Quick Guide to Queenstown

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Welcome to the Quick Guide to the South Island, just hitting some highlights and some tips for getting around cheaper and some of the best places to eat and go!

First things first:

Book all things in Queenstown … but cheaper!
www.bookme.co.nz/things-to-do/queenstown/home

Book meals cheaper here:
www.firsttable.co.nz

Take Me is the Uber of Queenstown, download the app before you go and you can use them when you get there!!
www.takeme.nz

Breakfast Hot Spots
Bespoke is in the town centre and it's where the locals go – amazing food.
www.bespokekitchen.co.nz



Provisions of Arrowtown – In Arrowtown, about a 20 minute drive from Queenstown, Provisions has got a beautiful little courtyard with dogs all running around, fruit and blooming cherry blossoms – amazing food as well.
www.provisionsofarrowtown.co.nz



Lunch
All of the above as well as:
Down by the waterfront here is Vudu Larder which gets very busy but the food is great. You can also always find several gluten-free, vegan or vegetarian options on the menu.
www.vudu.co.nz

The Skyline – take the gondola up and stay for lunch – views over the lake and The Remarkables – you can do the luge as well but there's quite a hill involved if you're not easy on your feet but it's tonnes of fun – the buffet is amazing.
www.skyline.co.nz/en/queenstown

Bazaar is a restaurant set out like a marketplace - you can literally get anything there - from Asian dumplings to Italian Pizza, steaks, salads - literally a wall of desserts - a great view over Lake Wakatipu as well.
www.qthotelsandresorts.com/queenstown/eat-drink/bazaar

Dinner
So many options in Queenstown…

Blue Kanu is an Island/Asian fusion and they sometimes have a great band on - their chairs dribble out onto the street in summer and they do a mighty fine cocktail.
www.bluekanu.co.nz

Pier 19 is amazing – The Bluff oyster season opens on Sunday, March 1 and runs until August 31 – Pier 19 always puts on a champagne and oyster party for the start of the season - they are right on the Pier so it's really amazing all round.
www.pier19.co.nz

The Grille right on the waterfront - vast wine menu, meals cooked to perfection - local produce (most Queenstown places only serve fresh NZ produce or bring in say prawns from Australia).
www.eichardtsdining.com/thegrille

The Bathhouse is right on the water in a little pagoda and is a very nice place to sit for an afternoon wine while watching the boats and adventure seekers play on the lake.
www.bathhouse.co.nz

Amisfield Winery – amazing degustation menu – go for lunch as you can enjoy the views over the winery and lavender – the RKV 2014 Reserve Pinot Noir is literally worth flying to Queenstown for - honestly a must do for anyone heading to Queenstown, not far in a Take Me or Green Cab either.
amisfield.co.nz



Easy Walks
Bob's Cove – on the way to Glenorchy, you get out at the car park, there's a little hill at the beginning and at the end when you make your way back from the car park - takes you around Bob's Cove, go past old Lime Kilns, there's a little jetty so you can go out and look out over the blue and green crystal clear water - there is a little lookout if you have the legs for it which gives great 360 degree views. If you sit still enough, the little birds there will come and sit on your shoulders - it's magical New Zealand at its best.



Part of the Lake Hayes walk – the full walk is long (2/2.5hrs) but a nice walk is from the Showgrounds (just out of town on the left) to the end park – beautiful and mostly flat.

Must Do's
Milford Sound – fly/drive/bus – cheap discounts on Bookme
The Skyline – see above
If it's colder weather try and go to the Onsen hotubs

Drive from Queenstown, to Wanaka via the Cardrona Pub cardronahotel.co.nz

Drive to Glenorchy – be careful on the roads!
Take the Dart River Jet Boat! Amazing…..
www.dartriver.co.nz

It really is a beautiful part of the world and one that will leave you in awe. Take some of these tips and really enjoy amazing Queenstown!

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