Intro to Queenstown & Central Otago
This area is different to almost everywhere else in New Zealand and still envokes images of the wild west, at least when away from the bustling towns of Queenstown and Wanaka! Nestled between coastal plains and the Southern Alps this region is mostly hilly and open - thanks to the climate (dry and continental) and early clearing by settlers there are few trees to be seen. In winter this is the coldest part of the country, and the only part other than the mountain peaks that can experience days that fail to get above freezing. While in summer it is generally warm and can be hot in nor'west fohn conditions. Off the main highways there are places that few (even kiwis) have visited.
What to see?
Queenstown is the best known, for it's stunning mountain scenery and Lake Wakatipu (which "breathes" - a regular cycle of rising and falling lake level). Little over an hour away Wanaka offers much the same as Queenstown but with smaller crowds (at least for the next few years).
The hill country behind Queenstown is easily accessible through Skippers Canyon (warning car rentals are NOT insured on this road - take one of the many adventure operators instead) or the less visited valleys behind Arrowtown for a feeling of remoteness.
Many Lord of the Rings sites are found in this area including mountains, valleys and forest.
Glenorchy and the Dart River at the head of Lake Wakatipu offer braided river valleys reaching into the mountains, lush rainforest and a sense of isolation. Visit this area in the next few years before it becomes more popular (through LOTR and potentially also a gondola through to Milford Sound).
What to do?
Queenstown is the adventure capital. If an activity involves adrenaline, chances are it can be done here. Here is an incomplete list of types of adventure activities - bunjy (ranging from little 40 metre jumps to 134 metre falls), parapenting, jetboating, white water rafting, skydiving, parasailing, canyoning, fly by wire, flying fox, horse riding, 4wd rides (eg to the abandoned gold mining area of Macetown), river yaks (body surf down the rapids), etc.
There are some very nice walks around Queenstown - ranging from short, flat rambles to 4 world class multi-day hikes in the nearby mountains.
In winter skiing and snowboarding at one of several fields by Queenstown and Wanaka. Cross country and heli-ski options also available. Most years there is also outdoor curling in the small frozen dams around Alexandra.
Ride the central otago bike trail (follows an abandoned rail line, so an easy if long ride).
Play golf at Millbrook, one of the top (and most scenic) golf courses in the country.
Try your hand at a (non-moving) flight simulator to see how you do flying into ZQN.
Flying - there are fantastic scenic flights to Milford Sound (including flying past Sutherland Falls the tallest waterfall in New Zealand), Mt Aspiring or further afield (Mt Aoraki/Cook area).
Take the Air NZ or Qantas flight IN to Queenstown for one of the most stunning flights (other than Milford Sound) you will ever take. The scenery on the flight out is also good, but not as close to the mountains as the flight in, which flies past Mt Aoraki/Cook and the Southern Lakes before wending through mountain valleys and over a couple of passes on the final descent.
Where to stay?
A few chains are starting to open hotels in Queenstown, and I'd expect more to be added as the popularity of the area continues to grow. The first post of
Kiwi Mainland Do contains info on some of the main hotels. There are hundreds of B&Bs and apartments in Queenstown.
Other centres (Wanaka, Alexandra, etc) have much less options with no major hotels. Wanaka, catering to winter ski season, has lots of smaller hotels and B&Bs.
How to get around?
Tour buses link Queenstown with Milford Sound, west coast (via Wanaka), Christchurch and Dunedin. Buses also run between Queenstown and nearby towns (Wanaka, Cromwell). Arrowtown is on the Queenstown local bus routes.
For the back country areas behind Alexandra a rental car is needed.
Major events
(all Queenstown unless otherwise specified)
Brass Monkey Motorcycle Rally - Oturehua, June
Winter Festival - late June / early July
Blossom Festival - Alexandra, September
Tour of Southland (cycling) - November
New Years Eve - Queenstown and Wanaka
Tips & tricks
Flying into/out of Queenstown is the easiest and quickest way to enter and leave the region. However, being surrounded by mountains and subject to variable climate, delays and cancellations are more common here than elsewhere in NZ. Try not to book flight out of Queenstown on the same day as an international flight from Auckland.
If flying from Queenstown to Milford Sound or vice versa, allow a minimum of 3 days. Weather conditions can stop all flights for days at a time.
Links
When is the best time to visit?
Best weather - changeable at any time
Best music and public events - mid to late winter
Least crowded - autumn and spring
