trips to add to your itinerary.

Best Day Trips From Queenstown

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Arrowtown

Charming, historic towns don’t come much better than Arrowtown. It’s an easy day trip from Queenstown, with just 20 minutes driving through the scenic mountain range before arriving in the quaint town of Arrowtown. There’s plenty to do on your day trip, from exploring the shops along the main street, panning for gold and checking out the nature hikes in the area.

There’s a certain charm to Arrowtown that makes walking around exploring just such a pleasure, and you can easily spend a decent amount of time wandering the historic high street checking all the shops on offer. History buffs will enjoy learning about the town’s gold mining history, and the nearby Chinese Settlement gives you an opportunity to see how the Chinese immigrants lived when they came to the area in the gold rush.

Arrowtown was one of my favourite places to visit from Queenstown, but if you’re tight on time
you can see it in half a day, and spend the other half in Glenorchy.

Queenstown to Arrowtown: 20 minutes by car, 25 minutes by bus

Glenorchy

A popular day trip from Queenstown, Glenorchy is accessed via one road from Queenstown where the journey itself is half the experience. The road hugs Lake Wakatipu with nonstop ‘stop for a photo’ moments as the mountains and lake views stun over and over.

Once you arrive in Glenorchy, you’ll find the tiny lakeside town surrounded by big, cinematic scenery. You can wander the iconic red Glenorchy Wharf – it’s the one you’ll see in a lot of Instagram posts – stroll the Lagoon Walkway, or head into the beech forests of Paradise for easy hikes and Lord of the Rings vibes.

It’s peaceful, wildly photogenic, and perfect if you’re craving nature without a long, exhausting drive. There’s not a huge amount to do in the town in terms of shopping and activities, but what’s there is perfectly on trend with the mountain town vibes Glenorchy has.

Queenstown to Glenorchy: 30 minutes by car, 45 minutes by bus

Wānaka

Queenstown’s quieter sibling, Wānaka is like a calmer version of Queenstown. Where Queenstown feels full of life, adrenaline and backpackers looking for their rush, Wānaka has a calmer vibe, opting for quieter exploration of the area and moments of calm as you check out the things to do in town.

Wānaka is a one of the most popular day trips from Queenstown, and while it’s worth spending a few days there if you have time, if you can only go for a day trip it’s still worth visiting.

There’s of course the famous Wānaka tree to see, which really is just a tree in the lake that’s made itself a statement piece in the town. The lake itself is stunning with a mountain backdrop in all directions, and there are plenty of options for a relaxing lakefront walk. If you’re into hiking, Roy’s Peak is a popular choice for a sunrise hike.

In the town itself, the shopping area is full of places to eat, drink and shop. And if you venture just a little out of town you’ll find quirky spots to visit like Puzzling World and vineyards. Lake Hāwea is just outside of town too, a great spot for a walk or to soak up the views, though there’s little else to do in the otherwise residential area.

Queenstown to Wānaka: 1 hour by car, 1.5 hours by bus

Cardrona

Cardrona is an easy day trip from Queenstown, taking less than an hour to wind your way through the Crown Range to the tiny settlement of Cardrona. There’s a short stretch of hairpin turns on the Crown Range Road, then on to the highest road in New Zealand where you’ll find a stunning outlook point. From there it’s not too much further before you arrive in Cardrona.

There’s not a huge amount here so you could easily stop off on your way to another location, but if you want to make a day of it then you’ll want to check out the historic Cardrona Hotel, stop off for a tour of the nearby distillery and admire the Cardrona Bra Fence on the way. It might seem a strange ‘attraction’ but it’s for a good cause, and there’s a donation point if you want to help the charity!

Aside from the famous Cardrona Hotel, the other big draw to Cardrona is the mountains. In winter this means ski season, but summer still warrants a visit as you can mountain bike, cart or hike the mountain. The perfect day trip from Queenstown for adrenaline junkies!

Queenstown to Cardrona: 35 minutes by car, 1 hour by bus.

Lake Wakatipu & The 7 Mile Scenic Reserve

Day trips don’t need to always be big sights and crazy itineraries. Instead, a day trip to Lake Wakatipu and the 7 Mile Scenic Reserve is more about soaking up the stunning scenery of the region. It’s not far from the city centre and is actually walking distance if you enjoy a hike.

There are a number of bays around the lake that you can park up to enjoy, but two easy choices from Queenstown are Wilson Bay and Bob’s Cove. Perfect spots to enjoy a picnic, soak up the stunning scenery and go for a swim.

Queenstown to Wilson Bay: 15 minutes by car, 2.5 hours to walk

Ride TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak

Board the historic TSS Earnslaw or a modern catamaran at Queenstown’s pier and settle in as you glide across Lake Wakatipu. The hour long crossing offers stunning views of the Remarkables before you arrive at Walter Peak High Country Farm.

