Recently we spent a week and a half in Queenstown and had such a great time. Situated on the South Island of New Zealand, this picturesque town is the perfect gateway for so many activities. Whether you are an adrenaline junkie, a nature lover or you’re obsessed with wine, there is something for everyone. Queenstown’s location makes it the perfect base for exploring the Central Otago wine region which produces some of the most incredible Pinot Noirs, along with plenty of aromatic whites. This Queenstown Travel Guide covers everything you need to know about visiting Queenstown and Central Otago, from where to visit, where to eat and what to do.
Central Otago and Queenstown travel guide: An overview
Central Otago is a large wine region with plenty of sub-regions to explore. Some of these are only a short drive out of Queenstown, but some can take an hour or two by car to visit. But I promise it is worth the drive because Central Otago is an incredible wine region. World-renowned for its Pinot Noir, this cool-climate region is perfect for producing not only Pinot but also white wine as well, including Riesling, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. They also produce an array of Pinot Noir Rosé with vibrant colours in the glass.
Before you visit it’s good to know some of the key subregions of the area. These include:
- Bannockburn: Famous for its exceptional Pinot Noir, Bannockburn’s vineyards thrive in the sun-soaked terraces of the Kawarau River, producing wines known for their depth and complexity. This region is about one hour from Queenstown.
- Gibbston Valley: Nestled among the rugged landscapes, Gibbston Valley is celebrated for its cool-climate wines, particularly outstanding Pinot Noir and elegant Chardonnay, thanks to the region’s unique microclimate and schist-rich soils. This region is the closest to Queenstown and about a half an hour drive.
- Alexandra: Located in the southernmost part of Central Otago, Alexandra is known for its diverse wine offerings. Pinot Noir remains a star, but the region also excels in crafting aromatic whites like Riesling and Pinot Gris, showcasing the versatility of the terroir.
- Cromwell Basin: With a mix of gravelly soils and a continental climate, Cromwell Basin is a haven for producing intense and fruit-forward Pinot Noir. Wineries here also experiment with other cool-climate varieties like Gewürztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc.
- Bendigo: Rising in prominence, Bendigo is gaining recognition for its bold and structured Pinot Noir, with its warm days and cool nights contributing to the development of rich, ripe flavors in the grapes.
- Wanaka: Embraced by stunning alpine scenery, Wanaka produces exceptional Pinot Noir, capturing the essence of the region’s pristine beauty. The terroir also favors the cultivation of aromatic white varieties, including Riesling and Pinot Gris.
Central Otago grape varieties
Central Otago, New Zealand’s wine paradise, is a treasure trove of grape varieties that thrive in its unique climate and geography. This charming region, primarily known for its stellar Pinot Noir, showcases an impressive array of grape varieties that have found their perfect home in the diverse terroirs. From the luscious Riesling and vibrant Sauvignon Blanc to the elegant Pinot Gris, Central Otago’s vineyards boast a delightful spectrum of flavours.
The secret to the success of these grapes lies in the region’s hot summers and cool nights that create an ideal environment for slow ripening and intense flavour development. The combination of well-drained soils further enhances the grape-growing magic. So, whether you’re sipping a velvety Pinot Noir or a crisp, aromatic white, each glass from Central Otago tells a story of sun-soaked days and cool, starry nights, making it a wine lover’s paradise worth exploring.
Queenstown travel guide: when to visit
Queenstown is a year-round haven for visitors, each season offering its magical charm. Spring unveils a landscape adorned with blossoms and vibrant hues, making it ideal for nature walks and rejuvenating outdoor activities. Summer transforms Queenstown into a buzzing hub of adventure, where you can indulge in thrilling adventure activities, embark on scenic hikes, or simply bask in the sunshine. Autumn paints the hillsides in fiery reds and gold, creating a stunning backdrop for wine tours. Winter is where Queenstown turns into a world-renowned ski destination. The pristine slopes, complemented by cozy apres-ski scenes, make it a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts.
We visited over the Summer and the great thing about it was how refreshingly cool it was even in December. It was a nice break from our weather in Brisbane. The scenery was magical with beautiful wildflowers everywhere, and the weather was just warm enough that you didn’t need a jumper during the day. The days are also very long which means there’s plenty of time for activities, with the sun setting at around 10 pm.
Queenstown travel guide: Activities
Queenstown is known for its activities, and you can do anything from bungee jumping to hiking. Not being into heights myself, we opted for some more relaxed activities that kept us on the ground. So I wanted to highlight a few of the ones we did here. But if you want more adrenaline-filled activities, you can find them all in Queenstown.
