4. Visit Historic Arrowtown
Just 20 minutes from Queenstown is the enchanting, quirky village of Arrowtown. It had its heyday back in the gold rush era, when miners flocked here to seek their fortunes. Today, it’s a pleasant town with tree-lined streets, heritage buildings and historic charm, especially down Buckingham Street. Check out the Lakes District Museum and the Chinese miners village. Many of the region’s renowned walking trails and cycle tracks begin or end here, so there’s an outdoorsy element to Arrowtown.
5. Have a Fergburger
You may think this is just another burger joint, but Ferburger is an institution in Queenstown. Since it opened in 2001, backpacker word of mouth has propelled this eatery into legendary status. It’s almost required eating when you’re here. The restaurant is famous for its 20-odd gourmet burger offerings including cod (the Codfather), falafel (Bun Laden) and venison (Sweet Bambi) variations. You’ll find it on Shotover Street, next to the equally good Ferg Baker. Just look for the line-ups.
6. Take a Trip to the Milford Sound
One of the South Island’s must-see sights is the Milford Sound, a phenomenal fjord that many rate the most stunning spot in all of New Zealand (and that’s saying a lot). Rudyard Kipling declared it the “eighth wonder of the world”. This glacier-formed inlet is surrounded by sheer mountains, dense rainforest and multiple waterfalls (some flowing upwards) that will have your camera working overtime. There are plenty of boat cruises, canoe outfitters, scenic flights and tramping tracks to explore the area with. Check out the underwater observatory for a different perspective. Seals, penguins, dolphins and even whales can be spotted in this 16km narrow channel to the Tasman Sea. The 4 to 5 hour drive from Queenstown makes it a long day trip, but the breathtaking scenery is well worth it.
