Your Frankton Shopping Guide

Country Lane

26 Hansen Road, Frankton

This charming collection of boutique stores and cafés inhabits a cluster of relocated heritage buildings and rustic farm sheds. There are gardens, beehives, crafts, and goats. The slow pace, community feel, and creative atmosphere lends itself to a dreamy afternoon exploring. Hop off at the Frankton Bus Hub and it’s a 10-minute stroll to Country Lane.

Local crafts 

New to Country Lane is the School House Studios – wander through the artists’ studios and explore the contemporary art on display, see local talent at work or take part in a workshop with local potters, jewellers, and painters. There are hands on classes in everything from screen printing and sewing to astrology and illustration. Or if your after a nourishing body and mind experience, try a yoga class or indulge in a therapeutic massage.

At the BuzzStop Honey Centre you can spin your own honey, learn what it’s like to be a beekeeper, try your hand at honey-themed crafts such as beeswax wraps, soap, and cosmetics, and taste locally made mead, gins and wines. 

Independent Boutiques

The Barn hosts a collaboration of three local businesses. Pretty Kiwi Children's Boutique sells New Zealand made kids’ clothes and gifts. Lusso Boutique has homewares, jewellery, and leather goods.

If you’re heading to Country Lane to try your hand at one of the many creative workshops, make time for a visit to Queenstown Art Supplies. The range at this art and design store is as tempting for stationery enthusiasts and art hobbyists, as it is for professional artists.

Treat yourself to something tasty 

The BuzzStop café has tasty brunch and lunch options and delightful tables in a cottage garden setting with views of the Remarkables. Don’t miss the fresh waffles with berry compote drizzled in local honey.

Sundays serves up a wood-fired menu of pizzas, and shared plates such as Royalburn lamb meatballs and leek carbonara in a stunning restored church from 1933. Sangria is their signature drink, and it’s hard to beat a jug shared with friends on the sunny patio.

For treats to take home grab a bag of Remarkable Cookies, rich, chewy treats baked fresh onsite. Or pop into Black Lab Coffee Roasters, and pick up some bags of sustainably roasted beans to keep that Queenstown buzz going once you’re back home.

FiveMile & Queenstown Central 

19 Grant Road, Frankton

Both these Frankton shopping centres are next to each other on Grant Road. Together, they form a modern, walkable retail precinct with a warm welcome, and a laid-back vibe. You’ll find fashion, outdoor gear, homewares, and terrific food. Take the bus to Frankton Hub. From there it’s a 15-minute walk to FiveMile and a 20-minute walk to Queenstown Central.

FiveMile

Browse the cluster of outdoor gear stores from mountain biking and snow sports mecca Alta, to local merino brand, Mons Royale, founded just over the Crown Range in Wānaka. Another FiveMile gem is Queenstown Natural Health. The experienced team stock a vast range of NZ-made health products, including unique formulas made especially for them.

Great coffee spots include local’s hang out Billy’s Espresso, with top notch coffee roasted locally, moreish almond croissants (come early), and tasty toasted sandwiches. Joe’s Garage started in a Queenstown lane and is now a New Zealand stalwart. They keep the Queenstown flag flying with their FiveMile restaurant, a fun, industrial space serving hearty, family-friendly fare. Tanoshi is another local institution – pop in for ramen or donburi.

Queenstown Central

Next door to FiveMile, Queenstown Central Shopping Centre has over 40 stores. Retail treats include Social Clothing & Co. Grab a coffee from their in-store barista and browse their selection of fashion from Australia, Europe, America, Indonesia, and New Zealand. If you like a bit of bling, Jamies Jewellers is a 5th generation family-owned store founded in 1866, with a big range of New Zealand jewellery designers.

With 16 eateries on Foodies Lane and in the Market building, Queenstown Central is a winner for hungry tums. We love Hustl Café for their sustainable ethos, exceptional coffee, tasty brunch, and sunny welcome. New to the Queenstown Central food scene, Pavilion Bar & Kitchen chef Sean Connolly will give your taste buds a good time, with surf and turf at the Steak & Oyster Co. and pizza and handmade pasta at Ciao Brutto. Or pack an organic picnic with the smoothies, gluten-free options, salads and sweet treats from Soul Food Organic.

Remarkables Park

4/26 Hawthorne Drive, Frankton

Remarkables Park shopping centre has a phenomenal outlook towards the Remarkables mountain range, and the dramatic views of the peaks are nothing short of jaw dropping. 23 minutes on the bus from central Queenstown, the Route 1 bus delivers you straight to the door of this spacious, scenic shopping hub close to the airport.

Local arts & culture

There’s lots to love about Remarkables Park, but the jewel in the crown is arts and culture centre Te Atamira. Check out their lively programme of exhibitions, performances, talks, and classes, many of which are free. There are also some phenomenal workshops with local artists and artisans, where you can create a truly unique memento of your stay.

Indoor adventures

Remarkables Park is a draw for active adventurers – especially on those rainy days when you can’t take to the hills. Just round the corner on Red Oaks Drive, Basecamp Adventures Climbing Centre has an indoor sports climbing wall, bouldering, and Clip n’ Climb for the kids. Align Studios offers Pilates, barre, and breathwork, with an infra-red sauna and massage if your body needs TLC after a big day on the slopes or the trails.

Fuel up then stock up

Relax and take in the view of the peaks at one of the Remarkables Park eateries. Giovi Fine Food is a local favourite for its authentic Italian cuisine and gelato. Shelter Bar & Kitchen is a friendly gastro pub with local wines and craft beers. Saigon Kingdom does fresh Vietnamese food while Tham Nak Thai offers delicious curries. Ma Boulangerie Bakery serves up indulgent patisserie, pastries, and baguettes perfect for snacking in the sun.

Remarkables Park is ideal for families with kids. There’s an excellent parents’ room with all the facilities and a great kid’s playground with a slide, swings, and a huge Tuatara sculpture carved out of wood. If you’re in town for a longer stay, Remarkables Park is a great place to stock up on groceries at New World and sunscreen at the chemist.

Getting to Frankton

Getting to the Frankton shopping centres is easy. Hop on the bus and you’ll be there in 10 minutes. Route 1 takes you all the way to the Remarkables shopping centre, while Route 4 goes to Jacks Point via the Frankton Bus Hub. Fares are only $2.00 with a registered Bee Card. This handy journey planner will help you pick the best bus route for your plans.

If you’re feeling energetic, you might like to cycle or walk the Frankton arm section of the Queenstown Trail. This flat, mellow track runs alongside the lake with stunning views. Just under 8km, it takes 25 minutes to cycle and about 1.5 hours to walk. Once in Frankton, the three shopping precincts are all within a few kilometres of each other, and you can enjoy exploring everything from well-known retail to hidden gems.