ACTIVITIES IN QUEENSTOWN
There is a diverse multitude of things to do in Queenstown. We’ve hand-picked our favorites that we know you and your guests will enjoy, from heli skiing to winery tours, there is something for everyone to enjoy while visiting Queenstown. The Element Escapes team of experienced adventurers has crafted a selection of local activities for you to check out and book through our activities page. Review our recommendations and book activities for your upcoming holiday with us, here on our activities booking page.
Our Seasons
It takes local knowledge to make the most of every Queenstown season, and quite often it is the fringe seasons of Autumn and Spring that locals and regular visitors enjoy the most. With our pro-active hosting experience we show you why, and help find things to do in Queenstown that are tailored to the season.
Autumn
- Month:
- Mar / Apr / May
- Temp:
- 12 – 25 degrees celsius
- Daylight hours:
- 11 hours
- Seasonal delicacies:
- Wine
- Favourite activities:
- Tramping
- Walking / hiking index:
- Boots / pants / jacket
Things to do
When the changing colours reveal themselves the entire lakes district transforms into a vibrant dynamic environment calling you to get outside and make the most of the daylight hours before the onset of Winter.
Winter
- Month:
- Jun / Jul / Aug
- Temp:
- -2 – 8 degrees celsius
- Daylight hours:
- 9 hours
- Seasonal delicacies:
- Lamb
- Favourite activities:
- Skiing
- Walking / hiking index:
- Alpine mountain climbing gear
Things to do
Winter is about the snow, which means skiing / boarding throughout the day and then re-fuelling in the warm bars and restaurants once darkness falls. Most other activities outside of snow sports in our opinion are better done in one of the other seasons. There will inevitably be &‘down days’ off the mountain and for these times we also have a few recommendations:
On the mountain
- Coronet: One of Queenstown’s resident ski fields, a classic performer, and close to your element escapes abode.
- Remarkables: Queenstown’s second resident ski field, good for beginner fun, intermediate progression, and the odd hike for steeper terrain.
- Heli: Get the best out of the Southern Alps on the best of days.
- Invincibles: Off-beat alternative with scenic drive. Back country terrain for advanced skiers looking for natural chutes & gullies
- Cadrona: Our pick of the Wanaka Ski fields
- Snowpark: Something for everyone, whether you want to hit the half pipe and ramps or take it easy down the beginner slopes. Finish your day with a hot chocolate in front of the cosy fireplace at the Iconic Cadrona Hotel in the Cadrona Valley
Off the mountain
- Wineries: Please refer to our winery synopsis for our current favourites, select one or more pleasing bottles and take them back to your apartment for a more in-depth tasting session.
- Glenorchy Township: A Scenic drive, buy some possum fur socks and have a pint of beer and a cheese roll at the Tavern
- Onsen Hot Pools: Warm water relaxation to ease the aches and pains with a lofty view of the shotover river below.
- Massage: Body Sanctum or an in room massage
- Arrowtown: Shopping and Cinema — Boutique cinema showcasing Arthouse movies, seats are luxurious, and the food & wine is delicious.
Spring
- Month:
- Sep / Oct / Nov
- Temp:
- 8 – 22 degrees celsius
- Daylight hours:
- 14 hours
- Seasonal delicacies:
- Whitebait
- Favourite activities:
- Biking
- Walking / hiking index:
- Boots, pants, windbreaker, beanie
Things to do
Spring is about new beginnings! Lambing season, cherry blossoms, tulips & breaking out of the winter blues to experience the region at it’s finest. The locals have thrown themselves back into the outdoor lifestyle with the dusting off of their mountain bikes & hiking boots. Some unique local attractions to the region include:
- TSS Earnslaw & Walter Peak High Country Farm: A must do activity while here. Take the cruise on a turn of the century vessel and take your pick of tours once you get to Walter Peak Station from: Farm Tour, Heritage Tour, Horse trekking, BBQ lunch or evening dinner. Kids go free during school holidays!
Summer
- Month:
- Dec / Jan / Feb
- Temp:
- 20 – 30 degrees celsius
- Daylight hours:
- 15 hours
- Seasonal delicacies:
- Cherries
- Favourite activities:
- Golf
- Walking / hiking index:
- Trainers, shorts, light thermals
Things to do
Summer is about getting amongst it all! Queenstown hosts an incredible array of outdoor events in the surrounding region. Take advantage of our long dry Otago summer days sipping Pinot Noir at a local winery or ripping up the mountain bike trails. Our Summer Special is offering some incredible rates to travellers. Some unique activities we think you’ll love are below.
- Art Adventures: We’ve been lucky to enough to experience this tour first hand. Small group tours with art experiences tailor made to suit individual interests. Combine your love of art with visits to local artisans & all the items needed to create your own masterpiece of the day a unique memoir to take away.
- Golf: “The Hills” Golf course is now open to the public. Designed by Darby partners and opened in 2007 to host the New Zealand Open. Set over 500 acres of land across a glacial valley. Bookings essential at this exclusive venue. Day spa is also open to the public.
- Mountain Biking: “Vertigo Bikes” are the only 100% dedicated bike shop in QT. The staff here are friendly, personable & passionate about what they do. Offering a huge range of guided & self-guided mountain biking options, suited to all experience levels.
- Wineries & Chessery: How could summer be complete without a visit to the local wineries? Gibston Valley is just a 15-20 minute drive from your accommodation. Discover a region made famous for it&rquo;s Award Winning Pinot Noir & delicious cheese. Take a drive, sit on the grass & enjoy a picnic. “Appellation Wine Tours” offer tailor made small group tours to suit every palette.
- Cromwell Market: One of the most famous markets in the region. Take a drive along the picturesque Karawau Gorge and collect some farm fresh produce to create a feast to remember back in your apartment. Market is every Sunday through Summer from 9am — 1pm. Produce includes local cheeses, merino cuts, olive oil, teas, frozen fish, whitebait, venison salami, fresh sausages, herbs and salads, honey, jams & preserves, fresh baking, fresh flowers & much more!
Wine
Popular vineyards known for producing some of the best Central Otago wine have wineries within a 50 minute drive of Queenstown. We have assembled below a list of our current favourites and well known establishments for your inspection.
Queenstown / Gibston Valley (< 30 minutes)
Cromwell / Bannockburn
Food
Our current favourites are:
Organic Produce
Takeaway
Casual & Easy
- Bombay Palace
- Fishbone
- Jacks Point Club House
- Pesto
- Vudu and Vudu Cafe & Larder
Something Special
- Amisfield
- Botswana Butchery
- JSH
- Rata
- Saffron
- The Bunker
- Wai waterfront restaurant
Shopping
A blend of quality local and leading international brands are located in downtown Queenstown within close proximity to our properties. If you are looking for a specific type of shop please ask us for a recommendation.
