9 minute read

ALPINE ADVENTURE IT

DESTINATION

Queenstown is your number one solution for a thirst for a southern alpine adventure. An iced-out diamond in the crown that is the South Island, Queenstown offers a world-class experience right here in God’s Own. From thrill-seekers to families, to snowboarders and honeymooners, there’s something for everybody and the atmosphere provided is electric and ever-changing. Pack your car after brunch and arrive in time for dinner – and you’ll be transported into the glacial sanctum of Queenstown.

MAKING MEMORIES Embark on the ultimate family night out on Skyline Queenstown’s new night luge experience. It’s impossible not to smile as you zoom down 1600 metres of thrilling, bright coloured tracks with the twinkling lights of Queenstown by night in the distance. For indoor thrills, take the family to Queenstown Ice Arena and teach the kiddies to ice skate or try out the new ice bumper cars – unique fun for the entire family. The ‘Bump and Skate’ combos give the family a whole day on the ice.

FRESH FROM FERG’S You know a trip to Queenstown isn’t complete without some nosh from our mates at Fergburger. Freshly added to the Fergfoods mantle is Ferg’s Bar, which is open from 7am. The full breakfast menu changes during the day to shared plate dining to complement a wide selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. And, hey, it’s open till 2am for all you night-owls.

SINK INTO ONSEN Imagine your own exclusive spring-fed hot pool, located high on a cliffside, where you can enjoy the serenity of your own cedarenclosed room overlooking breath-taking panoramic views. Onsen’s new outdoor pools are also home to a tranquil day spa with high-quality therapists delivering an extensive range of face and body treatments. This is relaxation, the natural way. Indulge in the tranquility. Lookout for the free shuttle service to and from Queenstown, and it’s open right up until 11pm.

A SEASON FOR SKI Amplify your altitude and send it all the way to the slopes. Why? Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona Alpine Resort, and Treble Cone have all made upgrades for the winter season! The latter are operating a dual mountain offering this winter which means both mountains can be accessed with the same ski pass. Psst, check out Coronet Peak’s Night Ski – on until the end of August.

BEYOND THE MOUNTAIN Not of the skiing calibre? You can find plenty ‘beyond the mountain’ in Queenstown. Take a guided tour through Skippers Canyon; built by hand in the 1880s during the gold rush. Equal parts breath-taking and thrilling, the winding road eventually leads to the remnants of Skippers Township. Top tip: test your nerves on Skippers Canyon Jet – a thrilling jet boat ride through the narrowest canyons on the Shotover River.

FRANKTON FOODIES The new hospitality hub at Frankton Marina is a perfect pit stop on route to The Remarkables Ski Area. Stop in for French toast and coffee right on the lakefront at The Boat Shed Café and Bistro – which is under new ownership. After a day on the slopes, pull up at Altitude Brewery and get a taste of local brews. There’s always something happening with pizza nights, food trucks, burger nights, and more.

VINEYARD HOSPITALITY Get in before the masses, and sample the latest vintage at Cox’s Vineyard, Gibbston. A family-owned and operated vineyard, Cox’s Vineyard is open for tastings by appointment. Art and wine lovers will be blown away by the cellar door and heritage Aotearoa art gallery located on-site. Cox’s Vineyard offers a nice change of pace for a day filled with classic vineyard hospitality.

LAKE CRUISIN’ This winter, Queenstown’s beloved TSS Earnslaw, a 1912 Edwardian vintage twin screw steamer and one of the oldest tourist attractions in the region, is changing its offering. Enjoy daily breakfast at the docked ship or try the downtown après experience which departs at 6pm on Fridays and Saturdays, with live music and local brews in tow thanks to the boat’s café and bar. There’s even an onboard museum.

DON’T MISS 23 rotating taps at Beech Tree | A walking food tour of Arrowtown | Après ski treats at Arthur’s Point, Cargo Brewery

SLOW SLOW was born from the desire of living a more conscious and authentic life. Hand-picked products that hold the qualities of its core ethos, bringing you an array of authentic brands that will enrich your lives with beauty, style, and an essence of permanency. Showcased in store as Danish interiors, lighting, homewares, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products; complemented by in-house coffee studio and eatery, an exclusive collaboration with Frama Copenhagen. slowstore.co.nz HIDDEN LODGE Small, boutique accommodation, secluded on a hillside on the outskirts of town. The four private luxury suites are a perfect base for embracing all that Queenstown has to offer. Overlooking Lake Wakatipu to the mountain ranges, Hidden’s unobstructed views will mesmerise all – the sunsets, sunrises, movement of clouds and water, and the amazing night skies. Hidden prides itself on providing understated luxurious accommodation, allowing guests to embrace the local environment. KINROSS Less than thirty minutes from the centre of Queenstown, and perfect for couples and families looking for a home away from home, Kinross has 14 studio cottage rooms, all perfectly positioned for you to enjoy the tranquillity and views. It’s simply the natural choice for wine-lovers. In its bistro, you can experience delicious food from a seasonal menu, designed to match with wines from five boutique wine partners. Kinross kinross.nz

were also finalists in 2019 NZ Cellar Door of the Year Awards. hiddenlodgequeenstown.co.nz

