Here are the top free things to do in Queenstown, New Zealand.

I haven’t seen all of New Zealand, but Queenstown has to be one of the country’s most beautiful places. Sitting on Lake Wakatipu in the South Island and surrounded by mountain ranges, you can imagine how gorgeous it is, right? Now, skiing isn’t free and is undoubtedly one of the most popular Queenstown activities. But there are plenty of other fun, free things to do in Queenstown. I’ve broken this guide into general free activities, free hikes, and nearby places to visit. So, no matter your vibe, I have it covered.

Getting around Queenstown

The best way to enjoy all of these free things to do in Queenstown is by renting a car. Several of these activities are outside Queenstown and are easier to access with car rental.

Best free things to do in Queenstown

1. Go for a lake swim

Check out this guide to the best Queenstown beaches and swimming spots. But even at the peak of summer, many of these lakes are still extremely cold. So, if you’re not wearing a wetsuit, have warm clothes readily available when you get out. My top pick is Queenstown Bay Beach, a five-minute walk from central Queenstown, with a pontoon available. Meanwhile, Frankton Beach is more shallow, so the water is slightly warmer.

2. Go to a weekend market

The Queenstown Market has to be one of the world’s most picturesque markets! You’ll find it on the lakefront every Saturday from 9 to 4. Enjoy live music as you stop by stalls selling everything from clothing to artwork and jewellery. Another option is the Remarkables Market. Running from October to April on Saturdays, the focus here is fresh produce and breakfast options with a side of live music.

3. Visit Queenstown Gardens

One of the most popular free things to do in Queenstown is visiting Queenstown Gardens. The botanical gardens are located on a lakefront peninsula just five minutes from downtown Queenstown. While there, you can walk around the gardens, which is particularly beautiful at sunset. There’s a free 18-hole disc gold course among pine trees (BYO frisbee), a particularly stunning rose garden, a large water feature, and a fantastic lakefront playground for kids.

4. Window shop in Queenstown Mall

It’s not as fun as spending money. But if you’re looking for things to do in Queenstown for free, a stroll down Queenstown Mall might be just what the doctor ordered.

5. Taste some free fudge at Remarkables Sweet Shop

Stop by the iconic Remarkables Sweet Shop for free fudge tastings. You might struggle not to buy anything while visiting, but the fudge is free (and delicious).

6. Enjoy local art

You’ll find local art in galleries, Queenstown Gardens, and along the Kelvin Heights Trail. It’s known for its sculptures by several New Zealand artists.

7. Watch the sunrise/sunset

There are several excellent places to watch the sunrise and sunset in Queenstown. For sunset close to Queenstown, head directly to Queenstown Beach. Bob’s Peak offers stunning views over Queenstown at sunrise and sunset. Lake Esplanade is another excellent sunrise location close by, as you can see it rise over The Remarkables. A bit further afield is Lake Hayes, which is picture-perfect at sunrise.

8. Visit Perky’s Floating Bar

One of the most unique things to do in Queenstown is visiting Perky’s Floating Bar. Located on Lake Wakatipu, the bar is free to visit, and you can bring your own food. You might just need to buy a drink!

9. Have a picnic

While it costs to buy your picnic goodies, you can enjoy a free picnic at several scenic locations around Queenstown. The best spot close to town is Queenstown Bay Beach. Clearly, this beach is the place to be!

10. Visit the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge

This historic 10-story bridge was built in 1880 and is the birthplace of bungy jumping. It’s free to visit, and you can enjoy watching others bungy jump from the comfort of Kawarau Bridge!

Free hikes and walking trails in Queenstown

11. Lake Wakatipu Walk

Queenstown’s crown jewel, walk along the lakefront starting at Queenstown Bay Beach. As mentioned, it’s gorgeous at sunrise and sunset.

12. Tiki Trail to Bob’s Peak

Get those calves burning by hiking up the Tiki Trail to Bob’s Peak instead of taking the Skyline Gondola. The Tiki Trail takes you to the Skyline viewing platform with epic views over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.

