Spring in Queenstown 

Summer in Queenstown

Autumn in Queenstown 

If you have a few days to spare experience the region's incredible diversity with a sea to mountain walk along the magnificent Hollyford Track. This accessible trek starts at the Tasman Sea and climbs into the spectacular Fiordland National Park taking in awesome scenery and a huge variety of flora and fauna.

If time is of the essence, journey into a true wilderness area so untouched it's a World Heritage Area, but still just a short distance from downtown Queenstown. Dart River Jet Safari can speed you into the ancient beech forests of Gondwanaland, towering mountains and glaciers.

Next thing you'll be checking out the museum and wandering around the historic buildings, guide book in hand unveiling a fascinating and surprisingly little known pioneering history. In Queenstown, wander the cemetery for tales of Irish and other pioneering families.

True to resort form, Queenstown boasts great shopping. The adventure capital boasts some fabulous adventure outfitters where you can buy the hardware or simply try the fashions. Several galleries provide for classy souvenirs or art pieces and the jewellery shops are a must to take in the black pearls, amazing pounamu (greenstone/jade) carvings and opals.

Queenstown is home to some of the best luxury lodges in the world, and there's everything in between, comfortable or sumptuous apartments, lodges and hotels. Book early and reserve your sanctuary.

Spring in Queenstown

Sublime Springtime! Stretch out as the trails, golf courses and gardens defrost and bloom.

Fresh clean air, warm daytime temperatures, cool evenings and a time when snow skiing is often at its best. Restaurant tables overflow to the sidewalks and Lake Wakatipu's beaches fill with people enjoying warm late afternoon sunshine. Sit and people-watch at the many cafés, browse the markets and shops, hike the hillside trails, take in the new colors and scents, re-awaken adrenaline with adventure.

Summer in Queenstown

Long hot days, cool water, great fishing, gorgeous lakes and a myriad of walking tracks made Queenstown a favourite place to come and relax for as long as possible each summer.

Summer is a great time of year to go backcountry. Make time for a 4WD trip over old handmade roads into the magnificent Skippers Canyon or ghost towns such as Seffertown or Macetown. Or rent a Land Rover to create your own 4WD experience among some of the world's most intense scenery.

It's true frontier land in Glenorchy. This is where the road stops.  The 35-minute drive from Queenstown must be one of the world's most scenic. Go horse riding here, or step foot in a primordial beech forest.

Many come to play on some of the world's most scenic golf courses. Play Millbrook's Bob Charles designed stunner, or join the locals for a round or five at Kelvin Heights or Arrowtown. If you're blaming the views for bad shots, practice your drive at the range in the shadow of the Remarkables mountain range. 

Summer is a spectacular time in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Autumn in Queenstown

Autumn, a time to slow down, relax and kick through the fallen leaves before opening a bottle of the region's, if not the world's finest wine. With everything you do will be the brilliant backdrop of the reds and golds of autumn's leaf fall.

Central Otago is the fastest growing wine region in New Zealand encompassing more than 680 hectares of vine plantings. More than 2,000 tonnes of grapes will be harvested this autumn. We recommend sampling the fruits of last year's harvest from any one of the 45 Central Otago vineyards. There are about 12 cellar doors in the region where you will be warmly welcomed to stay a while and sample the wine.

Whether a wine tour, garden tour, flight seeing or even "The Lord of the Rings" tour, choose a local operator to introduce you to the region and show you the hidden places. Or from Queenstown, follow the edge of the lake westward and experience what must be one of the world's most scenic drives. In under an hour you'll be in Glenorchy, a true frontier town where you can horse ride, go hunting, step foot into the National Parks or spend a day wilderness jet-boating or paddling down glacier fed rivers.

Many come to sharpen their golf on some of the world's most scenic courses. There's Millbrook's Bob Charles designed stunner, or join the locals for a round or five at Kelvin Heights or Arrowtown. Taking to the water is a lovely autumn option and the historic steamship TSS Earnslaw is an elegant vessel to sail on. Her main destination is Walter Peak high country station.

Of course you'll need somewhere to stay. Start at www.queenstown-nz.co.nz for comprehensive coverage of Queenstown accommodation. There's everything from character backpacker places to some of the finest luxury lodges in the world. And with a compact town centre, you won't have to stroll far to find your perfect spot. From beat rooms to elegant bars for a night cap, everyone will find somewhere fabulous to go.

Queenstown is a great place to shop for that special piece of jewellery or a new wardrobe. Fully armed with souvenirs and heaps of photos, you'll be heading home again with fantastic memories, a refreshed approach to life and a promise to return.