Rejuvenating Queenstown

Where to stay, relax, eat and fill your cup in Queenstown, home of sensory adventures.

Mountains, lakes and peaceful landscapes – Queenstown is the home of sensory and relaxing adventures.

ASouthern sojourn could be all it takes to provide the perfect reset. There’s no better way to do that than a stroll among some of the world’s most incredible views. Think mountains, lakes and watching the sunset over alpine vistas for a real melt-your-troubles-away moment. With a plethora of short walks, day hikes and multi-day tramps on Queenstown’s doorstep you will have no trouble letting mother nature heal you.

Queenstown in autumn is also a show not to be missed! So, if a night or two at an ecolodge in the mountains, soak in a hot spa, glass of outstanding Central Otago pinot noir and hot stone massage sounds appealing, why not book a mountain mini-break?

Here are Good’s suggestions for where to stay, relax and fill your cup. Active relaxation

Queenstown is the home of sensory adventures.

Miller Road Fragrance Studio

Treat your senses with a visit to Miller Road Fragrance Studio, filled with handpoured candles and home fragrances, or book in for a perfumery workshop and make your own personalised fragrance. millerroad.co.nz

Salt Float Spa

If you’re a fan of floats, you won’t need convincing that a session in a Dreampod at Salt Float Spa is the best. Floating helps relax the nervous system and moves you into a calming meditative state. Pure bliss. saltfloatspa.co.nz

Onsen Hot Pools

A boutique retreat and day spa experience in nature, Onsen’s cedar-lined hot tubs overlook the Shotover River. Enjoy the view and a soak with a drink and snack for the ultimate in relaxation. onsen.co.nz

Vault Spa at Eichardt’s Private Hotel The old gold vault at Eichardt’s dates back to 1887 and has been refurbished into a private spa, with a menu including Swedish massage, facials, body scrubs and foot treatments. Request drinks and petit fours from the restaurant and bar upstairs for a full pampering experience. eichardts.com

Wonderful walks

Wander in the wilderness and revel in being in nature. We recommend Jack’s Point (jackspoint.com) which has 25km of trails for mountain bikers, walkers and runners of all levels. Or walk around Lake Hayes or Moke Lake, or up Tobins Track in Arrowtown to see the autumn colours in their splendour.

Jump on an e-bike

Cycle along Lake Whakatipu around the Kelvin Heights peninsula towards Jack’s Point (get your e-bike from Better By Bike located by The Hilton, Kelvin Heights). Or bike from Arrowtown to Gibbston Valley and stop for a wine along the way.

Where to stay

Immerse yourself in nature at these fabulous retreats.

Kinloch Wilderness Retreat

Ecoscapes at Kinloch Wilderness Retreat are eco cabins that offer outstanding comfort and stunning views of the Southern Alps, and have been designed to blend with the environment. You won’t want to leave! kinlochlodge.co.nz

Nugget Point

A mere 7-minute drive from central Queenstown, this boutique luxury hotel has sweeping mountain views and an impressive Roman-style spa complete with a steam room, sauna, indoor plunge pool and hot tub, free for guests to enjoy. Its in-house Awa Restaurant showcases the best of what the region has to offer. Dine on the balcony or fireside, it’s up to you. thcnuggetpoint.co.nz

The Cottages Lake Hayes

Peaceful and private with stunning views; the cottages at The Cottages Lake Hayes offer luxury accommodation and some come with their own hot tub. The mountain reflections which glisten on the surface of Lake Hayes are one of the most captured images by photographers. lakehayes.com

Camp Glenorchy

Experience a holiday in harmony with nature. Camp Glenorchy is set amongst spectacular scenery, offers comfortable, rustic accommodation and walks the talk in terms of sustainability. And there’s so much to do or not do here – massage, yoga, hiking and more. It also hosts regular retreats with guest practitioners offering meditation, mindfulness, yoga and breathing sessions, and offers a menu of delicious and nutritious meals. Camp Glenorchy also offers free weekly yoga classes, so head along. With all that wilderness outside the front door, this is the perfect place to escape the everyday and soak up the stunning remote scenery. campglenorchy.co.nz

Kinross

Located in the heart of the Gibbston wine-making region, stay amongst the vines in one of the Kinross Cottages with views of the vineyards and mountains. Staycation packages include a welcome glass of Kinross wine, wine tasting, outdoor hot tub session and café-style breakfast. kinross.nz

Alpine wellness retreats

The tranquil, natural surrounds are ideal for getting your zen on.

Aro Ha

Tucked away in the mountains and surrounded by incredible views, awardwinning Aro Ha health retreat is designed to foster a full refresh of the mind, body and soul. Expect to deepen your breath, nourish your immune system, calm the nervous system and remember what it’s like to delight in the rising sun. Offering a

carefully crafted menu of revitalising food and drink, and a programme of movement sessions, yoga classes, massage, spa and sauna, as well as opportunities to hike and take in the views, there’s no wonder this retreat is so sought after. aro-ha.com

Nadi Wellness

Level 2, 50 Stanley Street, Queenstown Wellbeing is the name of the game at Nadi Wellness, a wellness studio based on Queenstown’s Stanley Street. Pop along to explore yoga, massage and holistic therapies – or join one of the studio’s wellness retreats or workshops for the ultimate in zen. You’ll walk away soothed and revitalised. nadiwellness.co.nz

Make your own retreat

Queenstown is spoilt for excellent day spas, yoga centres and massage providers. Combine a few and create a bespoke spa day of your own choosing – kind of like a bar crawl for day spas!

Eat & Drink

Treat your tastebuds and explore Queenstown’s eateries and wineries.

Blue Door Bar

18 Buckingham St, Arrowtown

Enjoy a local wine, beer, single malt or cocktail in the historic stone bar. On colder nights and winter months there’s a real wood fire and mulled wine. Look for the blue door across the alleyway from Aosta.

The Dishery

4 Buckingham St, Arrowtown

Adjacent to the Arrow River Reserve and beside the old Dudleys Cottage, The Dishery dishes up locally sourced, sustainable and seasonal fresh produce.

Margo’s

26 Ballarat St, Queenstown

If you’re craving Mexican, Margo’s is the place to be. It also has happy hour from Wednesday to Sunday from 5pm to 6pm.

Sherwood

554 Frankton Rd, Queenstown

A local favourite, The Sherwood has its own organic vegetable garden and what it doesn’t grow, it sources locally. The restaurant has a cosy interior and it’s the place to be for those wanting an authentic Queenstown experience.

Searchlight Brewery

12 Industrial Place, Queenstown Independently owned brewery Searchlight offers 18 beers on tap, which you can sip alongside snacks in the chilled-out tap room or out in the sun. On the right night, you might even catch a music gig, comedy show or quiz in the beer garden!

Mt Rosa

47 Gibbston Back Road, Gibbston Down-to-earth service and delicious wines makes this a great stopping off point. The cellar door is open every day from 11am to 5pm, with platters available.

Chard Farm

205 Chard Rd, Gibbston

Chard Farm makes complex, interesting wines across a few grape varieties including pinot noir, chardonnay and riesling. Located at the end of a long, spectacular driveway, the cellar door is open for tastings 7 days a week until 5pm.

Take in the autumn scenery

Autumn’s arrival to town is most apparent in Arrowtown. Wander under the gold poplar trees at Lake Hayes or stroll through the Queenstown gardens, a botanical paradise containing a variety of exotic and native trees and plants. This tranquil sanctuary offers picture-perfect views across Lake Whakatipu to the Kelvin Peninsula and Cecil and Walter Peak. For further suggestions and to help build the ultimate autumn getaway, head to queenstownNZ.nz.