NUGGET POINT SPA Nestled in one of the most magnificent alpine settings overlooking the famous Shotover River, you will discover the Nugget Point Spa, inside a boutique hotel. Experience complete indulgence in Roman baths, saltwater plunge pools, a marbled bath, steam room, sauna, hot tub, and iconic rose mosaic showers complete with relaxation areas. For the ultimate in rejuvenation, enter a peaceful haven where mind, body, and spirit unite. thcnuggetpoint.co.nz

ALPINE LUXURY TOURS When it comes to an unforgettable Queenstown experience, Alpine Luxury Tours has the best of the region covered. With exclusive access to some of the most stunning vistas and bespoke activities on offer, the team’s unique perspective and inside knowledge offer an opportunity to see and do things that locals don’t even know about. And even if others did manage to find out about these hidden gems, chances are that they wouldn’t be able to access them anyway. alpineluxurytours.co.nz AZUR Azur is the total experience. It’s a distinctively contemporary luxury lodge, offering nine private villas located on a hilltop overlooking some of the most spectacular scenery. Get the best of both worlds; the feeling of privacy and remoteness, and yet in five minutes, you can be in part of the dynamic local scene in downtown Queenstown. Included in rates are breakfast, afternoon tea, and pre-dinner drinks and canapes. There are flexible check out times too! AMISFIELD A philosophy to celebrate the best of what’s local and in season has made Amisfield the South Island’s only three-hatted restaurant and Organic Winery of the Year. The dishes represent the work of a small group of fishermen and farmers chosen for the quality of their products, sustainability, and ethical practices. The wines convey subtle nuances in geography, weather, and soils to produce distinctive characteristics and amisfield.co.nz

flavours that make them an authentic expression of place. azur.co.nz

RUTHVEN + CO Ruthven + Co has design choices to reflect not only style but also its personality and values. You’ll find artisan-made, sustainable, and unique products. Jo has traipsed through the backstreets of towns in Portugal, haggled for homewares over endless cups of mint tea in Morocco, and found women making beautiful pendants in Tunisia. Each piece has been carefully curated because it has a story to share. Choose ethical homewares, and support local communities globally. ruthvenandco.com

Stephan Romer, one ofthe world’s most sought after commercial photographers, now brings us a celebration oflandscape –in particular, the New Zealand wilderness as we’ve rarely seen before. With over twelve years now based in Q ueenstown, New Zealand, Romer has developed a love and anity for the wild places close to home. He has segued into large format photography, focused solely on capturing the poetry ofthat landscape, with a powerful intimacy and understanding ofthe New Zealand wilderness.

Jack Williams, Writer and Journalist

15 Earl Street Queenstown 9300

+64.171.1771 mail@romer-gallery.com www.romer-gallery.com

Biking our backyard

Southern stalwart Trail Journeys has proudly helped cyclists explore the Otago region for the last 20 years.

It’s never been easier to go for an adventure on two wheels – let the team at Trail Journeys introduce you to a special part of our country by organising a personalised cycling tour for you on the spectacular Otago Central Rail Trail, Roxburgh Gorge, and Clutha Gold Trails. Being Otago locals, they know the area inside and out, and have helped thousands of travellers put together memorable cycling experiences. With depots at both ends of the Otago Central Rail Trail (Clyde and Middlemarch), there’s plenty of options to suit your requirements, budgets, and preferences for the perfect cycling experience.

Your guides share a passion for the Central Otago region, and their extensive knowledge and experience means you have the very best advice. With regular bag, passenger and bike transport services, expert cycle mechanics, and experienced consultants, you can enjoy a stress-free cycling trip.

Trail Journeys have developed their bikes specifically for the trails, with improvements in important areas that include puncture-resistant tyres, good quality bearings, and comfortable riding positions with high rake stems. Some bikes even come with handlebars that sweep back slightly for maximum comfort, as well as soft comfort saddles.

A fleet of over 500 bicycles includes quality European eBikes to take your ride to the next level of comfort and enjoyment.

The team ensures you are provided with passenger, luggage, and bike transport, and that other transport services, accommodation, and off trailside trips like curling or wine tours are booked.

Once you’re at your destination, you can relax knowing Trail Journeys has arranged your choice of accommodation thanks to its free booking service – no matter if budget, standard or luxury is your flavour. An array of cottages, lodges, bed and breakfasts, holiday parks, motels, and hotels are available to choose from along the trails.

Trail Journeys is waiting for you! Go explore Central Otago at your own pace.

trailjourneys.co.nz