Things to do in Otago

Activities, attractions and tours

Visit Otago

Types of activities

Where to stay

Otago travel guide

Otago showing mountains, a small town or village and a lake or waterhole

Otago which includes mountains, a lake or waterhole and forests

Skyline Gondola which includes a gondola, a lake or waterhole and a small town or village

Lake Hawea which includes mountains, a lake or waterhole and a pebble beach

South Island showing a lake or waterhole, a small town or village and forest scenes

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Top places to visit

1. 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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Coronet Peak Ski Area featuring snow skiing and snow

2. 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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Lake Wanaka showing landscape views, a beach and a lake or waterhole

3. 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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Queenstown Gardens which includes forest scenes

4. 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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Skyline Gondola featuring a bay or harbor and a coastal town

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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Cardrona Alpine Resort featuring mountains and snow

6. 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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The Remarkables Ski Area showing a gondola and snow as well as a small group of people

7. 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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The Octagon showing a church or cathedral and heritage elements as well as a large group of people

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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Lake Wakatipu showing a lake or waterhole and mountains

What to do in Otago

Popular places to visit

Coronet Peak Ski Area

4/5(11 reviews)

A variety of slopes for all abilities and some excellent après-ski options are on offer at this ski field just minutes from central Queenstown.

Lake Wānaka

4.5/5(49 reviews)

Enjoy gorgeous hiking trails and deserted beaches at this pristine lake with the magnificent backdrop of the Southern Alps.

Queenstown Gardens

4.5/5(32 reviews)

From flower beds to disc golf, this garden on the banks of Lake Wakatipu is full of pleasant surprises.

Skyline Queenstown

4.5/5(51 reviews)

Experience one of the world's steepest cable-car journeys and enjoy stunning views from Bob's Peak across Queenstown and the beautiful Lake Wakatipu.

Cardrona Alpine Resort

4.5/5(16 reviews)

Take lessons on the baby slopes, tear up fresh power at a higher elevation or attempt daring stunts in the terrain parks at this popular mountain resort.

The Remarkables Ski Area

4.5/5(16 reviews)

Skiers and snowboarders will find plenty of inviting slopes at this ski mountain, known for being one of New Zealand’s best venues for freestyle snow riding.

The Octagon

4/5(13 reviews)

Dunedin’s city center combines some of the city’s finest historic buildings with serene parkland and relaxed cafés.

Lake Wakatipu

4.5/5(66 reviews)

A great location for water sports, New Zealand’s third-largest lake is an impressive natural landmark framed by soaring mountains and encircled by walking trails.

Larnach Castle

4/5(6 reviews)

Discover tales of romance and tragedy, see rare Victorian furniture and take in stunning ocean vistas at New Zealand’s only castle.

Areas of Otago

Queenstown Beach featuring a small town or village, a pebble beach and skydiving

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.

Dunedin which includes a pond, heritage elements and a park

Dunedin City Centre

4.5/5(24 area reviews)

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.

Frankton

4/5(11 area reviews)

Stay in this picturesque part of Queenstown where the airport is located to enjoy spectacular mountain views and relaxed lakeside walks.

Goldfield Heights

Though Goldfield Heights may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Queenstown Mall and Skycity Queenstown Casino.

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

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

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.