Things to do in Otago Region in April

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Overview

April is a good time to visit Otago Region.

Otago Region has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your April trip to Otago Region. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to April. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

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Best events and things to do in Otago Region in April

Top experiences in April
We couldn't find any experiences in April
Holidays in Otago Region in April
April
  • April Fools (April 1)
  • Good Friday (April 3)
  • Holy Saturday (April 4)
  • Easter Sunday (April 5)
  • Easter Monday (April 6)
  • ANZAC Day (April 25)
  • Day off for ANZAC Day (April 27)
Other notable holidays
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Best attractions for Otago Region in April

Besides the array of exciting events and activities Otago Region has to offer for travelers in April, we want to remind you of the classic attractions in Otago Region that are great to visit at this time of the year as well! You can’t miss these iconic landmarks, local favorites, and places rich with cultural heritage. We hope to give you insights and inspiration into the best things to see and do to make the most of your visit. Here is a list of our top attractions in Otago Region for April.
Queenstown Gardens
1. Queenstown Gardens
4.8
(1495)
Park
Nature & Parks
Lush, lakefront peninsula with a waterfront trail & alpine vistas, plus an ice rink & skate ramps.
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Beautiful free place to visit have a good walk around the lake .So nice clean green well maintained park .They have good seating bench on short distances .Have a cafe inside the park. There was skating ramps inside too ,they have poo bags on entrance if you bringing your dogs 🐶 to keep the park clean amazing.
Spent 3 hours here to admire the huge pine trees and spring flowers, especially the cherry blossoms. The lakeside views were amazing in a sunny Sunday.
Queenstown Gardens are a brilliant example of enabling multi use facilities for the public. The gardens provide a serene walking experience around the edge of Lake Whakatipu with transitioning views of Queenstown & the surrounding mountains. You can play tennis, do Frisbee Golf as you walk around the gardens or even go ice skating. If you are staying in Queenstown this is a must & go a second time at night on the well lit walking paths.
Queenstown Gardens offers a peaceful, scenic escape just steps from downtown, making it an easy and worthwhile walk for anyone visiting the area. The paths wind through manicured flowerbeds, tall trees, and quiet lakeside viewpoints, creating a relaxed atmosphere. It is free, accessible, and beautiful in every season, with extras like a disc-golf course and open lawns that add variety to the experience. Ideal for a 30 to 60-minute stroll.
Nice spot for a walk around be it to see the flowers in bloom, walk the waters edge, play some frisbee golf or walk the trails. The spring flowers are the highlight though.
Lovely and well kept gardens in Queenstown. Gorgeous flowers and plants. It's very easy to spend several hours here just ambling around the grounds admiring the flowers and trees. Peaceful environment. Very family orientated for young and old.
Lovely garden to grt some time away from the bustle of the main streets. Multiple different paths around the gardens, and different activities. There's parks for kids, Frisbee golf, you cna cycle round (please take note of the signs to slow down and dismount!), theres also plenty of routes for dog walks. Lovely pieces of art on route, and as the garden comes into summer I imagine the rose garden will burst into life. As the garden runs alongside the lake do be mindful it can be windy and take layers! Plenty of shade/ trees for the summer too. Would recommend a visit. Theres also the local parkrun based here which takes you on a lovely tour around it - don't forget to volunteer as it keeps parkrun free and fun!
Beautiful gardens with a huge variety of unique and stunning flowers. Nice little cafe near the gardens. Plenty of shade and calm water features.
Taieri Gorge, Seasider & Victorian Rail Journeys | Dunedin Railways
2. Taieri Gorge, Seasider & Victorian Rail Journeys | Dunedin Railways
4.6
(2769)
Transportation
Railroad company
Operator of scenic train trips departing from an old station decorated in a highly ornamental style.
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parked at the public carpark nxt to station. $2 /hr on weekends. Railway and thr garden is beautiful. Happen to have a wekend market at the other end. awesome!
Commentary was fabulous, food on the trip was great. Sadly the Dunedin side of the Taireri gorge is pines,gorse,and broom. The river has clearly been disturbed by activity up stream..it was dirty. Nothing I have seen in a NZ mountain river. Probably logging. Rail engineering and construction is amazing and the high country stop was a highlight.
