10 Things to Do in Queenstown in Winter

The city of adventure sports is a winter wonderland that will delight your senses during the coldest season of the year. Among the best things to do in Queenstown during this season are several seasonal festivals, enjoy a relaxing soak in the hot springs of Onsen and marvel at the views of snow-capped mountains during a boat ride on the picturesque lakes.

Also not to be missed are visits to Mildford Sound, skiing and discovering the mythical scenery of The Lord of the Rings. In this article you will find 12 things to do and see in Queenstown in winter so that you don't miss the top things to do in the south of New Zealand.

Topping the list of recommendations in Queenstown are boat trips. From Lake Wakatipu to the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers you can enjoy magnificent views of the snow-capped mountains during the winter season.

There are several Queenstown cruise options to choose from, but they all follow more or less the same route around the lake. It will be about 60 - 80 minutes cruising the waters of this glacial formation, the main difference lies in the styles of transportation. You can hire your ride by speedboat, steamboat, canoe or catamaran.

In all cases the services of captain of the ship, snacks and drinks on board the boat are usually included. And, for the more adventurous, you can combine the experience with one of the plans for adrenaline junkies: the puénting with the snow-capped mountains as a backdrop.

I recommend exploring the Piopiotahi or Milford Sound during the winter months. At this time of year, the Milford is much quieter and less crowded. You can also enjoy cheaper cruises, plus the perfect clear skies to fly over the area and capture the best postcards of the famous Miter Peak, Lake Wakatipu and the Southern Alps.

To get to Milford Sound from Queenstown, you can choose to take an airplane flight or hire a helicopter flight by Remarkables, which usually includes transportation to and from your accommodation. In either case, the activity is an experience of ten.

Queenstown is a center of New Zealand winter festivals. You can enjoy mountain sports, street theater, enjoy outdoor electronic music, drink mulled wine and, of course, fireworks!

During the winter the New Zealand Mountain Film Festival takes place, ideal for couples and groups of friends. It is also the time of the DFS Winter Fireworks and the Matariki Arrowtown Lights, by the way, two of the things to do in Queenstown with kids. Snow Machine, Winter Pride and Winter Games also take place.

There are so many events that, if your trip is between June and September, it is best to keep track of them on their official website here.

One of the five stops that will win you over in New Zealand is Mount Cook, another of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Among other things because it is the highest mountain in the country.

This mountain rises more than 3,700 meters and stands out among the natural charms of the Aoraki or Mount Cook National Park where 72 glaciers are located, and more than 100 summits to venture.

This is one of the favorite destinations for hikers. The most famous route is the Hooker Valley, which requires about 4 hours of travel to the summit and the level of demand is medium. There are also other alternatives such as the Kea Point Track which takes only an hour but requires a high level of preparation, or the Mueller Hut which takes about 9 hours.

The best thing to do is to book an excursion to Mount Cook with experts. You are sure to find a trail to suit your taste to appreciate the park, as well as, the famous Pukaki and Tekapo Lakes.

The Piopiotahi, as it is called in Maori, is part of the Te Wahipounamu, one of the UNESCO Natural Heritage Sites. This fjord in southern New Zealand is one of the natural gems with the largest number of activities available to visitors.

From mountain climbing, hiking, kayaking, rafting, bungee jumping, scuba diving or enjoying a relaxing cruise, you decide the style of adventure you want, Milford Sound has it all for you.

To get to Milford Sound, you can choose from some of the best day trips from Queenstown. Most include transportation, lunch, guide service and even boat rides. These excursions usually take about 12 hours, as Milford Sound is a 4-hour drive from Queenstown. However, half of the adventure is to get to Piopiotahi, the sites are very beautiful and each with better views than the last.

Although I have already mentioned other events, the LUMA Southern Light Project Festival of Lights deserves a special mention and you can't miss it during your trip to Queenstown in winter. It is held annually during the King's birthday weekend, usually the last week of May or June.

The event is completely free and takes place in the Queenstown Gardens. During the festival, the gardens are transformed into a state-of-the-art light and sound show, creating a magical and unforgettable sensory experience.

The LUMA Southern Light Project Festival of Lights also features food trucks and makeshift bars in the gardens offering a variety of dining options to enjoy with friends and family.

Wine tasting is often seen as a summer activity but Queenstown is so unique that its winter drink is mulled wine, which is nothing more than mulled wine and the country's leading wine houses have their own versions, so why not take the opportunity to visit New Zealand's best wine region?

