Matakauri Lodge
Looking for somewhere to rest your head has never been more exciting. In Queenstown, not only is there a wide choice of accommodation levels, from campgrounds and holiday parks to luxury lodges and hotels, but you’ve got a plethora of options when it comes to what you want to see out the window.
Crowne Plaza room with a view
Crowne Plaza room with a view
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 snow on their jagged tips. As well as The Remarkables along the southeastern side of Lake Wakatipu, during a visit to the area you can enjoy views of Cecil Peak, Walter Peak, Ben Lomond and many others.
Vineyard views at Kinross Cottages
Vineyard views at Kinross Cottages
Central Otago is particularly famous for its pinot noir, and the Queenstown and neighbouring Gibbston regions have more than 75 wineries. This, of course, means acres and acres of beautiful grapevines, so if vineyards are your vista du jour, head for one of the area’s wine-growing regions to find a place to rest your head, with a number of boutique accommodation options to choose from. Less than an hour away are pretty Bannockburn and Cromwell, which are both home to world-class wineries too.
Lake views from The Rees
Lake views from The Rees
The distinctive snake-shaped Lake Wakatipu, the longest lake in New Zealand at 80km, offers plenty of accommodation providers with fresh-water views, and many will have big picture windows facing towards it. Other lakes in the region include Lake Hayes, which lies at the southern end of the Wakatipu Basin. These alpine lakes may be incredibly pretty but swimming in them is not for the faint-hearted: the average temperature is about 12C.
If you like your water views fast flowing and changeable, the tributaries that feed into Lake Wakatipu in particular are destinations in themselves, and where many of the region’s adventure activities take place. The closest rivers to town are the Shotover (home to the world-famous Shotover Jet) and the Kawarau (think bungy jumping), while north is the Dart River, near Glenorchy.
Dusk view of Shotover Street
Dusk view of Shotover Street
If you’re after more of an urban experience, the vibrant city centre has plenty to offer. Everything is within walking distance, so you can take your pick of world class eateries and shopping, or wander down to the lakefront to catch a boat. On Saturdays be sure to stop by the weekly art and craft market at Earnslaw Park. Most of the tourist attractions run transport services from town, so it’s not essential to have a car.
Our pioneers have shaped Queenstown’s adventurous spirit and left behind historic buildings that now house some of the most inspiring places to stay
Discover luxury retreats and soulful accommodation in Queenstown, here are some of the prettiest places to rest and re-set.
Queenstown often takes peoples breath away, and it’s not hard to see why! From Kingston to Glenorchy, the landscape is full of stark beautiful contrasts.
We've rounded up the top ten locations that capture all angles of Queenstown, from above, below, on the water and in nature.
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