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written by Ella Kinney / photos written Destination by Sara Queenstown Carbery
World-class for all holidaymakers DISTINCTLY QUEENSTOWN
TOP FIVE TO-DOS 1. BIKING Queenstown is full of biking trails to explore and caters to riders of all abilities. From the Queenstown Trail suitable for all types of riders to lift-accessed mountain bike parks and heli-biking for intermediate to advanced riders. www.queenstownnz.co.nz/ things-to-do/biking 2. HIKING Queenstown’s walking trails are a great way to get out and about in the region while taking in the stunning scenery, especially during spring when everything seems to be bursting with life again after hibernating for winter. www.queenstownnz.co.nz/ things-to-do/outdoor-activities/walkingand-hiking 3. ADRENALINE Queenstown is the place to feel truly alive while you tick those things off your bucket list. Dust off the cobwebs with a spin on a fast-paced jet boat, a bungy jump over a cool blue river or try skydiving over the stunning snow-covered Southern Alps. www.queenstownnz.co.nz/ things-to-do/adventure-activities 4. LOCAL FOOD AND WINE Queenstown is home to over 150 bars and restaurants, which makes the region well worth a visit just to sample the food and wine. www.queenstownnz.co.nz/ places-to-eat-and-drink 5. GOLFING Home to some of the most spectacular golf courses in New Zealand, Queenstown has seven golf courses within a 45-minute drive of the CBD. www.queenstownnz.co.nz/things-to-do/golf
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pring in Queenstown is a time for fun and discovery, a unique season when you can literally do everything Queenstown has on offer. Whether you enjoy spring skiing, cycling, hiking or golfing, spring is the time to pack a whole lot of adventure into one day.
The ski fields are open until late September/early October, but the basin is green with fresh growth which means you can ski in the morning and golf, mountain bike, hike or taste wine in the afternoon.
scenic but a little less sweat inducing, you can’t miss a stroll around the Queenstown Gardens. Afterwards, maybe grab a bite to eat or drink in the sunshine al fresco at one of Queenstown’s bars or restaurants.
One of the best ways to explore the region on a beautiful spring day is via the well-maintained walking trails. If you’re feeling energetic, try the Queenstown Hill Time Walk, the panoramic views over Queenstown at the top are well worth the two-hour uphill hike. For something
Cycling tours and mountain biking trails are a fun way to discover unknown parts of Queenstown. Cross-country, trail riding, heli, downhill … whatever your cycling or mountain biking style, Queenstown’s got the terrain, rental and guides to suit everyone’s kind of ride. The Queenstown Trail offers a 130-kilometre interconnected network of off-road trails all the way from Queenstown to Arrowtown and Gibbston. Intermediate and advanced riders are well-catered for in Queenstown, with lift-accessed downhill biking available from mid-September as well as heli-biking for that once-in-a-lifetime experience. Queenstown is home to some of New Zealand’s most scenic golfing, with seven great golf courses located within a 45-minute drive of Queenstown’s CBD.
Find yourself playing amidst rolling green fields, waving tussocks 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. Spring is an idyllic season to spend an afternoon amongst the vines, sampling the region’s award-winning Pinot Noir. There are wine tours to suit all types and local tour guides know the region intimately, so are more than happy to create a bespoke tour based on your preferences. Consider hiring a bicycle and meander along the well-maintained cycle trail past the dozen or so cellar doors and other attractions in Gibbston. A pick-up can always be arranged at the other end. Take a step back in-time in Arrowtown, a former gold-mining town that was built on the banks of the Arrow River when gold was first discovered there in the 1860s. Located 20 minutes’ drive from Queenstown, the legacy of the early settlers has been retained through careful preservation and many relics still remain. Arrowtown has a unique ambience with a sophisticated range of art galleries, boutique retail stores and award-winning restaurants. d is c overnewz ealand.ki wi
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