The Budget & Backpacking Guide to Queenstown

© Destination Queenstown

Free Activities in Queenstown

When it comes to free ways to enjoy Queenstown, it’s all about getting out and exploring. The best way to do that 100% for free is on your own two feet, tackling the Queenstown walking and hiking trails.

Free Walks in Queenstown

Popular short walks include Queenstown Hill (2 hrs 30 mins return) and the Tiki Trail to Bob’s Peak (one hour-oneway), both taking you to two different scenic vantage points overlooking the town and Lake Wakatipu.

For something more relaxing, try the Frankton Walkway along the shores of Lake Wakatipu. The track might be three hours long oneway, but most just like to turn around when they’ve had enough.

Finally, for an epic adventure, do the Ben Lomond Track (6-8 hours return), which rewards hikers with panoramic mountain and lake views.

Learn more about these walks and their locations in the 15 Best Walks in Queenstown.

Free Day Trips from Queenstown

Another way to explore is by taking one of the many scenic day trips from Queenstown. Drive or take the bus to historic Arrowtown for its beautifully preserved gold-rush buildings and river walks or go to Lake Hayes for another picturesque lake surrounded by mountain scenery.

If you have your own vehicle, you can get a little off the beaten track to Moke Lake to hike the two-hour Moke Lake Loop Track, far from civilisation.

Head further afield and you’ll reach Glenorchy, famous for its Lord of the Rings scenery, the gateway to the Mt Aspiring National Park and its cute little red boat shed.

Queenstown Gardens

And for a quick free thing to do in town, check out the Queenstown Gardens. These picturesque lakeside gardens provide an oasis away from the busy town with various native and exotic tree plantations, ponds, water features, memorials and an 18-basket disc-golf course. You can rent some discs/frisbees for cheap from the town’s sports stores to have a go!

For more free activities, see the 30 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Queenstown.

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Cheap Activities in Queenstown

If you have a little room in your budget, there are some affordable tours and attractions in Queenstown worth considering. For instance, did you know you can take a cruise on the lake for about NZ$80?!

Cheap Cruises on Lake Wakatipu

For an affordable way to experience the beauty of Lake Wakatipu, hop aboard Million Dollar Cruise‘s 1 hr 30 mins boat cruise that showcases some of the best scenery around Queenstown.

As you glide towards the end of the lake, you’ll pass stunning lakeside homes, spot a variety of bird life and take in views of the Kawarau Dam

Kiwi Birdlife Park

Learn about New Zealand’s unique bird species at the Kiwi Birdlife Park. Yes, this is the place to see a real kiwi bird in a special nocturnal enclosure and learn about the threats that New Zealand’s native birds have faced since human settlement.

You also may get the chance to see other native species like the prehistoric tuatara and the Auckland green gecko. Admission is around NZ$64 per adult.

Cheap Indoor Attractions

Queenstown’s other cheap experiences are those reminiscent of a tourist hotspot, with indoor attractions like the family-friendly Odyssey Sensory Maze and the downright scary Fear Factory. They are among the 20 Things to Do in Queenstown on a Rainy Day.

Check out more cheap experiences in the 30 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Queenstown.

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Adrenaline Activities in Queenstown

We couldn’t put together a guide to backpacking Queenstown without mentioning its legendary adventure and adrenaline activities. Known as the “Adrenaline Capital of the World”, it certainly lives up to the name.

Bungy Jumping

Just outside of Queenstown is the first-ever commercial bungy jump, the Kawarau Bridge Bungy, and NZ’s highest bungy jump, the Nevis Bungy. Our favourite, however, is The Ledge Bungy with its waist harness allowing you to freestyle off “The Ledge”. Check out more on the 5 Epic Places to Bungy Jump in New Zealand.

Mountain Biking

A popular activity in spring and summer is mountain biking. You can hire a bike and take the Skyline Gondola to some quality biking trails or go to Rabbit Ridge Bike Resort for more mountain biking fun.

More Adventure Activities

Just to list a few more activities, you can do include skydiving, jet boating, white water rafting, a canyon swing, climbing, canyoning and paragliding. We list our favourites in the 25 Epic Adventure Activities in Queenstown.

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Walks and Hikes in Queenstown

If your idea of backpacking is “hiking”, then you’re in luck. Take a steady lakeside stroll through Queenstown Gardens and along the Frankton Arm Track.

There are a number of day hikes in order to get a panoramic view such as the scramble up the Tiki Trail to the top of the Skyline Gondola. Other popular hikes are Queenstown Hill and Ben Lomond. We’ll go through some of the most popular…

Queenstown Hill (2-3 Hour Return)

Starting from Belfast Street, Queenstown Hill is a steady climb through pine forest to a gorgeous lookout over the town.

