Queenstown, New Zealand: Self-Guided Walking Tour

Set at the northwestern edge of Lake Wakatipu in the Otago region of New Zealand’s South Island, Queenstown—known locally as Tāhuna—combines dramatic mountain landscapes with an energetic resort atmosphere. The town is framed by the long, narrow, S-shaped lake and towering peaks, including The Remarkables, Cecil Peak, Walter Peak, and the slopes of Ben Lomond and Queenstown Hill. Whether you are seeking outdoor thrills or a scenic base to explore the wider Queenstown-Lakes District, Neywo offers a free audio guide for Queenstown featuring 18 narrated places to help you discover the area at your own pace.

What to see in Queenstown and surroundings

The region around Queenstown and neighboring towns offers a mix of natural landmarks, historic sites, and striking viewpoints.

Queenstown and nearby peaks

• St Peter’s Church: Located in Queenstown, this historic church building provides a quiet place to pause during your explorations.
• St Joseph’s Church: Another local church building in Queenstown offering a glimpse into the town’s community heritage.
• Te-taumata-o-Hakitekura (Ben Lomond): Rising to 1,748 metres about four kilometres northwest of the town centre, this prominent mountain offers sweeping 360-degree views across Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables, Cecil Peak, and Walter Peak. Duncan McAusland, an early shepherd, named it after Ben Lomond in Scotland.
• Sugar Loaf: Rising 378 metres above sea level about 5.5 kilometres northeast of Queenstown, this hill provides a quieter landscape within the Queenstown-Lakes District.
• German Hill: Standing 792 metres above sea level in the Otago region, this distinct rise adds to the varied topography of the district.

Arrowtown

• Arrowtown Gaol: A small historic building and museum offering a reminder of the town’s past.
• Lakes District Museum: Situated in Arrowtown, this local museum invites visitors to discover the history of the settlement.
• St Paul’s Anglican Church and Vestry: A heritage church building that contributes to the character of Arrowtown’s streetscape.
• St. Patrick’s Catholic Church: Another traditional church building enriching the historic architecture of the town.

Wānaka and the Cardrona Valley

• That Wānaka Tree: Also known as That Wānaka Willow, this solitary willow growing directly from the southern end of Lake Wānaka originated from a fence post planted by Tim Scur. It has become one of New Zealand’s most photographed sights.
• National Transport and Toy Museum: Located beside Wānaka Airport on State Highway 6, this family-operated museum houses an extraordinary collection of more than 650 vehicles, 23 aircraft, 100,000 toys—including Star Wars memorabilia, Barbie dolls, and classic toys—alongside farm machinery, fire engines, and military vehicles distributed across hangars and outdoor areas.
• Warbirds and Wheels: Also situated at Wānaka Airport, this former museum operated for ten years, showcasing military aircraft alongside early twentieth-century classic and vintage automobiles and motorcycles before closing in September 2021.
• St Columba’s Anglican Church: A welcoming church building located in Wanaka.
• Cardrona Bra Fence: Situated in the Cardrona Valley, this famous and debated roadside attraction began between 1998 and 1999 when passers-by started attaching bras to a rural fence, eventually growing into a display of hundreds.

Explore Queenstown with Neywo

Discover Queenstown and its surroundings with the Neywo audio guide app. The app features 18 narrated places, telling the story of each stop as you reach it. You can explore entirely at your own pace with no group and no schedule, and the narration is available in 11 languages. Download Neywo to enhance your journey through New Zealand.