Short break
Queenstown Lakes District
For me short breaks away are too short to be about ticking off the big sights or tourist activities, even if it is Queenstown! So this trip was about friends, food, wine, and a fair bit of wandering.
Unintentionally we started with a detour to Invercargill…just as we walked into Christchurch airport the flight was cancelled so quick pivot, flights to Invercargill, grab a car, and an hilarious mini-road trip ensued. The Southern scenery is stunning anyway, and with old friends along for the ride it was more of a laugh than a hassle – well it was a hassle too but definitely could’ve been worse!
Highlights
Swiftsure Bistro – This is absolutely a new fave for all of us. Tucked into the historic BNZ Bank building from the 1870s, Swiftsure is named after one of the early gold dredges on the Arrow River. Inside, stone walls and warm lighting set the scene for beautifully considered food. Everything celebrates Central Otago produce, and the wine list is equally tempting. Definitely the kind of place you linger longer than you planned.
Ayrburn – Set in a cluster of restored farm buildings near Arrowtown, Ayrburn is polished, buzzing, and very much on the radar for its “scene” factor. Impressed to see Mandy’s Horseradish sauce and mustard in the pretty amazing on-site butchery. The restaurants, particularly Billy’s and the Barrel Room are pretty gorgeous. All up my call would be fun to visit, but my favourite moments were still the quieter, less ‘put together’ corners of this stunning district.
Meandering
We spent easy, relaxed hours wandering Queenstown’s weekend market and Arrowtown’s charming boutique shopping. Just enough browsing to pick up little treasures and enjoy the vibe, pretty popular though, so avoid peak times if you aren’t into the crowds. The Remarkables Sweetshop is a must stop! The fudge is sooo good – very Willie Wonka!
Slightly more of a challenge if you feel like more of a walk and a fabulous view, is the Queenstown Hill Walk. The track starts just off Belfast Terrace, near the Queenstown Gardens, and took us about 2 hours return. It’s moderate in difficulty with some steady uphill sections, I ran out of puff in parts but a wee break was enough to put me right and carry on. The path is well-formed and mostly clear. Along the way, you’ll pass the whimsical Fairy Village tucked into the pine forest – super cute. At the summit, as well as amazing 360° views over Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables, and the surrounding mountains, you’ll find the Basket of Dreams sculpture by Shona Rapira Davies, a beautiful piece celebrating hope and connection.
Magic
The real magic of the weekend was catching up with old friends and making time to have some fun together. No must-do lists, no adrenaline rushes, sometimes gorgeous food, wine and surroundings can totally be enough!
Queenstown and Arrowtown have plenty more to offer – skiing, bungy, jet boats, and other high-octane adventures that we happily left for another trip (or perhaps the kids!).
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