Frankton Arm Track (1-1 Hr 30 Mins One Way)

Walk or bike along the lakeshore of Lake Wakatipu on the Frankton Arm Track. Locals use this as a commuter route but it is a great easy grade track for visitors too. If you can’t be bothered walking back, the 11 Bus can bring you back to Queenstown. Start from the Queenstown Gardens, Park Street, Queenstown.

Tiki Trail (1-hour Return)

Starting from the base of the gondola, the Tiki Trail is the alternative way to get up to Bob’s Peak and to the start of the Ben Lomond Track. Walk through pine forest on this constant uphill climb. Start from the end of Beacon Street, Queenstown.

Ben Lomond (4-6 Hour Return from the Bottom of the Tiki Trail)

For a full-day excursion, check out the Ben Lomond Track rewarding those who hike it with stunning views over Lake Wakatipu. Try to avoid doing the hike in winter if you do not have the right equipment to tackle snow and ice.

Start from either the Tiki Trail at the end of Beacon Street, the One Mile Creek Track from the Fernhill roundabout or the top of Skyline Access Road, Queenstown.

New Zealand Great Walks

Queenstown is also the gateway to New Zealand’s Great Walks, the Routeburn Track and the Milford Track. Transport companies operating from Queenstown can transport you to and from these multi-day hikes in Fiordland National Park.

Check out the 15 Best Walks in Queenstown for more walking and hiking trails.

© Queenstown TOP 10 Holiday Park

Where to Stay: Affordable Accommodations in Queenstown

Queenstown has a wide range of budget hotels, motels, apartments and backpacker hostels, making it easier than you might expect to enjoy an affordable stay in this popular destination.

Although we outline all your options in the 15 Best Budget Accommodations in Queenstown, as well as the 15 Best Backpacker Hostels in Queenstown, here are some of our top picks for travellers on a budget.

Queenstown TOP 10 Holiday Park

Situated in the suburb of Arthur’s Point, Queenstown TOP 10 Holiday Park might be a little out of town, but it has good connections to bus services and is nearby the Coronet Peak ski field.

Plus, there are affordable cottages with double beds either with a shared bathroom or ensuite. The holiday park is set on a river with lovely garden views, and you can make use of the shared kitchen and laundry should you want to stick to a food budget.

We’re big fans of the complimentary area shuttle service that operates within 6 km (4 mi), making it easy to reach nearby attractions. There’s also free parking available on-site as well as free WiFi, and guests can enjoy the arcade/game room and barbecue facilities.

Find out why Queenstown TOP 10 Holiday Park is a favourite for budget travellers and backpackers, and reserve your stay through Booking.com or Expedia!

Adventure Queenstown Hostel

A popular option for backpackers visiting Queenstown, Adventure Queenstown Hostel provides a boutique option with friendly hosts.

The hostel offers air-conditioned family rooms with private bathrooms, perfect for groups travelling together. Each room comes with carpeted floors, a hairdryer and all the essentials you’d expect.

Room types include dorm rooms, female-only dorms, double rooms with or without an ensuite and family rooms, all with access to (often) sun-drenched balconies where you can relax with fellow travellers.

Communal facilities include free WiFi, a shared kitchen, a comfortable lounge area and barbecue facilities for those balmy summer evenings.

Practical amenities like bicycle parking, bike hire, a tour desk and luggage storage make exploring Queenstown that bit easier.

Learn more about what makes Adventure Queenstown Hostel a practical choice for travellers and book your stay via Booking.com!

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Cheap Eats in Queenstown

While there’s plenty of self-catering accommodation in Queenstown to help you save money on food, you might be tempted to try out the local cuisine. There are still ways to stick to your budget by seeking out the cheap eats!

A top pick for affordable street food is Erik’s Fish and Chips, with budget-friendly bites like NZ$6.50 fish bites , NZ$6 hot dog on a stick, NZ$7.50 spring rolls, and kids’ meals from NZ$8.50, perfect for a quick, satisfying feed.

You can get NZ$11 tacos, NZ$17-$20 for burritos, and aperas for NZ$14-$16 from Caribe Latin Kitchen, 36 Ballarat Street.

For lunch, check out the NZ$19 options at Wild Thyme, SKYCITY 24 Beach Street, including “Korean Chicken Wrap”, “Spiced Thai Salad”, and “Curry of the Week”.

