If you’re planning a trip to Queenstown, you’ll find a world of adventure awaiting you. The small lakeside town is surrounded by an endless array of mountains and adventure activities, which all stack up to give Queenstown its reputation as the Adventure Capital of the World!
Most travellers to Queenstown plan sunshine activities, but rest assured that a shower of rain won’t dampen your spirits. All we recommend is that you pack some wet weather gear for your journey.
The weather forecast in Queenstown can be unpredictable, so use the forecast as a guide, but don’t rely on it. In the height of summer, it can be 30 degrees outside, but locals will keep a warm jacket nearby… just in case it takes an unexpected change.
So, if you get caught in a rain shower in Queenstown, here are a few outdoor and indoor activities to make sure your trip still builds a lifetime of memories.
Why is the Weather So Unpredictable in Queenstown?
As far as mountain towns go, Queenstown gets more than its fair share of clear blue skies. In fact, more than 3 out of 4 days see sunshine in the town! But it can change quickly, and predicting those rainy days can be difficult.
The reason the weather in Queenstown is difficult to predict is quite simple: cities located beside the ocean are regarded as having a maritime climate, meaning the warmth of the ocean slows down changes in air temperature, making maritime weather patterns slower-moving and more predictable. Seeing as New Zealand is an island nation, this theory applies to much of the country’s regions.
But Queenstown is located in the centre of the South Island, surrounded by the great Southern Alps. This environment is called a temperate climate. Without the presence of the ocean, air temperatures fluctuate a lot faster, and weather patterns are much more difficult to predict.
For that reason, the locals here in Queenstown know that the only way to predict the weather is by popping your head out the window to see what it’s doing. So, if you do get caught out with a rainy day in Queenstown, we have a few adventurous ideas for you.
16 fantastic outdoor and indoor activities Queenstown-wide
Learn what to do in Queenstown on a rainy day with our in-depth list of 16 enjoyable wet weather activities.
1. Ride the iconic Skyline Gondola
Stay high and dry as you glide your way up 480 vertical metres through the pine tree forest on Bobs Peak with a scenic Gondola ride at Skyline Queenstown.
Free up some space on your camera because even on a rainy day, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of Queenstown and the surrounding Whakatipu Basin!
Image: A stunning view from Skyline Queenstown
Open: Hours vary, see our open hours for the most up-to-date operating hours
Location: Brecon Street, Queenstown Tickets: You can purchase tickets from the Gondola bottom terminal or click here to buy online now.
2. Go bungy jumping
Bungy Jumping is a must-do Queenstown activity, and it’s super fun with a little bit of rain. To tick off two activities at the same time, take the scenic Gondola ride to Bob’s Peak with Skyline Queenstown, which is also home to the Ledge Bungy.
The Ledge Bungy
The Ledge Bungy will test every one of your nerves. Strap in, stand on the platform and take a lung-full of the surrounding misty forest air before leaping out for 45 metres of bungy fun.
The Ledge Bungy: Located at Skyline Queenstown, Brecon Street
Image credit: bungy.co.nz
Kawarau Bridge Bungy
If you’ve packed a spare set of clothes and aren’t afraid of getting a little bit wet on a rainy day, then why not get soaked? Take a short car journey out to the Kawarau Bridge Bungy, where the jump masters can give you a little dip in the mighty Kawarau River.
Kawarau Bridge Bungy: State Highway 6, Gibbston Valley, Queenstown
Image: Get dunked at the Kawarau Bridge Bungy (credit: BBH Hostel)
3. Take an off-road quad biking adventure
If heights aren’t your cup of tea, then stay on the ground with a rainy-day quad bike tour! Take control as you get off the beaten track, exploring 11,000 acres of Queenstown’s most iconic mountains, valleys and streams on four wheels.
Off-Road Adventures provides all safety gear and training, and there’s a tour to suit all abilities. Tours can be tailored to suit groups of friends and families, beginners and experienced riders alike.
Image: Crossing a stream with Off Road Adventures (credit: Klook.com)
4. Get some powder on the ski fields
During the winter months, when it’s raining in town, it will likely be snowing up in the mountains!
So, if you would love to see it snow or you’re keen on skiing and snowboarding, rainy days are your best chance at scoring some powder at either Coronet Peak or The Remarkables Ski Area.
Remember to carry appropriate winter clothes and gear for yourself and chains for your car, as the roads can become very hazardous during heavy snowfall. If you’re skiing or snowboarding on these snow days, it’s also a great idea to take low-light lenses for your goggles to break through the glare.
