We hope you're ready for autumn in Queenstown! After a hot summer here, we are now enjoying the cooler temperatures as we enter a new season. The golden and red hues dominate the hills around the region, contrasting with the deep blue of our lakes and rivers. It's a wonderful season to visit – you can slow down, stay longer, and connect more deeply with Queenstown's surroundings.

We’ve got some great updates for you this quarter, including new product developments. TRENZ will be held from 6-8 May 2025, alongside some fantastic famils and industry events.

If you need to contact one of the team or have any questions, you can learn more about us, and contact us at any time. Remember you can find many references and support on our website, in our Facebook Group or YouTube channel. 

Ngā mihi nui (Thank you),
Linda, Yangzi & Rose 

Glenorchy, located at the head of Lake Whakatipu, is now recognised as an official Dark Sky Sanctuary. It is the fifth international Dark Sky Sanctuary to be certified in New Zealand and the 23rd in the world.

Construction of the Kawarau Gorge Trail has officially passed the halfway mark as the Southern Lakes Trail Trust prepares for the official opening of trail towards the end of 2025, linking Bannockburn, near Cromwell, to the Gibbston Valley. 

We recommend you check out the What's New section of our website for our latest product updates. This includes New Products, Major Developments, and our Accommodation Pipeline alongside our Accommodation and Airline Connectivity Maps & Guides.

KJet is excited to announce Sophie Koehler as the new International Sales Manager. With a strong tourism background in Queenstown, Sophie is ready to bring her expertise and passion to the team. She has an exciting year ahead, with plenty of domestic and international travel. You can reach Sophie at sophie@kjet.co.nz or 027 293 5445. 

Ziptrek also welcomes new Sales and Marketing Executive, Ellie Watkins. Ellie has a wealth of industry experience and is looking forward to meeting you all. Leanne Atherton will be staying at Ziptrek until beginning of May and will be attending TRENZ alongside Ellie. If you'd like to get in contact with Ellie, you can reach her on ewatkins@ziptrek.com

Queenstown's Arterial Road (Stage 1) has officially opened. The Arterial Road is a key enabling project for the Queenstown Town Centre. Stage 1 links Melbourne and Henry Streets, providing locals and visitors with an alternative route to the Queenstown town centre, and easier access towards Arthurs Point. Watch the video to learn about the new route changes.

The latest Forward Outlook indicates the current levels of forward-looking accommodation occupancy in Queenstown to help you choose a time when Queenstown will deliver the optimal visitor experience for your clients.

Glenorchy Air Services & Tourist Company Limited is now officially Toitū carbon reduce certified. This certification signifies Glenorchy Airs commitment to sustainability by measuring emissions in accordance with ISO 14064-1:2018 and Toitū standards, as well as actively managing and reducing their carbon footprint to meet Toitū’s stringent requirements.

Listed in The 50 Most Hotly Anticipated Luxury Hotel Openings of the Year by Robb Report, ROKI Collection Queenstown will debut in mid-2025. This urban retreat will offer 15 ultra-luxury suites ranging in size from 1 to 4 bedroom, world class cuisine led by Director of Culinary Paul Froggatt, and wellness and spa offerings which will meet guests at all levels of the wellness journey.

Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa has opened its rebranded spa, now known as Sofitel Spa with L'Occitane. Elevate your clients experience with a luxurious treatment in this award-winning spa. Located in the heart of Queenstown, offering bespoke treatments, designed to leave them with a renowned sense of energy and wellbeing.

At Holiday Inn Queenstown Remarkable Park, families can enjoy a seamless stay with exclusive benefits. Children under 12 eat for free from the Kids Eat Free menu, and the V.I.K. Programme offers discounts at five local attractions. Upon check-in, kids receive a complimentary pack and wristband for discounts, ensuring a fun and memorable family experience. 

Central Otago: Inverlair Lodge, Qualmarked Gold and located in the heart of Central Otago offering an intimate escape with extraordinary views. Relax in modern accommodation and enjoy outdoor activities; cycling, hiking, fly-fishing, stargazing. A perfect halfway point stop-over for visitors driving the Central Otago Touring Route from Dunedin to Queenstown/Wānaka.

Ngāi Tahu Tourism and Hollyford Wilderness Experience introduce the new Waitai Lodge Fiordland Escape, a two-day, one-night adventure. Starting from Queenstown, guests will fly by helicopter to Waitai Lodge in Fiordland National Park, where they can enjoy guided walks, learn about Māori history, and indulge in fine dining. The experience ends with a scenic helicopter return and a lunch cruise aboard the Fiordland Jewel before transferring back.

NZONE Skydive is thrilled to introduce, NZONE Private Charters, designed for high-end clients, VIPs and exclusive groups. NZONE Private Charters offers a premium adventure with personalised service. This new experience features a dedicated host, a private room, an exclusive skydive plane and an unforgettable tandem skydiving experience over Queenstown. 

Queenstown Expeditions is adding a new 4WD luxury coach to its fleet, featuring 42 leather reclining seats with seat belts and a glass roof for premium views. This allows us to offer daily VIP return ski field transport to The Remarkable's Ski Field from Queenstown during winter. They have also introduced Starlink WiFi for improved communication and guest experience.

