Queenstown bills itself as the ‘Adventure Capital of the World.’ You can experience a number of heart-dropping activities here from jet-boating, to bungy jumping, to white water river sledging (yes, really). Needless to say, a trip to Queenstown, New Zealand, can very easily break your budget.
Yet it doesn’t have to. There are many budget friendly activities to keep you busy in Queenstown. While I’m basing myself in Queenstown for the winter season, I’ll run a couple options for the budget conscious traveler in Queesntown. Today, I’m featuring a photo essay from my recent hike to the summit of Queesntown Hill.
It will cost you nothing and the views from the 800 meter summit are superb. The walk leaves from town and is well sign-posted. The path is in excellent condition and takes you through a pine forrest before reaching the summit of Te Tapu-nui (Mountain of Intense Sacredness). If you’re in moderate fitness, you can expect the walk to take about two hours return – yet I’d allow more time at the summit to relax and take in the stunning 360 degree views. Enjoy.
Queenstown Hill Hike (Photo Essay)
It’s an excellent hike to the summit, and well worth your time if you’re visiting Queenstown. Best part about the hike? It won’t break your budget like the rest of Queenstown will.
Backpacking Matt 
These are the most breathtaking photos Matt! Absolutely stunning. I am so longing to go back there. We really only used it as a base to go to other places (I was on a geology field trip). I only caught a glimpse of the beauty. The colours on the mountains and the water are amazing. It must have been a lovely day.
@Verity Thanks! It was a great day for a hike. You’ll have to come back to take in everything Queenstown has to offer.
@Dave and Deb Easy to break the budget here, but plenty to do for free. Thanks for the compliment.
@TravelholicA Thanks!
@Amanada Sorry to make you miss NZ more! You’ll be back sooner or later I know!
Beautiful photos Matt! We have wanted to go to Queenstown ourselves and have had the same worry. It would be too expensive to really enjoy all the adventure activities. It is good to be reminded that you don’t have to spend a fortune to have a great time!
What a photo essay! Really amazing pictures. I love hiking and I can’t wait to make it to New Zealand. One day!
Wow, what fantastic photos, Matt!!! It makes me sick for New Zealand in the worst way! Queenstown is gorgeous, especially with snow on the mountains like that. It looks like you had a great day for your hike.
I’m going to go state at these photos some more now…
Matt, great job on the photos. The area has a very Alaskan look to it. I never realized New Zealand got so snowy.
@Eli Thanks! Queentown is a winter resort town – so while there isn’t snow in town throughout the winter, a 45 minute bus ride gets you to two ski fields.
Great photos me and my family just spent last saturday 13th and Sunday 14th Nov up in Frankton, Queenstown for my 3 childrens athletic meet on Sunday. We had an awesome weekend spending time in the lake on Saturday and Sunday quick trip into Queenstown before heading back to Frankton for the athletic meet then the swimming pool afterwards. Then fish and chips down by the lakeside for tea before heading home to Invercargill.
@Naimoi Sounds like a perfect day in QT — I hope you had your fish and chips at PJs!
Really beautiful. Looking forward to exploring it all myself!