We’re excited to share the latest updates from across the Southern Lakes region -Queenstown, Wānaka, and Central Otago. In this edition, you’ll find fresh inspiration to share with your clients, from new places to stay to standout experiences that showcase the very best of our region.
This quarter brings some fantastic developments, including new product launches and exciting updates across the destination. We’re also looking ahead to TRENZ, taking place 19–21 May 2026, alongside a great lineup of 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),
Stu, Rose, Cyndi & Charlotte
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The Gibbston Valley Golf club opened its doors on 2 March. The nine-hole, par 32 golf course also has a Clubhouse, designed by Condon Scott Architects, that features a restaurant, gymnasium, heated pool, jacuzzi and pro shop. This is Queenstown Lakes’ ninth golf course, and Hogan Gully and Glendhu Bay courses are under construction.
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If you missed our Spotlight on Queenstown operator feature series in January you can find these here. Keep an eye on your inbox at the start of April for the next operator feature series for our Autumn edition.
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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.
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ALPINE LUXURY TOURS STEPS UP FOR LOVE QUEENSTOWN
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Before he built one of Queenstown's premium tour companies, sharing the beauty of New Zealand's South Island, Lee Saunders already had a deep connection to the town and Aotearoa’s natural environment.
Raised on a sheep and deer farm in Southland, his family moved to Queenstown in the mid-1980s, when his father began working on the construction of the Clyde Dam. He spent his youth exploring the outdoors around the Whakatipu Basin, before schooling in Dunedin and then working around New Zealand and later Australia.
The mountains called him home, and Alpine Luxury Tours was born with the aim of combining rich local knowledge with exceptional service to create unforgettable experiences for customers.
Now the company has stepped up to become a Love Queenstown Impact Partner, donating 1% of their proceeds each year. Read more here.
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- Our latest Airline Connectivity resource has been released for January 2026 and is available on our website.
- Origin air launched a direct service between Christchurch and Nelson taking off from 13 February 2026.
- Air New Zealand has wrapped up its four-month trial of the ALIA CX300 battery-electric next-gen aircraft. It flew 100 flights, 13,000km and visited 12 airports.
- Qantas launched Wellington-Brisbane flights on new Airbus A220 in February.
- Air NZ cancelled 46 services across its long-haul network to Asia and North America due to strike action, affecting around 9,500 customers.
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A new Radisson Red Queenstown is set to open in central Queenstown in early 2028, delivering 221 rooms including deluxe rooms and suites. Facilities will include a restaurant, rooftop bar, flexible meeting spaces and a modern gym, further strengthening the region’s premium accommodation offering.
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Marriott International will debut its St. Regis luxury brand in New Zealand with a new hotel in Queenstown. Scheduled to open in late 2027, the new-build is expected to feature 145 rooms, with views of The Remarkables mountain range and Lake Whakatipu, along with signature bar and dining offerings, an all-day dining venue, event space and St. Regis’ butler service.
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IHG Hotels & Resorts and hotel owner Pro-invest Group are converting the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown to the premium voco brand. The partners have rebadged the 227-room hotel on the corner of Stanley and Sydney streets in central Queenstown, which is operated by EVT Connect Hospitality.
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Hulbert House has expanded to eight rooms with the addition of the new McFarlane Room. The property continues to offer an all-inclusive stay, including personalised concierge services, complimentary e-bikes and guest transfers, further enhancing its boutique luxury experience in Queenstown.
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Coronet Ridge Resort has officially opened. Formerly Nugget Point Hotel, the property has undergone a full redevelopment transforming into a boutique retreat. With 41 refurbished rooms, a new restaurant, and upgraded wellness and leisure facilities, offering a new elevated guest experience.
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Queenstown's Sherwood Hotel, owned by Corval and part of EVT’s Independent Collection, has appointed Flack Studio to lead the design of the hotel’s upcoming room refurbishment. The refurbishment will commence in Q2 2026, with upgraded rooms becoming available in phases.
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Central Otago: The recently opened Earnscleugh Castle Coach House welcomes guests seeking a boutique rural in the heart of Central Otago. Within months, Earnscleugh Castle will open its doors, offering affordable luxury boutique accommodation alive with history. Expect elegant bedrooms, modern comforts and an immersive escape into a timeless past.
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Limousine South has appointed Edward Smith‑Uchotski as Key Accounts & Business Manager. The company has also expanded its fleet with three new 16‑seater Mercedes Sprinters, enhancing capacity and flexibility for South Island tour operations and supporting growing demand for premium, reliable transport solutions across the region.