A visit to the train station was free and the building itself a stunner. We also visited the gallery on level one which had a artisan shop and also a gallery. The sports museum is also located there. Plenty to see and do 🤗🤗🤗
We had a great time on our Dunedin Railways tour! They had a nice lunch box for us that had a sandwich, a sweet treat, some cheese, and crackers and also had water. Bob was our tour announcer as we saw the great sights of Dunedin and he was a nice gentleman that had a great personality and contagious smile! Kenzie also made sure that everyone was doing well on board and having a great time!
Cool railway station with art galleries on the second story to look at. Nice to escape the weather and see stuff inside. No need to pay for entry or anything
I treated myself to a trip on The Stargazer from Dunedin to Hindon and back. The trip didn't disappoint, from arrival where staff from Tuhura Museum helped everyone get their stargazing apps up and running to getting off at the end. Precinct at the Tuhura Museum provided us with a great tasty 3 course meal. It was much appreciated by everyone from the comments I could hear from the seats around me. The lamb was magnificent and went well with my glass of wine. Once we arrived at Hindon, they divided us into 3 groups, and we attended the different workshops on offer. My favorite was looking through the telescopes provided by The Beverly Begg Observatory. It was pretty special getting a close-up look at our celestial neighbors. Much kudos to them as they had been waiting up there in the cold for us all to arrive in our warm and comfortable train. I keep thinking about the beautiful Jewellry Box constellation with all the different colours. I'm now looking at the night sky differently. Thank you to all who took part in teaching us about our skies. Finally, sated and tired, we hopped back on our warm train to travel home. But they weren't finished with us yet. On the way home,we got to listen to astrophysicist Michelle Thaller answer questions that we had put to her earlier. She covered everything from going to Mars, Aurora, and pineapple on pizza. She has a great way of putting information that sticks with you and is fun. It was a fantastic night, and if you have the opportunity to go on this trip, I couldn't recommend it to you highly enough. Just go and enjoy a great evening adventure.
We travelled from Pukerangi to Dunedin after the Central Otago rail trail. It was a great experience I would recommend for the history and landscape. There was in informative live commentary. The Dunedin Station is one of the finest buildings in NZ and worth seeing . The food onboard was great. I hope that one day the train will be able to go all the way to Middlemarch township like it used to.
We had the opportunity to stop here and walk around. It's so beautiful inside and out. This place is definitely somewhere you should stop and check out.
Kiwi Park Queenstown
3. Kiwi Park Queenstown
4.5
(1737)
Wildlife refuge
Nature & Parks
Wildlife centre working with endangered species, with over 20 native bird & reptile species.
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Kiwi Park is a short tour to pass by while in Queenstown. There will be a few species of birds and reptiles to watch on. The main attraction is the Kiwi visiting. Keep in mind that the Kiwi enclosure is very dark and no photos or flashes are allowed. Its a bit pricey but a cool experience.
Loved this place. Exhibits are set up and maintained nicely. The conservation show was really cool and interactive. The people doing the free honey testing were engaging. The animals of course were amazing to see up close especially the birds!
Lovely park where you can see Kiwi in a dark setting as they are nocturnal animals that are sensitive to light. We did the Wildlife Show when we entered the park in which we learned about the animals that live in NZ, afterwards we got a short but informative session in the dark habitat where currently four Kiwi live ("Kiwi encounter"). Recommend you to check out the timing of the two different highlights so that you won't miss it. During the Kiwi Encounter, the guide informed us that the aim is to set out the Kiwi back in the wild so that the population will increase.
Great place to see a live Kiwi and a bunch of other native new Zealand wildlife. No pictures of the kiwi as that isn't possible due to their dark habitat. We did manage to see 4/6 kiwis that currently live in the park. The two shows were very informative and entertaining for all ages. I would recommend to plan for about 2 hours in the park if you want to see everything. Afterwards you can enjoy a free honey tasting in the cafe. No sales pitch or push which was very refreshing.