Appellation Wine Tours recently commissioned a range of new imagery and videos. They are currently working to make a selection of these images available to trade to freshen up their listing for their products. For further information or image requests, please contact Stu Cordelle at Appellation Wine Tours. 

Air Milford and Glenorchy Air have integrated Southern Discoveries multilingual commentary app into their flight experiences, offering content in eight languages to enhance accessibility for international visitors. This technology creates a more inclusive and immersive experience, allowing travelers to explore the region’s stories and landscapes in their preferred language.

Introducing the Pure Fiordland experience with Heli Glenorchy – an exclusive helicopter journey through Fiordland National Park. Offering stunning aerial views of Milford Sound, Lake Quill, and Sutherland Falls, along with rare landings at a remote glacier and the unique Earnslaw Burn – an unforgettable, crowd-free adventure for nature lovers and thrill-seekers.

Wānaka: Cardrona has wrapped up their summer season at the Bike Park and are now gearing up for an exciting winter. Progress on Soho Basin is going well, with the Blackhawk helicopter recently flying in the chairlift towers, the express chair will be ready soon. Soho Basin will make Cardrona New Zealand's biggest ski resort, expanding by 150ha and increasing terrain by 25%.

Wānaka: In addition to the Soho Basin development, Cardrona have made significant progress on their brand-new Retail and Food & Beverage building at Cardrona’s base area, offering guests a new space to enjoy. Work has also started on a new T-Bar in the main basin to help guests ski the top half of the terrain and free up capacity on the Whitestar Express. 

Wānaka: NZ Bike Trails, is a Qualmark Gold accredited, 5-star cycle operator and an official partner of NZ Great Rides. They offer biking experiences across Wanaka, Clyde, Cromwell, Otago, and Queenstown, with a fleet of recommended e-bikes and Specialised/Trek regular bikes. Catering to groups of 2-50 riders, they provide family-friendly options, including bikes for children (8+ years), and trailers. They also specialise in creating custom tours and offer private hires.

Central Otago: Big Sky Bike Adventures, a Qualmark Silver-endorsed operator, introduces a new two-night Wellness Itinerary: ‘Insider’s Guide to Naseby’. Explore the historic gold-mining town of Naseby, staying at the charming Old Doctor’s Residence B&B. Enjoy a high-country 4WD adventure, a Night Sky tour, curling, and personal use of an e-bike each day. Additional experiences include yoga, forest bathing, a private farm tour, and a 3-hour cycle on a NZ Great Ride.

Central Otago: Kiwi Journeys, a Qualmark Gold-endorsed operator, offers seamless self-guided cycle tours across six iconic Great NZ Rides, including multi-day journeys on four of Central Otago's most scenic trails. Experience breathtaking landscapes, world-class wine, exquisite cuisine, and rich history, all paired with ensuite accommodation. Bespoke itineraries are available.

The Boat Shed Bakery has recently opened on Frankton Marina. Using traditional methods and the finest seasonal ingredients, they offer delicious, hand-crafted pastries, freshly baked breads, high-quality craft coffee from expert baristas, and delectable ice cream from Lewis Road Creamery. It’s the perfect spot for your clients to enjoy a combined experience.

The Irishman, Queenstown’s latest characterful addition to Wolf Hospitality Group, set up on the steamer wharf. With a selection of Irish beers, ciders, whiskeys, and a menu featuring both Kiwi favourites and Irish classics, this pub is a perfect spot for your clients to unwind. It’s also kitted out with a pool table, dartboard, TV, and a cozy fire for those chilly evenings.

Introduce your clients to Bianca by Giovi, a new restaurant in the heart of Arrowtown on historic Buckingham Street. Offering an authentic Italian dining experience, this charming venue promises a memorable culinary journey, perfect for those seeking quality Italian cuisine in a picturesque setting.

Three Queenstown operators - Air Milford, Over the Top Helicopters and XTravel have been named in the 2024 Deloitte Fast 50 Index.

Debbi and Paul Brainerd, founders of The Headwaters Eco Lodge, have received a commendation in the Transformational Leadership category at the 2024 Sustainable Business Awards.

Queenstown House Bed & Breakfast and Queenstown House Lakeside Luxury Apartments continue to impress with outstanding guest reviews for 2024. Both properties have achieved ratings above 9/10 from our Booking.com customers, a perfect 100% guest satisfaction on Expedia, and a Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Award from TripAdvisor.

15 Mar: Queenstown Multicultural Festival

18 - 21 Apr: Whakatipu Music Festival

24 - 27 Apr: Arrowtown Autumn Festival

26 - 27 Jun: NZ Mountain Film & Book Festival

Discover more events in Queenstown with a complete guide to some great experiences.

Linda McIntosh
BD Manager Western
+64 21 0274 4975
lindam@queenstownNZ.nz

Yangzi Zhang
Account Manager, Asia
+64 22 455 0973
yangziz@queenstownNZ.nz

Rose Wood
BD Executive
+64 27 467 6878
rosew@queenstownNZ.nz

Mat Woods
Chief Executive
+64 27 530 6265
mat@queenstownNZ.nz