Our magnificent landscapes and vibrant global community spark the imagination and Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s creative hubs as a result. Set aside a few hours for a self-guided Queenstown art experience and discover the story of our place and our people through the eyes of our artists. You might even discover a piece that speaks to your soul.

Group looking at art in a colourful art gallery
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Milford Galleries Treasure Exhibition
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(1) Art Bay Gallery, (2) Milford Galleries

An Artistic Walk through Central Queenstown

Downtown Queenstown is home to a cluster of dynamic local galleries. Wear your favourite walking shoes, fortify yourself with a locally roasted coffee and some delicious brunch, before taking to the streets of Queenstown to fuel your imagination with art.

Start at Romer Gallery on Earl Street. Here photographer Stephan Romer shares his striking images of wild New Zealand landscapes. From golden dawn light over Central Otago high country to mysterious green rainforests, these images transport you far off the beaten track.

Turn the corner onto Marine Parade, and you’ll find Artbay Gallery at number 13. Explore works by leading contemporary New Zealand and international artists united by a curatorial aesthetic that favours bold colour, magical realism, and a flair for the dramatic.

Virut Gallery, 9-11 Marine Parade is devoted to work by the celebrated Thai artist Virut. His playful, pop-art-inspired portraiture uses collage to bring pops of colour to the lakeshore. Famous characters, cultural icons, and faces from around the world gaze down.

Lightworx Gallery on Level 1 of the Eichardts Building on Marine Parade is devoted to light art. Light, colour, and movement combine to create immersive experiences that can be meditative and calm or stimulating and invigorating.

Walk along the lakefront and turn onto Beach Street to discover Central Art Gallery, Queenstown’s longest-running gallery shows work by New Zealand artists with a realist / impressionist  bent. Expect landscapes, striking florals, animals, cityscapes, and portraits.

Head up to Camp Street for Ivan Clarke Gallery. Clarke paints stunning impressionist New Zealand landscapes, however, he is perhaps better known for his whimsical Lonely Dog series, which depicts a fanciful world peopled by dogs in human form.

Further out of town, past Queenstown Gardens on Park Street, the Ivy Box is an edgy, intimate gallery housed in a restored butcher’s shop. This modern gallery space shows gritty, contemporary art by New Zealand artists.

Head out to Gorge Road to visit Milford Galleries. Another well-established gallery, Milford shows fine contemporary works, with a strong body of work by Māori and Pacific artists. Browse painting, sculpture, glass, and ceramics from significant New Zealand artists.

Public Art that tells our Stories

Queenstown also has an inspiring collection of public art; many pieces tied to the history and culture of the region. You’ll discover some works as you stroll the streets of the CBD. Others are hidden among the trees of Queenstown Gardens in an intriguing artistic treasure hunt.

Along Lake Esplanade on the Glenorchy side of Steamer Wharf, you’ll find Virginia King’s Wakatipu Vessel, a large steel sculpture in the shape of a waka – a Māori canoe. Waka used to pass up and down the lake as Māori travelled to collect pounamu and seasonal kai.

Along the lakefront, Waipounamu is a flowing river of words is chiselled into the stone wall. This poem written by past poet laureate David Eggleton and sandblasted into the rock by sculptor Stuart Griffiths explore the history and legends of the Whakatipu Basin.

In the Post Office Precinct, the story of Ngāti Māmoe woman Hakitekura is sandblasted onto glass balustrade alongside the stream. Hakeitekura was the first person to swim across Lake Whakatipu, lighting a signal fire to mark her achievement once she reached the other side.

The Queenstown Gardens conceals an array of sculptures among its roses and arboretum.

  • As you enter the park, you’ll encounter Icon, a bronze fern by sculpture Paul Dibble.
  • By the pond, the exuberantly leaping Kuri by Richard Wells commemorates the dogs Māori brought with them when they arrived in New Zealand.
  • The Good Book by Trevor Askin, is two bronze girls reading in the rose garden,.
  • Beside the glasshouse you’ll find a wooden statue by Andy Rogers commemorating Nic Leefe, the former head gardener and creator of the rose gardens.
  • In the herbaceous borders, Auxilium by Andrew Rogers is a pillar of curving wooden koru forms emerging from the earth to cradle the branch of a tree.
  • Near the ice arena, Fleur by Elizabeth Hall, is an Oamaru stone sculpture, depicting a young woman contemplating life from atop a pile of stone cushions.
A couple walking the beautiful Queenstown Gardens loop with the verandah in the background
Queenstown Gardens Walk

Art Trails & Treasures

There are also rich rewards for art lovers who head further afield than Queenstown CBD. Set out on an art-finding odyssey around the Whakatipu Basin with this guide to the local pockets of creativity around the region.

 

Kelvin Heights Sculpture Trail

Hire a bike and ride out along the beautiful Frankton Track and on towards the Kelvin Heights Peninsula Trail. This track hugs the lakeside with views across Lake Whakatipu towards the Remarkables. It’s known for its striking sculptures by New Zealand artists, donated to the local community by an anonymous art lover. Spy the goats by Jeff Thompson, look out for Presence and Whakatipu Kuikui by Mark Hill, and stop for a photo with Shane Woolridge’s Thru Link to Peak, a sculpture using local schist.

Queenstown Hill Time Walk

This 500-metre climb through pine forest to the summit of Te Tapu-nui is a rewarding two-three hour hike offering panoramic views across the town, the surrounding mountains, and the lake. Near the top, the Basket of Dreams by Caroline Robinson is a large steel and schist sculpture commissioned as part of Queenstown’s celebrations for the millennium.

Country Lane Retail Village

As much as it’s a delightful destination for dining, shopping, and relaxing, Country Lane is also a creative hub. Browse the gallery and artists’ studios or try your hand at jewellery-making, print making, painting, potting, and more with their line-up of workshops.

Arrowtown Galleries and Artists’ Studios

This Arrowtown art trail itinerary introduces you to the cluster of galleries and artists' studios in this historic goldmining village, as well as the artist’s studios hidden up country roads along the route between Queenstown and Arrowtown.

Bike trail with animal sculptures next to path
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A collection of boutique shops and people sitting around a green park
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(1) Kelvin Heights Art Trail , (2) Country Lane Retail Village

Explore Queenstown's Culture & Heritage