If you just fancy a slice of pizza, albeit a huge slice of pizza, then don’t miss Sal’s Authentic New York Pizza, 36A Shotover Street. Regular pizza slices from their 18″ pies are NZ$8 or make use of their slice deals for more of a meal starting at NZ$14.

For more food recommendations that aren’t quite as cheap but, ya know, check out The Food Guide to Queenstown: Places to Eat & Food Tours.

© Destination Queenstown

Winter Season in Queenstown

Kicking the winter season off with the Queenstown Winter Festival, Queenstown loves the cold primarily for the snowsports.

The Remarkables and Coronet Peak are the closest ski fields to Queenstown, with Cardrona and Treble Cone taking a little over an hour to get to but still worth the trip.

The best skiing and riding is from mid-season to spring (August to September) to really take advantage of all the trails in the mountains. Treble Cone and Coronet Peak are ideal for building on the vertical metres, whereas The Remarkables and Cardrona are snowsports playgrounds with heaps of features in the terrain parks.

Plus, SITE Trampoline in the Remarkables Park Town Centre is an all-weather venue for practising your freestyle tricks year-round.

Find out more about the winter season in our articles, Ski Season in New Zealand, The 25 Ski Fields in New Zealand, and The Ultimate Guide to the Queenstown Ski Season.

If you’re in New Zealand on a working holiday visa and would like to experience a New Zealand ski season for work, follow our advice in What it is Like to Work on a New Zealand Ski Field.

© Pixabay

Nightlife in Queenstown

As one of New Zealand’s top resort towns, there is a variety of bars and clubs in Queenstown.

There are pubs and bars for a quiet pint to late night clubs for pulling some shapes. We like 1876 for their drink deals and Cowboys for their fun theme.

Check out what other bars we think are awesome in Queenstown in the following lists:

• 10 Best Bars in Queenstown
• 5 Best Bars for a Quiet Pint in Queenstown
• 5 Best Nightclubs to Dance at in Queenstown
• The Guide to Queenstown Nightlife

But partying isn’t the only thing to do in Queenstown when the sun goes down. Check out how to do night skiing, night bungy jumps, ice bars, haunted house attractions and more in the 15 Things to Do in Queenstown at Night.

© Pixabay

Grocery Shopping Tips

With a mall and streets compact with clothes, souvenirs, outdoor gear and rentals, there is no lack of shopping opportunities in Queenstown. However, the majority of these can cause serious damage to the backpacker’s budget! Especially for food shopping, where your best bet is Fresh Choice located just outside of town.

Alternatively, there is The Remarkables Park for New World and The Warehouse, amongst other retail stores. You’ll find PAK’nSAVE and Countdown near Queenstown Airport, which is best to pay a visit before you head into Queenstown. Note that all of these stores are approximately 10 km (6 mi) from Queenstown town centre.

For more backpacking food tips, check out Backpackers’ Food Shopping List: 10 Must-Have Food Items.

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Transport in Queenstown

Like all New Zealand towns, the centre of Queenstown is small enough to navigate on foot. It’s only when travelling to suburbs such as Frankton and Arthur’s Point that other transportation is favourable. The bus service in Queenstown is Orbus taking passengers to the outer suburbs and the nearby Arrowtown and Wanaka.

Car rental companies can be found near the airport for those self-organised adventures – check out The Best Car Rental Companies in Queenstown and The Best Campervan Rental Companies in Queenstown for more details.

Transport to Milford Sound

For many of the activities situated outside of Queenstown, transportation is often included from town. Buses to Milford Sound can be booked through RealNZ and Southern Discoveries. Find out more about the best coaches to choose in the 10 Best Milford Sound Tours from Queenstown.

Transport to the Ski Fields

To get to the ski fields, the main operators are NZSki and Info&Snow. Find out more about transport to the ski fields in The Ultimate Guide to the Queenstown Ski Season.

For more information on all things Queenstown transport, check out our full guide, Public Transport in Queenstown.

© Destination Queenstown

Queenstown Events

Try to time your backpacking trip to Queenstown with one of the town’s awesome events!

• New Year’s Eve Celebrations – December 31 (annual)
• The Valley – January (annual)
• Shotover Moonlight Marathon – February (annual)
• NZ Golf Open – February (annual)
• Arrowtown Autumn Festival – April (annual)
• Routeburn Classic – April (annual)
• Mardi Gras Queenstown – June (annual)
• LUMA Enchanted – June-October (annual)
• Winter Pride – August (annual)
• Snow Machine Festival – September (annual)
• At the World’s Edge Festival – October (annual)
• Queenstown Writers Festival – November (annual)
• New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty Queenstown Marathon – November (annual)