Milford Sound
There are few things more dreamy than exploring a mountain town and reaching a new peak of connection with your loved one. Luckily, planning such a trip doesn’t have to be an uphill climb. Queenstown is a place where hearts beat faster, making it the perfect destination to spend your honeymoon, romantic holiday away, or to simply indulge in an all-day date. Our picks of the top couple activities in and around Queenstown blend a level of intimacy and adrenaline that only the adventure capital of the world could pull off smoothly.
Daytime
Sunrise Walk up Queenstown Hill
Start your day of romance off on the right foot and take a crisp morning walk to watch the world wake up. Queenstown Hill is a conveniently located walking track with fantastic views of Lake Wakatipu, The Remarkables, and Cecil Peak at the very top that will all reveal themselves as the golden hour glow creeps over the mountains.
KJet and Wine Sampler Tour
Take the stress out of planning and choose a tour that combines the best of Queenstown’s infamous adrenaline and relaxation activities. The KJet and Wine Sampler tour will first thrill you with a 95km jet boat ride packed with insane speeds and 360 degree spins. This is then followed by a further 180 degree change of pace as you relax into a tour of some of Central Otago’s best wineries. For the perfect mid-morning date activity, book the first jet boat tour of the day and then enjoy the included lunch and wine sampling in romantic bliss.
Cruise Lake Wakatipu
For a mid-winter date idea, Southern Discoveries offer two Queenstown Cruise options including the Lunch Cruise or a Scenic Wine & Cheese Cruise. The intimate seating and bow viewing space creates a unique atmosphere on the glassy surface of Lake Wakatipu where you can sightsee with your partner, glass of bubbles in hand.
In Summer, if you’re looking to add the perfect memory to end your day, choose the last cruise of the day to enjoy the sun dipping behind the mountain over Lake Wakatipu on the sunset dinner cruise.
Tandem Bungy
When it comes to unique and thrilling date ideas, few experiences can match the exhilaration and shared adrenaline rush of doing a tandem bungy jump. As you stand on the edge of the Kawarau Bungy platform, hearts pounding and toes all lined up, you’ll feel a mix of fear, excitement, and trust. Taking that leap of faith side by side will bond you in an unforgettable way and grow feelings of closeness that continue after the harnesses come off. The on-site cafe and Liquid Courage bar makes this a date destination that has it all.
Photo credit: wandering.world
Learn To Ski
If your romance is growing in Queenstown of all places, it would be remiss of us not to include a trip to the mountains as one of the most light-hearted, adventurous, and visually stunning locations for a couples activity. Learn to ski or snowboard together on some of the best slopes in the southern hemisphere and enjoy the laughter that ensues from wobbly attempts and graceful falls. If one of you is perhaps a shredder already, host your own private lesson to bond over a new shared hobby.
Ski lessons in Queenstown and Wanaka:
Bike ride and coffee along the Frankton Track
For couples who love to be active, the Queenstown Trail runs all the way from Queenstown to Gibbston Valley, riding through Arrowtown. Start the ride at Queenstown Gardens on your own bikes and take a cruisy ride on the lakeside Frankton Track. Stop along the way at The Boatshed Cafe for a morning coffee and continue for as long as you like before heading back to Queenstown on the same track.
If you’re looking for bike hire options in Queenstown, start your ride at Better By Bike near Frankton, ride the trail to the Queenstown Gardens and enjoy your coffee on the return leg to Frankton.
Night Time
A wine and dine evening.
Create a lasting impression of your day out and close it out with something special. Enjoy the best restaurants in Queenstown.
We’ve collected a list of the best restaurants in Queenstown to cater to all date day budgets and tastes (in order from high-end to highly thrifty).
- Jervois Steak House
- Botswana Butchery
- ORO Restaurant at The Carlin Hotel. Enjoy complimentary valet parking with your fine dining experience.
- Nest Kitchen and Bar, located at Kamana Lakehouse.
- Blue Kanu. This restaurant offers a range of seafood, pacific and asian style meals for those that miss a taste of the ocean in this mountain town.
- The Cow. Keep it casual with this pizza and spaghetti restaurant.
- Yonder. Yonder specialises in vegan and vegetarian meals and other diets; this dinner choice won’t let your dietary requirements restrict this date.
- Ferg Burger. To get the locals experience, call ahead, takeaway, and eat it on Perky’s Floating Bar.
- Hot Dog Inc. Delicious food truck hot dogs lakeside. Check their Facebook page to see if they’re in the area on the day of your date.
Stargazing with Skyline
Staring up at the night sky has been one of the most simple, popular, and romantic date dates for generations. Experience the same wonder by booking an hour of stargazing at the top of the Skyline Gondola, re-opening 1st July. Afterwards you can head inside the Stratosphere restaurant to warm up with a hot drink.
Minus 5° Ice Bar
If the night calls for one more drink or mocktail, make it unique by visiting the only bar in Queenstown made entirely of ice. This one-of-a-kind last call experience will make it easy to cozy up together in the warm jackets and gloves provided and enjoy the chill atmosphere hand in hand.
Whether you’re a couple of hopeless romantics, active relaxers or fear conquerors, Queenstown is undeniably the best place to visit for a couple’s getaway or adventurous honeymoon.
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