Is Queenstown NZ in January Worth Visiting?
Trying to decide if Queenstown NZ in January is worth visiting?
Well, Queenstown is worth visiting any time of the year, but January is ideal. And why? Because Queenstown NZ, in January, has the best weather. It is peak summer in New Zealand, with temperatures typically in the 60’s (Fahrenheit) during the day.
During the Christmas holidays, the population of Queenstown increases from about 30,000 people to over 50,000. The highpoint continues for the first week of January, then returns to more normal tourist numbers for the remainder of the month.
Besides the pleasant weather, Queenstown is known for its stunning scenic views and for being the adventure capital of the world. Our contributors, Elijah and Karly Cohen, visited New Zealand during January – both the North and South Islands – for 3 weeks for their honeymoon. Queenstown was their favorite city of them all.
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Top 11 Things to Do in Queenstown NZ in January
There are lots of things to do in Queenstown NZ. We are providing you with what we consider to be the top things to do during your visit.
1. Thrill-Seeking
New Zealand is known for being the adventure capital of the world, and there’s no shortage of activities if you are a thrill-seeker. Many of the options can be found at The Station, where they can get you signed up for the activity of your choosing. These include bungee jumping, ziplining, canyon swinging, and more.
We chose to go skydiving with NZONE Skydive, which is on the same street as The Station. We made a reservation in advance. When our time came, we weighed in at their office, chose our desired jump elevation, and watched a short instructional video.
We were then transported to the skydiving area by bus, where the plane was waiting for us. Once suited up, we met our tandem instructors, and let them do all the work. You’re attached to the instructor, who propels you out of the plane and controls your parachute.
We were terrified but were happy we did it! The views of The Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wakatipu are unbeatable. We recommend purchasing the photo/video package so you can relive it and see how crazy you are for jumping out of a plane.
2. Wineries Near Queenstown in January
Queenstown is located near the Otago wine region, with plenty of wineries just a short drive from downtown. The region is known for its Pinot Noirs. There are hop-on hop-off buses from Queenstown that give you the ability to purchase a half-day or full-day pass in order to visit the wineries in an affordable manner. There are also smaller group and private tours available.
We did a group wine tour (about 12 people) through Appellation Wine Tours. We visited three wineries: The Church Winery, Gibbston Valley Winery, and Mt. Rosa Winery. The wine was good, and the vineyards were pretty, but we felt a bit rushed at each one. Other wine tour options are available – check them out here – Queenstown Wine Tours.
3. Shotover Jet Boat
The Shotover Jet Boat is a speedboat that takes you on a thrilling ride through the Shotover Canyon. You’re in a boat with about 12 other people.
The boat cuts tight corners and does 360-degree spins on the water as you take in the views of the canyon. It is a good activity to do if the other thrill-seeking activities seem a bit too crazy for you.
4. Earnslaw Burn Helicopter Tour
A helicopter tour is certainly one of the more expensive excursions, but we thought the Earnslaw Burn tour was worth it. The heliport is near the airport and easy to get to. From there, it’s about a 20-minute flight to the Earnslaw Burn, which has breathtaking glaciers and waterfalls.
The pilot took us up close to a glacier, in the helicopter, so we could see how thick and massive it was, before landing in the valley. It’s a remote location that hikers take days to get to, so it’s quiet when you arrive. We were stunned by the scenery and thought this was one of the best parts of our trip. If you go, be sure to take a sip of the glacier water – it’s the best water you’ll ever taste.
5. Queenstown Hill Hike
The base of this trail is a short walk from the center of town. It’s a steep road to get to the base of the trail, and then some steep hiking throughout the trail.
While steep, we wouldn’t say it was dangerous or too challenging, and there were plenty of kids doing the hike. It should take less than two hours round-trip, and the summit offers beautiful panoramic views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the surrounding mountain ranges.
6. Get Your Fergburger
Fergburger is a famous burger spot in Queenstown. While best known for their beef burgers, they also have lamb, venison, chicken, tofu, fish, falafel, and more. The line can often be down the street and can take an hour or more.
If they are accepting phone orders, it is recommended to call and order ahead to save a lot of time. If they aren’t taking phone orders, we found going earlier in the day, when they first open, to be the best bet. Once you get your burger, head down to the wharf, and enjoy your burger by the water.
7. Onsen Hot Pools
After doing the hiking and adventure activities, going to the Onsen Hot Pools is a perfect way to relax. They’re known for their private hot tubs overlooking the Shotover River canyon, where you can unwind and take in the views.
You’ll receive a complimentary glass of wine and snack while you soak. We only did the hot tub experience, but they offer massage appointments as well. There is a free shuttle to take you to/from central Queenstown, but it must be requested in advance.
