The Queenstown area has captured hearts and imaginations since the first Maori came in search of pounamu (greenstone) and the giant Moa bird. More recently, gold miners, adventurers, filmmakers, wine enthusiasts, and Hollywood stars have been drawn to this magical region and its intense alpine energy.
Renowned for adventure, fun and relaxation, Queenstown is a sophisticated holiday resort set in the magnificent landscapes of the Southern Alps of New Zealand.
The compact and sophisticated downtown is always a buzz with lively café/bars and excellent shopping. With four distinct seasons and over 160 licensed bars and cafés, Queenstown never runs out of reasons to celebrate, all year round, any night of the week. You can spend long summer nights in a garden bar serving locally brewed beer, dancing until dawn to renowned DJs, or après ski on a cosy winter evening in front of a roaring log fire camp, Queenstown is now a charmed area tucked into a picturesque bay on the shores of Lake Wakatipu surrounded by majestic mountains. Amazing views are guaranteed from every angle.
Rugged mountains, majestic lakes, crystal clear air, and endless activities and entertainment. From bunjee jumping to wine trails, jet boating to tramping, dining out to skiing, the hard part about visiting Queenstown is trying to fit everything in.
With Amber Lodge being the most central accommodation in Queenstown, the city centre itself is within a couple minutes away by foot.
Close by is the beautiful Queenstown Wharf with loads of cafe's and bars to suit your taste while you look over the stunning lake, also take a walk along Lake Esplanade to take it all in.
Some other towns definitely worth going to while you are, Arrowtown, Frankton and Lake Hayes which are only a short 15-20 minutes' public bus ride away which all leave from the city centre. 7 days a week from 6:30am - 11pm.
Other destinations such as Glenorchy, Skippers and Deer Park heights are available by a guided 4x4 tour truck/van taking about 30-45 minutes, which will give you breathe taking views plus you will also get some historic knowledge of Queenstown by the local guides.
Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the world! So be prepared to be able to do everything and anything your heart desires.
There are activities to suit all ages and adrenalin levels so here are just a selected few to temp you.
Bungee Jumping, Skydiving up to 15,000ft, Jag Air, Canyoning, Canyon Swing, White Water Rafting, Jetboating, River Surfing, 4x4 Wheel Drive Tours, Sail Queenstown Yacht Boat, Balloon flights, Cycle Tours, Horse Riding, Milford Sound/Doubtful Sound flights + Bus Trips, Fishing, Wine Tours.
With all of these activities available right next door to you be sure to ask our fab reception staff at Amber Lodge as prices and times are seasonal.
The central Otago region is renowned for its wines. The very famous pinot noir and the savs seem to be strong hold of out wines in this region. We have some wonderful wineries near Queenstown that offer a lovely say out tasting their wines.
One winery offers you a chance to buy their wine and cheese board and stroll through the vines for a picnic at little spots through the vineyard and very enjoyable hours can be spent relaxing there.
So all around the region are some of the most sought after wines from New Zealand and the true fact is that it is growing every year after each harvest people cannot wait to try the new vintage.
Queenstown shopping is open 7 days a week with a large amount of chain stores in the town for old and young alike. Sops are open from 9am to around 9 to 10pm at night pending on the time of year and how busy the town is.
Queenstown offers some of the bets courses in New Zealand. In my eyes, we living here are spoilt for choice of courses to play with kelvin heights and Millbrook and the very challenging.
Arrowtown course can keep you on your game the newly developed jacks point has really come of age as golf courses goes a very demanding and very damaging course if you tend to spray about a bit i can verify that after losing a few balls at one hole not that my golf is all that great but still very enjoyable.
The Southern Lakes region is one of the most diverse and physically beautiful on earth. It is renowned for a breath-taking mix of terrains;
from rugged mountains to a wild and deserted coastline, golden hill country to crystal alpine lakes. Stunning, movie-inspiring scenery aside, there’s a deep cultural bent to this area. Meandering wine regions, villages rich in history, high country sheep farming and primordial world heritage areas sit alongside international standard tourism resorts.
The region is famous for its excellent skiing/snowboarding, it also features a multitude of short and multi-day walks encompassing haunting Beech forests, vast tussock fields and dramatic mountain passes. A region that truly offers something for everyone, the Southern Lakes are certainly not to be missed.
