10 Things to Do in Queenstown in Winter

The city of adventure sports is a winter wonderland that will delight your senses during the coldest season of the year. Among the best things to do in Queenstown during this season are several seasonal festivals, soak in the relaxing hot springs of Onsen and marvel at the snow-capped mountain views on a boat ride around the picturesque lakes.

Also not to be missed are visits to Mildford Sound, skiing and discovering the mythical settings of The Lord of the Rings. In this article you'll find 12 things to do and see in Queenstown in winter so you don't miss out on the top things to do and see in the south of New Zealand.

Topping the list of Queenstown recommendations are boat trips. From Lake Wakatipu to the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers you can enjoy magnificent views of the snow-capped mountains during the winter season.

There are several Queenstown cruise options to choose from, but they all follow more or less the same route around the lake. It will take about 60 - 80 minutes to cruise the waters of this glacial formation, the main difference being the styles of transport. You can hire a speedboat, steamboat, canoe or catamaran ride.

In all cases the services of the boat captain, snacks and drinks on board the boat are usually included. And, for the more adventurous, you can combine the experience with one of the adrenaline junkies' plans: jet skiing against the backdrop of the snow-capped mountains.

I recommend exploring the Piopiotahi or Milford Sound during the winter months. At this time of year, the Milford is much quieter and less crowded. You can also enjoy cheaper cruises, as well as the perfect clear skies to fly over the area and capture the best postcards of the famous Miter Peak, Lake Wakatipu and the Southern Alps.

To get to Milford Sound from Queenstown, you can choose to take an aeroplane flight or hire a helicopter flight from Remarkables, which usually includes a shuttle service to and from your accommodation. Either way, the activity is an experience of a lifetime.

Queenstown is a hub for New Zealand's winter festivals. You can enjoy mountain sports, street theatre, outdoor electronic music, mulled wine and, of course, fireworks!

During the winter there is the New Zealand Mountain Film Festival, ideal for couples and groups of friends. It's also the time for the DFS Winter Fireworks and the Matariki Arrowtown Lights, two of the things to do in Queenstown with kids. There's also the Snow Machine, Winter Pride and Winter Games.

There are so many events that, if you're travelling between June and September, it's best to keep track of them on their official website here.

One of the five stops that will win you over in New Zealand is Mount Cook, another UNESCO World Heritage site. Among other things because it is the highest mountain in the country.

This mountain rises more than 3,700 metres and stands out among the natural charms of the Aoraki or Mount Cook National Park where there are 72 glaciers and more than 100 summits to venture to.

This is one of the favourite destinations for hikers. The most famous route is the Hooker Valley, which takes about 4 hours to reach the summit and is of medium difficulty. There are other alternatives such as the Kea Point Track which takes only an hour but requires a high level of preparation, or the Mueller Hut which takes about 9 hours.

It's best to book a Mount Cook hike with experts. You're sure to find a tailor-made trail to appreciate the park, as well as the famous Pukaki and Tekapo Lakes.

Piopiotahi, as it is called in Maori, is part of Te Wahipounamu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This fjord in southern New Zealand is one of New Zealand's natural gems with a wide range of activities available to visitors.

From mountain climbing, hiking, kayaking, rafting, bungee jumping, scuba diving or enjoying a relaxing cruise, you decide the style of adventure you want, Milford Sound has it all for you.

To get to Milford Sound, you can choose from some of the best day trips from Queenstown. Most include transport, lunch, guide service and even boat trips. These tours usually take about 12 hours, as Milford Sound is a 4-hour drive from Queenstown. However, half of the adventure is getting to Piopiotahi, the scenery is beautiful and each has better views than the last.

Although I've already mentioned other events, the LUMA Southern Light Project Festival of Lights deserves a special mention and is a must-see during your winter trip to Queenstown. It's held annually on the King's birthday weekend, usually the last week of May or June.

The event is completely free and takes place in the Queenstown Gardens. During the festival, the gardens are transformed into a state-of-the-art sound and light show, creating a magical and unforgettable sensory experience.

The LUMA Southern Light Project Festival of Lights also features food trucks and pop-up bars in the gardens offering a variety of dining options to enjoy with friends and family.

Wine tasting is often seen as a summer activity but Queenstown is so unique that its winter drink is mulled wine, which is nothing more than mulled wine and the country's top wine houses have their own versions, so why not take the opportunity to visit New Zealand's best wine region?

The Gibbston Valley is well known for its high quality wine production. Its boutique wineries are small and offer a personalised experience when booking a winery tour. The focus is on producing high quality lots of Pinot Noir, their flagship wine.

