There’s no other place for big group adventures quite like South Island/Te Waipounamu’s beautiful Queenstown/Tahuna. With endless activities on offer, and so many suited to large groups of friends, strap yourselves in and get ready for one epic ride. The two Thrifty locations in Queenstown, at the Airport and Downtown, make it easy to pick up your rental car and get going on your awesome adventures with a car full of mates. Book a dormitory room at Haka House Queenstown Lakefront and knock out a game of pool or two before checking out some of these activities to make the most of Queenstown with your friends.

Embrace Adventure

Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the world for a reason. With soaring mountains, lush bush, open water and plenty of space for more than enough thrill-seeking activities to fit in one town, it’s a place where nature is your playground. If you and your mates are up for the challenge, bungy jumping from Kawarau Bridge is an unmissable experience for those needing a hit of adrenaline. There are also a range of affordable opportunities to discover Queenstown from new heights with zipride experiences taking you across some of the most stunning parts of the town. At Kawarau Zipride, the three parallel lines mean that you can race your mates to the end of the 130 metre line as you soar at 60 kilometres an hour over turquoise waters. For even more adventure, jump aboard the Queenstown Gondola and let your jaw drop to the views of Lake Wakatipu from 480 metres above as you head up to Bob’s Peak. From the top, there’s only one way down, and that’s aboard an exhilarating Luge ride. Part go-kart, part toboggan, the gravity-fuelled Luge lets you take control as you catapult through 1,600 metres of track. Race your mates to the bottom and take in the picturesque views—but be warned, once you Luge, you’ll get the Luge bug and won’t be able to stop!

Discover Queenstown’s Nature

There are boundless ways for you and your friends to immerse yourself in the greenery of Queenstown without paying through the roof. Some of the best that Queenstown has to offer is accessible on foot, with a range of walking trails and hikes. The Queenstown Hill Walking Track begins only a five minute drive from Queenstown’s centre and delivers some of the most breath-taking views in all the region. Climb through the pine forest to the summit of Te Tapu-nui and take in Queenstown from above. With a perfect picnic spot by the shores of the small mountain lake, this is a great opportunity to get amongst nature with your friends and enjoy a walk through wildlife. Or, if two wheels are more your kind of vibe, take on one of the mountain bike trails and explore the hidden gems of the greenery scattered around the town. If you’re game enough to take on Queenstown Trail’s 130 kilometre track, you’ll get the opportunity to ride past Lake Hayes and through the historic Arrowtown, and then out to the Gibbston wine region for spectacular scenery. If that sounds a little daunting to you and your friends, no need to stress—riding even just part of the massive stretch of trail will guarantee a journey of awesome landscapes.

From Lake Wakatipu 

The adventure activities aren’t only limited to the land in Queenstown. The stunning Lake Wakatipu provides ample opportunity for water sports, sight-seeing and refreshing relaxation. The cool, flat waters of the bay make it the ideal location for stand up paddle-boarding, a great choice of activity for a group of mates wanting to go with the flow of the water. It’s also a perfect option for friends of all ages, abilities and budgets, meaning you can save some extra dollars here to spend on burgers later! If sitting down and enjoying the postcard views of Lake Wakatipu is more your style, kayaking is a great way to explore the pristine waters of the lake and its surrounds. With Kayak Kinloch, an experienced guide will lead you the way and show you the secrets of this slice of paradise. If you and your mates are feeling ambitious, there’s even the option to get out on the water in a kayak at sunrise, watching the sun appear over the horizon and cover the lake with light. So, set your alarms, grab a kayak, and embrace the lake from above the water.

Burgers and Cocktails

There’s nothing better than a great feed and a refreshing cocktail by the water, except for enjoying both with mates. After all that adventuring and exploring, you’d be forgiven for feeling hungry. No need to fret, because Fergburger has you covered. A burger institution as famous in Queenstown as the sweeping skylines, their Prime New Zealand Beef Burger is a national treasure that’s best washed down with a pina colada atop New Zealand’s only floating bar. Down by the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Perky’s Floating Bar is the place to be. With an extensive list of cocktails, as well as local beers and wines, all you need to do is bring with you your burgers and your mates, then sit back and enjoy the stunning 360-degree views of Queenstown.

Queenstown is the perfect playground for you and your friends to explore nature, relax by the water and bond over thrill-seeking adventures in the town that is famous for them.