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Queenstown is surrounded by landscapes that feel untouched and dramatic in every direction. The places to visit near Queenstown range from quiet lakeside valleys and old gold towns to snow-covered peaks and deep wilderness routes. You can take a short drive and find a completely different place, whether it is a vineyard nestled in dusty hills or a glacier-fed river winding through thick forest. These destinations are perfect if you want something close yet completely different. Each place offers something unique, giving you a reason to explore beyond the town without going far.
Top 10 Places To Visit Near Queenstown
From alpine valleys to quiet lake towns, these places to visit near Queenstown offer a mix of nature, history, and adventure within a short drive.
1. Arrowtown
Among the most characterful places to visit near Queenstown, Arrowtown stands out for its preserved gold rush-era streets and strong sense of local identity. Instead of modern facades, you’ll find low timber storefronts, cobbled footpaths, and weathered signage that hasn’t changed in decades. Start at the Lakes District Museum, which gives a grounded look at Central Otago’s mining history without over-polishing the past. A short walk from there leads you to the Chinese miners’ huts, still tucked into the hillside, where you can step inside the stone shelters used over a century ago. Buckingham Street is lined with cafes.
Distance From Queenstown: 19.4 km
Timings: 24*7
Cost: $10 / ₹900
Major Attractions: Lakes District Museum, historic Chinese Settlement, Arrow River trail, autumn foliage, artisan cafes
2. Glenorchy
Photo: Andrii Slonchak / Wikimedia Commons
If you’re narrowing down the most visually striking places to see near Queenstown, Glenorchy deserves a top spot. The road to get there is a winding 46-kilometre drive along Lake Wakatipu, framed by blue water and jagged peaks. Once you arrive, Glenorchy feels untouched and open, with more horses than traffic and no chain stores in sight. The small lakeside settlement is where many multi-day hikes begin, including the Routeburn Track, which is one of the great walks of New Zealand. Even without a long trek planned, you can take a short walk around the Glenorchy Lagoon boardwalk.
Distance From Queenstown: 46.1 km
Timings: 24*7
Major Attractions: Glenorchy Wharf, Paradise Valley, Routeburn Track trailhead, horseback riding, Dart River jet boating
3. Wanaka
Photo: Andre Lergier / Unsplash
Wanaka feels like a bigger version of Queenstown but with a more relaxed rhythm, making it one of the most balanced tourist attractions near Queenstown. The town sits along the edge of Lake Wanaka, with flat waters that reflect snow-capped peaks on clear days. You’ll likely start with a walk along the lakefront where the famous lone willow, often called #ThatWanakaTree, stands partially submerged. But there’s much more beyond the photo stop. If you’re ready for a full-day hike, Roys Peak gives you sweeping views, though it’s a steady uphill challenge. For a shorter, family-friendly option, the Mount Iron Track circles a hill with panoramic views and takes about 90 minutes.
Distance From Queenstown: 68.5 km
Timings: 24*7
Major Attractions: Lake Wanaka, #ThatWanakaTree, Roys Peak hike, Puzzling World, Wanaka Lavender Farm
4. Te Anau
Te Anau is a quiet lakeside town that often gets overlooked, but it’s one of the most rewarding attractions near Queenstown if you’re heading towards Fiordland. The drive is longer, but the scenery changes noticeably as you approach, with farmland giving way to untouched bush and glacier-fed rivers. The town sits right on the edge of Lake Te Anau, New Zealand’s second-largest lake, and feels more like a base for nature than a town designed for tourism. The waterfront path is ideal for a slow evening walk, especially around sunset.
Distance From Queenstown: 171.1 km
Timings: 24*7
Cost: $109 / ₹9400 (Glowworm cave tour)
Major Attractions: Lake Te Anau, Te Anau Glowworm Caves, Fiordland National Park, bird sanctuary, Kepler Track access
5. Milford Sound
Photo: Ravish Maqsood / Pexels
Milford Sound is one of the most dramatic places to visit near Queenstown, famed for its towering cliffs, deep waters, and mist-shrouded rainforest. Many visitors take a day trip, while others stay overnight in Te Anau. The journey passes glacier-carved Eglinton Valley, Lake Gunn’s quiet shores, and the 1.2-kilometre Homer Tunnel, which opens to alpine cliffs. Stirling Falls plunges 151 metres from a hanging valley, and Bowen Falls feeds into the harbour. Cruises last about two hours, reaching the Tasman Sea. Fur seals and dolphins are commonly spotted in the sound’s deep, wild waters.
