Day trips from Queenstown
Day trips from Queenstown open up the towns and sights around it. The most comfortable months are October to April, with highs around 66°F (19°C) and about 8 rainy days a month.
Photo: Lawrence Murray from Perth, Australia, CC BY 2.0
Top day trips in Queenstown
Milford Sound Day Tour with Scenic Cruise from QueenstownFrom $200View 
Milford Sound Flight and Cruise Tour from QueenstownFrom $520View 
Milford Sound Day Trip from QueenstownFrom $185View 
Award Winning Premium Wine Tour Queenstown Tasting at 4 WineriesFrom $162View 
Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from QueenstownFrom $214View 
Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from QueenstownFrom $127View
Tours from Viator. Good Outing may earn a commission when you book, at no cost to you.
Places to go from Queenstown
Towns and sights within day-trip range, with the straight-line distance from the centre:
- Arrowtown
- A gold-rush village with autumn colours. About 10 miles away.
- Glenorchy
- A tiny lakeside village at the start of epic hikes. About 19 miles away.
- Kingston
- Southern end of Lake Wakatipu with a vintage steam train. About 21 miles away.
- Cromwell
- Stone-fruit orchards and wineries. About 26 miles away.
- Wanaka
- A lake town with the famous 'Wanaka tree'. About 33 miles away.
- Te Anau
- Gateway to Fiordland and the glow-worm caves. About 53 miles away.
- Milford Sound
- A fiord of sheer cliffs and waterfalls, by coach and boat or scenic flight. About 43 miles away.
How to pick a good day trip
- Work out the real travel time each way. A two-hour drive each direction leaves about four hours on the ground.
- Trains are often cheaper than a tour if you only want one town; tours earn their price when they combine several stops.
- Leave early. Popular towns are quietest before the tour coaches arrive mid-morning.
- Check what's closed on Mondays. Museums and churches in many towns take that day off.
Queenstown month by month
Averages for Queenstown Airport, 1991–2020.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 72 (22) | 71 (22) | 66 (19) | 59 (15) | 53 (12) | 47 (9) | 47 (8) | 50 (10) | 55 (13) | 60 (15) | 64 (18) | 68 (20) |
| Low °F (°C) | 50 (10) | 49 (10) | 45 (7) | 40 (5) | 36 (2) | 31 (0) | 29 (-1) | 32 (0) | 36 (2) | 40 (4) | 43 (6) | 47 (9) |
| Rainy days | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
| Sunset (15th) | 9:31 pm | 8:56 pm | 8:07 pm | 6:11 pm | 5:27 pm | 5:09 pm | 5:24 pm | 5:57 pm | 6:33 pm | 8:11 pm | 8:53 pm | 9:28 pm |
Questions
When is the best time for day trips in Queenstown?
October to April. Expect highs around 66°F (19°C) and about 8 rainy days a month. The least comfortable months are July and June.
What's the closest day trip from Queenstown?
Arrowtown, about 10 miles away: a gold-rush village with autumn colours. Glenorchy, about 19 miles away: a tiny lakeside village at the start of epic hikes. Kingston, about 21 miles away: southern end of Lake Wakatipu with a vintage steam train.
Where can I book day trips in Queenstown?
The tours above book on Viator. Compare group size, duration, what is included and the cancellation terms before you pick one.
