Solo Travel in Queenstown

The world's first commercial bungy site, opened by AJ Hackett in 1988 on the historic Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge, about 25 minutes' drive from Queenstown. The jump is 43m over the river, and you can choose to have your head or hands dunked in the water. Even if you don't jump, the viewing platforms make it a fun stop on the way to the wineries.

📍Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge, Gibbston Highway (SH6), near Queenstown, New Zealand

Queenstown's famous burger shop on Shotover Street, open from 7am until 2:30am, with a queue at almost any hour. The burgers are huge, made with local lamb, venison, beef and vegetarian options, and you can take them to the lakefront a block away. Order ahead by phone or online to skip the longest waits, or come at an odd hour.

📍42 Shotover Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand

A big, central hostel about 100m from Lake Wakatipu, with dorms and private rooms (some with lake or mountain views), a modern kitchen, a cinema room, a lounge with fireplace, a sauna and a travel desk for bungy, jet boats and ski trips. Rooms facing Searle Lane get bar noise at weekends — ask for the Church Street side.

📍Church Street, Queenstown, New Zealand