Queenstown Accommodation & Holiday Houses

Queenstown, New Zealand is a resort town in Otago. Set on the shores of gorgeous South Island’s Lake Wakatipu, near the majestic mountains of the country's Southern Alps, it's one of the country's most beautiful and striking destinations. The region's unique energy and diverse natural beauty are the ideal backdrop for a getaway full of discovery, adventure, and rejuvenation.

Enjoy bungee jumping, jet skiing, and downhill skiing in some of the world’s most spectacular locations, explore the region’s vineyards, and partake in fine dining at some of the most famous restaurants in New Zealand. Queenstown offers something for everyone.

Queenstown also offers a wide range of accommodation choices to suit every style and budget, including modest holiday houses, modern apartments, luxurious lakeside cottages and more. A holiday home in Queenstown makes a perfect base for exploring this area's plentiful outdoor activities and attractions.

Getting to Your Queenstown Accommodation

Given its stunning location surrounded by mountains, Queenstown is remarkably easy to get to. There are multiple daily direct flights to Queenstown International Airport from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, with stopover flights from Gold Coast and Perth. From within New Zealand, there are regular flights from Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, plus bus services from Dunedin and Christchurch.

No matter where your accommodation in Queenstown is located, it won't be a long trip from the airport. Queenstown Airport is located in Frankton, only a 10min drive from Queenstown's lakeside and town centre. If you're staying along Frankton Arm, it's even closer. And if you've nabbed a holiday home near the Shotover River, home of the famous bungy and jet boating, or picturesque Arrowtown, it's no more than a 15min drive from either.

There are plenty of car rental operators at the airport. But if you'd prefer to go by public transport, a bus runs roughly every 15min from the airport to various stops around Queenstown, taking about 25min.

What to eat in Queenstown

The rich and diverse culture of Queenstown is reflected in its varied cuisine: you'll find fine dining restaurants, casual cafes, and street eateries. Surrounded by scenic lakes, a golf course, and towering mountains, Jack’s Point Restaurant offers a truly unique dining experience.

Enjoy the delights of authentic Italian food at Terra Mia, which is nestled in historic Arrowtown, just a short drive from Queenstown. They serve home-made pizza, delicious pasta, and a selection of sweet treats made with fresh local produce and the best of imported ingredients.

Sombreros Mexican Cantina at Beech Tree Arcade is one of the oldest Mexican restaurants in the country. The menu includes Mexican classics such as chilli con carne, nachos, tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, burritos, and spicy fajitas, served to your taste with a choice of sauces.

Savour some mouthwatering Japanese food while you take in the gorgeous view over Lake Hayes at Kobe Cuisine in Arrowtown. Kobe offers authentic Japanese flavours with a contemporary twist.

Luxury Holidays in Queenstown

Queenstown is not only New Zealand's adventure tourism capital, it is also Central Otago's luxury travel hub. Here you can find incredible holiday rentals, ranging from mountainside villas with infinity pools to elegant private lakefront condos with private boat docks. Rent a villa with panoramic views and your own personal chef or if you prefer to dine out, you'll be spoiled for choice.

Award-winning local restaurants include Roaring Megs (renowned for serving the most delectable lamb in the country), Gantleys (awarded the title of New Zealand's best wine list on several occasions), and Rata (the brainchild of Michelin-star New Zealand chef Josh Emett).

Queenstown also boasts numerous, full-service luxury day spas. Body Sanctum Day Spa has amazing mountain views to go with their luxury spa treatments, while SALT Float Spa is a place to totally leave the worries of the world behind for a day.

Cultural highlights in Queenstown

Queenstown is known for its thriving arts community and rich cultural heritage. Situated at 71 Beach Street, Central Art Gallery is one of the oldest galleries in New Zealand and features works by more than 90 leading New Zealand artists, including Dale Gallagher, Ross Jones, and Peter Beadle.

Nestled in bustling Stanley Street, Queenstown Arts Centre is home to an amazing collection of visual arts including painting, sculpture, pottery, mixed media, photography, and jewellery. The Arts Centre also boasts many studio spaces for the artists whom you can meet and greet.

The award-winning Lakes District Museum is located in the historic town of Arrowtown and provides great insight into the history of the Wakatipu District. The exhibits are focused on European settlement, pre-European Maori culture, and the fascinating gold rush era of the region in mid-19th century.

Family Holidays in Queenstown

It's easy to find family-friendly accommodation in Queenstown. There are large family houses or cosy modern condos located in the town centre, walkable to attractions like the Skyline gondola and luge, family steamship cruises on Lake Wakatipu, mini golf, as well as where the buses to Coronet Peak and Remarkables ski areas depart.

If you'd prefer to be a bit out of town, there's a wide range of multi-room, fully equipped family holiday homes to suit every budget surrounding Queenstown. Find a cosy, old fashioned cottage in semi-rural Kelvin Heights, within a stone's throw of the lake.

Or splash out for a luxury modern villa at the base of Coronet Peak. Whatever your taste and budget, most properties offer laundry facilities, full kitchens, and on-site parking, as well as baby cots, high chairs, and child car seats.

Nightlife in Queenstown

Whether you feel like sipping an aperitif, hearing some relaxed live music, or dancing the night away in a buzzing nightclub, Queenstown has it all. A night out in Queenstown has the potential for great fun - bar-hopping around a few different venues is the best way to discover the town's atmosphere.

Enjoy Mediterranean style and ambience at Attiqa, Queenstown's one-stop destination for food, drinks and music. Whether it's a post-work cocktail or an all-night party, Attiqa offers everything you need, with good service and an extensive cocktail list.

Situated upstairs on Searle Lane, BarUp is a posh cocktail lounge with an outdoor balcony and open fireplace. Their extensive menu caters for all tastes and also boasts fine wines and a variety of beers.

What to do and see in Queenstown

Dubbed the 'Adventure Capital of the World', Queenstown offers adrenaline-inducing activities for every thrill-seeker. Embark on a thrilling jet boat cruise through steep gorges or along the waters of Lake Wakatipu, or explore deep canyons on a canyoning or kayaking trip.

Experience thrilling adventures at the Kawarau Bridge Bungy with freestyle bungee jumping, flying fox, or bungee swinging to . In winter, you can also enjoy skiing or snowboarding on the slopes of the Coronet Peak and the Remarkables.

Incredible views unfold as you scale Bobs Peak via the Skyline Gondola. Relax, unwind, and enjoy an unforgettable Queenstown experience from above. Be sure to visit the Kiwi Birdlife Park, which is located in the heart of Queenstown and is home to more than 20 species of native animals.

Discover Lake Wakatipu's underwater inhabitants at Queenstown Underwater Observatory, one of the best attractions in town, providing fascinating entertainment for all ages. See Scaup ducks, large trout, and long-finned eels mix and mingle near the lake shore.

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