Escape to Queenstown

If you are lucky enough to stay somewhere close to Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown, you may well find yourself never tiring of the ever-shimmering, changing light across the lake. Legend has it that the light alters with every heartbeat of the sleeping giant lying under it. As you walk around the lake with The Remarkables, Cecil Peak, Walter Peak and Ben Lomond serving as an incredibly spectacular backdrop, it is not such a huge leap of faith to believe it.

For some amazing star gazing, take the Skyline Gondola up to Bob's Peak to the high-powered telescope on the star-gazing platform; Queenstown's pure air, unpolluted by light or smog, reveals nebulas, planets and faraway galaxies.

By night, Queenstown, like any resort town is full of bars, restaurants and cafes overflowing with people, talk, and laughter.

By day, Queenstown's panoramic landscape plays host to world-class pursuits including just about every kind of snow, lake and mountain sport, hunting, fishing, golf, wine and fine dining. 

Known as a wonderful winter playground that attracts visitors worldwide, Queenstown's usual resident population of just 16,600* swells many times over in the peak of the ski season. For instance, just under 289,000 guests overnighted in the resort town in July 2013 alone*.  The neighbouring Lakes Wanaka and Hawea are big draw cards as well. 

In recent years it has also become a lot more affordable to visit courtesy of cheaper local airfares.  There are a stack of Queenstown festivals including the Winter and Jazz Festivals and the resort attracts many visitors for New Year so if you have the chance, book a weekend or a holiday away there soon.