Image: Coronet Peak Ski Area (credit: coronetpeak.co.nz)
5. Relax in a hot pool
Snowboarding, bungy jumping and quad biking use muscles you never knew existed in ways they’ve never been used before. So, you may find yourself in need of some relaxation at the end of an adrenaline-fuelled day out. From getting personalised spa treatments to enjoying a private jacuzzi, Queenstown offers many hot pool options that will get you relaxed and feeling like you just woke up from a perfect night’s sleep.
Onsen Hot Pools
At Onsen Hot Pools, you can soak and relax in a private cedar-lined hot tub while taking in the views of the beautiful Shotover River canyon. As far as indoor activities go, there’s nothing more rejuvenating!
Onsen Hot Pools Location: 162 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point, Queenstown
Image credit: onsen.co.nz
Salt Float Spa
For a uniquely different experience, head to Salt Float Spa and float in a tank containing 450 kilograms of Epsom salts. The minerals in the salt help you float effortlessly, giving you a sensation of weightlessness on the body, removing the effects of gravity. When the music stops and the lights turn off, you will experience complete sensory deprivation, allowing you to reach deep relaxation and ‘reset’ the body.
Salt Float Location: 53 Gorge Road, Queenstown
Image Credit: My Guide Queenstown
6. Try indoor skydiving
If skydiving is on your bucket list, but the weather is keeping the planes grounded, don’t get disappointed: iFly Queenstown will get you flying high!
The first indoor skydiving experience in New Zealand is safe and fun for everyone 5 years and older. Each flight simulates a 12,000-foot skydive, and pre-flight training is included.
And don’t worry about missing out on the great views from flying outdoors because you can try a virtual reality experience flying over some of the world’s most incredible destinations, like Hawaii, Dubai, Southern California, and the Swiss Alps.
Location: 27 Brecon Street, Queenstown
Image credit: iflynz.co.nz
7. Chase thrills with indoor go karting
Another one of the most exciting indoor activities in Queenstown is go kart racing at Game Over. Here, you can speed to your heart’s content on the 293-metre multi-level indoor track in advanced electric karts designed for safety and fun for everyone.
Each go karting race can have up to eight participants at a time. Kids and adults race separately, ensuring that everyone gets a fair try. Can you beat the leaderboard?
The fun doesn’t stop once you’re off the track with the affordable Lazer Tag add-on. Shoot it out with up to 20 people in this action-packed experience!
Location: 14 Red Oaks Drive Frankton, Queenstown
8. Play some indoor golf
If you don’t want to get soaked on the green in wet weather, there are a few indoor things to do in Queenstown to get your golfing fix. Tee off with these fun experiences for the whole family.
Golf Federation
Nestled in the heart of New Zealand’s adventure capital, Golf Federation offers a unique twist to wet weather entertainment in Queenstown. Featuring four fully equipped indoor golf simulator bays with over 260 renowned golf courses at your disposal and a range of family-friendly fun games, Golf Federation has something for everyone.
Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just looking for a fun evening out with friends and family, Golf Federation promises an unforgettable experience. So, swap your hiking/ ski boots for a driver and immerse yourself in laughter and friendly competition at Golf Federation.
Location: 10 Athol Street, Queenstown Age Restrictions: No age restrictions Time: One person can play 18 holes in 50 mins/ Two people can play 18 holes in 1.5 hours
Putt’N’Glow Indoor Mini Golf
Putt’N’Glow Mini Golf at Thrillzone makes a rainy day in Queenstown enjoyable. This 9-hole course features a magical glow-in-the-dark setting created in cooperation with local Queenstown artists. It’s fully interactive, so you can rearrange obstacles to make the challenge easier or harder to match your skill level. Plus, it’s the only mini golf course in the country with unlimited rounds and playtime, meaning it’s a great bang for your buck!
Location: 53 Shotover Street, Queenstown
9. Go ice skating at Queenstown Ice Arena
Fun indoor activities in Queenstown don’t get much cooler than ice skating at Queenstown Ice Arena!
Not only can you spin, glide, and swoop across the ice, but you can ride the ice bumper cars, too. In fact, it’s the only place in the entire Southern Hemisphere where you’re able to. So, grab your warmest winter clothes and head out to the arena for some frosty fun ice skating and riding ice bumper cars.
Queenstown Ice Arena is also home to our very own SkyCity Stampede – the reigning champs of the New Zealand Ice Hockey League. Catch a game when you can, or even learn the ropes of ice hockey yourself at the arena’s ice hockey lessons.