13. Moke Lake Loop Track

Moke Lake is a 20-minute drive from Queenstown. It’s a six-kilometre loop around the extremely photogenic lake, which is surrounded by green hills. The bonus is it’s much quieter than central hikes. Don’t miss the Moke Lake viewpoint!

14. Sunshine Bay Track

Google Maps has a couple of Sunshine Bay Tracks listed. But stick to this route from All Trails that takes you from Queenstown along Lake Wakatipu’s foreshore. There are viewpoints along the track with stunning views over the lake, Queenstown, and the surrounding snowy mountains.

15. Queenstown Trail

Queenstown Trail includes 130 kilometres of off-road biking and hiking trails, stretching from Queenstown to Gibbston via Arrowtown. Visit the website as you can set your desired timeframe, fitness level and mode, and it’ll share the best options.

16. Queenstown Hill Time Walk

The Queenstown Hill Time Walk is just over four kilometres. You climb through a pine forest to Te Tapu-nui’s summit. Your reward at the top is panoramic views. See how many of Queenstown’s surrounding landmarks you can spot, including Lake Wakatipu, Coronet Peak, Lake Hayes and the Crown Range. Along the way, you’ll see the Basket of Dreams sculpture and informative displays describing different Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown eras.

17. Bob’s Cove Track

About 15 minutes from Queenstown is Bob’s Cove Track. The three-kilometre loop takes you to a lookout over Lake Wakatipu and the Picnic Point.

18. Ben Lomond Track

If you have a high fitness level and want a challenge, head to the summit of Ben Lomond. It’s a full-day hike to the summit, with a 1438m elevation gain. But as you can imagine, the views are stunning. The other option is to walk to Ben Lomond Saddle, which takes three to four hours.

Places to visit near Queenstown for free

If you rent a car, take a trip and enjoy one of these free activities near Queenstown.

19. Lake Hayes

Lake Hayes is a 15-minute drive from central Queenstown, and here are some of the fun things you can do:

• Walk around the lake, stopping at several viewpoints. 
• Enjoy a picnic by the water.
• Go for a swim! Enter at Mill Creek Shallows. As the name suggests, it’s pretty shallow here, so it’s *slightly* warmer than other Queenstown beaches.
• Explore Amisfield, a local winery. It’s not free, but you can visit the cellar door for tastings.

20. Glenorchy

45 kilometres from Queenstown, the drive to Glenorchy is one of the most scenic in New Zealand. It’s located on Lake Wakatipu’s northern end, and the small town’s natural beauty was seen in the Lord of the Rings. Free things to do in Glenorchy include hiking part of the Routeburn Track (a New Zealand Great Walk) if you want to check it off the list. A more leisurely walk is the five-kilometre Glenorchy Boardwalk, taking you to Glenorchy Lagoon.

21. Shotover Bridge

Ten kilometres from Queenstown is the Old Lower Shotover Bridge. It’s over a century old, 172 metres long, and 16 metres high. The bridge is only open to foot traffic, and while you walk across, you can see the Remarkables Double Cone Peak, Cecil Peak, Coronet Peak, and Brow Peak. It’s also a great viewpoint to take in the jet boat trips underneath (sidenote: I’ve done this in Queenstown, and it’s incredible!).

22. Arrowtown

A 20-minute drive from Queenstown is the former gold mining town of Arrowtown. You must stroll down the main street to admire the beautiful historic buildings. It’s like you’ve stepped back into the Wild West! Then, you can walk along Arrowtown River Trail, hike the Big Hill or head to Arrowtown Chinese Settlement, a historic site. Before you head back to Queenstown, drive along Crown Range Road and stop at Crown Range Road Scenic Lookout for fantastic views over the lake and Gibbston Valley.

If you visit in summer, Arrowtown also hosts a Sunday market brimming with local artisan stalls and delicious food.

I hope this guide to the best things to do for free in Queenstown has helped you plan your trip.

If you’re looking for more New Zealand travel tips (specifically the North Island), check out:

• The Ultimate Auckland Travel Guide
• 20+ Places to Eat in Auckland, New Zealand
• Best Things To Do in Wellington, New Zealand
• 19 Places to Eat and Drink in Wellington, New Zealand

Thank you to Mode Rentals for partnering with me on this post.