Queenstown Travel Forum

Hello, I'm visitng Queenstown in September. I've read that the gondola ride offers breathtaking scenery of the town. Where else should (or must!) go to enjoy fantastic scenery of the lake and mountains?

All suggestions greatly appreciated.
Cheers!

The drive up to Glenorchy gives amazing opportunities, see my efforts on my Glenorchy page.
Also if you go up to the deer farm to the south side of the lake, you can get up high and view back over the town, opposite side of gondola.

Yep we would agree with that, you can also drive up the Remarkables road which is good. Make sure that you visit Arrowtown because that is beautiful and only 15 mins out of town. Visit the Minus Five Bar for a fun drink and Winnies for a great meal. Have fun.

Thanks so much for the suggestions. Do I need snow chains to drive up the road to Remarkables in mid-Sept?

Yes, it's likely you could need chains, depends on the day. And other places too. The weather can turn very quickly so it's best to have chains with you in case.
The Cardrona Road will likely be out of bounds for you in a rental at that time of year though, check with them. At least the steep part at the Queenstown end.
Some other nice areas are drive to Kelvin Heights towards the Golf Course and see the views from out there. Also from in town walk into the Queenstown Gardens as it juts out into the lake as well.
If you drive down to Park Street, on the waterfront, there is a Reserve walk along the lake front that is really nice.

Thanks so much for the suggestions. Do I need snow chains to drive up the road to Remarkables in mid-Sept?

Thanks so much for the suggestions. Do I need snow chains to drive up the road to Remarkables in mid-Sept?

A trip on the lake itself is an absolute must. I went on the evening cruise on the Earnshaw (think that's the name) - one of the original steamers that used to supply the stations around Queenstown.
Kim

Yes the Earnslaw is a great trip, over to Walter Peak Station.

Yes, I went on the Earnslaw three times in 1945 when my brother came home from the war WW II . They ran 'Moonlight Trips' on the lake then.! I was sixteen !
No flashlight cameras then.!

Maybe just as well ;-)