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Autumn on the shores of Lake Wakatipu

Autumn in Queenstown

Article / Autumn

Autumn in Queenstown

by Queenstown, NZ / 7 Min Read

March to May
Temperatures between 5°C and 25°C

Queenstown delivers an unforgettable autumn experience. The outstanding golden and red hues dominate the hills around the region and contrast strikingly with the deep blue of our lakes and rivers—here you can truly immerse yourself in the wonder of the season.

Of the four distinct seasons, autumn’s arrival in a blaze of reds and golds is the most dramatic, attracting visitors, artists and photographers from around the world.

The fantastic line-up of regional events and great holiday deals make Queenstown an ideal place to visit in autumn and there are experiences to suit any holiday, whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, luxury or a family break.

There is also a seemingly endless supply of world-renowned adventure activities ranging from skydiving, bungy jumping, jet boating and paragliding to aerobatic flights, horse trekking, rafting and 4WD, quad bike or off road tours.

For a more relaxed pace, tee up a round of golf, take a boat cruise or scenic flight, sample award-winning Central Otago wines and superb local cuisine, enjoy a treatment at a luxury spa or explore the town’s many shops, galleries, bars, cafes and restaurants.

In downtown Queenstown there’s stylish bistro food, celebrity chef restaurants, traditional pub meals, designer burgers and a variety of ethnic cuisine

Biking at Jack's Point

Biking at Jack's Point

Biking at Jack's Point

Autumn temperatures are cooler at sunrise and sunset but the warm sunny days are ideal for exploring the region and enjoying the activities and attractions that make Queenstown famous. Discover the backcountry on foot or bike or make the most of the huge network of trails around the region.

The Queenstown Trail is a New Zealand Great Ride and the 110km network of trails in the Wakatipu basin wind between rivers, lakes and mountain ranges giving easy access to some iconic Queenstown vistas and experiences. Popular spots such as Queenstown Bay, Frankton, Lake Hayes, Arrowtown or Gibbston’s ‘valley of vines’ can all be accessed via the Queenstown Trail—and many of these spots offer especially wonderful displays of autumn colour.

More challenging biking options include heli-biking, road rides, a bike park and the Southern Hemisphere’s only gondola assisted mountain biking. Bike operators and rental providers offer a range of hire packages and guided tour options whether it’s for an hour or a multi-day trip.

Queenstown also offers some of the country’s best golfing experiences. The world-class, diverse golf courses are set amongst dramatic lake and alpine scenery and are a must-do for keen golfers. Spend a leisurely morning or afternoon taking in a round – there are seven options, all within 45 minutes of the town centre, ranging from immaculately groomed 18-hole championship courses to a family friendly 9-hole course and driving range.

New Zealand’s premier golf event, the ISPS Handa New Zealand Open tournament is also held in Queenstown in early March. The tier one event on the PGA Tours of Australasia has a unique Pro-Am format that brings together a prestigious blend of professional and amateur golfers and is held across two spectacular golf courses - Millbrook Resort and The Hills.

Golfing at Millbrook Resort

Golfing at Millbrook Resort

Golfing at Millbrook Resort

Queenstown is fast becoming renowned as one of NZ’s leading wine and food destinations and early autumn is a great time to come and experience the buzz as tonnes of grapes are harvested from Central Otago’s 200 vineyards. If you’re a food and wine lover you can sample the ‘best of the best’ at the Skycity Gibbston Wine and Food Festival in March - a harvest celebration showcasing the region’s finest wines, wine celebrities, local produce and talented chefs. For further taste testing, enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of the region’s many fine winery restaurants or spend the afternoon exploring vineyards and cellar doors on a wine tour.

Local chefs are passionate about using local ingredients and cooler temperatures bring a change in menus to reflect the season’s fresh produce. There are more than 150 innovative and award-winning restaurants and eateries to cater for any occasion from fine dining to fun dining.

In downtown Queenstown there’s stylish bistro food, celebrity chef restaurants, traditional pub meals, designer burgers and a variety of ethnic cuisine, while buffet dining above the gondola provides magnificent views of the region. Daytime al fresco dining is the ideal way to soak up the autumn sunshine and scenery while colder evenings are perfect for sipping a glass of award-winning local Pinot Noir beside a fire.

A trip to Queenstown isn’t complete without a visit to Arrowtown, the historic gold mining village on the banks of the Arrow River. Arrowtown is celebrated for its famous autumn hues when the trees on the surrounding hills turn red and gold.

Kayaking Lake Hayes in Autumn

Kayaking on Lake Hayes, near Arrowtown

Kayaking on Lake Hayes, near Arrowtown

The Akarua Arrowtown Autumn Festival (held in late April, usually over the ANZAC Day long weekend) provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy the vibrant colours and relaxed atmosphere. The five-day festival celebrates the former goldmining town’s heritage with gold panning, a market day and street parade, guided historical walks, a vintage car rally and live music and theatre. Make time to explore the quaint tree-lined streets, old miners’ cottages, restored Chinese Village and Lakes District Museum as well as the award-winning restaurants and cafes, gourmet food and wine purveyors and diverse retail stores and galleries.

Autumn is also a good time to enjoy some of the region’s walking trails. Scenic walks from downtown Queenstown range from a short stroll around the beautiful lakeside gardens to tackling Queenstown Hill for magnificent 360 degree vistas. Further afield, Glenorchy’s epic Lord of the Rings scenery is a must-see and leads on to some of New Zealand’s Great Walks.

Queenstown is an easily accessible destination with great air connections and some of New Zealand’s most scenic drives delivering visitors to this iconic destination.

Autumn is the perfect time of year to experience Queenstown at a different pace, indulging all senses in the colours and flavours of the season

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