There are many destination cocktail bars in Queenstown, with cocktails named according to the establishment’s menu, setting or history, as well as the more traditional favourites available on request. Mulled wine, the perfect balance of spices, red wine and fruit is a true European favourite and…
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Before heading out for a day hike, such as Ben Lomond, or further afield to The Routeburn it’s a good idea to list your intentions on the Adventure Smart website and make sure you also tell a friend or family member where you are heading and when you expect to be back. The Mountain Safety Council…
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With a backdrop of dramatic, jagged mountains and pristine rivers and lakes, the countryside, farms and stations in the region provide the perfect setting for a journey of exploration, adventure or personal challenge on horseback. Horse riding is the ideal way to venture into rural Queenstown and…
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How it all began It was the Norwegian goldminers who introduced skiing to the district in the 1860s and 1870s, as they used this method of transport to reach their diggings in winter. By the early 1900s the concept of skiing as a sport was flourishing, and within 30 years, dozens of locally-run…
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Queenstown Aerial view of the Wakatipu Basin Māori Legend Carved out of the last ice age 15,000 years ago, Lake Whakatipu was formed by a huge glacier that pushed through the land from the north-west. Though the lake is a relatively thin ‘S’ shape, the jagged mountains that surround it run…
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Bollywood super-hit: I Hate Luv Storys Feature films shot here include The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Vertical Limit, 10,000 BC, The Water Horse, 30 Days of Night, Wolverine, Prince Caspian, Any Questions for Ben?, and the Bollywood super-hit I…
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Queenstown is the home of amazing family adventures. There is plenty of family fun on offer for all ages, from the littlies right through to tweens and teenagers, keeping them as entertained and excited as they explore what the region has to offer. From mild to wild you’ll find Queenstown…
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Underlying both is the passion of the people who made it happen; winemakers who have spent years honing their craft and who live and die by the grape. It’s all too easy to forget about that at the other end of the process when it’s sitting there in a bottle in front of us, as good as it can be…
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Mountain Views There’s no escaping mountains on a visit to Queenstown, which lies at the bottom of the Southern Alps, and they dramatically dominate the landscape in almost every direction. The mountains are spectacular at any time of year but most of the time you’ll see at least a dusting of…
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Arrowtown Arrowtown is beautiful in any season, but autumn is the best time to visit if you want to experience a sense of calmness with the surrounding landscape blanketed in orange foliage. The hills surrounding the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown turn bright with the red and gold hues…
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