Well-kept conservation environment with knowledgeable and friendly staff ✨ Be sure to bring some walking shoes cause the short stroll around the Kiwi Park can be tough for some. However, the enclosures and animals within are excellent. The staff are happy to assist in all instances and the indoor cafe is a great touch Don't be surprised to not have a 1-on-1 sit-down with any kiwis, but, the encounter tour certainly ticks the boxes and is a great way to see them up close while learning a bit more about them 📷 NO PHOTO OPS HERE 📷 Thankful to see family concessions and 30% for those with a gold card, however, as a tertiary student (and both of us being kiwis) it is one of the steeper costs that would've been justified to miss out on a holiday and spent on other spaces, but, no regrets for what we were able to spend in our instance!
We had a really nice afternoon at kiwi park! We arrived about 4pm so it was nice and quiet - made it in time to see the kiwis and the last show! The staff were all very friendly and knowledgable!
I found the ticket prices a little high at $60 per person even though it was great to see some kiwi's. The park is small and the exhibits were a little sparse. The walk around was good. Only spent just over an hour here.
Not What I Expected – It’s a bit pricey for what you get to see, but the money supports NZ’s conservation efforts. It’s a long park with cages for various birds. The Kea is the most interesting. Kiwis, however, are nocturnal, so you enter a very dark building to see them. It takes some time for your eyes to adjust and avoid stumbling into other people. The very dim light makes it difficult to see the birds, but they are active. BUT no photos are allowed.
Larnach Castle
4. Larnach Castle
4.5
(4958)
Castle
Sights & Landmarks
New Zealand's only 'castle', this Scottish baronial-style grand estate is open for tours.
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Beautifully restored 19th century "castle " country home and gardens. We visited on a very rainy spring day, but the topiary and spring flowers were lovely. The interior contains period appropriate fixtures and decor, complete with 19th century bathrooms, family heirlooms and clothing. The woodwork and decorative details have been carefully restored. The narrow stairway to the tower was fun! This is an historic site, and private restoration of the Castle is ongoing. There are seperate accommodations on the grounds, but we didn't visit those.
This visit was totally unplanned for us, as we happened to stumble across it on our way to our actual destination. Sadly because of the time frame we could only do the garden tour, but we absolutely loved it. Many varieties of plants and stunning views. The castle itself is already beautiful from just the outside but the garden around it completes the experience. Definitely would go again
Paid to visit the gardens $24. If you want to go in the castle as well it's $48. The gardens are lovely and the outside was just as nice. Coming from the UK it's not the I was expecting but it's lovely all the same from what we saw on the outside. You get pamphlets when you buy a tickets detailing the history and a map which was nice. The cafe/ballroom is something else entirely....so grand and very historic. The open fire places added a wonderful touch and you can sit outside in the marquee or even at the tables on the grass. We only got a drink so can't comment on the food but what we did see from other people it looked lovely. The afternoon tea we wished we'd done. It was a lovely visit.
A beautiful historical castle to come for a visit. My partner and I arrived from australia. Checked out the Castle and the Grounds. So much to learn and see. Next time we will definitely stay at the castle! Felt a bit spooky in the upstairs locations in The Castle!
I loved the venue, got a tad upset with all of the private tours they have going at the same time. Had a very sassy lady give me a filthy look as I was entering the room. Didn't feel they had more rights to be in the room than me. I paid my entry but didn't get a tour as I like to take my time. That particular lady needs to consider her body language and behavior and be mindful as I took offense to it.
It's a nice place but not real a castle and you cannot stay there We were on a cruise ship tour and felt that we were rushed through the main floor rooms by the guide. Luckily we had some free time to see the upper floors on our own. There should be some system to manage the flow of visitors wanting to climb the extremely narrow stairs to reach the top of the tower. I ended up there without knowing what to expect as there is absolutely no indication of what it is. Pure luck! Nice gardens but sadly the plants/flowers/trees are not named.
We went to Larnach to do a guided tour of the castle. The tour was excellent, and the history of the original occupants very interesting. Would recommend the guided tour they are being run. The gardens and surrounds are lovely and the views out to Port Chalmers and back to Dunedin outstanding. Had a very enjoyable morning.
I visited the castle and gardens. It was a beautiful day and the flowers were in bloom (Mid November 2025). Very peaceful and serene surroundings. From the front gate entrance with very friendly staff to The cafe in the ballroom which serves delicious food and drinks. Beautiful experience there.