Bike the wineries
One of my favourite days of the trip was when we hired eBikes and biked to the wineries. We used a company called Around the Basin for a full-day tour and had the best time. They pick you up in Queenstown and drive you to Arrowtown where you pick up your eBike and head off to the wineries. The first part of the day you spend on a 40-minute or so bike ride to the first winery. This part was so picturesque and magical with so much to see from the bright blue river to the stunning wildflowers and mountains. It’s pretty easy riding on the eBike, and once you cross the bridge where they do the bungee jumping you’re on your way to the first winery. You can visit as many wineries as you want, and then at the end of the day, they pick you up and drive you back to Queenstown (so you don’t need to navigate home after a few wines).
We ended up only making it to 3 of the wineries we wanted to visit as we were enjoying ourselves so much, but half the fun was the riding itself! We had a great time taking in the scenery between wineries, and by the final stop we were ready to enjoy a glass of wine and a pizza whilst we waited for our pick up. It was a great day out and the perfect way to explore the wineries of the Gibbston Valley.
Queenstown Luge
This is probably the most adventure we did the whole trip, but it was really fun! The Queenstown Luge is located at the top of the Gondola above Queenstown, offering incredible views of the town and lake. Even if you were just to do the Gondola and relax in the restaurant you would be in for a good time. But if you want something more, there is a whole luge up there that honestly reminded me of Mario Kart. You can brake if you want to so even if you are a bit scared there’s the option to stop, but if you have the need for speed you will love this activity. It’s a great thing to do with kids too!
Visit Arrowtown
Arrowtown is about a 40-minute drive from Queenstown and a beautiful spot to visit. This old mining town is packed full of charm with plenty of beautiful stores to visit and cozy cafes. We didn’t spend too long here as it was raining but you could easily spend an afternoon browsing the stores and enjoying the parks. There are also plenty of great walking tracks just out of town to explore.
Visit Glenorchy
Glenorchy is about a 1-hour drive from Queenstown but it is worth a visit if you like bushwalks or are a fan of Lord of the Rings (this was one of many filming locations on the South Island). We visited the town and did the lagoon walk which was a great time, and very easy to do as it was flat. The scenery is stunning with snow-capped mountains even in Summer! Afterwards, the town has loads of cute pubs and restaurants to enjoy.
Soak at the Onsen
The Onsen Hot Pools are located about a 15-minute drive from Queenstown and a great spot if you want to relax. They have a day spa there but also have private hot pools. Each booking gives you one hour in your hot tub overlooking the magical landscape along with a drink and snack of your choice. You can have up to four people in a tub so it’s a great activity with friends or with a special someone with a glass of Pinot in hand.
Queenstown travel guide: Wineries to visit
There are so many great wineries to visit in Central Otago, it can be hard to know where to begin. Here are a few of my favourites from our most recent trip.
Ayrburn
Ayrbrun is a new winery that had only been open for around a month when we visited. They have a shuttle from Queenstown which is only $10 and means you don’t have to drive, making it a great spot for an afternoon of eating and drinking. Located around 20 minutes out of Queenstown, Ayrburn has everything you need to easily spend half a day, if not a day there. They have a cocktail bar, wine room, restaurant and ice cream store along with walking paths and kids’ playgrounds. Soon they’ll have even more! We had an awesome afternoon trying some of their wines and dining at the Woolshed restaurant which had incredible food and a beautiful fit out. It was probably one of my favourite wineries we visited on the trip!
Amisfield
Amisfield is near to Ayrburn and well known for its rich history and beautiful grounds. Their wines are also stunning, with their Rosé becoming a staple of our stay. The winery is beautiful with a lovely fit-out and stunning cellar door. Their grounds are also stunning with green hills overlooking one of the vineyards and lavender everywhere. They do have a restaurant but it is a little pricey, so only go there if you are after a fancy meal. Otherwise, the cellar door does a good tasting where you can choose 5 wines from their extensive wine list.
Mount Difficulty Wines
Mount Difficulty Wines is located in Bannockburn so is about one hour away from Queenstown, but worth a drive if you want to check out the area and some of the local wineries. There are several great wineries with tastings on the same road as Mount Difficulty Wines, but I highly recommend visiting Mount Difficulty for their wines and their lunch. They are up on a hill so have great views of the surrounding area, and a beautiful terrace to enjoy lunch on. I opted for a wine tasting with lunch and had some delicious wines, one of my favourites being their Ghost Town Chardonnay!
Rockburn Wines
Rockburn Wines is located in Gibbston Valley and I highly recommend heading there for their awesome Pinots. We did a full Pinot Noir tasting and I have to say they were some of the best Pinots we had on our trip! Each was so different and there was something for everyone from juicy to earthy. Their cellar door may not be as fancy as some of the others in the area but the staff are wonderful, and the wines are delicious. Next door is also the Gibbston Valley Tavern if you get hungry!
