Sound Advice

Australia and New Zealand product manager Karen Joyce spent the New Year in one of her favourite cities, Queenstown, where she found plenty on offer for all tastes, ages and budgets.

Whatever the season – or reason for going – a visit to Queenstown is a must for its stunning scenery, great food and wine and leisurely pace. The town is easily accessible by car and camper or, if time is short, by plane. The view from above of the deep blue Lake Wakatipu and surrounding mountains as you prepare to land is alone worth the airfare.

Despite its self-proclaimed status as ‘Adventure Capital of New Zealand’ there’s much more to Queenstown than adrenaline-fuelled thrills and spills. You can just as easily kick back, recharge your batteries and simply enjoy the scenic beauty the area has to offer. Having enjoyed several previous visits, raising my pulse by bouncing on rubber ropes, rocketing along in a jet boat and speeding down the ski slopes, I wanted to explore at a more leisurely pace. Bored? Not a chance!

Staying...

A raft of new classy, boutique style hotels have altered the Queenstown scene considerably, and in addition to the excellent local fare there's now a diverse range of international cuisine on offer. Choosing a hotel can be tricky, but standards are high whatever you're looking for.

If it's location you're after the Central Ridge Boutique Hotel occupies a prime location. A quick stroll through Queenstown Gardens leads you to the restaurants and shops of the town centre. Contemporary, spacious rooms offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and you can even spot paragliders soaring over the nearby gondola. Pre-dinner wine tasting and canapés give you an opportunity to meet other guests, swap stories and collect all those vital travel tips.

The Dairy Private Luxury Hotel is packed with local flavour. Formerly a corner shop, the property retains much of its old-world charm. Guests congregate around the cosy lounge fireplace on colder winter evenings, and an impressive collection of local wines contributes to the relaxed ambiance. For that extra special stay there are few places as classy as The Spire, where guests can pay a bit extra for a scenic airport transfer by Harley Davidson. Tucked away from the main drag, but close to Lake Wakatipu, this chic 10-room bolthole oozes style – think Charles Eames chairs, Philippe Starck lamps and Possum throws. Book a table for dinner – the restaurant is renowned for its fine dining and the locals have long cottoned on to the champagne and cocktail menu at The Spire’s Manhattan style bar, Inspire.

Just 20 minutes outside Queenstown is the historic township of Arrowtown, where the Millbrook Resort offers one of the best golf courses on the South Island. The hotel's Classic Villa Suites are perfect for longer stays and it has an award-winning spa, tennis court and gym.

and doing...

Queenstown is known as the gateway to the Fiordland, with day trips to Milford and Doubtful Sounds a staple on most itineraries. My advice is to take the overnight option. The journey takes you through some breathtaking scenery, with several stops en route. The last leg, from the township of Te Anau toward Milford Sound, is my favourite as it takes in the huge peaks and crystal-clear glacier lakes, including Mirror Lake which derives its name from the perfect reflection it casts. On a recent trip I boarded Milford Mariner, a traditional motor vessel sporting schooner-rigged sails. Views are tremendous year-round and high rainfall only adds to the drama, creating gushing waterfalls that produce various rainbow effects. Anchoring late afternoon allows time to kayak or swim but I joined the nature guide on the tender craft to catch sight of seals, dolphins and rare Fiordland crested penguins up close.

The flight option back to Queenstown, soaring above jagged, snow capped mountains before swooping back down over azure-blue lakes is a real treat; for even greater thrills there is helicopter option that includes a snow landing.

Back in Queenstown you can join Nomad Safaris on a 4WD trip to tour sites featured in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, or experience one of the numerous walking tracks that meander through World Heritage national parks. There are day walks or longer guided options cater to suit most fitness levels. A must-do is a trip across Lake Wakatipu on the vintage steam ship TSS Earnslaw. Excursions include a stop at Walter Peak High Country farm for a barbecue at the waterfront Colonel’s Homestead. And make time to enjoy the acclaimed Pinot Noir and delicious ‘Trust the Chef’ lunch at the Amisfield Wine Company at Lake Hayes. The philosophy here is 'grown not made', a mantra that could be applied to the entire South Island.