8. Queenstown Gondola
Take the Queenstown Gondola over to the top of Bob’s Peak – over 1,500 feet high. You’ll get stunning views of The Remarkables, Laka Wakatipu, the city of Queenstown, and more. There’s a bar and restaurant – Stratosfare – at the top, where we enjoyed a New Year’s Eve dinner. There’s also a luge track for the whole family to enjoy, but during this busy time of year, make sure to book this in advance.
9. TSS Earnslaw Steamship
Take the TSS Earnslaw steamship cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak and enjoy a barbeque buffet and a farm show. The steamship was launched in 1912 and is a fun way to see the scenery from Lake Wakatipu itself.
After arriving on the other side of the lake, you’ll sit down for a vast buffet, offering quality meat, salads, cheeses, and dessert. You’ll then go out to the farm for a show.
First, you’ll watch the herding dogs herd sheep. Then, you’ll see a demonstration of how sheep are sheared. You’ll have the opportunity to walk around the farm and check out the animals before getting back on the boat and returning to Queenstown.
10. Hydro Attack
Hydro Attack is a semi-submersible shark boat ride in Lake Wakatipu. While we didn’t get a chance to do the ride, we could see the shark boats speeding across the lake before diving underwater and then shooting out into the air.
The shark is controlled by an instructor, so you don’t have to worry about steering it yourself.
11. Walk Around Downtown
Simply take in the beauty of the town and the surrounding landscape as you walk around central Queenstown. There are plenty of shops, from local stores to name-brand retailers, along with many restaurants and bars.
You’ll often find street performers and boutique vendors down by the water. You can also wander over to Queenstown Gardens to check out the botanical gardens, and they even have a public disc golf course weaving through the trees.
How Many Days are Enough for Queenstown NZ in January
We spent five days in Queenstown and thought it was the perfect amount of time. We got to hit all the major attractions and try the top restaurants on our list without making our days too jampacked.
Do You Need a Car in Queenstown
A car is not needed in Queenstown. The town itself is easily walkable from all the hotels within the town. Most of the activities outside central Queenstown – wineries, adventure activities, Onsen Hot Pools – offer complimentary shuttles. It’s easy to call an Uber if you need to go somewhere outside of town without a car.
Where to Stay in Queenstown
We stayed at the Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel and loved it. The rooms were nice and spacious (we upgraded our room midway through our stay) and we had great views of The Remarkables from our room.
The staff were friendly and willing to help whenever we needed recommendations or assistance. Breakfast was included in our stay, and the hotel also offered a complimentary happy hour each afternoon.
Other hotels we heard good things about included the following.
- QT Queenstown – 5-star contemporary hotel with views of Lake Wakatipu. Five-minute walk into town.
- Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa – 5-star hotel in the center of Queenstown.
- Hotel St. Moritz – MGallery – 5-star luxury hotel with views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables. Short walk into the center of town.
Make sure to read reviews of other hotels before booking (especially if not right in the center of the city) about the distance and walk to town. There are some very hilly areas of the city, so a “15-minute walk” from town could be more challenging than anticipated!
My Trip Planning Resources
These are the companies that I use when planning our trips:
– Flights: WayAway
– Hotel Reservations: Booking.com & Hotels.com
– Vacation Rentals: VRBO
– Portable Wi-Fi: Ryoko Pro
– Rental Cars: DiscoverCars.com
– Train Tickets: Rail Europe
– Tours: Viator, Get Your Guide and GuruWalk
– Travel Insurance: VisitorsCoverage
– Airport Lounge Access Program: Priority Pass
If you choose to buy through any of the provided links, we may receive a commission without any extra charges to you. Explore our Travel Resources page for additional service suggestions.
Places to Eat in Queenstown
In Queenstown, New Zealand, and across the country, you’ll find a laid-back food scene without a specific cuisine. However, they’re known for top-notch meat and fish, especially their delicious beef and lamb.
We ate at the following restaurants in Queenstown and gave them our own ratings:
- Fergburger – Written about in the Things to Do section. The burger lived up to the hype. Rating: 5/5.
- White & Wong’s – Asian fusion restaurant in central Queenstown. Good dumplings, curries, and fried chicken. Rating: 4/5.
- Botswana Butchery – Higher-end steakhouse in central Queenstown. Lots of seating, both indoor and outdoor, but a reservation is still recommended. The steaks were great but service was slow. Rating: 4/5.
- Margo’s – Very popular Mexican restaurant in central Queenstown with some unique offerings. We got fajitas and tacos and enjoyed them both. They also have good margaritas. It gets very busy during this time of year, so a reservation is recommended. Rating: 5/5.
