Queenstown scored international acclaim as one of the "Top 5 Cities of the South Pacific" in Conde Naste Traveler's 2012 Readers' Choice Awards.
Based on 46,476 reader reviews, the luxury travel publication ranked the resort second overall for its ambiance, friendliness, lodgings, restaurants and culture. It rated 76.4 - second only to Sydney, which scored 81.7.
Queenstown's ratings were: ambience 91.6, friendliness 91.8, lodgings 78.7, restaurants 75.8, culture/sites 76.9, and shopping 53.8.
Destination Queenstown chief executive Graham Budd said in a statement he was delighted with the accolade.
Recognition from the influential travel publication was something to be celebrated, he said.
"It's a great acknowledgement that so many international travellers feel Queenstown is welcoming, vibrant and delivers world-class experiences," Mr Budd said.
