Kia ora!

We hope you're ready for winter here in Queenstown. We're enjoying the cooler temperatures and are excited to be skiing  soon - with the region's four ski areas, all within a 20 to 90 minutes drive from Queenstown.

In the heart of the Southern Alps, with unrivalled alpine scenery, snow-capped mountains and fresh mountain air, Queenstown is New Zealand’s home of winter. Whether you have an appetite for adventure, mountains and fresh air; or are keen to enjoy a delicious meal and fine wine beside roaring fire, you will be well catered for.

It was great to reconnect and meet many of you at TRENZ in Ōtautahi Christchurch last month. Our industry has certainly shown resilience and it was great to see this celebrated at the event.

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.  You can find out more on our website, Facebook group, or YouTube channel.

Ngā mihi nui (Thank you),
Linda, Tracy and Alex

Queenstown Update

The 'Southern Way' initiative and website has been launched to inspire visitors to slow down, explore further, stay longer and ultimately return to the lower south of New Zealand. It is the result of collaboration by eight southern Regional Tourism Organisations.

You can learn more about the Tāhuna Queenstown town centre upgrades and the stories behind it. The district roading and Infrastructure enhancements are progressing well, with exciting developments underway in the region. 

Beam scooters have launched in Queenstown, with up to 300 e-scooters being rolled out throughout Queenstown.

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.

The latest Nine Month 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.

If you missed our Quarterly On-Demand Training you can find these and other resources on our website. Keep an eye on your inbox at the start of next month for the next online training.

Regenerative Tourism

Travel to a thriving future: our destination management plan is available to read and download. More stories can be found on our website.

Our Love Queenstown Community Fund has launched. This giving platform has been set up to support local climate, conservation, and biodiversity initiatives - taking action to meet the greatest challenge and opportunity of our time: a regenerative, carbon-zero future.

Kinloch Wilderness Retreat - retreat in nature and discover your nature within. Sustainability wasn’t a word that was used in the early days – it was just a matter of common sense. A long way off the main highway to Queenstown, transporting both visitors and supplies meant there was never room for carelessness or waste. Read the full story here.

Ziptrek Ecotours - Carbon zero since 2019. Trent Yeo never planned to build a sustainable tourism business in Queenstown. He didn’t even plan to live here. But like so many, this (then) young visitor with a background in sustainable architecture and outdoor education, came to visit a friend on holiday, and never left. He simply abandoned his carefully thought-out business plan to take Ziptrek to the Blue Mountains in Australia. Read more here.

Travel and Aviation

  • Our latest Airline Connectivity resource has been released for July 2023 and is available on our website.
  • A new online Travel Declaration Form for travellers entering New Zealand will be phased in from July.
  • Air New Zealand has restarted daily flights from Auckland to Shanghai, and Air China has resumed flying four times per week from Beijing to Auckland.
  • Air New Zealand has announced significant investment in their fleet and capacity. This includes $3.5 billion in the purchase of eight new Dreamliners and five Airbus a320neo aircraft. Across its international network, capacity is back to 91% of pre-COVID.
  • Air New Zealand has been named Airline of the Year 2023 by AirlineRatings.com.
  • United Airlines has announced flights from Christchurch to San Francisco three times a week from December, making it the only airline to offer direct flights between the South Island and the United States. From October, United Airlines have also announced the arrival of their Auckland to Los Angeles service that will begin three times per week before increasing to four in December.
  • American Airlines has announced the return of its Auckland to Los Angeles service daily from 21 December 2023 to 3 March 2024.
  • Delta Airlines has announced that it will begin operating an Auckland to Los Angeles from 28 October 2023.
  • Batik Air Malaysia  is expected to fly from Auckland to Perth on to Kuala Lumpur six times per week.
  • Emirates resumed daily flights to from Dubai to Christchurch (via Sydney) on 27 March.
  • Air Canada will increase its Auckland to Vancouver seasonal service to five times per week from December over the peak Northern Hemisphere winter period.
  • Singapore Airlines is boosting seasonal capacity to Auckland and Christchurch from November. Auckland flights will be serviced by an A380 from 22 November 2023 to 31 March 2024 to meet summer demand. A350-900 flights will be added to the Christchurch route in addition to its current daily service from 19 November 2023 to 16 February 2024.
  • China Southern services between Guangzhou and Auckland have increased from four to seven times per week (since March) with China Eastern services between Shanghai and Auckland increasing from three to seven times per week.
  • AA has stopped publishing free maps and travel guides. the 2023 season travel guides and current suite of maps will be the last printed by AA Traveller.

Accommodation

After a very busy Summer Queenstown House Boutique B&B and Apartments have used the down time to start rolling renovations in some of its Lake View Studios, with new furnishings and smart modern bathrooms.

Queenstown House Lakeside Apartments have installed new ski boot and glove drain racks for their winter guests. The addition of air conditioning prior to summer was a welcome addition, also to reduce outside noise from traffic.

Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu Queenstown has completed the first refurbished Lake View Swiss-SuperSuite and Deluxe Room, showcasing their stunning new design. Be among the first to immerse yourself in this exquisite transformation. 

Edgewater Wānaka has embarked on a major refurbishment project. This is starting with one-third of the hotel's guest rooms and includes air-conditioning, double glazing, bathrooms, lighting, joinery, furniture and interior styling throughout.