Some of the most popular wineries include Kinross, Gibbston Valley Winery and Waitiri Creek Wines. There are wine tour options to suit all tastes, from those that include lunch to those that offer mulled wine to enjoy while admiring the beautiful winter views.

Although Bilbo Baggins said in the Hobbit movie: "We are a simple, quiet people in these parts and not used to adventure", when you visit Mount Aspiring National Park, the opposite is true. It's a movie adventure where little elves, hobbits and wizards lived for a long time.

This is one of the must-see walks in town, especially if you have a 3-day itinerary in Queenstown or longer. You'll see beautiful postcards of rivers, lakes and fjords.

Also, as soon as you arrive in Glenorchy you'll find several of the natural settings that were used to adapt Tolkien's works, including some of the settings for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit such as the iconic Tower of Saruman. You'll also see spaces used for The Chronicles of Narnia. When you book a tour to Glenorchy and Paradise you get a day's pass to a film!

Did you know that Queenstown has not one, but two ice bars? It's pretty amazing for such a small place. Even on a freezing winter's day, the experience is unavoidable. It's not just the temperature contrasts, but the variety of drinks (including mulled wine), perfect for the season despite sipping your drink from a glass made entirely of ice. It's a mind-blowing indoor Queenstown experience in winter.

The two ice bars,Below Zero Ice Bar and Minus 5 Ice Bar, are very similar and choosing between them is not crucial. However, I must confess that, for families with children, I recommend the second option. Both are located in the heart of Queenstown and tend to have the same price and benefits.

Your ticket of around €38 or so includes two cocktails and access to the venue. They also have cheaper prices for children and non-alcoholic drinks. I didn't mention this before, did I? Well, unlike regular ice bars, kids are welcome here.

If you've looked up the must-see places in New Zealand before your trip, you've probably seen the iconic photos of couples and small groups bathing in pools with the Alps in the background. The place? The Onsen Hot Spring Pools.

This stunning spa is home to New Zealand's most famous private hot spring pools. A quick search on Instagram or any other social network will reveal thousands of photos with spectacular views. Onsen is so popular that places to enjoy the facilities are booked up months in advance, especially in winter, the favourite season to enjoy them.

For a couple, the average cost of a soak in a semi-indoor or outdoor hot tub is around €70. This will be 60-70 minutes of indulgent soaking that can be shared by up to four people and only requires a 10 minute drive from Queenstown to enjoy this experience, very close to the Shotover Gorge. On a side note, if you're looking for the most romantic activities in Queenstown, put this one on your bucket list.

If you're looking for a more immersive, fun and free experience to do in southern New Zealand, join one of **Queenstown'**s stargazing tours.

During the winter months, the Milky Way is visible around the town, especially if you visit the popular Lake Tekapo, or if you prefer to enjoy the event like the locals, head to Moke Lake between Queenstown and Glenorchy. You'll have the chance to look through a powerful telescope, spot planets and even see the International Space Station.

From both locations, the stars are absolutely breathtaking. Don't forget to check the Southern Lights radar to plan your tour and guarantee a front row seat to the world'sbest natural light show.

Queenstown 's ski season runs from mid-June to early October. It's one of the must-do things to do in the town this season and there are four main slopes to choose from. Below, you'll find them organised by distance from the centre:

• Coronet Peak, located about 20 minutes' drive from the centre, Peak is the closest ski slope, offers great facilities and best of all, you can list your visit among the things to do in Queenstown at night, as it boasts night skiing.
• The Remarkables is the true alpine experience, a 45-minute drive from the centre. This slope is perfect for families, beginners, novices and advanced skiers.
• Cardrona, located about 70 minutes drive from the centre, Cardrona Alpine Resort is popular for its extensive amusement park and variety of cafes and on-mountain accommodation.
• Treble Cone is the steepest of the slopes. It is about 85 minutes from downtown. It is the largest and most popular with skiers, snowboarders and extreme sports enthusiasts in general.

In winter, Queenstown has a cold and crisp climate, perfect for hiking and adventure sports. The winter months in Queenstown are from June to August.

During this season, average temperatures range from 0°C to 8°C, with frequent snowfall in the surrounding mountains. Temperatures can drop even further at night, reaching below freezing. You can follow the weather on this website.

Dress in layers and wear warm clothes when it's cold. Gloves and a hat are essential, especially when going outdoors and at night. Boots can also be useful to keep your feet warm and protected.