Lake Wānaka
5. Lake Wānaka
4.9
(333)
Lake
Nature & Parks
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We went early in the morning and the wind was very chilling as the sun rises slowly the summer heat was perfect.
A must visit lake in New Zealand and I personally love this more than tekapo 😆
Picturesque lake and town that has a really nice laid back vibe to it. Very different to its bigger bustling tourist town cousin of Queenstown. The mountains with snow on the peaks with the clear water make for some great photos. The walk around the lakes edge is nice and flat and perfect for a stroll. The town has a good selection of shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. Loved it.
Beautiful lake with chalets and hotels lining is shores on the one end and massive mountain ranges on the other. Roy's peak is accessed from here which is a hike that takes you to that place you see on Instagram with sprawling views of the lake in all its glory. For the less adventurous, there are kayaks available to rent and other adventure activities
The must beautiful lake
A highlight of the town and a nice place for walking around. I appreciated that there were so many nice public toilets, especially in the part that touches the town. It just means that anyone can really spend a long time at the lake and chill there.
Small little town and a big lake. The famous tree is about a 15 minute walk from the town and can be done near the road or the water. The tree is much closer to the edge of the lake than expected, and much smaller than the photos. Nice pit stop in between a long car or bus ride. The weather can change the experience, definitely plan ahead if this is something you want to include in your trip!
A special tree that can give you great inspiration ! The Roys Bay of Lake Wanaka is only a a very small beach but there stands a very special and expensive tree. People call it the "Lone Tree" This willow tree submerged just off the shoreline of Roys bay in Lake Wanaka has become an iconic feature of the town . This photo album is only for this one tree ! Hope you like it .
Otago Peninsula
6. Otago Peninsula
4.6
(75)
Peninsula
Nature & Parks
Scenic waterfront & mountain setting offering views of penguins, sea lions & other wildlife.
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I happened to be there early winter . Stayed at Airbnb with one of the house along the coast, if you can call it coast . The sight is so lovely . Walk a little further up and you will see the sea lions without gates and cages . Lovely place . Easy to get around to the only castle in New Zealand or back to town on main land
The drive to point where this takes you (from Lanarch castle) is pretty average (apart from one viewpoint). Got to the point this said and it was VERY underwhelming after driving a gravel road. Might be nice if you drive via Portabello but wouldn’t bother driving the way above (until you hit a viewpoint) then turn around! Don’t waste your time or fuel! The views on road to Lanarch Castle are far more beautiful.
There are multiple places on the roadway to sit and view the amazing place. People also love running through the edge of the road and the view is extraordinary on the sunset
If you get the chance to come for a drive then you must do so. The views are incredible and well worth the afternoon (or even full day) you will spend driving, walking looking & photographing. True New Zealand.
A very beautiful and quiet place in Dunedin. The drive from Dunedin is breathtaking and you already enjoy a lot of scenic views before reaching this place. The road is not paved at the end so it is wise to take a 4x4 ride but still a sedan has no issue. There is no shop or drinking water so you should have drinking water and snacks with you. You are literally at the end of the world here as there is nothing in front of you but Antarctica very far away. I would say it is a must visit place if you are in Dunedin.
Nice drive for the views. Unfortunately due to bollards erected all the way to the end there is absolutely nowhere to stop along the way. Lighthouse at end cannot be accessed as it’s in conservation area. Really disappointing drive..
Mostly a single lane dirt track
We took a bus tour from Dunedin to Nature's Wonders wildlife park, located on the far south coast of Otago Penninsula. 30 minute drive. Via 8 wheelers, small groups of 4-6 covered nasty dirt roads to the coast. Amazing beauty on a sunny, windy day. We saw seals nesting on the rocks and some rare penguins, yellow-eyed Hoiho - about 500 left alive. The highlight was the natural beauty. Long rolling green hills with sheep grazing - sweeping into the sea. Craggy rocks and sandy beaches. On a sunny day, it was amazing. A far outpost that is worth the effort to see.
Toitu Otago Settlers Museum
7. Toitu Otago Settlers Museum
4.7
(2735)
Museum
Specialty Museums
Museum exploring history of local settlement, with kid-friendly exhibits & events, plus a cafe.
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It's a really nice museum to learn more about the settlers in Dunedin and history around it. Friendly and helpful staff at the museum to help around. One of my favourite museums to go to. No tickets required.
