Things to do near The Remarkables
We live under The Remarkables, so our default answer is usually "get outside if the weather lets you." Queenstown has plenty of paid activities, but some of the best things from our place are simple: a walk from the door, a coffee with a view, a lake stop, or a hot tub after a big day. Tell us what kind of trip you want, scenic, foodie, sporty, snow-focused, relaxed, family-friendly, or full adrenaline, and we'll point you in the right direction.
Looking for where to eat instead? See Where to eat and drink.
Before you book anything
- Bookme is worth checking before paying full price for any paid activity, decent discounts, especially if you're flexible on time.Bookme
- For Milford and coach tours, choose the Frankton pickup. Much easier from our place than going into Queenstown CBD first.
- A car helps out here. Buses exist, but a car makes walks, wineries, Arrowtown, Glenorchy, Wanaka and ski days far easier.
- Ask us the night before a ski day. Julian will happily talk snow, chains, timing and whether it's worth an early start.
Walks from our door (free)
- Free
- 5 minutes' walk
Host note: We often walk Rocket and Luna along parts of this track, about five minutes' walk from the house. Proper lake-and-mountain scenery without driving into town, and some sections are fenced and dog friendly.
- Free
- 3 to 5 min drive
Host note: We usually drive the three to five minutes to the lake. If the timing lines up, dog-loving guests are welcome to come along, it feels like part of the household rather than another tourist stop.
- Free
Host note: Good for families, late arrivals, or stretching your legs after a flight. Not a tourist attraction, just easy, safe and from the door.
- Free
- Young families
Host note: The practical family option: close, easy, and a good way to let the kids burn energy without turning the day into logistics.
- Free
- Clear nights
Host note: At the top of the local playground near our house, up a small hill, three hammocks are stretched into a star shape. On a clear night it's the simple local spot for looking up rather than driving anywhere.
- Coffee stop
Host note: Arrived too early, need coffee, need a view? This is our go-to. See the full write-up in our eat and drink guide.
Easy wins nearby
- Free
- 2 to 3 hours, 8 km loop
Host note: A loop track around Lake Hayes on the other side of town. Active and scenic without turning into a serious hike.
- Free
Host note: More than a short walk to a pretty bit of lake. The loop up to the viewpoint gives you an amazing 360-degree view. It's become Instagram-popular, so expect people, but it's still worth doing.
- Half day
Host note: Heritage streets, the river walk, coffee, lunch and shops. Pairs well with Lake Hayes or Ayrburn when you want pretty and relaxed rather than adrenaline.
- Moderate to hard
Host note: A proper uphill walk above Arrowtown. Good if you want to earn the view back over the town.
- More adventurous
Host note: More adventurous, with great views. Best for guests who are fit, have decent footwear and actually want a climb.
- Country Lane area
Host note: A cafe with honey options, beer and more going on than just a tasting stop, in the Country Lane area with boutique shops and markets nearby. A gentle local browse rather than a must-do.
Scenic and relaxed
- Book well ahead
- Onsen Hot Pools
Host note: Worth doing if you can get a booking, and "book ahead" really means well ahead.
- Go on a clear day
Host note: The gondola is about the view, so go when you can actually see something. The luge is outdoors and good fun with friends or family.
Winter and mountain days
- Closest ski field
Host note: Close to the access road, warm house, and Julian can give practical advice on timing, chains, lessons and whether the day looks worth it.
- Further, still doable
Host note: Further but doable, good for variety and night skiing when available.
- Full-day mission
Host note: One of NZ's biggest fields and a genuinely amazing mountain, more of a full-day mission, works well as part of a Wanaka day over the Crown Range.
- Alpine, check conditions
Host note: Don't oversell it as casual. It's alpine, weather matters, check conditions before heading up.
Big day trips
- Full day
Host note: A big day, but it feels different from everything else. Choose the Frankton pickup, take proper waterproofs, and assume you'll get wet. It's one of the wettest parts of New Zealand, so rain is not a failed Milford day. It's kind of the point.
- Overnight
Host note: Slower, bigger and less rushed than a Milford day trip. The special-trip version for guests with time.
- Full day
Host note: One of the easiest spectacular days. The drive is part of it, so take your time and stop when the lake tells you to.
- Full day, active
Host note: A proper day out for active guests. Beautiful, but it needs sensible shoes, weather awareness and enough time.
- Full day
Host note: Good if you're already heading toward Te Anau or Milford, a nice option for planners, not a tired-day squeeze.
- Full day
Host note: Cardrona sits on the Crown Range road over to Wanaka, so it works as a day loop: the Cardrona Hotel (we call it the lunch stop hotel, and it's the pub you go to after a day of skiing at Cardrona), the Cardrona Distillery, the Bradrona fence, and the mountain road up to the ski field.
Host note: A historic coal-fired steamship across the lake to Walter Peak. Big, slow and beautiful, with a triple-expansion steam engine that made Julian's dad very happy.
- Holly's pick
Host note: Holly rates this as the best jet-boating experience because it gives you so much more than just speed. The Glenorchy and Dart River setting is the point.
Rainy day
Host note: Useful when the weather ruins outdoor plans but you still want an activity.
Host note: Indoor go-karting and easy activities. A solid backup for families, teens or mixed-weather days.
Host note: Good for kids and active families who need an indoor option that still burns energy.
Host note: A useful kid-friendly option when children need to move and the weather isn't cooperating.
Host note: A nicer cinema and a good low-effort fallback, but not cheap. An expensive movie option, honestly framed.
Host note: Good central options when you're already in town and the weather turns. Fun backup, not the reason you came to Queenstown.
- Free
Host note: The zero-effort option.
Adrenaline
Host note: If it's on your list, do it here. The hot tub afterwards is the recovery plan.
Host note: Guest-done. The hot tub afterwards makes a lot of sense too.
Host note: Recommend by style and location once we know the rest of their plans.
Host note: The drop zone is basically in Jack's Point and visible from around our area, one of the closest big-ticket activities to us.
Host note: Queenstown is excellent for it. Tell us your level and we'll point you somewhere sensible.
By guest type
Families
Playgrounds, short walks, the luge, Arrowtown, Lake Hayes, Clip 'n Climb, Site Trampoline, Game Over, Silky Otter for a nicer cinema, food trucks and an early night. The best family advice is often making the day easier, not doing more.
Dog-loving couples
Meet Rocket and Luna, the fenced dog field, Lake Wakatipu if timing works, hot tub if available, and a slower local day.
Active guests
Arrowtown, Lake Hayes, wineries, Glenorchy, Routeburn section walks, and a sensible dinner plan.
Car-free guests
A car is easier out here, but walks from the door, Frankton pickups for tours, and Uber or taxi for the airport and Frankton all work.
Ski guests
The Remarkables, Coronet, Cardrona for a bigger day, drying gear, chain advice, lesson timing and leaving early.
Ask us
Nature, adventure, foodie, sporty, scenic, relaxation or wine: tell us your style and we'll share favourites. Get in touch.