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Queenstown Bay

Queenstown Bay

One of my favourite beaches in New Zealand isn’t even located on the coast – it’s in Queenstown! Queenstown Bay, on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, is the perfect place to chill-out by the water. There are plenty of places to sit, trees for shade and stones for skipping, and the whole scene is very photogenic.

Queenstown Bay

Queenstown Bay is the main beach, and focal point, of downtown Queenstown. It’s a short walk from all the food options in Queenstown, making it a good place bring your meal (which, lets face it, is likely to be a burger from Fergburger). You won’t be the only one with this idea, and the crowds do unfortunately attract plenty of seagulls. Still though, there aren’t many more relaxing (but still vibrant) places in New Zealand to eat your meal.

The beach is also great for strolling along — we’ve tended to be there in the colder months meaning we haven’t seen anyone brave enough for a dip. The water is what impresses me the most – the contrasting blues look inviting and the water is very clear. Skipping stones is a popular pastime at Queenstown Bay but make sure you don’t hit any of the ducks (that wouldn’t go down well with the family friendly vibe).

READ MORE: 15 of the Best Things to Do in Queenstown

Things to do nearby

You’ll likely spend a bit of time in and around Queenstown Bay, especially if you’re staying right in town. There are a few things to do nearby, including Queenstown Gardens, art galleries and markets. Also keep an eye (or an ear) out for Happy the Singing Sheep Dog. It’s a bit of a stretch to say he’s singing but it’s entertaining all the same.

The piers at Queenstown Bay are where you’ll find the various boat tours. Some of these head out on Lake Wakaptipu for scenic cruises and some are jet boats which take you down some of the nearby rivers. There’s also a boat moored there where you can drink and take your own food, which sounds like a great idea.

READ MORE: T.S.S Earnslaw Cruise + Lunch at Walter Peak

Other Beaches in Queenstown

Queenstown Bay is one of many beautiful beaches in and around Queenstown. You’ll find most of them on the roads to Glenorchy and Kingston, which also happen to be two of the most scenic stretches of road in New Zealand.

What to Eat in Queenstown

Fergburger is the obvious answer here and it is as good as the hype suggests. There are also some delicious dessert options (Patagonia Chocolates and the Cookie Time Cookie Bar are our favourites) and plenty of places to drink. There are good deals to be had on food and drink in Queenstown and the options are endless. 

Are you planning a trip to Queenstown? Check out our three-seven day Queenstown itinerary!

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Jon Algie

I'm a South Island local -- born in Timaru and raised in Dunedin. I left the island in 2006 and returned 10 years later. Having seen a good chunk of the world I realised how special this place is -- the most beautiful island in the world! Seven years (and almost 400 posts) later I'm still helping locals and tourists alike plan their trips around the South Island.