Well worth a stop. Spacious and well laid out. Something for everyone in the exhibits. Cafe gets very full mid morning. Good gift shop. Free entry with donation box. Normally a park on the street close by, pay by plate system.
This was a great little find in Dunedin. We were looking to fill some time and stumbled across this museum and it far exceeded my expectations for a free museum. Definitely worth the visit.
Excellent. A must go and see museum. Well set out, full of great exhibits, good places to sit, nice cafe. Play area for children.
Definitely a learning journey, being in toitu museum. Plenty of exhibits, each station's very cool. Huge place to wander aimlessly for half a day. But its never boring.. i gained alot of insights and knowledge. :) Recommended. Its FOC, runs on donation. Go!
Free entrance but suggested to donate $5 for maintenance. Huge museum with lots of artefacts and exhibits. Highly recommended to visit if have an hour to spare.
Great place to visit. Something for adults and kids as well. Very informative museum where I learnt quite a lot about Dunedin and the great place it is. I would highly recommend a visit if you have some time
Really well laid out, and lots to see. All on oe flatfloor if you have accessibility issues. Very pleasant cafe area
Royal Albatross Centre
8. Royal Albatross Centre
4.4
(3961)
Nature preserve
Nature & Parks
Large wildlife sanctuary offering an observatory, exhibits, guided tours & a cafe on scenic grounds.
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Quite a cool place. The center itself has portions of it dedicated to the history of the space, the birds itself and the people involved in its studies of it. The lighthouse, the Fort and the cliffs itself was part of the guide.. The walking tours are till 3pm. The staff are all very friendly and not pushy on their tours. The environment around center is superb. Spectacular views. Ample parking.
You can visit the world's only mainland colony of Royal Albatross at the tip of the Otago Peninsula in Dunedin, New Zealand. Small guided tours to a glassed hide allows viewing of some of the nesting albatross. To protect the albatross from human disturbance, the headland is not publicly accessible. You can see adults in flight with their three metre wingspans as they glide around the headland. The centre is free to enter but tours are charged. Uneven terrain, lot of walking. Toilets available. Cafes available on site. Before the walkabout tour, you are given a demonstration/lecture about the birds and the work of the centre. Popular with tourists. Wear comfy shoes, take water, wear hat, sunscreen. Parking is easy. Amazing place to visit. Great place for photography.
We really liked our time at royal Albatross center yesterday. The staff is super friendly, answers all questions and the information provided about the life as an albatross and the nesting at this spot was really good. We saw 4 birds on the nests and some more in flight action. The cafeteria and souvenir shop are also nice for a short stop. Coming there without the tour is also ok, as you have a great viewing spot outside the center and the peninsula is beautiful. But I would recommend the tour if possible, as it was really interesting, time moved quickly and with the entry fee you support the work of the center.
We had a lovely afternoon today visiting the Royal Albatross Centre and doing the Classic Albatross Tour. Libby our guide was amazing - so passionate and informative. We learnt so much about these amazing birds and even better got to see the adults in flight and albatross fledglings nearly old enough and ready to take flight to South America. The red billed gulls also made themselves known - extremely comical and loud. A great visit.
Awesome place to visit, didn't go on the tour, so missed seeing the Albatross - it was quite a blustery day. There are hundreds of Seagulls nesting here - that was a site to see. We had some lunch in the cafe - would recommend.
Fantastic experience & blew away my 60yo belief that seagulls just magically appear on our planet fully grown & hassling us hoo-mans for a chippy. 🤣 Nah... They actually nest & have chicks like normal birds! C'mon thk about how many of us when you thk about ever claim to have seen gull chicks or nests & I'd travelled all over Oz & NZ and yesterday was the 1st time. My friends & I are obviously intelligent enough to know it must happen *somewhere, which had us jokingly making up the aforementioned urban myth. Anyway no more, that urban myth is exploded, thanks to the trip to Harrington Pt. 👍😁
Albatross centre is excellent with a lovely cafe open until 7pm and a big car park. If you want to see the Albatross up close you need to book on to a tour. The tour was excellent very informative and plenty of time spent watching the albatross.