Location: 29 Park Street, Queenstown Gardens, Queenstown
10. Play some laser tag at Thrill Zone
Test your strategic combat skills at Queenstown’s only 360-degree battleground with a rainy-day game of Laser Tag and Heroblast.
Designed to simulate real battle conditions, Thrill Zone uses the same state-of-the-art combat laser guns that are used in military training exercises. The rules are easy to follow, and the entire family can play.
So, if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush that pushes the limits of body and mind, stay dry and settle those rainy-day scores with a tactical game of Laser Tag with your friends and family.
Location: 53 Shotover Street, Queenstown
Image Credit: thrillzone.co.nz
11. Scare yourself at Fear Factory Queenstown
Not for the faint-hearted, the Fear Factory haunted house in downtown Queenstown is a rainy-day activity that will leave you shaking in your boots!
Take a walk through the haunted hotel and discover fears you never knew existed. Feel zombies breathing down your neck, ghosts buzzing around you, and watch dolls come to life before your eyes.
But the best part is that if Fear Factory gets a little bit too much to handle, you can call “CHICKEN”, and the lights will come on, giving you an easy walk to safety.
Over 20,000 people have called chicken so far. Will you be next?
Location: 59 Beach Street, Otago, Queenstown
Image Credit: fearfactory.co.nz
12. Experience strange sensations at Odyssey Sensory Maze
If you’re searching for fun indoor activities in Queenstown that’ll tickle every part of your senses, try the immersive Odyeesy Maze experience.
Here, you’ll lose yourself in a series of unique rooms, each filled with engaging visuals and sensory stimulations. One minute, you’ll be walking through a maze of mirrors; the next, you’ll wade through a forest! Try the crazy goggles to boggle your mind even more.
Location: 57 Shotover Street, Queenstown
13. Embrace the challenge of Escape Quest Queenstown
Located in central Queenstown, Escape Quest is another great activity on a rainy day in Queenstown. Join your friends and family for a race against the clock in this escape room adventure. There’s no key to get out, so the only way is to solve the riddles before the timer reaches zero.
The awesome escape room settings are based on real crimes from Queenstown’s gold rush era, so you’ll learn a bit of history all the way. Hunt for treasure in Shotover River or pin down a gang of bandits in a historic hotel. You’ll be impressed by the authenticity and attention to detail!
Location: Mountaineer Building, Level 1/32 Rees Street, Queenstown Age Restrictions: Children must be at least 7 years of age Time: Allow 1.5 hours to complete the experience
Image Credit: Escape Quest Queenstown
14. Bounce away at SITE Trampoline
Get active with your Queenstown indoor activities and jump and pop non-stop at SITE Trampoline, right outside the airport.
With its world-class super tramps, air bag, foam pits, launch ramp, and air tack, SITE Trampoline is great for anyone wanting to practice their parkour or skating tricks safely. And if you’re not there for freestyle training, you can still have fun bouncing from trampoline to trampoline at the tramp park.
Location: 1/15 Red Oaks Drive, Remarkables Park Town Centre, Frankton
15. Watch a show at a Boutique Movie Theatre
Watching a new movie while eating as much popcorn as you can is always a great rainy-day activity. And if that’s what you want, you’ll find Reading Cinemas on Mall Street in downtown Queenstown.
But if you would rather trade popcorn and Coke for wine and a cheeseboard, Dorothy Browns in Arrowtown is an intimate movie theatre, complete with couches, armchairs and beanbags. Movies even have a traditional intermission so you can take a food, drink or toilet break without missing a moment of the film.
Located just a 15-minute drive from Queenstown’s CBD, Dorothy Browns even caters to larger groups travelling together, offering the option to hire a room all to your own for a private screening.
Reading Cinemas Location: The Mall, Queenstown 1061
Central Otago is one of the best wine-growing regions in the country, so naturally, spending a few hours on a wine tour is one of the finest Queenstown rainy day activities. You’ll find dozens of wine tours that go through a selection of wonderful Arrowtown, Queenstown, and Gibbston wineries.
Prefer beer tastings over wine? Some companies offer a guided tour of the regional craft beer scene, or you can party out around town with Big Night Out Pub Crawl.
Queenstown is also home to multiple ice bars, including the Below Zero Ice Bar, Queenstown Ice Bar, and Minus 5 Ice Bar. These chilly ice bars bring winter to the city all year round.
Looking for more activities in Queenstown for your next visit?
Whether you visit a haunted house or a hot pool, excitement and entertainment await in the Adventure Capital. Now that you know what to do in Queenstown on a rainy day, check out our blog to find fun activities for when the sky clears up. We’re looking forward to your visit!
