Worth getting out of bed for...

Viewpoint

Queenstown’s lakes and alpine mountains are eye-poppingly striking; admire the blockbuster location from atop the Skyline Gondola (www.skyline.co.nz), which sports a café and restaurant.

Arts and culture

Although the great outdoors are the big draw here, there are a handful of must-see galleries including Toi o Tahuna, at 11 Church Lane (www.toi.co.nz), which exclusively represents New Zealand art including contemporary Maori talents. Ask owner Mark Moran for the free guide Galleries & Artist Studios in the Wakatipu for a more comprehensive cultural crawl.

Something for nothing

There’s a marked Frisbee Golf Course in Queenstown Gardens where all you need is a frisbee and decent hand-eye coordination.

Shopping

Queenstown is brimming with adventure and sports stores but there are a few sartorial gems too; at 1, The Mall, Angel Divine (03 442 8988) stocks hot NZ designers including Kate Sylvester, and ethical fashion label Untouched World (03 442 4992) creates beautiful Merino wool garments. Kapa, at 29 Rees Street (03 442 4041), has local and Maori artwork and jewellery. On Saturdays between April and December, a small arts and crafts market is held on the lakeside beside Steamer Wharf. The pretty gold-mining town of Arrowtown (www.arrowtown.org.nz), half an hour’s drive from Queenstown, is also good for upmarket boutiques and craft shops.

Daytripper

It’s three and a half hours’ drive north-west to spectacular Milford Sound in Fiordland – but New Zealand’s top tourist attraction won’t disappoint. Sheer rock faces rise dramatically from the water with forests clinging precariously to the craggy cliffs. A cruise out onto the Sound may also conjure up seals and dolphins. Lots of tour operators run day trips out of Queenstown, including Real Journeys (www.realjourneys.co.nz). Milford Sound Scenic Flights (www.milfordflights.co.nz) offers aerial sweeps.

Perfect picnic

With its tempting bakery and deli, the Mediterranean Market (www.mediterranean.co.nz) is the place to fill up your gourmet hamper. Pick up a bottle of the region’s toasted pinot noir and settle back on a lakeside bench or do battle with seagulls on the shore.

Walks

There are endless scenic walks in the area ranging from one-hour strolls to eight-hour treks; the DOC visitor information centre at 37 Shotover Street (www.doc.govt.nz) has a free guide, Queenstown Walks and Trails. For longer tramping, the three- to four-day 32-kilometre Routeburn Track will make you feel the burn, but its scenic subalpine rainforest location will make up for it (reserve your spot ahead of time).

Children

Daredevil kids over 10 can enjoy vertiginous bungy jumps, care of AJ Hackett, or the Secrets of Bungy Tour lets them sample the madcap bungy scene without leaving terra firma (www.bungy.co.nz). The beachside playground in Queenstown Gardens will please younger children, and all kids should get a kick out of the Underwater Observatory at Main Town Pier (03 442 6142).

Activities

Queenstown is New Zealand’s most famous ski destination, with popular slopes at the Remarkables and Coronet Peak (www.nzski.com), as well as more chilled-out alternatives at Cardrona (www.cardrona.com) and Treble Cone (www.treblecone.com) around smaller lakeside town Wanaka, 100 kilometres north-east. Local buses and return shuttles run to the ski fields. For off-piste heli-skiing, try Harris Mountains Heli-Ski (www.heliski.co.nz) or Southern Lakes Heli-Ski (www.southernlakesheliski.co.nz).

And

trying at least one heart-stopping activity, as this is the adrenalin capital of the world. Bungy jumping, skydiving, hang gliding, jet-boating, caving, canyoning, white-water rafting, climbing, mountain biking or kayaking are all readily on offer.