PUBLISHED July 4th, 2016 07:00 am | UPDATED May 8th, 2018 11:39 am
Forget Sydney for a bit, Queenstown is a little town located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu in New Zealand. Offering activities from wine tasting to bungee jumping and white water rafting, you’ll find something here that for you. Tip: although there’s loads to see and do all year round, we reckon winter is the best time to visit Queenstown.
The quaint and charming lakeside town can be enjoyed in as little as three days, however five days is the optimum time that will give you a good taste of what Queenstown has to offer.
Day 1 – Getting Acquainted
Start your day off at Bob’s Weigh (6 Shotover St), which offers a range of affordable breakfast options, drinks, and excellent coffee. Be sure to go early, as this small cafe can get packed quickly.
After you’ve eaten, stroll down Queenstown Mall, a traffic-free arcade in the centre of town. Pick up a merino wool jersey for some extra warmth, a tacky fridge magnet for a couple of dollars, or perhaps a jade necklace for folks back home.
Walk up to Skyline Gondola, Restaurant & Luge (Brecon St) for a ride up to Bob’s Peak (32NZD, return for an adult or 90NZD, return for a family). The food here won’t knock your socks off, but you’ll enjoy biting into a meat pie as you take in awe-inspiring views of Queenstown. Whiz down on the luge ride (from 45NZD for return gondola and 5 luge rides) – it’s 800 metres of fast-paced freedom on a downhill track.
Once you’re done admiring the vistas, take the gondola back into town where you’ll find an abundance of fantastic restaurants and bars. If you’re in the mood for a quality taco, take dinner at Taco Medic (11 Brecon St) where you’ll find delicious handmade tortillas with fresh ingredients. Alternatively, walk to Pedro’s House of Lamb (47 Gorge Rd) to sink your teeth into a generous shoulder of lamb slow-cooked so well it falls off the bone. Stop by Eichardts Bar (Marine Parade) to wash your dinner down with a cocktail or beer by the lakeside, and sink into the bar’s cosy atmosphere.
Day 2 – Hit The Slopes
A trip to Queenstown isn’t complete without at least a day on the slopes. Take your pick of nearby mountains Coronet Peak or The Remarkables. You’ll find excellent conditions for all skill levels on Coronet Peak, popular for its close proximity to the town and excellent facilities. Enjoy views across Lake Wakatipu and Lake Hayes during the day, or set in for night skiing on Friday or Saturday. You’ll spot The Remarkables from the town centre, a long range rising sharply across the water, reachable within 35 minutes. There’s a good terrain for all skill levels here, however offers more for intermediates.
There’ll be an abundance of shops in town that will provide everything you need – rental of skis, snowboards, winter clothing, goggles, helmets; buses to and from the mountain, lessons, and also your lift pass. While these can also be found at the top of the mountain, you’ll get a better deal in town, where prices are relatively competitive.
One Stop Snow Shop (Duke St) offers an excellent one-day starter combo, which covers everything a beginner needs from lessons, passes, and gear hire for 145NZD. Their buses up the mountain depart every 20 minutes from 8am through to midday to either The Remarkables or Coronet Peak, and return to Queenstown every 20 minutes from 1.30pm.
Experienced skiers and snowboarders can simply rent a board and boots for as little as 22NZD at Snow Rental (39 Camp St) and Outside Sports (9 Shotover St), where you’ll find range of quality gear for sale and hire from 20NZD. After you’ve made it down safely from the mountain, indulge in a Queenstown rite of passage and munch on a famous Fergberger (42 Shotover St) and onion rings!
Day 3 – See The Sights
Those keen on another day up the slopes should take a scenic trip to Cardrona Alpine Resort, an hour’s drive from Queenstown, where you’ll find a relaxed and friendly ski area with beginner trails, good free-ride terrain, and world class pipes and parks. Enquire with Real Journeys or Kiwi Discovery for a daily shuttle service from town to Cardrona.
Enough of the snow? Hop in a car and take the 70 kilometre drive through parts of the Southern Lakes district to the lovely lakeside town of Wanaka for a bite to eat and stroll by the lake. You’ll find plenty to do here, from a local brewery, to the family-friendly Puzzling World, as well as mountaineering, horse trekking, and trail hiking.
If you still have time in the afternoon, take the opportunity to enjoy some activities famous to Queenstown, such as a 90-minute cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the vintage TSS Earnslaw steamship, a bungee jump off the Kawarau Bridge with AJ Hackett Bungy, or a dive out of a plane to stunning winter scenery with NZONE. Then there’s options like ziplining, white water rafting, parasailing, jet boating, and even fishing.
Day 4 – Wine & Cheese
Visit some of the best wineries (and a cheese maker) in the Otago region for some wine tasting and lunch. Don’t miss a stop off at the historic town of Arrowtown, where you can partake in gold panning. Those who aren’t wine buffs will enjoy the scenery, and the good food that the wineries have to offer.
Only 20 minutes’ drive from Queenstown, Gibbston Valley Winery (1820 State Highway 6) is home to the largest wine cave in the country. You can take a tour of the cave from $15, or sample some of the vineyard’s wonderful wines. Pop next door to the Cheesery where you can enjoy cheese boards, platters, and baked brie to die for. Buy a range of cheese from Garlic and Chive Gouda to Pinot Soaked Cheddar, perfect for a gift or late night snack.
Alternatively, check out Waitiri Creek Wines (Church Lane, SH 6 Gibbston), located in a historic 1893 church surrounded by a vineyard. The church has been restored to serve as a cellar door and restaurant, which offers wine tasting and tours.
In the afternoon, head on to Arrowtown, a historic and picturesque gold mining town. The main street features a wide array of eateries and restaurants, with choices from homemade chocolate to fine dining. Stop for a drink at the famous New Orleans Hotel (27 Buckingham St) and finish your day with a meal at one of two top restaurants – Saffron (18 Buckingham St) for delicious award-winning fare, or the Postmasters Residence (54 Buckingham St), situated in a stunning historic building that’s worth a look whether you’re eating or not.
Day 5 – More Scenery!
A return trip to the scenic Milford Sound will take you an entire day, but offers some of the best scenery in New Zealand. Keep an eye out for native flora and fauna, stunning lush green landscapes, and crystal clear running water. Take a good book for the journey, a waterproof jacket in case of rain, and a good camera.
When you reach Milford Sound, you can take a cruise which will take you right up to running waterfalls. A number of tour operators such as Real Journeys offer packages that make the trip relatively simple – fly, cruise, and fly for 445NZD or coach, cruise, and coach for 200NZD.
How To Get In
Queenstown has a small airport, which is serviced by flights to and from other New Zealand cities including Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington. If you’re coming across the ditch from Australia, you can fly direct from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Coming from a little further abroad? You’re likely to fly direct to Christchurch or Auckland, and then swap to a domestic flight. Queenstown is also served by a number of different bus lines with affordable fares, and you’ll find the best deals with Naked Bus.
Visiting Australasia? Check out our good food guide to Sydney and the 10 must-do things in Melbourne.
Top Photo: Paul Bica