What’s on in Queenstown?
Arrowtown Autumn Festival
Celebrate the autumn season in the Otago region by booking cheap flights Melbourne to Queenstown for the Arrowtown Autumn Festival. The event takes place over five days in neighbouring Arrowtown. Each day, there’s an exciting program of events to check out, including market stalls, a parade, musical performances, children’s activities, and vendors selling different food, beers, and wine from the region. The vibrant autumn foliage around town serves as a beautiful backdrop to the festival. Book your Melbourne to Queenstown flights in mid-April to attend the Arrowtown Autumn Festival.
Queenstown Winter Festival
Many cities around the world quiet down in winter, but that’s not the case for Queenstown! You’ll find so much activity going on around the city if you book Melbourne to Queenstown flights in winter. One of the best times to visit is during the Winter Festival in June. The festival includes more than 60 events over four days to celebrate the start to the winter season. There are fireworks, live music, food stalls, pop-up wine cellars, stand-up comedians, and dance parties. Get in on the fun by booking cheap flights to Queenstown from Melbourne for late June.
Queenstown Jazzfest
Head to Queenstown in the spring to check out Jazzfest in between your Melbourne to Queenstown return flights. Over the course of four days, jazz musicians from all around the world head to Queenstown to perform. Concerts take place at venues across Queenstown plus some nearby towns, and many of the performances are free to attend. Take in the excitement of Jazzfest by booking flights Melbourne to Queenstown in late October.
What are the best things to do in Queenstown?
Queenstown Gardens
The Queenstown area is teeming with impressive landscapes. Some are best seen as a day trip out of town, but visitors holidaying on flights Melbourne to Queenstown can see the Queenstown Gardens without even leaving the CBD. The gardens feature both plants that are native to New Zealand and exotic species from other parts of the world. Stroll through the botanic garden to see a range of plants and colourful flowers, ponds, and memorials.
Shotover River
If you’re looking for some adventure while away on Melbourne to Queenstown flights, the Shotover River is the place to go. The river stretches for 75 kilometres (46.6 miles) north of Queenstown and much of it is easily accessible from the city. Embark on a jet boating or white-water rafting tour to explore the river, or get your adrenaline pumping on the Shotover River canyon swing.
Ben Lomond Track
The Ben Lomond Track is one of the top hiking trails to trek in the Queenstown area. It stretches for 24.5 kilometres (15.2 miles) in total and takes about eight hours to complete the hike to the end and back. Set aside a full day in between your Melbourne to Queenstown return flights to hike the Ben Lomond Track. The trail is challenging and steep in spots, so only attempt it if you’re an experienced hiker. There are stunning views over Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the Remarkables along the way.
What should I pack for Queenstown?
Whether you book tickets to Queenstown from Melbourne in the summer or winter, bring along clothes that you can wear outdoors. Hiking is a popular activity to enjoy if you book flights Melbourne to Queenstown in warmer months. Pack a pair of hiking shoes and comfortable clothes, like shorts, t-shirts, and a hoodie, that you can wear out on the trails. A daypack also comes in handy to carry a refillable water bottle, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Even if you book cheap flights to Queenstown from Melbourne in the summer, you might experience chilly evening weather. Pack a pair of jeans and a jacket that you can wear once the sun goes down.
If you book flights into Queenstown Airport (ZQN) in the winter, you'll want to bring along plenty of layers and warm clothing. Pack a heavy coat, jeans, jumpers, a hat, and a scarf. Boots are also good to have, preferably waterproof ones as you’ll likely see some snow if you book tickets to Queenstown from Melbourne between June and August. If you book cheap flights Melbourne to Queenstown with the intent to hit the slopes, you could also bring along skis if you’d prefer to use your own rather than rent from the ski resort.
Finally, it’s a good idea to pack an umbrella no matter what time of year you book cheap flights to Queenstown from Melbourne. There is a fair possibility of rain every month of the year.