Stroll the lakeside gardens, watch sheep shearing and dog-handling demonstrations, and feed the farm’s friendly animals. Many organised trips include a hearty BBQ lunch or afternoon tea at the historic Colonel’s Homestead. It’s a relaxed half-day trip from Queenstown, blending scenery, farm life, and maritime history on an easy, memorable outing across the lake.

Wine Tours

A full-day wine tour in Queenstown is basically a very scenic, very delicious life choice.

The Central Otago region (where Queenstown sits) is famous for its pinot noirs, but a good tour shows you there’s so much more in the glass. You’ll be whisked through Gibbston Valley and beyond, stopping at a mix of boutique cellar doors and well-known estates, all with those stunning mountain backdrops. Most tours include tastings, a winery lunch, and the freedom of not having to drive those winding roads yourself.

Highlights often include Gibbston Valley Winery’s underground wine cave, Kinross for a multi-winery tasting in one spot, and charming little vineyards you’d never find on your own. It’s relaxed, social, and a brilliant way to experience Queenstown’s food and wine scene.

You can visit many of the winery’s as a standalone visit rather than booking on to a full day tour. It’s cheaper and takes less time, and Gibbston Valley is just a 25-minute drive from Queenstown so it’s very doable to get a taxi rather than worry about alcohol consumption and driving.

Te Anau

The drive from Queenstown to Te Anau is, like many of the other destinations, absolutely stunning. It’ll take about 2 hours to get to Te Anau, but driving alongside the lake and along the Devil’s Staircase – spoiler: it’s not that devilish! – will make the drive pass in a flash.

When you arrive in Te Anau, the remote town is sure to wow you with the laid-back lakeside vibe and seriously pretty views over Lake Te Anau, New Zealand’s largest lake by volume. A stroll along the lakefront is a must, especially around sunset when the mountains glow pink and the sunset turns everything golden.

Plan your trip: Spend One Day in Te Anau

Te Anau highlights include the Te Anau Glowworm Caves for a magical underground boat ride to see glowworms, and the Kepler Track’s lakeside section for an easy taste of Great Walk scenery. Pop into town for lunch, browse the small shops, and soak up the quieter pace.

Te Anau is often visited as the gateway to Milford Sound, so if you’re planning to visit Milford Sound on your trip then it’s a good idea to combine the two and stay the night in Te Anau before heading to Milford Sound early the next day.

Queenstown to Te Anau: 2 hours by car, 2.5 hours by bus

Lord of the Rings Tour

Fear not, Lord of the Rings fans, there are dedicated LOTR filming tours from Queenstown that’ll take you on a part movie magic, part epic road trip.

Even if you’re not a die-hard fan, these tours are a fun way to explore some of the region’s most jaw-dropping landscapes. You’ll visit real filming locations like Glenorchy and Paradise, where Lothlórien and Isengard came to life, and dramatic spots around Arrowtown and the Kawarau Gorge that doubled as Middle-earth backdrops. Along the way, guides dish out behind-the-scenes trivia, show you stills from the films, and point out exactly how movie magic transformed each scene.

Highlights usually include light walks to scenic lookouts, plenty of photo stops, and sometimes the chance to handle replica swords or costumes for a few playful shots. It’s relaxed, informative, and surprisingly cinematic, making it a great day trip whether you’re travelling with superfans or total newbies. 

Mount Cook

You can’t go far in the Queenstown region without seeing a mountain, but Mount Cook is one of the most famous on the South Island. It’s quite a drive to get to and if you’re roadtripping then it’s one to consider visiting en route to your next stop, but if you’re basing yourself in Queenstown then a day trip to Mount Cook is a super scenic drive.

Mount Cook is the perfect spot to take a helicopter tour, hike or even kayak to a glacier! There’s one of New Zealand’s most popular hikes in the area, the Hooker Valley track, a 10km hike that’s very doable to complete in a day. The Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park is full of gorgeous viewpoints, hikes and opportunities to get in touch with New Zealand’s scenery.

Queenstown to Mount Cook: 3 hours mins by car, 4 hours by bus

Lake Tekapo

It’s quite a drive from Queenstown to Lake Tekapo, and one to consider making a next stop on a road trip rather than a day trip. However, if it’s between taking a day trip or not visiting at all, day trip it is! The drive to Lake Tekapo is absolutely part of the experience, as you wind your way through the different mountain ranges, at one point with the ever popular Mount Cook in the distance.

In Tekapo itself, the charmingly small settlement sits on the edge of Lake Tekapo, where you’ll find drop dead gorgeous views of the mountains surrounding the lake, a number of small shops and eating places and a relaxing spa. There are hiking opportunities in Tekapo if you want to really stretch your legs after hours in the car.