The Gibbston Valley is well known for its high quality wine production. Its boutique wineries are small and offer a personalized experience when booking a winery tour. The focus is on producing high quality lots of Pinot Noir, their flagship wine.

Some of the most popular wineries include Kinross, Gibbston Valley Winery and Waitiri Creek Wines There are wine tour options to suit all tastes, from those that include lunch to those that offer mulled wine to enjoy while admiring the beautiful winter views.

Although Bilbo Baggins said in the Hobbit movie: "in these parts we are a simple and quiet people and we are not used to adventure"; when you visit Mount Aspiring National Park, what awaits you tells the opposite. It is a movie adventure where the little elves, hobbits and wizards made life for a long time.

This is one of the must-see walks in town, especially if you have a 3-day itinerary in Queenstown or longer. You will see beautiful postcards of rivers, lakes and fjords.

Also, as soon as you arrive in Glenorchy you will find several of the natural settings that were used to adapt Tolkien's works, including some of the settings for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit such as the iconic Tower of Saruman. You'll also see spaces used for The Chronicles of Narnia. When you book a tour to Glenorchy and Paradise you get a day pass to a movie!

Did you know that Queenstown has not one, but two ice bars? That's pretty amazing for such a small place. Even on a frigid winter day, the experience is unavoidable. It's not just the temperature contrasts, but the variety of drinks (including mulled wine), perfect for the season despite sipping your drink from a glass made entirely of ice. It's a mind-blowing Queenstown indoor experience in winter.

The two ice bars are:Below Zero Ice Bar and Minus 5 Ice Bar, they are very similar and choosing between them is not crucial. However, I must confess that, for families with children, I recommend the second option. Both are located in the heart of Queenstown and usually have the same price and benefits.

With your ticket of about 38 € approximately, two cocktails and access to the premises are included. They also have cheaper prices for children and non-alcoholic drinks. I didn't mention this before, did I? Well, unlike regular ice bars, kids are welcome here.

If you looked up the must-see places in New Zealand before making your trip, you probably saw the iconic photos of couples and small groups bathing in pools with the Alps in the background. The place? The Onsen Thermal Pools.

This stunning spa is home to New Zealand's most famous private thermal pools. A quick search on Instagram or any other social network will reveal thousands of photos with spectacular views. Onsen is so popular that places to enjoy its facilities are booked months in advance, especially in winter, the favorite season to enjoy them.

For a couple, the average cost of a bath in a semi-indoor or outdoor hot tub is about €70. It will be 60-70 minutes of an indulgent soak that can be shared by up to four people and only requires a 10 minute drive from Queenstown to enjoy this experience, very close to Shotover Canyon. I should also point out that if you are looking for the most romantic activities in Queenstown, put this one on your list.

If you're looking for a more immersive, fun and free experience to do in southern New Zealand, join one of the stargazing tours in Queenstown.

During the winter months, the Milky Way is visible around the city, especially if you visit the popular Lake Tekapo, or if you prefer to enjoy the event like the locals, head to Moke Lake between Queenstown and Glenorchy. You'll have the opportunity to look through a powerful telescope, spot planets and even see the International Space Station.

From both locations, the stars are absolutely breathtaking. Be sure to check the aurora radar to plan your tour and guarantee a front row seat to the world'sbest natural light show.

The ski season in Queenstown runs from mid-June to early October. It's one of the must-do things to do in town during this season and, you have four main slopes to choose from. Below, you'll find them organized by distance from the center:

• Coronet Peak, located about a 20-minute drive from downtown, Peak is the closest ski slope, offers great facilities and best of all, you can list your visit among the things to do in Queenstown at night, as it boasts night skiing.
• The Remarkables is the true alpine experience, a 45-minute drive from downtown. This slope is perfect for families, beginners, novices and advanced skiers.
• Cardrona, located about 70 minutes drive from downtown, Cardrona Alpine Resort is popular for its large amusement park and variety of cafes and on-mountain accommodations.
• Treble Cone this is the most vertiginous run of all. It is located about 85 minutes from downtown. It is the largest and most popular with skiers, snowboarders and extreme sportsmen in general.

In winter, Queenstown has a cold and cool climate, perfect for hiking and adventure sports. The winter months in Queenstown are from June to August.

During this season, average temperatures range from 0°C to 8°C, with frequent snowfall in the surrounding mountains. Temperatures can drop even lower at night, reaching temperatures below freezing. You can follow the weather on this website.

It is advisable to dress in layers and wear warm clothes when it is cold. It is essential to wear gloves and a hat, especially when going outdoors and at night. In addition, boots can be useful to keep your feet warm and protected.