This was on my bucket list : It did not disappoint, absolutely amazing, went when the chick's were hanging out waiting for their parents to come back.. saw so many pass overs from the parents. LIBBY, our guide was the most fantastic guide and knew at the answers to my millions of questions.. BEST DAY EVER.. my 8 year old son loved it so much. We have been watching the live feed camera since going there. Everyone should have this to their bucket list
Baldwin Street - The Steepest Street in the World
9. Baldwin Street - The Steepest Street in the World
4.5
(3743)
Sights & Landmarks
Points of Interest & Landmarks
World's steepest drivable residential street with a 35 per cent gradient, rising from 30 m to 100 m.
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We stayed one night on the world’s steepest street, and it was quite an experience. The street is really steep—so steep that we couldn’t even stand still on it! Driving up to drop off our luggage was a bit of a challenge, but it made the stay even more memorable. Definitely something special to see.
Was a quick stop with the kids to burn some of their entry which worked well. They ran to the top while I trailed behind but was a great stop. It’s pretty steep!!! So steep!!! Made it to the top and took in the surroundings before coming down again. Was funny trying to just stay still!! Had to have a big lean on your body to do so. Not sure if the locals get annoyed with people coming and going but we parked out of the way down at the bottom. Worth the stop!
Great to experience the world's steepest street - gotta climb it to feel it! Not sure if the residents here find it annoying but just dont try to block the road when the cars are driving up/down. You can drive in a little (still on relatively flat ground) to park at the side, before getting off to climb it
Cranky local will flip you off just for trying to enjoy the view from the side of the street. What a joke. I understand tourists can be too much sometimes and disturbing or annoying to the residents as this is a residential area. But we are being respectful and just watching from the side of the street and this totally ruined the mood and image of NZ. Not cool at all bro, do better 👎
Caught the bus 8 from city bus hub... lovely bus drivers and stopped opposite the street. Worth the climb even in the rain. Make sure you where appropriate footwear. I paid $2 at the mans shed on the street for a certificate to say I had climbed the steepest street
This was such a fun yet slightly tiring experience. Great spot to drag the kids up the hill and check out the surrounds. Little bench up the top and a cool mural, drinking fountain and facts about the hill.
This street is so steep we decided not to go up it but watched people driving down🙏 Very clean street and so popular and great to see it!
super cool to visit, walk up the street and take some cool pictures 😎😍
Moeraki Boulders Beach
10. Moeraki Boulders Beach
4.4
(2245)
Beach
Sights & Landmarks
Picturesque beach featuring sphere-shaped boulders on the sand, plus a nearby cafe & sunrise views.
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Great family outing. Kids enjoyed the rock formations. There are also animals(alpaca, deer and pigs) that you can feed with $2.
When tourism becomes crazy! You know when you turn up somewhere and there’s multiple bus stop signs outside it’s time to turn around and leave. And they charge you to get onto a free beach to see some rocks. Which you can basically see on any other beach in NZ and the world! There’s gift shops, a cafe, an alpaca feeding area, they really have hyped this place up to be something. Crazy! Luckily I was driving this way anyway but to think that some people come over from the west coast all the way to see this is bonkers! Tourism overhype to the max!
Moeraki Boulders are little stunners perched on the beach it’s like 1,000,000 years ago someone rolled the dice and there they stayed. Absolutely worth the stop, the beach also beautiful we enjoyed the walk as well. Would rug up can be a little cold. There is a cafe there but it wasn’t open when we were there. Great stop after a few hours driving.
PARK AT THE PUBLIC ACCESS! The Cafe is public property and will charge you. Otherwise, I absolutely enjoyed walking this beach and taking photos of these natural rocks. It’s too bad the tourists have vandalized them and used them for their personal playground.
Went during low tide and honestly found the boulders a bit unimpressive. The ocean itself was beautiful, though, and worth a look if you’re passing through. Can get crowded with tour buses, so I wouldn’t make a special trip unless it’s already on the way.
Im sure it would have been beautiful but i didnt like that a public beach is privatised and monetised, in a way. Its only NZD2 to access the beach, its not alot.. and yes, the money is to maintain the walkway and etc... just doesnt sit right with me.