- Stratosfare Restaurant & Bar – This restaurant is at the top of the Skyline. We did the New Year’s Eve buffet, and it had a huge variety – meats, pastas, salads, fish, Asian, Indian, desserts, and more. It was a good buffet with better views. Rating: 4/5.
Restaurants we did not eat at but heard good things about include Flame Bar & Grill, Bella Cucina, The Taj, @Thai, Rata, Sherwood, Nest, and Blue Kanu.
Special Tips to Know When Visiting Queenstown NZ in January
Below are several tips to help you prepare for your trip.
What to Pack
January in Queenstown has nice weather, but it is also known to experience all the seasons in one day. Because of this, locals recommend dressing in layers. Mornings can be cooler, but when the sun comes out it can get hot.
It is also important to note that the sun is much stronger in New Zealand than most other countries. This is because New Zealand has very clean air – the lower pollution levels lead to less ozone, making the UV rays stronger than tourists have typically experienced. Use sunscreen! The sun also sets between 9:30-10pm in Queenstown in January, so you can expect long days.
The overall vibe in Queenstown, and New Zealand in general, is lowkey and laidback. You can leave your fancy clothes at home.
Travel & Requirements
Most long-distance international flights to New Zealand arrive at Auckland, so you will need to book a connecting flight from Auckland to Queenstown. The flight time is just under two hours.
New Zealand requires a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) for each person to enter the country. The NZeTA costs NZD $17 if you complete it through the free app or NZD $23 if you complete it online. It takes up to 72 hours to process, so plan accordingly, and it is valid for up to two years from issuance.
New Zealand also requires an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) for most visitors. Those traveling on a US passport must complete an IVL and should expect to pay NZD $35 per person.
Lastly, everyone entering New Zealand must complete a Traveler Declaration to receive a travel pass before arriving in the country.
Currency in New Zealand
The New Zealand dollar typically hovers around 0.6 US dollars. When thinking about paying with cash versus credit card, credit cards are accepted everywhere. We took out about NZD $250 from the ATM, when we first arrived in New Zealand, and it lasted our full three weeks in the country.
Paying by credit card does come with higher fees in most places – typically 1.5% – 3% – so paying by cash could avoid those fees. If paying by card, make sure you are using a credit card that doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee.
Tipping in New Zealand
Tipping is not necessary and not expected in New Zealand. If a restaurant/waiter provides exceptional service, a 10% tip is considered very generous, and they’ll be thankful for it.
Driving in New Zealand
We mentioned that a car is not needed in Queenstown. If you do decide to rent a car to travel outside of Queenstown, you can rent it from the airport. New Zealanders drive on the opposite side of the road from the US, so drive safely. The South Island doesn’t have highways and is usually one-lane roads for hours. It is best practice to pull over to allow faster cars to pass. They also don’t have many stop signs/lights, so be prepared for roundabouts.
Walking in Queenstown
This is something very important to know!!! Pedestrians at crosswalks DO NOT have the right of way, so you should not blindly cross the street thinking cars are expected to stop.
Other Useful Tips
Allergies can be bad in New Zealand, so bring allergy medications if you typically suffer from them or consider visiting a local pharmacy upon arrival for over-the-counter medicine.
Queenstown has public restrooms and free public Wi-Fi.
FAQ’s About Queenstown NZ
We covered a lot in this post, but you may still have some questions.
Why is Queenstown so Expensive?
Queenstown is expensive because it is a tourist town. International tourists spend significantly more in Queenstown than domestic tourists, and things are priced to reflect that.
Which is better, Queenstown or Wellington?
Most tourists will enjoy Queenstown more than Wellington. Wellington is the capital of the country, and therefore has more museums and historical sites, while Queenstown has more outdoor activities.
What’s so great about Queenstown?
Queenstown’s beauty and the number of activities are what draw tourists to the town. There are few other places in the world that offer such scenery, and being able to choose between doing things in the town or taking up more adventurous outdoor activities is a huge attraction.
Final Thoughts: Is Queenstown NZ in January Worth Visiting?
Queenstown is absolutely worth visiting in January. This is the peak season for a reason, and as long as you’re okay with the town being busier than other months, it is the best time to go. Much of what you will want to do is outdoors, so you’ll want to be there for the best weather. You’ll also get more hours of daylight, giving you more time to do everything on your list and more time to take in the stunning scenery.
We made it to a dozen cities in our three weeks in New Zealand, and my wife and I agreed that Queenstown was our favorite of them all. We would love to make it back there one day!
If you are looking for more ideas on where to go for a honeymoon, I would also recommend Banyan Tree Mayakoba in Mexico. Check out our article for more information!
If you would like assistance in planning your trip to Queenstown, New Zealand, we would be happy to help. Please refer to our Travel Planning services for further information or send us an email.
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