Suitable for solo travellers or couples, PurePods Central Otago is an experience of pure unfiltered nature, on a high-country station in the heart of Central Otago wine region. Close to Cromwell and NZ's top cycle trails. Choose from two pods Tāima or Haurapa.

Activities

Tourism New Zealand has just released the Ski Area Factsheets for Cardrona Alpine Resort, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables & Treble Cone which are found in their Winter in Tāhuna Queenstown Hub.

Skyline Queenstown is currently closed as they changeover to their new 10-seater gondola. This is due to open on 1 July and will be a welcome upgrade to your clients. Further details on the project can be found on their website.

The 110-year-old steamship TSS Earnslaw is away on her annual survey. The Lady of the Lake will back and ready to set sail to Walter Peak Farm again in time for the New Zealand and Australia school holidays on 26 June. 

Over the Top Helicopter Company has introduced its high country station and Dirty Nugget saloon experience. It features New Zealand's smallest high country station, a restored 1860's goldminers cottage, alpine kitchen and a historic saloon.

iFLY Indoor Skydiving Queenstown provides one of the best winter indoor thrills in Queenstown, giving people of all ages, all abilities, and all fitness levels the opportunity to experience the thrill of flight in a fun and safe environment. Clients can choose between two and four flight options.

Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters has recently received a major upgrade to its fleet, with the arrival of two new Airbus H125 helicopters. These state-of-the-art aircraft with new exteriors and cutting-edge technology are the newest scenic helicopters on the airfield.

Altitude Tours Best of Queenstown is a half-day experience departing 8:30am from October that aims to capture the best of Queenstown. Guests will visit Arrowtown, watch people bungy, enjoy a tasting and cheese board at a winery, and take a private lake cruise on Lake Whakatipu.

Southern Discoveries has announced the introduction of Lunch Cruises. Cruise Lake Whakatipu on board Spirit of Queenstown while enjoying local food and wines with the best views around. The lunch is being offered on both the 11am and 1:30pm cruises.

On the Altitude Tours Mt Cook Day Tour, you will depart at 7:30am from Queenstown and experience the unique alpine landscapes of the Southern Alps as you travel through Mackenzie Country and into Aoraki Mount Cook National Park.

The Hollyford Wilderness Experience is located in the spectacular Fiordland National Park, is one of New Zealand’s greatest walks. This three night experience is limited to 16 people, and you are accommodated for in private lodges along the track now with en-suite facilities.

Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone to reduce capacity on busiest days. Cardrona is aiming to reduce the number of skiers/snowboarders on its busiest days in July and August by around 1000, compared to the peak days in 2020-2022.

Fall in love with conservation on the RealNZ Walter Peak Conservation Eco Tour. Cruise there on the vintage TSS Earnslaw, explore the grounds with a horticulturalist, plant a native tree, and indulge in a freshly baked tea. It's the perfect adventure for those who want to give back.

Guided Walks New Zealand offers the Famous Routeburn Track, with daily scheduled departures which take you into Mount Aspiring National Park. This is a guided walk experience that has a maximum of 10 clients per departure.

The exclusive Aspiring Wilderness Experience full day adventure combines a guided walk through beech forest in the Mount Aspiring National Park, followed by a private Dart River Jet boat experience. Complete the day with views of Lake Whakatipu from the Bob's Cove walk.

Only settle for the spectacular with the RealNZ premium Milford Sound Premium Cruise. Breath-taking views are even more incredible when paired with complimentary champagne onboard. Indulge in hand-crafted canapés made from local produce and enjoy uninterrupted views.

Big Sky Adventures offer an all-inclusive, supported single or multi-day cycling journey through Central Otago. Experiences include mini off the trail side tours with Queenstown transfers. Suitable for solo, couples, families or small groups.

Food and Drink

The Headwaters Dining Room opens in Glenorchy. Helmed by renowned chef Pete Gawron has opened at The Headwaters Eco Lodge. Pete is known for his recipes based on foraged ingredients in Central Otago. Open seven days - reservations are essential.

Soda offers a bustling atmosphere and full-flavoured dishes with modern interpretations of Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. A generous sized venue with a choice of seating options, to watch the sun go down or get carried away into the night. Opening by Lake Whakatipu later this month.

Located in the heart of Arrowtown and Lake Hayes basin, the Ayrburn development is too special not to share with work now underway with its high-end restaurant, cellar door, delicatessen and parlour opening in late 2023.

Odd Saint launches evening dining. The fresh ‘after dark’ menu is now available Thursday to Sunday from 3pm until late and features a delightful range of dishes designed for sharing amongst friends and family alongside cocktails, local wines and beers. 

Domaine-Thomson Wines offers guests duel hemisphere wine tasting with a French Burgundy from their sister vineyard 45°N with Pinot Noir from their organic vineyard at the 45th Parallel, Central Otago. Their unique tasting room has Central Otago lake and mountain views.

Awards And Accolades

Key Dates & Events

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

Your DQ Travel Trade Team

Linda McIntosh
BD Manager Western
+64 27 264 7533
lindam@queenstownNZ.nz		 Linda McIntosh
Tracy Cui
BD Manager Asia
+64 21 246 1828
tracyc@queenstownNZ.nz
Alex Holmes
BD Executive
+64 27 740 8597
alexh@queenstownNZ.nz 
 Alex Holmes
Mat Woods
Chief Executive
+64 27 530 6265
mat@queenstownNZ.nz