1. See Queenstown from the air
Fixed wing or heli, a scenic flight over the Wakatipu Basin will show you the distinctive shape of Lake Wakatipu, the third largest lake in New Zealand, and if it’s a clear day you’ll be able to see across to Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain. Helicopter companies offer landings at the Remarkables, Cecil ledge, and secluded mountain ranges and glaciers. If you’re planning on flying to Milford Sound, most fixed wing operators have a fly-cruise-fly product, linking up with a Milford sound cruise at various times of the day.
Scenic flight over Queenstown with The Helicopter Line
Scenic flight over Queenstown with The Helicopter Line
2. Get training!
The Sotheby's Realty Queenstown Marathon is back for it's eighth birthday on the 20 November 2021. Set between the backdrop of the world renowned Crown and Remarkable mountain ranges, and taking in the best highlights of the Queenstown Lakes region on hard packed cycle trails, this is truly a flat out beautiful course. With 42km, 21km, 10km and 2.2km kids run options, there's something for every runner. Be quick, it's almost sold out!
Sotheby's Realty Queenstown Marathon
Sotheby's Realty Queenstown Marathon
3. Cycle the vines
Spend an afternoon cycling amongst the vines in Gibbston, sampling Pinot Noir, and nibbling a gourmet platter of local produce surrounded by spring blooms. With easy pick up from central accommodation providers, and return transport from Queenstown, you’ll love the well maintained cycle track through the region, and the cellar doors dotted along the ride.
Post-ride bites at Cargo Brewery, Gibbston
Post-ride bites at Cargo Brewery, Gibbston
4. Tackle your adventure bucket list
Queenstown has a culture of innovation and it’s widely regarded as the birth place of adventure tourism. If you feel like ticking a few things off your bucket list in adrenaline-filled style you can book activities such as bungy jumping, jet boating, skydiving, white water rafting, paragliding or dirt biking.
Paragliding from Coronet Peak shot by Pablo Heimplatz
Paragliding from Coronet Peak shot by Pablo Heimplatz
5. Enjoy retail therapy
Queenstown’s downtown shopping precinct is compact and easy to get around. There’s big brand retailers with international labels, locally run boutiques where you’ll find the best in New Zealand design, beautiful jewellery shops, outdoor adventure retailers and art galleries, markets and gift stores. Shops are open all day and well into the evening throughout the year.
6. Have fun with spring skiing
We think spring is one of the best times of year to hit the slopes. Longer warmer days mean you can head up the mountain a bit later, and spend the afternoon skiing until last chair, it’s that light. You might find yourself playing golf in the morning, and skiing in a t-shirt in the afternoon. Chill out at many of the ski fields outdoor bars in the afternoon, you deserve it!
You might find yourself playing golf in the morning, and skiing in a t-shirt in the afternoon.
Spring at The Remarkables Ski Area
Spring at The Remarkables Ski Area
7. Admire the spring blooms
Queenstown warms up to the season, with blossom lined avenues, and daffodil filled gardens, blooming with spring bulbs from October onwards. The Queenstown Gardens are perfect for the whole family to explore, expect to find a number of beautifully maintained different flower gardens and plenty of new ducklings swimming in the garden's ponds. Hire a frisbee from the Queenstown Ice Arena and get your heart rate up on the garden's frisbee golf course, or pack a picnic with local goodies and find a spot to admire the view from.
Hint: Keep an eye out for road side flower stalls for your own bouquet.
8. Tee off
Queenstown is home some of New Zealand's most scenic golfing, with seven golf courses located within 45-minutes of the CBD. Find yourself playing amidst rolling green fields, waving tussock and rocky outcrops with jagged mountains surrounding you, or on plush resort greens where modern luxuries are a short golf-cart drive away. Mingle with seasoned locals at club courses or hit some practice drives while planes soar overhead.
Jack's Point Golf in Spring
Jack's Point Golf in Spring
9. Prep your reel
Warmer afternoons kick start the appetite of Queenstown’s fish population after winter in preparation for the spring and summer feast. Lake Wakatipu is open all year round and offers great 'trolling' and 'jigging' during the day, while casting a fly across one of the many river mouths that line the lake can be very rewarding in the evening. 1 November signals the opening of back country rivers, come prepared as you might be in for the time of your life!
Fishing the Arrow River
Fishing the Arrow River
10. Taste some fresh spring produce
Locally sourced produce becomes more readily available in spring, with fruit, vegetables and herbs grown in local gardens and food caught on our doorstep. Some restaurants have their own Chef's garden close by or on site, you can’t really get any fresher than that.
The Remarkables Market runs from mid-October until Easter and is a great place to pick up some of the best fresh local produce.
For those who want it all, spring is the time to enjoy green valleys, warm days and snowy mountains.