• 10 The Terrace
  • 38 Edinburgh
  • A Twist on Oliver’s
  • Alpine Cottage
  • Aroha Homestead
  • Arrowtown Retreat
  • Baraka Lake Views
  • Beacon 907 | Studio
  • Beacon Lakeside Luxury 908 – 2 Bedroom
  • Beacon Lakeside Luxury 908 – 3 Bedroom
  • Beacon Penthouse 1006 – 4 Bed
  • Beacon Sky Suite 1006 – 2 Bed
  • Beacon Sky Suite 1008 – 2 Bed
  • Belfast Terrace Gem
  • Bellbrae Queenstown
  • Carrick 3
  • Cecil Peak View Apartment
  • Central Hideaway on Kent
  • Central Luxury at 407 The Beacon | Studio
  • Central Luxury at 408 The Beacon
  • Central Luxury at 408 The Beacon | Two Bed
  • Central Sunset Charm
  • Central Whakatipu Haven
  • Chambers City Centre Penthouse
  • Classy Conifer
  • Countryside Escape Arrowtown
  • Edinburgh Heights
  • Fernlea Queenstown
  • Hayes Cottage | Alpha
  • Hayes Cottage | Bravo
  • Hayes Cottage | Charlie
  • Hayes Cottage | Delta
  • Hayes Cottage | Foxtrot
  • Highview Haven
  • Hillside Haven
  • Infinity Heights
  • Jack’s Point Rise
  • Kahurangi Queenstown
  • Karamata Queenstown
  • La Residence du Lac
  • Lakefront 912 The Beacon | 3 Bedroom
  • Lakefront at 911 The Beacon | Studio
  • Lakefront at 912 The Beacon | 2 Bedroom
  • Lakeside on Park Street Queenstown
  • Lakeside Terrace
  • Luxury Lake View Retreat with Hot Tub
  • Luxury Shotover Retreat
  • Luxury Squared
  • Maison de Charme
  • Mountain Utopia
  • Oliver’s Oasis
  • Pinnacle Villa
  • Quaint Sanctuary on Quartz
  • Queenstown Heights
  • Queenstown Lakefront Dream | 3 Bed
  • Queenstown Lakefront Dream | 4 Bed
  • Red Deer Rise
  • Remarkable Hideaway
  • Remarkable Views on Goldrush
  • Riverview Retreat Queenstown
  • Sicilian Luxury Retreat
  • Sicilian Luxury Retreat – Main House & Loft
  • Skye Horizons
  • Speargrass Villa
  • St Matthews Views – Cecil
  • St Matthews Views – Walter
  • Stonehill Villa
  • Stonehill Villa 1
  • Sunny Lakeview Villa
  • Sunset Views
  • The Ballarat Apartment
  • The Bunker Alpha A
  • The Bunker Alpha B
  • The Bunker Bravo A
  • The Bunker Bravo B
  • The Essence of Queenstown
  • The Homestead at Lake Hayes
  • The Loft at Sicilian
  • The Rata Apartment
  • The Rata Penthouse
  • The Rata Villa
  • The Star of Queenstown Hill
  • The Village Green Apartment
  • The Woolstore
  • Three Peaks
  • Top of the Lake – Apartment
  • Top of the lake 2 bedroom
  • Top of the Lake 4 bedroom
  • Tranquil Queenstown Escape
  • Vanda Heights
  • Wai Maunga Apartment
  • Wai Maunga Retreat
  • Wai Maunga Villa
  • Walter Peak View Apartment
  • Wharenui Queenstown
  • Woods Villa Kea
  • Woods Villa Tui
  • Woods Villa Weka

Top 5 free activities in Queenstown

There is always so much going on in Queenstown, how do you choose which events to go to, and what things to try first? There are some obvious choices, on a hot hot day go for a swim in the shallow waters of Queenstown Bay, and on a cold cold day go for a walk up Queenstown Hill and play in the snow. But what else? While you’re thinking about your paid activities, here’s our pick of things to do in Queenstown that won’t cost you a penny.

Queenstown Gardens

Set aside in 1867 as a public park, Queenstown Gardens is a beautiful place to explore at any time of the year. Displaying trees and plants from around the world, a rose garden and a pond with a picturesque bridge (perfect for those iconic Queenstown photos), it’s ideal for a gentle meander. If you’re looking for something more active, then eighteen holes of disc (frisbee) golf are laid out around the gardens, with the added fun of avoiding the ducks and not sending your disc sailing gracefully into the lake.

Arts’n Crafts market

Start your Saturday with a stroll around the Creative Queenstown Arts’n Crafts Market located at Earnslaw Park on the lake front. Browse the colourful stalls, with artists bringing their quality products from all over the South Island. Local musicians will keep you entertained, and there’s plenty of room to simply sit and soak up the ambience too.

Arrowtown Chinese Settlement

Arrowtown is a historic and picturesque gold rush town, with many of the original buildings carefully preserved. A charming place to spend a day, with cafés, shops and river walks, it’s also well worth checking out the Chinese Settlement as part of your Queenstown holiday. Explore the restored huts and ruins, see where the miners lived and how, and learn a little of their history. Relaxaway have Queenstown holiday accommodation in Arrowtown itself if you decide to stay longer!

Cycle the Queenstown Trail

If you fancy some leisurely exercise, then hop on a bicycle and explore the Wakatipu Basin by pedal power. Trails run from Queenstown Bay to Jack’s Point (lakeside), along the Shotover and Kawarau rivers from Frankton to Morven Ferry Road, from Lower Shotover to Arrowtown, from Arrowtown to Chard Farm and also around Lake Hayes. And the best bit is that they’re all connected, so pick a route to suit your fitness and scenic preferences.

Lake Sylvan

There are many stunning walks of varying skill level in and around Queenstown. One of our favourites is Lake Sylvan, located just past Glenorchy in Mount Aspiring National Park. Park your car at the campsite, and follow an easy trail over the river through lush native beech forest to the secluded and tranquil lake, returning via the old tramline loop. And if you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, look out for the familiar scenery of Isengard on the way to your walk.

Of course, there are always plenty of free annual events too. The Arrowtown Autumn Festival is a firm favourite, Jazzfest takes us smoothly into spring, and LUMA Southern Lights Project brightens up our first winter nights. This week we launch into winter with the much-anticipated Queenstown Winterfestival. Running since 1975 it’s packed with events, including everybody’s favourite (and free) fireworks display on Friday 22nd June.

Whatever your flavour, there’s something for everyone, so relaxaway out and about with these free activities, then put your feet up and watch the sun set from the snug warmth of your Queenstown holiday home.