What to do in Otago
Activities, attractions and tours
Visit Otago
Activities
Queenstown: Jet Boat Adventure with Thunder Jet
AU$90
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
TSS Earnslaw Cruise on Lake Wakatipu
AU$98
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
TSS Earnslaw Cruise & Walter Peak Farm Tour
AU$131
per adult
84% of travellers recommend
TSS Earnslaw Cruise with Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dinner
AU$181
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Milford Sound Full-Day Experience with Nature Cruise & Lunch ex Queenstown
AU$313
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
Dunedin City and Coastal Views 3-Hour Small-Group Guided Tour
AU$140
per adult
Queenstown: Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise (90 Minutes)
AU$65
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Harbour, Albatross and Wildlife Cruise on Otago Harbour
AU$107
per adult
Otago Peninsula Wildlife Cruise with Monarch
AU$62
per adult
94% of travellers recommend
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Top places to visit
1. Queenstown Gardens
If you go to the outskirts of Queenstown you will find a small peninsula on Lake Wakatipu which is home to the splendid Queenstown Gardens. Since 1867, this tranquil retreat has been a peaceful counterweight to the town’s busy streets. Visit the gardens to see heritage-listed trees and a number of other native and foreign species of flower, shrubs and plants. The first trees in the garden – mighty English oaks – were planted by the mayor of Queenstown in 1866 and the area’s most prominent tree species, the Douglas fir, was introduced here during the 19th and 20th centuries.
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2. The Remarkables Ski Area
Enjoy 543 acres (220 hectares) of slopes less than an hour’s drive from central Queenstown at the Remarkables. Test yourself at the terrain parks or watch the action from the warmth of a café while sipping a hot chocolate.
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3. Skyline Queenstown
The Skyline Gondola has been taking visitors to the crest of Bob's Peak since 1967. Jump on board the steepest cable-car line in the Southern Hemisphere and find yourself whisked up the side of the mountain for the perfect view of Queenstown and the magnificent surrounding landscape. Bob's Peak is also a great place for hiking, mountain biking, and especially paragliding.
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4. Lake Wānaka
Stroll past cascading waterfalls and view towering glaciers at Lake Wanaka. Cruise across the tranquil, dark water and unwind in the sun on empty lakeside beaches.
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5. Cardrona Alpine Resort
When the air is crisp and the snow fresh, Cardona Alpine Resort is a winter sports enthusiast’s dream. On-mountain accommodation will put you close to the action, letting you ski or snowboard right out onto its 850 acres (3.5 square kilometers) of skiable terrain. Test out the nursery slopes, practice flips, spins and slides in the four terrain parks, or tackle the challenging backcountry runs.
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6. The Octagon
Visit The Octagon to admire the superb cathedral and Victorian town hall, relax with a coffee at one of many open-air cafés or lie on the lawns and escape the busy city streets. Dunedin’s eight-sided central plaza is the ideal first port of call on your tour of the city.
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7. Coronet Peak Ski Area
Traverse ski and snowboard runs for all skill levels at Coronet Peak, a 691-acre (280-hectare) ski field to the northeast of Queenstown. Take on moguls and off-piste areas, then recharge at one of the many cafés and restaurants that serve hot food and drinks throughout the day.
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8. Lake Wakatipu
Lake Wakatipu is a lightning bolt-shaped lake set in the shadow of dramatic mountain peaks and alpine forests. The lake is the ideal setting for outdoor pursuits such as biking, fishing, kayaking and walking. Lake Wakatipu is 84 kilometres (52 miles) long and extends for 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) at its widest point. Māori legend states that the lake formed after a giant was burnt to death and thus scorched a huge hole by melting the ice of the nearby mountains.
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What to do in Otago
Stay near popular Otago attractions
Our guide on where to stay in Otago
Find the best Otago areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Otago
Learn more about Otago
Queenstown City Centre
The panoramic lake views and popular shops are just a few highlights of Queenstown City Centre. Make a stop by Skycity Queenstown Casino or Queenstown Mall while you're exploring the area.
Photo by Where Adventures Be
Open Photo by Where Adventures Be
Frankton
Frankton is known for its fantastic lake views, and you can make a stop by Remarkables Park Town Centre and Lake Wakatipu while in the area.
Dunedin City Centre
Dunedin City Centre is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Grand Casino or The Octagon.
Fernhill
Fernhill is well-regarded for its captivating mountain views, ample dining options and fantastic lake views, and you might also want to make a stop by Lake Wakatipu, a top sight in the neighbourhood.
St. Clair
The beaches and abundant dining options are top of the list for many visitors to St. Clair. A stop by St. Clair Beach or St. Clair Golf Club might round out your trip.
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