The Queenstown region was a deserted land when the British people first arrived in the mid-1850s, although there is evidence of previous Māori settlement. Sheep farmers came first, but after two shearers discovered gold on the banks of the Shotover River in 1862, a deluge of prospectors followed.

The current Queenstown town centre used to be a high country farm that was set up by explorers William Gilbert Rees and Nicholas von Tunzelmann in 1860. It was the first European settlement in the area. Before this, the surrounding Maori visited the area in search of a greenstone called Pounamu. The fortunes of the area changed with the discovery of gold in the Arrow River in 1862 and by January 1863 the town had been officially named Queenstown. Many people started settling the area with a rise in things to do in Queenstown economically and occupationally speaking. Within a year the settlement was a mining town with streets, permanent buildings and a population of several thousands. It was declared ‘fit for a queen’ by the New Zealand government; hence Queenstown was born. Many historical Queenstown attractions such as William’s Cottage, the Lake Lodge of Ophir, Queenstown Police Station, and St Peter’s Anglican Church were all build in the subsequent years.

Lake Wakatipu was the principal means of transport, and at the height of the boom there were four paddle steamers and 30 other craft plying the waters. Queenstown became a popular holiday destination. As time passed the area become more and more knows for its alpine outdoor-based activities and today. More recently, Queenstown attractions have included its suitability for being used as a film and television location including the shooting of the Lord of The Rings Trilogy.

Queenstown is a small town with a population of a little over 28,000 people. Beyond just tourist sites, the city is buzzing with artistic flavours and is known for being an inspiration for many artists and filmmakers alike. Amongst the many attractions are its rich Maori culture and several festivals at different times of the year. Due to its Maori heritage and large chunks of the population that are foreign-born, has resulted in lively multiculturalism. This has paved the way for many interesting places to eat at in Queenstown. Also, the residents are known for their love of adventure, spending time outdoors, and for their laidback lifestyle. This has resulted in lively multiculturalism and amongst the many Queenstown attractions enjoyed by the people are festivals held each year like the winter festival in June, the Jazz and Blues festival in October, and a Bike festival held around March or April.