Set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, the Queenstown CBD is the commercial and entertainment hub of the South Island’s adventure capital. It’s clustered with retail stores, attractions and eateries and is the launching point for everything from bungee jumping to jet-boating and skiing.
Things to do in Queenstown CBD
Get your adrenaline pumping at the Fear Factory Queenstown, which will take you through the darkly lit, haunted hallways of the Lockhart Hotel. Alongside your family and friends, you’ll experience a real-life horror movie while being attacked by the “dead”. Coincide your visit to the Fear Factory with the weekend crafts market that takes place in nearby Earnslaw Park.
You can stretch your legs along the walking trail that hugs the Queenstown CBD’s waterfront while enjoying scenic views across Lake Wakatipu. It connects to the family-friendly Time Tripper, a state-of-the-art animated show that takes you back to an age when dinosaurs roamed the earth. In the warmer months, enjoy a refreshing swim at the Queenstown Bay Beach or experience the chill of the ice-carved Minus 5° Ice Bar.
If you’re after a retail fix, head to O’Connells Shopping Centre, a small mall located in the heart of the Queenstown CBD. Set across four floors, it’s home to chain fashion retailers, outdoors suppliers and accessories stores, as well as a ground-level food court. O’Connells Shopping Centre lies adjacent to the Skycity Queenstown Casino, which regularly hosts live music performances and is home to the Wild Thyme restaurant.
Getting around Queenstown CBD
Queenstown Airport is a 10-minute drive from the CBD and has flights to destinations across New Zealand and Australia. Long-distance buses connect to the Queenstown bus terminal while the CBD is compact enough to explore on foot.