A stunning place that you should not miss, especially when it is nice weather! If you not willing to walk, you can choose to use the path made by the café for just paying a fee for pathway maintainance. (May help you skip around 50%-70% distance from the public carparking space) For me, I walked from the public carparking place and enjoy the whole view, cheers.
Beautiful place. There’s a public carpark with a 5 minute walk down to the beach. Alternatively, you can park by the café for a shorter stroll and view trail (a small NZ$2 donation supports the boardwalk)
Glenorchy-Queenstown Road
11. Glenorchy-Queenstown Road
Outdoor Activities
Scenic Drives
Arrowtown
12. Arrowtown
Outdoor Activities
Beach & Pool Clubs
Arrowtown is a historic gold mining town in the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand. Arrowtown is located on the banks of the Arrow River approximately 7.5 km from State Highway 6. Arrowtown is located 19.5 kilometres to the east of Queenstown. Wikipedia.
Coronet Peak
13. Coronet Peak
4.5
(2382)
Temporarily Closed
Ski resort
Outdoor Activities
Resort featuring skiing & sledding for all ages, plus restaurants, a shop with equipment & more.
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Magnificent snow peaked mountain views ❄️. The Shuttle buses to the peak departs from Queenstown CBD 7:30 am onwards and the return bus is scheduled every half hour starting from 1:30 pm. Truly amazing experience 🤩.
We had an awesome time at Coronet. A truly magical place! It is easy to get to from Queenstown with well gritted road up to the top (thanks road staff). Shuttle buses from the lower carparks were a saviour! Food, whilst your usual ski slope pricey was pretty good and filling. Love the mulled ginger beer as well. Amenities are clean and serviced regularly. We booked private lessons for a couple of us, whilst expensive, was well worth it. Felt like we hit the jackpot and got Maclan who was absolutely amazing. Super friendly, super helpful, and really patient with us. He made our beginner experiences fantastic. The kids loved him too (including snowball fights) and he was great with them. We would highly recommend him if you are wanting lessons.
Actually photos . Great rental equipment and patient stafff member super helpful !! Te ski instructor’s made a pleasant experience for my fiancé and kids they loved it!! Time for a restaurant on the mountain!!! Epic views !!
It was my first time visiting a cold country such New Zealand and my first time trying out skiing and i didn't know how to stop/break so i kept falling down but overall it was such a wonderful experience. I get to try something new and out of my comfort zone! I came from Singapore, a hot country wth no snow and no seasons, only sun and rain. I didn't expect it would start snowing when we reacehd the top of the mountain... it was my first time seeing real snow and it was such a magical experience. I tried to catch the snow and it melted in my hands! 🤭
This is truly one of the best ski resorts I’ve ever been to. It’s much more spacious and comfortable than other resorts, with plenty of well-designed rest areas where you can relax and enjoy a meal without any hassle. I never saw anyone reserving seats or blocking space for others — everything felt fair and respectful. It wasn’t overcrowded at all, which made skiing so much more enjoyable. The views while skiing were absolutely stunning, and the overall atmosphere was peaceful and relaxing. Another huge plus is how close it is to downtown Queenstown — getting there was quick and easy, without any travel fatigue. I would highly recommend this place to anyone visiting Queenstown in the winter! ============================ Today, a month later, I received by mail the single glove my daughter had lost at the ski field. I’m truly grateful to the lost & found staff, Ngā mihi and Scott, for treating even one lost glove in New Zealand with such care and making the effort to send it all the way to the U.S. This experience makes me want to return to New Zealand next winter for skiing again.
It’s summer time so the fields are closed and there’s not as much snow but it’s still so beautiful and worth the breath taking views. Will definitely come back when it’s winter at some stage.
Visited Coronet Peak on June 26th, 2025, when Cardrona was closed due to weather—and I’m so glad I did! It’s super close to Queenstown, which made getting there quick and easy. While some areas were a bit slushy, overall the snow conditions were pretty good, especially considering the weather that week. The highlight, though, was the view—skiing with a full panoramic view of Queenstown below is absolutely incredible. It adds a whole new level to the experience. Bonus: they offer night skiing on Wednesdays and Fridays, which is such a cool feature and gives you extra time on the slopes. Definitely worth checking out, especially if you’re based in Queenstown or looking for a more accessible option with stunning views.