Kinross
Kinross is a great place to visit if you want to try several different producers in one place. Their cellar door is the place to go for famous wineries like Valli and Coal Pit that have won many awards for their wines. And it’s easy to see why when you do a tasting. The tastings are designed to give you a feel for the different wines of the area and the host was incredibly knowledgable about all the different sub-regions and producers. It’s a beautiful cellar door and worth a visit. It’s hard to leave without a bottle or two in hand!
Gibbston Valley Wines
Gibbston Valley Wines is a great place to visit if you want to enjoy the scenery in a relaxed setting. Their cellar door does have a restaurant but their tastings are done in the garden which is a great spot to enjoy some wine in the sunshine. There are four different tasting paddle options which is great as everyone can try something they like. We enjoyed our tasting here, and it’s great if you haven’t booked anywhere as they accept walk-ins.
Queenstown travel guide: Where to eat
And finally it wouldn’t be a Queenstown travel guide without talking about where to eat! We went to some great spots on our trip, and here are some of the highlights
$: Ferburger and Fergbaker
Fergburger is an institution of Queenstown and something you simply have to do when you’re there. I don’t make the rules. And I know what you’re thinking: How good can a burger be? I wondered this myself because it had been a while since we’d had one. And the lines are no joke! You can’t order online so you have to line up for a burger, and it can take anywhere from 20 minutes to one hour. But don’t be deterred, because the burgers are worth the wait! I don’t know what they do to them, but they are the best burgers I’ve ever eaten. I would wait one hour for them again, and my only regret is we only had them once this trip! They are also open until the early hours of the morning (4 am) so you can get a burger fix all day and night!
If burgers aren’t for you, or you can’t be bothered lining up, Fergbaker has to be the next best thing. They have some of the best baked goods I’ve ever had, and the lines are much shorter! Some of the highlights include their lamb pie, pork and fennel sausage roll and their Boston Cream buns. Many of these were consumed on our trip and the best part? They’re located right next to Fergburger so you can get a snack while you wait.
$$: Gibbston Valley Tavern
If you’re heading to the wineries around Gibbston Valley, Gibbston Valley Tavern is a great spot for a pub meal. It has a lovely atmosphere and a very cute dog, with tables outside in the sunshine. The food is well-priced and there are plenty of options from pizza to nachos. They also have several local wines on their wine list. It’s a good spot if you want a relaxed lunch and to enjoy some good wine.
$$$: White + Wongs
White + Wongs in Queenstown is a great spot if you want a nice Asian fusion dinner. They have plenty of options from dumplings to curries, and everything we ordered was delicious. It’s got a lovely fit-out and has a good local wine list too!
$$$: Botswana Butcher
Botswana Butcher is a Queenstown institution and it’s easy to see why. If you’re in the market for a good steak, this restaurant is your best bet. They have awesome meat options from roast lamb to fish and steaks, of course, all served with tasty sides. Complimented by a good local wine list, you really can’t go wrong. It’s the perfect spot for a nice dinner in town.
$$$: Mount Difficulty Wines
Mount Difficulty Wines has a great cellar door with a fabulous lunch menu. Not only do they have awesome main dishes to enjoy, but they also do a massive platter for two that’s perfect for sharing. We honestly only needed the platter which was packed full of veggies, dips and bread. But I was also glad we ordered the duck breast which was probably the best duck I’ve ever eaten.
$$$: Ayrburn
Ayrburn has an awesome restaurant on site called the Woolshed which offers a range of meals from risotto to steak. We opted for a steak and it was delicious! The fit-out is beautiful, and if you sit outside you’re overlooking the stunning grounds. Although they have other dining options on-site, I recommend booking a table here and asking to sit outside if you can.
$$$$$: Amisfield
Finally, we went to Amisfield for a special occasion meal and a special occasion meal it was. This meal will set you back, and it is a set menu degustation. If you are into trying new things, I highly recommend the tasting menu. Everything changes seasonally, and it was probably the most creative meal I’ve ever eaten. I don’t think I would ever try shark before or asparagus juice, but now I have! It’s not for those who don’t like trying new things, but if you are adventurous and want a unique dining experience on beautiful grounds, this one is worth checking out.
In summary: Queenstown travel guide
I hope this Queenstown travel guide has helped inspire your trip. Whether you want to visit Queenstown for the food and wine, or you are after an adventure, there is something for everyone in this stunning town. The landscape and scenery is out of this world, and the food and wine tops it off. If you’ve ever thought about visiting New Zealand, definitely add Queenstown to your list!