<h5 style="text-align: right;"><img class="alignnone wp-image-38140 size-full" src="https://static.travelgay.com/media/68073/milford-sound-e1528363847397.jpg" alt="Milford-Sound" width="100%" />photo - with kind permission from Tourism of New Zealand</h5><h2>Queenstown</h2>Queenstown is, without a doubt, the adrenaline adventure capital of New Zealand, if not the world. And as soon you arrive, it is plain to see why.The town has the most stunning natural location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu with the Remarkables Mountain Range craggy peaks providing the perfect backdrop for almost every adventure outdoor sport created. This brings adventure seekers here from all around the world in droves.Be warned, the adventure kind of creeps up and just grabs you. Before you know it, you will find yourself bungy jumping from the original RJ Hackett bridge, the birthplace of the bungy and leaping from an aircraft (firmly attached to a professional with a parachute) on the world's highest skydive.&nbsp;<h2>Gay Scene</h2>Queenstown is relatively small and has developed to service the outdoor adventure tourism industry. There aren't any 'exclusively gay' venues, but we've listing a few notable gay-friendly bars on our <a title="Queenstown gay scene" href="https://www.travelgay.com/queenstown-gay-scene/">Queenstown Gay Scene</a> page.Queenstown is, though, the centre of the New Zealand's gay and lesbian adventure travel scene. Once a year, around late August to early September, the town quite literally lives up to its name by hosting New Zealand's <a title="Gay Ski Week Queenstown" href="https://www.gayskiweekqt.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Gay Ski Week</a>. This is widely promoted as the biggest gay &amp; lesbian alpine party in the Southern Hemisphere.&nbsp;<h2>Getting to Queenstown</h2>Queenstown International Airport has connecting flights to cities in New Zealand and regular flights to Sydney. There are also direct flight to Brisbane and Melbourne during the busiest winter ski season.A Connectabus service runs from the airport to the town centre and on to Arrowtown. Intercity Coachline bus services run daily to and from Christchurch, Te Anau, Wanaka and the West Coast.By car, Queenstown is a 6-hour drive from Christchurch through spectacular countryside and mountain passes.&nbsp;<h2>Getting around Queenstown</h2>The downtown area small and easily manageable on foot.&nbsp;<h2>When to visit</h2>Queenstown summer extends from December through February. Sunny warm days are ideal for the numerous outdoor activities. This is also peak season for tourism so expect the town to be busier and hotels more expensive. Winter is from June until end of August, when Queenstown becomes a ski resort town.&nbsp;<h2>Things to See &amp; Do</h2>Adventure:Queenstown is the birthplace of the bungy jump, and you can still take a leap from the original AJ Hackett Kawarau bridge on the edge of town.  Pumping adrenaline is what it’s all about here. As well as bungy, take your pick from rafting, river surfing, jet boating, parapenting, sky diving, mountain biking, hiking, winter skiing and much more.  The small town is awash with tour agents only to eager to provide you with all the details and offers to encourage you to face your fears and commit.Queenstown <a title="SkyLine Luge Queenstown" href="https://www.skyline.co.nz/queenstown/luge/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Skyline Luge</a> is not to be missed. Ride up a mountain side in a cable car then wizz down one of two tracks on your own personal luge!Take a cruise on Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw, ‘The Lady of the Lake’ a century old coal-fired steamship.Head up the shore road of Lake Wakatipu north to Glenorchy and back - it is a stunningly beautiful drive.Discover world-class local wines on a wine tour &amp; tasting.Sample the diverse restaurant and lively bar scene of both Queenstown and nearby Arrowhead.No trip to Queenstown would be complete without visiting the nearby Milford Sound.

Gay Queenstown · City Guide

First visit to Queenstown? Then our gay Queenstown city guide is for you.

Queenstown is known as the "Adventure Capital of the World." It's a dream destination for adrenaline junkies. Located on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is surrounded by stunning rivers and mountains. It's as New Zealand-y as you can get.

You can try jet boating, canyon swinging, horse trekking, bungy jumping, sky diving, ziplining and just about any extreme sport you can think of. If you love the great outdoors you'll love Queenstown. It's also a great foodie destination. There's no gay scene in Queenstown but it's very gay-friendly. There are some gay events in Queenstown, such as Gay Ski Week.

Queenstown, dubbed the "Adventure Capital of the World," is an exhilarating destination for those seeking thrills amidst some of New Zealand's most breathtaking landscapes. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by majestic rivers and mountains, Queenstown offers a plethora of activities for the outdoor enthusiast. Whether it's jet boating, canyon swinging, horse trekking, bungy jumping, skydiving, or ziplining, this town has it all for the adrenaline junkie.
Beyond its adventurous offerings, Queenstown is also a haven for food lovers, with a vibrant culinary scene that complements its dynamic outdoor activities. While Queenstown does not have a specific gay neighborhood or bar scene, it is known for being exceptionally gay-friendly, welcoming LGBTQ+ visitors with open arms. The city also hosts significant events such as Gay Ski Week, a popular annual celebration that combines the thrill of skiing with various social events, making it a festive time for the community and allies to gather.

Gay Queenstown

The ability for same-sex couples to legally adopt a child.

Equal age of consent since homosexual (male-and-male) activity was legalised with the commencement of the Homosexual Law Reform Act on 8 August 1986.

The difference between legal age of consent for homosexual sex and heterosexual sex.