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Nomad Safaris has relaunched its iconic Macetown 4WD adventure as a full-day experience. The tour features river crossings, remote alpine scenery, gold panning, and a 90-minute guided walk, providing guests with an immersive journey through Central Otago’s rugged landscapes and a deeper connection to the region’s gold-mining history.
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Cardrona Alpine Resort continues to expand into Soho Basin this winter with more groomed terrain, new snowmaking and a major water reservoir. Base area upgrades include a covered walkway and heated courtyard, while Treble Cone has refreshed its retail, restrooms and dining spaces. Summer trade rates will be available by the end of March.
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Skyline Queenstown’s Stargazing Experience is now available year-round, with both English (from 19 March) and Mandarin (from 1 May) tours. Hosted at the top of the gondola, guests explore constellations, planets and distant galaxies above Queenstown’s night sky. Options include Gondola + Stargazing or Gondola + Dinner + Stargazing packages.
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Heliworks Queenstown and Wet Jacket Wines have launched a new full‑day experience combining three alpine landings with wine tastings and a gourmet picnic. The collaboration offers guests a unforgettable journey over remote mountain scenery followed by an exclusive tasting that showcases the flavour and landscape of the Southern Lakes region.
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nzbiketrails will soon offer rides on the new Kawarau Gorge trail linking Gibbston Valley, Queenstown and Cromwell, expected to open in April/May 2026. As a Qualmark Gold operator, they will add this to their existing year - round, single day and multi day routes across the region. agents can contact David on +64 219 83 572 for further details.
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This winter, Queenstown Expeditions is offering group ski transport from Queenstown CBD accommodation to all four mountains - Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona and Treble Cone. All services depart at 7:30am and return at 4pm, with coach sizes of 25, 33 or 42 seats. All vehicles are 4WD, ensuring a comfortable and reliable journey.
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Skyline will begin the final stage of its project in March 2026 as Phase 4 wraps, delivering an expanded building, upgraded Luge access, and finished landscaping. Operations move into the new facility from 14 March where guests can look forward to a new Gelato Bar, bakery, and enlarged restaurant and conference spaces.
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Wānaka: Wānaka Helicopters has added a new luxury aircraft to their fleet, the Airbus EC130 the only one permanently based in Wanaka. Designed for passenger comfort and exceptional visibility, it offers a smooth, quiet flight, making it an ideal choice for premium lodge transfers for your clients.
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Wānaka: Real Guns Ltd is offering two exciting products: Real Gun Shooting Range which is their supervised shooting range in the Cardrona Valley, providing commercial shooting experiences, and Queenstown Stargazing, which launched in early 2025 in the Kawarau–Gibbston Dark Sky Park. Both experiences are available in English and Mandarin.
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Central Otago’s Spectacular Dam Tour delivers a unique, behind-the-scenes experience at Clyde Dam — New Zealand’s only publicly accessible dam. Guests enjoy guided access to key operational areas, with insights into the dam’s construction, engineering and ongoing operation, making it a distinctive addition to Central Otago itineraries.
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Central Otago: Discover Central Otago the local way with Obelisk Tours, a family-owned operator based in the heart of the region. Showcasing rugged backcountry, award-winning vineyards and rich local history, their experiences venture beyond the main routes to reveal authentic landscapes, welcoming communities and hidden gems that define Central Otago.
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Central Otago: Kiwi Journeys have just launched phase one of their Central Otago-based bike tour product. Featuring their signature all-inclusive multi-day self-guided premium eBike tour packages, the experiences explore the Otago Trail network, the soon-to-open Kawarau Gorge Trail and onward to the Lake Dunstan and Roxburgh Gorge Trails within the suite of NZ’s Great Rides.
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Central Otago: Latitude 45 is a specialist provider of premium wine experiences in Central Otago, delivering bespoke tours for discerning travellers. Hosted by WSET-qualified guides, our experiences feature exclusive vineyards, private tastings, tailored itineraries and ultra-luxury vehicles, supported by seamless logistics and reliable, trade-ready delivery for domestic and international markets.
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New waterfront bar and restaurant, Wharf Bar opened on 19 December in Steamer Wharf, Queenstown. Events and hospitality entrepreneur Quentin Nolan has created a large venue for both locals and visitors, aimed at families during the day, then becoming a night-time social hub offering cocktails, pizzas, small plates and "curated experiences".
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Experience dining reimagined with Le Petit Chef at Crowne Plaza Queenstown, where 3D animation meets world-class cuisine. Ideal for groups seeking something extraordinary, this interactive experience includes themed décor, entertainment, and costumed staff. Available for up to 24 guests until May 2026.
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