There are so many amazing things to do in Queenstown; the hardest part of booking a Queenstown winter holiday, is deciding which activities to choose. To make it easier for you to decide, we asked our team of skiers and snowboarders to recommend their top things to do in Queenstown.
Image Courtesy of Destination Queenstown
No matter where you look, Queenstown is visually stunning! From the lake views at your hotel, the top of the Skyline Gondola or from the peak of The Remarkables or Coronet Peak - one thing is for certain, the view will take your breath away.
The Remarkables. Photo Credit: C Stoddart
Queenstown offers 4 incredible ski resorts within close proximity to town, it's a snow-lovers dream destination.
The closest ski resort to Queenstown, Coronet Peak, in only a short 20-minute drive away. Coronet Peak is the home to night skiing, and the resort offers first tracks for early risers.
The Remarkables is 45-minutes from the centre of Queenstown, and a great ski resort for all skill levels, from the first-time skier or snowboarder through to the avid shredder, The Remarks will have something for you!
A little further down the road, heading towards Wanaka, you will find family favourite Cardrona Alpine Resort. Cardies has awesome family facilities, great on mountain dining, and an extensive terrain park.
Last, is Treble Cone Ski Area which is about an hour and a half from Queenstown. Treble Cone is the largest ski resort in size, and extremely well suited to intermediate skiers and snowboarders.
Image Courtesy of NZONE Skyding, Queenstown
Queenstown is where you book that 'once-in-a-lifetime' kind of experience. Known as the adventure capital of New Zealand, there is no shortage of adrenaline raising activities to experience. Choose from skydiving over snow-capped peaks, bungy jumping, a ledge swing or jetboating through narrow canyons (just to name a few). There are so many thrilling adventures to be had in Queenstown.
Image Courtesy of Onsen Hot Pools, Queenstown
Whether your idea of relaxation is visiting the Onsen Hot Pools to relax your muscles after a day on the slopes, or a full day at the spa, there is something for every type of relaxation in Queenstown.
Many hotels have hot tubs and saunas on site for guests, and some luxury hotels such as the Hilton Queenstown and Kamana Lakehouse even offer rooms with private hot tubs. If a sauna, a day spa or a private jacuzzi are how you like to relax, make sure the ask our team which hotel is best for you!
Photo Credit: Jay Wennington on Unsplash
Kiwi's know good food and Queenstown is a foodies paradise. Many restaurants use locally sourced ingredients and the food is incredibly fresh. Everything from the veges, meat or seafood, to accompanying beer, wine (and cheese) can come from surrounding farms, breweries, and wineries.
No Queenstown winter holiday is complete without trying the famous Fergburger, which is now available to pre-order (previously lines would often be around the block). Another favourite is Pizza at Winnies, and meat-eaters will love Botswana Butchery. To wash it all down, stop in to enjoy a signature teacup cocktail at World Bar.
Photo Credit: Harris Mountains Heli-Ski
Queenstown is just better from above; a helicopter flight is a bucket-list item and there are lots of great options available.
For intermediate skiers and snowboarders, heli-skiing is an incredible way to explore terrain you cannot get access to via a chairlift. Those who want something a little more romantic may prefer a scenic heli-flight, a helicopter to a stunning glacier, or you can take a chopper down to the Milford Sound.
These are only a few of the options, we were not kidding, there are so many cool heli trips! So will you 'get to da choppa' this winter?
Photo Credit: Kym Ellis on Unsplash
Queenstown is home to some of the most incredible wine in the Southern Hemisphere, it would almost be a sin not to try a few for yourself.
Some of our favourite wineries in Queenstown include Amisfield Winery & Restaurant, the food is divine. Gibbston Valley Wines does a great wine cave tour, which is worth a visit. For a relaxed, unpretentious wine tasting, we recommend Wet Jacket Wines. And our team love Rippon Winery which is closer to Wanaka, but worth the drive for its incredible lake views.
Image Courtesy of Destination Queenstown
Fresh mountain air cures everything, make sure to take the time just to breathe and enjoy it. Whatever your motivation to visit Queenstown, whether its adventure, escaping the daily grind or spending quality time with loved ones, we hope to take time to appreciate how beautiful Queenstown really is!
Ledge Swing over Queenstown. Photo Credit: AJ Hackett Bungy
Travelling is when you push yourself out of your comfort zone, that might mean bungy jumping off a ledge or trying something totally different off a menu - there is something about being in another place that inspires people to try new things.
A holiday is an awesome excuse to do the things you don't do in your everyday life, but wish you could .. so take that leap of faith!
Skiing Coronet Peak. Image Courtesy of Destination Queenstown
Queenstown is only a short flight from Australia but offers a totally new adventure! So what are you waiting for? Book your Queenstown winter holiday now and see this winter wonderland yourself.
To book a Queenstown Winter holiday, or more information about any of the activities above, get in touch with one of our Queenstown ski specialists on 1300 697 669 or request a quote below.
Blog by Lauren Forde.
Posted: Sept 2021
Header Image Credit: Destination Queenstown.
