A city for all seasons
Mercedes Maguire discovers how to find great value in Queenstown
Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s main snow hubs, with four ski fields nearby. But the locals want you to know their South Island city is a lot more than just a ski town. “You can enjoy Queenstown Lakes any time of the year,” says Trent Yeo, founder of Ziptrek Ecotours and Tourism Industry Aotearoa board member. “Aussies know Queenstown for its winter, but we want them to open their eyes to the different seasons here.”
Explore by bike
Queenstown is a compact city and easy to explore on two wheels. Keen cyclists can ride the Gibbston River Bike Trail out to wineries (40km), which takes six to eight hours. An easier ride is the Arrow River Bridges Trail from Arrowtown to the Gibbston wineries (13.7km) in two to three hours. Yeo says an e-bike will make the journey easier and he recommends booking a shuttle to bring you and your bike home. Better By Bike has fullday mountain-bike hire for $55, e-bike for $110 or e-bike with return shuttle for $160.
Take a long walk
A great way to explore the region is on foot, plus it’s completely free. “One of the best walks right in Queenstown is the Tiki Trail, which starts at the bottom of the gondola and takes about an hour,” Yeo says. “At the top, you get great views over Queenstown and you can take the gondola down, or vice versa.”
Serious hikers can keep walking on the
Ben Lomond Trail, which starts where the Tiki Trail ends. It’s a demanding three- to four-hour walk to Ben Lomond Saddle or six to seven hours to the summit. If you have children, Yeo recommends Queenstown Gardens, which is also wheelchair accessible.
Adventure sports
Queenstown may be known as a ski town, but it’s also the adventure capital of the world, with bungy jumping, ziplining, jet-boating and whitewater rafting just a few options. Yeo says pre-booking can offer discounts. For example, his Ziptrek Ecotours has a 15 per cent off early-bird offer when you book three or more days in advance. AJ Hackett Bungy offers three adventures packaged in the Nevis
Thrillogy (swing ride, bungy and catapult) for $515, saving $210 until September 30.
Visit a market
The markets are a great way to experience the local scene in any city and Queenstown has quite a few for a small town. The most popular, and one of the few that operate throughout winter, is Remarkables Market at Frankton each Saturday. It has arts and crafts stalls, food trucks, fresh produce sellers and live music.
Cheaper stays
Queenstown has a wide range of accommodation from free campsites to five-star hotels. If you’re on a budget, of the many hostels to choose from, a favourite is Adventure Queenstown Hostel in the heart of the CBD from $30 a night in a six-bed share room. Free campsites are available out of town for a maximum two nights if you have a self-contained motorhome (the Campermate app will help you fund them). Queenstown Tourism (queenstownnz.co.an) also has accommodation offers.