9 minute read
ROAD TRIP: A journey to Wanaka
Queenstown to Arrowtown via Crown Range - 22min, 20.2km
Queenstown to Kawarau Gorge via SH 6 - 44min, 53.5km
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Cromwell to Wanaka via SH 6 - 40min, 53.5km
SIDE TRIP: Wanaka to Lake Hāwea via SH84, SH6 & Capel Ave - 17min, 17.1km
Base yourself in Queenstown, where you can embark on several exciting trips. The first one, to Arrowtown and Wanaka, has two options. The route via the Crown Range which lies to the east of the Wakatipu Basin follows a technical alpine road with glorious views. Take full advantage of the dedicated lookout points. This is the shorter of the two routes to Wanaka and is impressive with the range’s rugged and romantic landscape, plus you pass one of New Zealand’s most iconic hotels – Cardrona Hotel with its famous vintage Chrysler sitting out front and a gorgeous beer garden in the back.
Longer but less challenging is the Kawarau Gorge and Cromwell route, attractive for other reasons. The celebrated hallmarks of this highway include wineries, gold-mining sites and a bungy jumping bridge. You can also check out charming Cromwell on this route.
Spirit of Queenstown Cruise
Spirit of Queenstown
Lake Wakatipu © Getty Images
LAKES
LAKE WAKATIPU Queentown’s deep, cold lake is very picturesque. The Dart and Rees flow into it; Kawarau flows out. Good options are to cruise across it and walk its shores.
LAKE HAYES A short drive from Queenstown on the way to Arrowtown, beautiful Lake Hayes is the most photographed lake in New Zealand. Come here to walk ,bike, picnic and – of course – take photographs.
LAKE HĀWEA An outdoor lover’s paradise, this lake offers the chance to boat, kitesurf, swim, kayak and ride. If you want to be more relaxed, picnic by the braided river bed or stroll around the lake.
LAKE WANAKA Look for the social media celebrity #that wanaka tree, a crooked willow standing in the shallows in Roys Bay. After dark, check out the night sky over the lake.
Coronet Peak © Coronet Peak Ski Area
SEEK QUEENSTOWN’S NATURAL BEAUTY
HIGHLIGHTS
> Coronet Peak
> Kawarau Gorge
> Queenstown Cycle Trail
> Glenorchy
> Skippers Canyon
QUEENSTOWN
If you’re on a quest to find that balance between relaxation and adventure, you’ve hit the jackpot. There’s ample opportunity here to enjoy hip cafés, bars and restaurants, or you can get into the action on offer and take full advantage of the endless options right on your doorstep.
Whether you’re a fixture on the winery scene, charging down the hillside in a purpose-built luge cart, gliding towards the top of Bob’s Peak in the southern hemisphere’s steepest cable car, paragliding or picnicking, you won’t want the curtain to fall on your time in Queenstown.
In winter you’ll be hitting the snow; at any time of the year you’ll be soaking up the buzz of this beautiful lakeside town. Cosmopolitan, innovative, welcoming; there is never a dull moment.
HIGHLIGHTS
> Torchlight Hīkoi
> Winter Festival
> Queenstown Hill
> Skyline Gondola
> Queenstown Arts Centre
> Heritage and Arts trail
> Lake Wakatipu cruise
> River jet rides
> Wine tours
> Hot pools
TSS Earnslaw © Destination Queenstown
TSS EARNSLAW The only hand-fired steamship in operation in the southern hemisphere, this surviving relic was built in 1912 and is an integral part of Queenstown’s pioneering history. Jump aboard this Edwardian vintage twin screw steamer and singalong with the on-board piano.
KAWARAU GORGE A hive of activity with white-water rafting, jet boating and kayaking based here, Kawarau Gorge is where to head if you’re a water sports’ fan. You can also visit the remains of several miners’ cottages above the banks of the river.
KAWARAU SUSPENSION BRIDGE is the site of the world’s first commercial bungy jumping venture founded by AJ Hackett. Come here to jump off or to watch others!
CANYON BREWING The region’s latest micro-brewery enjoys a striking setting overlooking Shotover River.
CROMWELL is the gateway to gold mines and ghost towns with a rich history that belies its modern appearance. Cromwell is where two rivers – the Clutha and Kawarau – meet. Sample stone fruit, the world’s best pinot noir and get lost in time at the Cromwell Heritage Precinct.
CARDRONA HOTEL Established in 1863, this legendary après ski destination provides roaring fires, mulled wine and cosy ensuite accommodation, while in summer, the large beer garden is fantastic.
Cardrona Hotel © NZ Winter Games
LAKES DISTRICT MUSEUM & ART GALLERY Established in 1948, this small but valuable museum in Arrowtown is recognised as one of New Zealand’s finest. There are great treasure hunts for kids, including a ‘spot the odd one out’ game, which involves finding modern items hidden amidst the artefacts.
MAKARORA Located between Wanaka and the West Coast, hikers base themselves here for access to Mt Aspiring National Park.
WANAKA is one of only a few places to host a year round market, occurring every Thursday afternoon.
THRILLZONE in central Queenstown features the latest in 3D gaming and virtual reality. Open until 10pm. Kids love it.
BEN LOMOND WALKWAY This demanding eight-hour climb ventures to a 1438-metre summit. You can also pick a three to four-hour track to Ben Lomond Saddle, or push on.
