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Queenstown

The adventure capital of the world — birthplace of bungee, ringed by The Remarkables and the blue fjord-country lake.

Metro population
50,000
Country
New Zealand
Region
Oceania
Overview

Why visit Queenstown

Queenstown is scenery so extreme it looks rendered — The Remarkables' serrated range rises straight out of Lake Wakatipu's cold blue water, and the little resort town at its base invented the commercial bungee jump.

The adventure menu is absurd: bungy at the original Kawarau Bridge, jet boats through Shotover Canyon, skydives, luge tracks, and four ski fields in winter. The Skyline gondola climbs to the world's most photogenic buffet over the lake.

Speed's 2024 tour streamed from Queenstown — the scenery did half the work. Beyond the thrills, Milford Sound's fjords and Glenorchy's 'Middle-earth' valleys make it the natural base for the South Island's greatest hits.

Things to do

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Fun facts

Things you didn't know about Queenstown

  1. 01

    Bungy'S Birthplace

    AJ Hackett launched the world's first commercial bungee at Kawarau Bridge in 1988.

  2. 02

    The Remarkables

    The jagged range is one of only two ranges worldwide to run exactly north–south.

  3. 03

    Adventure Capital

    Bungy, jet boat, skydive, luge, rafting — the menu is unmatched.

  4. 04

    A Fjord Day Trip

    Milford Sound — Rudyard Kipling's 'eighth wonder' — is a day's round trip.

  5. 05

    Skyline Gondola

    The steepest gondola in the Southern Hemisphere climbs Bob's Peak.

  6. 06

    Four Ski Fields

    Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona and Treble Cone serve the winter.

  7. 07

    Middle-Earth

    Glenorchy and Paradise nearby filmed as Isengard and Lothlórien country.

  8. 08

    The Fergburger

    The legendary burger joint draws queues around the block at all hours.

  9. 09

    Gold Rush Town

    The 1862 gold rush built the town — Arrowtown's mining lanes survive.

  10. 10

    A Living Lake

    Wakatipu's water level rises and falls ~20cm on a 26-minute cycle — a Māori legend explains the giant's heartbeat.

Random Queenstown fact

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FAQ

Quick answers about Queenstown

Where is Queenstown located?

Queenstown is in New Zealand, in Oceania.

What is the population of Queenstown?

The greater Queenstown area is home to about 50,000 people.

What is Queenstown famous for?

Queenstown is famous for the adventure capital of the world — bungee's birthplace, ski fields, and the Remarkables over Lake Wakatipu.

Did IShowSpeed stream from Queenstown?

Yes — IShowSpeed streamed from Queenstown on his late-2024 Australia & New Zealand tour. See his full world tour map.

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