The real draw to staying at least one night in Tekapo is that the area is a designated dark sky reserve in New Zealand. That means minimal light pollution at night at amazing opportunities for star gazing without having to venture far from the town itself. In fact, I walked 20 metres from my accommodation and on a clear night saw more stars than I’ve ever seen in my life. It will 100% make you fall in love with the place!

It’s not recommended to hang around in Tekapo for star gazing and then drive back to Queenstown as the late night, darkness and winding roads aren’t an ideal combination.

Queenstown to Lake Tekapo: 3 hours by car, 4 hours by bus

Milford Sound

The ultimate day trip from Queenstown, and definitely not for the faint hearted. Milford Sound is an amazing place to visit, and certainly a bucket list experience for many! From Queenstown to Milford Sound it’s about 4 hours driving, though you’ll want to add more time on to the journey for all the stops you’ll want to make along the way to admire the different sights you’ll pass by.

It’s quite a big day of driving, and many opt for an organised tour so that you can just focus on soaking up the views as you journey along. However, if you want to drive yourself you absolutely can, just be sure to get to Milford Sound 45-60 minutes before your boat departure time to ensure you have enough time to check in and get to the ferry terminal.

See more: Guide to a Milford Sound Day Trip

Milford Sound itself is absolutely worth the journey. Whether you have a day of sunshine or it’s absolutely raining cats and dogs, you’ll have amazing views. The sunshine shows off the fjord in all it’s glory, while gloomy, rainy weather will give you hundreds of waterfalls to admire. The journey to Milford Sound is equally as impressive with a number of waterfalls, lakes, valleys and general pretty views to stop and admire.

Queenstown to Milford Sound is 4-5 hours of driving, and although on a map it looks relatively close there isn’t a road across the mountain range so you have to go the long way round the lake and through Te Anau.

Queenstown to Milford Sound: 4 hours by car, 5 hours by tour bus

Franz Josef

Another long journey for a day trip, but if your only choice is a day trip to Franz Josef or no Franz Josef, then a day trip it is! There are organised tours that’ll allow you to just enjoy the scenery on the drive, but the 4-5 hour one way journey passes by the scenic Wanaka and through the picturesque Haast Pass on the way from Queenstown to Franz Josef.

Once you arrive in the settlement of Franz Josef, you’ll soon realise there’s not a whole heap to do in the town itself. Instead, head straight for Franz Josef glacier which is a short drive from town. You can either take the short walk from the car park to see the glacier in the distance, enjoy a longer hike to get closer or indulge in a helicopter ride to see it from the best angle. You’ll probably only be here once, so why not?

On the way back to Queenstown, if you’re driving yourself check out Fox Glacier too. It’s on the way and another opportunity to either take a short walk, long walk or helicopter ride to see it. There’s also a spot to see it from Fox Glacier town in the distance, just peeking through the mountains in the background. 

If you can spare the time to stay overnight in Franz Josef or Fox Glacier it’s a good choice to not only have better chance at seeing the glaciers in good conditions but also to not have to do that drive back when you’re tired. 

Queenstown to Franz Josef: 4 hours by car, 8 hours by bus

The Easiest Way to Take Day Trips from Queenstown

New Zealand is not a country blessed with amazing public transport. It exists, of course, but it’s not on the scale that you’d find in cities. While it might be annoying if you are planning to get around by public transport, it’s also a wonderful excuse to take the leap to hire a car and explore on your own.

Driving is the easiest way to take any day trips from Queenstown, and it gives you the freedom to stop off on the way and admire the scenery or the views. Often as you drive around New Zealand you’ll spot a brown sign indicating a tourist highlight and it’s nearly always worth pulling over to see what it’s for. These small detours change the drive from a journey to part of the experience, but they also mean the driving time mentioned in each of the destinations will need extending.

Having said that, if you’re not a confident driver or don’t like to drive for long distances then public transport is the best bet. It may not be as flexible as driving yourself, but you get to spend the whole time looking out of the window admiring the scenery and you can have a nap when you’re tired – definitely not advisable if you’re driving yourself!

Where to Base Yourself in Queenstown

Some things to consider about where to stay in Queenstown:

• It’s a tourist hotspot which means…pricey location! If you’re planning to spend time in Queenstown centre and then venture out on day trips, it might be cheaper to move accommodation to somewhere out of walking distance to the city centre once you’ve had your fill of the city and are ready to start taking day trips.
• Parking in the city centre is difficult and expensive. If you are hiring a car, consider having all of your Queenstown city centre exploring days together, and then hire the car. This way you can minimise the cost of hiring the car but also the hassle of finding somewhere to park and likely having to pay to park.
• You won’t encounter traffic in many places in New Zealand, but unfortunately Queenstown is one place you probably will. Factor this in when you’re working out travel times for day trips.