QUEENSTOWN HILL LOOP A moderately challenging 3hr walk that starts in downtown Queenstown and climbs to the ‘Basket of Dreams’, a favourite lookout.
BANNOCKBURN SLUICINGS, CROMWELL Once the stomping ground of gold miners, this rugged family of cliffs, caves and gullies are human-made, created by gold sluicing. Offering a snapshot of yesteryear, this scarred landscape is not to be missed. Allow 90 minutes.
INDULGE
You’ll find something to satisfy your every craving along this trip.
ABOVE: © Charlie Brown, Otago
NEST The restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows drink up startling vistas across Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables.
THE HILTON’S PINOT PIT Sit around an open firepit with a glass of Otago wine beside Lake Wakatipu.
AKARUA WINE AND KITCHEN The gravel courtyard is sprinkled with tables and the lawn is littered with beanbags.
AMISFIELD WINERY Boasting Two Hats in its arsenal, the bistro here is exceptional.
PERKY’S This is a floating bar-on-a-boat docked on Queenstown’s bustling harbour. It’s BYO food, too.
CHARLIE BROWN Wanaka’s retro caravan sells crepes.
THE SKI FIELDS
There are a popular collective of ski fields on this route, with ski transport from Queenstown and Wanaka to all the ski areas.
© Cardrona Alpine Resort
THE REMARKABLES A favourite with families, there are three sun-drenched, north-facing, snow-filled bowls that are perfectly formed to cater for everyone from absolute novice to veteran powder hounds.
CORONET PEAK The closest ski field to Queenstown, Coronet Peak’s rollercoaster terrain keeps things exciting, with 280 skiable hectares for skiers and snowboarders. There are dedicated beginner slopes as well as intermediate and advanced level trails. There is also night skiing a few nights a week from late June to early September.
TREBLE CONE SKI AREA South Island’s largest ski and snowboard resort, Treble Cone features the longest vertical rise of all Wanaka and Queenstown’s ski fields. This field offers an award winning experience for all.
CARDRONA ALPINE RESORT It’s a family affair at Cardrona with Kids’ Club and Ski Kindy for the little ones. With more than 320 skiable hectares including cross-country, it’s popular for freestyle skiing.
SNOW FARM dedicated to cross country, enjoy 55km of intrepid ski trails.
SOHO BASIN A privately owned ski field, behind Cardrona, that promises the ultimate alpine experience.
DOG SLEDDING Ride with traditional arctic sled dogs thanks to UnderDog NZ, just 40 minutes from Wanaka.
ARROWTOWN
Pretty Arrowtown welcomes you into what feels like the set of a film with its tree-lined streets, its quaint stores and the influence in the architecture of early settlers and Chinese miners from the 1870s.
Police Hut, Arrowtown © Li Zhang
HIGHLIGHTS
> Buckingham St
> The Arrow River
> Chinese Miners’ Settlement
> Lakes District Museum
> Gold panning
Spend at least a day – ideally a few – in this historic mining town on the banks of the Arrow River. You’ll find funky cafés, bars and restaurants, Dorothy Brown’s boutique cinema, world-class golf courses and the unmissable Lake District Museum & Art Gallery.
Walking is a good option here. Visit the tiny houses in the Chinese miners’ settlement, you won’t believe their size! Autumn is Arrowtown’s star season.
SIDE TRIP: Wanaka to Lake Hāwea
Mt Aspiring © Small World Productions
To The Lake
Wanaka is Mother Nature’s greatest masterpiece. Just one hour from Queenstown, it’s a sedate but magical place with an impossibly perfect lake.
Departing Wanaka on foot, exceptional lake meets-mountain views are guaranteed on the four-hour return hike to Roys Peak; ’That Wanaka Tree’ is one of New Zealand’s most famous residents, and there are five remote islands speckling the lake that you can visit by boat. If you’re a daredevil, Skydive Wanaka will put Aoraki Mt Cook in your peripheral, and Wild Wire Wanaka offers the highest waterfall cable climb in the world.
A very scenic 15-minute drive north-east delivers you to Lake Hāwea, another place of intense beauty. The fishing is legendary and it’s an idyllic place to swim, walk and kayak.
© LANDeSCAPE Wanaka eBikes & Hot Tubs
HIGHLIGHTS
> Lake Hāwea
> Pinot Noir
> Locally brewed craft beer
> Diamond Lake track
> Mt Aspiring National Park
> LANDeSCAPE Wanaka eBikes & Hot Tubs
TOP: Aerial shot of Gibbston Valley Winery © Gibbston Valley Winery
WINE: A SENSE OF PLACE
The wineries in Queenstown and nearby Gibbston have a reputation for producing some of the world’s best pinot noir; it’s easy to while away a day exploring cellar doors and restaurants to find your favourite vintage.
Queenstown winery tour © Altitude Tours
Choose from tour companies to ferry you around Gibbston and further afield to Central Otago wineries, leaving you to indulge in as many tastings as you wish before being whisked to the next destination. You can join an organised group tour, enlist the services of a chauffeur-driven private vehicle or even take a helicopter flight across the region.
If you are pushed for time, The Winery in Beach St offers a cosy cellar door experience showcasing more than 80 wines with tasting, half or full glasses available. There are also local beers, New Zealand whisky and non-alcoholic drinks to be enjoyed with cheese and charcuterie platters.
Main Image: Coronet Peak Chair Lift © Coronet Peak