Great place in New Zealand to go snowboarding. Took some lessons with Miltos for snowboarding and he is an excellent instructor. Incredibly patient with me despite my shortcomings.
Queenstown Hill
14. Queenstown Hill
4.7
(69)
Mountain range
Outdoor Activities
Popular, scenic mountain for hiking, plus a 500-metre climb through pine forest to the summit.
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Great walk for a Sunday afternoon. Good work out and beautiful views. Popular spot but we always had a car park.
Very pretty lookout spot. Right next to a hiking trail, with lots of parking by it.
Got to go to the top of the station and enjoy the view. Go on the 4wheeler tour you'll love it.
A great walk or run but need a good level of fitness as steep in places but the views are epic.
I have been QT hill 3 times, it's very nice and easy walk way to get to the hill,love so much.
A nice warmup for Ben Lomond or a nice running place for daily training. This is a clean track, easy to access and rather quick to do
A good place for a walk up and very scenic from the lookout point
Loved the walk up with the kids. In winter they'll love the frozen lake on top. Check out my website.
Wānaka
15. Wānaka
Outdoor Activities
Ski & Snowboard Areas
Wanaka, a resort town on New Zealand's South Island, is set on the southern end of its namesake lake with views of snowcapped mountains. It's the gateway to the Southern Alps' Mount Aspiring National Park, a wilderness of glaciers, beech forests and alpine lakes. Treble Cone and Cardrona ski resorts are near the park. Just outside the town is the outdoor maze and sculpture gallery of Puzzling World.
The Remarkables Ski Area
16. The Remarkables Ski Area
4.5
(1833)
Temporarily Closed
Ski resort
Outdoor Activities
Skiing & snowboarding mountain with varied trails & terrain parks, plus cafes & an on-mountain bar.
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What a lovely place to ski! Very efficient shuttle system and zero hassle. Big ups to Max (our instructor) who was very passionate about skiing and very skilled at teaching adults, including explaining the Newtonian mechanics of how it all worked! Was able to go from zero to be able to do some green runs after a 3 hour lesson.
Beautiful slopes with great variety, also some amazing food at reasonable slopes prices. Our instructor (Luis Miguel) was absolutely amazing and did great with patience and explaining how to do things in an engaging and understandable way. I can say my skiing improved greatly after being with him. Highly recommend him to teach lessons.
Nice ski area with great views and a relaxed atmosphere. We visited in late July and barely had to wait for the chairlifts, which was a pleasant surprise. Some areas had limited snow coverage, though, so take care on the slopes. Overall, a fun experience even in the off-season!
wonderful place to visit in Queenstown. However, the road can be quite challenging during the winter season compared to Coronet Peak, with sudden changes in weather. It is recommended to use snow chains or a 4WD vehicle; alternatively, you can take the bus service from the car park. Even if you are not a skier, there is a dedicated area for kids and families on the left-hand side, which makes it enjoyable for everyone. Food prices are reasonably fair, and hot water is available on site. There is ample space outside, but it is more comfortable to stay indoors while having a meal, as it can get very cold.
Better than cornet peak, however drive is not for the faint of heart , 1 wrong move and its instant death, thanks to hardly no physical protection. Resort is small and once parking is filled attendee will direct/ insist you park exceptionally close to the almost 90 degree edge of the mountain. After a risky drive your met to a pretty average resort, its Okey but not great by any means.
first timer lesson and instructor was good but beware staff at rentals some can be hostile towards asians (caveat not all). instructors were good and fun. tad crowded but overall great experience
The slopes are very good provided you get some good snow. The whole place is not that big but they do a good job in maintaining it. The bus shuttle service and parking is good. Tha biggest problem I have with the place is that it’s too damn crowded and during the lunch hour it’s impossible to find a place to sit down. Either don’t sell so many passes or expand the area. The skiing is almost twice as expensive as Europe but nowhere close to Europe in facilities. That being said, this best is best option in NZ and Queenstown is so much more than just skiing. Btw, the staff is great and super helpful! 5 stars to the staff and none for the management/owners.
Had a great 10 days skiing The Remarks. The instructors were particularly good with our kids aged 7 and 5 - always very accommodating and familiar. My son was particularly pumped with his time with a young instructor, Kaay. Thanks for getting the kids going so well on the slopes
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