Distance From Queenstown: 287.1 km
Timings: 9 AM – 4:30 PM (Cruise hours)
Cost: $125 / ₹10700 (Cruises)
Major Attractions: Mitre Peak, waterfalls, boat cruises, kayaking, Fiordland cliffs, wildlife spotting
6. Cardrona
Photo: Krzysztof Golik / Wikimedia Commons
Cardrona is one of the most accessible alpine villages among the places to visit near Queenstown, especially if you’re heading towards Wanaka. The settlement itself is small, but it sits at the base of the Cardrona Alpine Resort, which draws both skiers and summer mountain bikers. In winter, the slopes cater to all levels, and the mountain is well-equipped with lifts, equipment hire, and on-site dining. During warmer months, the same chairlifts operate for downhill biking, hiking, and sightseeing. The surrounding hills open up to views over the Crown Range and Pisa Range, with wild tussock covering most of the ridgelines.
Distance From Queenstown: 45.8 km
Timings: 9 AM – 4 PM
Cost: $169 / ₹14500 (Ski pass)
Major Attractions: Cardrona Alpine Resort, chairlifts, summer biking, Cardrona Hotel, snow tubing
7. Cromwell
Photo: Mattinbgn / Wikimedia Commons
Cromwell stands where the Kawarau and Clutha rivers meet, and has developed into one of the most diverse places to visit near Queenstown. Once a mining town, Cromwell has preserved its historic district, now called Old Cromwell Town, where original stone buildings have been turned into galleries, bakeries, and craft shops. Lake Dunstan stretches alongside the town, ideal for lakeside picnics, paddle boarding, and easy bike rides. One of the main draws here is the growing wine and fruit scene. Central Otago is known for its pinot noir, and several vineyards like Mt. Difficulty and Carrick offer tastings with lake or vineyard views.
Distance From Queenstown: 59.2 km
Timings: 24*7
Major Attractions: Old Cromwell Town, Lake Dunstan, Highlands Motorsport Park, fruit stalls, vineyards
8. Kingston
Kingston sits quietly at the southern tip of Lake Wakatipu and remains one of the least commercial yet rewarding places to visit near Queenstown. The drive down takes just under an hour, with open farmland giving way to the lake’s glacial blue waters. Unlike the busier northern end, this side of the lake is almost always peaceful, with only a few holiday homes, walking tracks, and fishing spots lining the shoreline. One of the town’s most recognised features is the Kingston Flyer, a vintage steam train that once ran scenic trips along the lake and may operate during select seasons. Even when the train isn’t running, the old station and locomotive make for a nostalgic stop.
Distance From Queenstown: 47 km
Timings: 24*7
Major Attractions: Lake Wakatipu shoreline, Kingston Flyer Steam Train, hiking, mountain views, fishing
9. Moke Lake
Photo: Jennifer Gaete / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Moke Lake is a quiet alpine lake just a short drive from town and easily one of the most peaceful places to visit near Queenstown. Reached via a gravel road that branches off from Glenorchy-Queenstown Road, the area is tucked between low hills and sharp ridgelines that hold the wind back and give the lake its still surface. The Moke Lake Loop Track is a flat 6.5-kilometre trail that circles the water, offering uninterrupted views and plenty of space to stop for photos or rest. It’s popular for stargazing due to the lack of light pollution, and Department of Conservation campsites are located right beside the lake.
Distance From Queenstown: 13.8 km
Cost: $15 / ₹1300 per person (Camping)
Major Attractions: Lake reflections, hiking loop, stargazing, camping, horse trekking
10. Bannockburn
Photo: Martin Kraft / Wikimedia Commons
Bannockburn sits just past Cromwell and is among the most distinctive places to visit near Queenstown due to its dry terrain, exposed rock faces, and layers of old mining activity that still shape the land. The surrounding hills are stripped bare in places, revealing the effects of 19th-century hydraulic sluicing that carved deep channels and left behind crumbling cliffs. At the Bannockburn Sluicings Historic Reserve, walk through the remains of stone dwellings, rusted iron machinery, and water races used during the gold rush. The trail system winds through the hills with several marked routes, each offering different views over the valley and Cromwell basin.
Distance From Queenstown: 58 km
Timings: 24*7
Major Attractions: Bannockburn Sluicings, wineries, cycle trails, gold-rush ruins, wine tastings
You don’t have to go far to experience variety on New Zealand’s South Island. These places to visit near Queenstown offer lakeside towns, alpine trails, historic mining routes, and top food and wine. Some spots invite you to slow down; others lead you into the wild. Whether it’s a quick escape or a scenic detour, each one leaves a lasting impression. Plan your next trip with TripXL.
Cover Photo: Vladka Kennett / Wikimedia Commons