12 month deferral periods were dropped to 3 months across multiple categories of donor, including MSMs.

The ability for MSMs (men who have sex with men) to donate blood or tissue for organ transplants. A deferral period refers to a waiting time before a man can donate after having sex.

After a review, the 5 years deferral was reduced to 12 months deferral.

No specific date in March. NZBS lists March 2009 on the linked page. NZBS performed a review in 2013 and results are expected to be public shortly.

In New Zealand, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.

Censorship or prohibition of discussing, promoting, or teaching LGBTQ+ topics in media, schools, and in the general public.

Law was changed under the Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Act 2021 which comes into effect on 15 June 2023. This will allow gender self-identification and mean that you will not need to go through the Family Court to change your nominated sex/gender, and you will not require evidence of medical treatment to do so either.

Legal recognition of sex reassignment by permitting a change of legal gender on an individual's birth certificate.

Law was changed to allow trans people to apply through the Family Court under section 28 of the Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationship Registration Act 1995. Currently through the Family Court, you are required to provide 'supporting evidence' of some form of medical treatment, which does not have to be surgery but may be. 

With 112 affirmative votes and 8 opposed votes, the Parliament of New Zealand passed the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act, banning conversion therapy on February 15, 2022, which took partial effect on February 19, 2022, with the remaining protections for those over 18 with "decision-making" capacity where "serious harm" has not been caused will take effect on July 19, 2022.

Legal status of conducting sexual orientation changing therapy ("ex-gay" therapy)

Under section 21 of the Human Rights Act 1993, discrimination against "heterosexual, homosexual, lesbian, or bisexual orientations" is prohibited, with no other sexual orientations being protected. Discrimination protections relating to gender identity and transgender persons are ambiguous but regarded as being protected under the ground of "sex". 
 
Under the Human Rights Act 1993, there are a variety of specific exceptions from discrimination law relating to working in private areas (such as a person's home) and accessing special counselling services (such as counselling dealing with sexual abuse or family violence), among others.

Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

The Human Rights Act 1993 prohibits discrimination in relation to employment and religious grounds, affirmed by section 19 of the NZ Bill of Rights Act 1990, which apply everywhere. However, protections only apply to those of heterosexual, homosexual, lesbian, or bisexual orientations, and currently gender identity is ambiguously regarded as being protected under the ground of sex. That has not been tested yet, and is prone to being interpreted otherwise.

Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity in employment, including hiring, promotion, termination, harassment, etc.

Legalised with the commencement of the Homosexual Law Reform Act 1986, introduced as a bill by former member of Parliament Fran Wilde.

Consensual sexual activity between individuals of the same sex.

Prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity when applying for housing or discrimination by landlords / property owners.

Law was changed upon the passing of the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act in 2013, which included the amendment under section 5 clarifying the meaning of marriage to "the union of 2 people, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity". New Zealand was the fifteenth country in the world, and the first in Oceania, to enact marriage equality.

Marriage and marriage recognition between two people of the same biological sex and/or gender identity.

The Civil Union Act 2004 received Royal assent on 13 December 2004, allowing for same-sex couples to enter civil unions when it commenced on 13 April 2005.

No form of civil unions or same-sex marriage were legal prior to 13 April 2005.

The ability for homosexuals to serve in the military and be open about their sexuality.

New Zealand allows an "X" marker on birth certificates and passports.

Legal recognition of non-binary, genderqueer, or third gender identities.

New Zealand

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Gay Queenstown · Hotels

Bardeaux Queenstown bar 1

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Queenstown Gay Scene

The Rees Hotel & Luxury Apartments main

The Rees Hotel and Luxury Apartments

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Hotel St Moritz Queenstown - MGallery

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DoubleTree by Hilton Queenstown

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Gay Queenstown Guide [YEAR] for gay travelers. Find the best gay scene, gay-popular venues, recommended hotels in Queenstown, New Zealand. Reviews, photos, discounts, maps.

Gay Queenstown Guide 2024 - gay bars, clubs, saunas & more

Queenstown

Queenstown. Gateway to an extreme, awesome and massive scenery. A thrill seekers' paradise in New Zealand.

Bardeaux offers a 'totally Queenstown' experience, with its large open fire, cosy atmosphere, great music and an extensive wine and cocktail menu. 
 
A great place for pre-dinner drinks, post-ski or cocktail parties. Open every day from 3pm-4am.

Bardeaux

Gay-friendly bar with cosy atmosphere, great music and cocktails.

Don't be mistaken by the name. The Bathhouse isn't a gay sauna, but an upscale gay-friendly tapas bar &amp; restaurant located right on the water at Queenstown Bay, just in front of Novotel Queenstown Lakeside. 
 
The Bathhouse has an excellent wine list with many local varities. A great place to have a drink and people-watch.

The Bathhouse Queenstown

The Bathhouse

Upscale gay-friendly tapas bar & restaurant on Queenstown Bay.

Cowboys in Queenstown? We like the sound of that. This friendly bar in the heart of Queenstown is known for its cosy atmosphere, reasonably priced drinks, welcoming staff. 
 
Open daily from 3pm.

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Cowboys

LGBT-popular bar in the heart of Queenstown.

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Gay Queenstown

Queenstown. Gateway to an extreme, awesome and massive scenery. A thrill seekers' paradise in New Zealand.

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