48 hours in Queenstown

A shot of a half-eaten Fergburger. A not-quite-wide-enough wide angle of The Remarkables. A view from the Onsen Hot Pools with your semi-submerged buttocks in the foreground.

Right. Now that you’ve ticked off the Queenstown Instagram clichés (or not), it’s time to put away your phone, put on your Swanni, and get stuck into some of our recommendations for how to spend 48 hours in the epicentre of our epic South Island.

To start the day, how about a flat white and a Ferg and cheese pie? While perhaps not quite as famous as its big brother Fergburger (yet), the bakery branch of the famous Queenstown burger joint offers food and coffee that’s every bit as delicious.

If you’re arriving after midday, Giovi Fine Foods offers authentic Italian cuisine made with love. Better still, you can dine on or pick up some handmade pasta to boil up in your bivy later.

Regardless of the time of day, if you’re thirsty or hungry, The Cow is a must. A true Queenstown institution, they’ve been serving delicious, hearty fare out of their historic premises since 1977, with a menu that’s unchanged since opening day.

After a pint and a pizza in the cozy confines of The Cow, it’s probably time to get outdoors and explore. The Luge and Gondola are a great way to get in epic views and family friendly adrenaline.

If you’d rather sit back and soak it up, a scenic cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw, an iconic century old steamship, is one of the best ways to take in the epic surrounding landscape.

If you want to keep the pins moving, The Jack’s Point Trail offers a half day hike (return) with scenery aplenty and just enough hills to reward walkers of all types. If you’re really keen, you can jump on your bike in Queenstown, take the Lakeside Trail all the way around Lake Wakatipu to Kelvin Heights, then continue the Jack’s Point Trail from there.

It’d certainly be a good way to work up a thirst. Which leads us to watering holes. And it’d be remiss of us not to mention the Cardrona Hotel here. A place so full of yarns we’re not going to spoil any of it for you. Just go there and drink it all in… the history and the character we mean.

For the more vicarious amongst you, Stoneridge Estate is a delightful boutique vineyard (not to mention luxury lodge, wedding and event venue), just fifteen minutes out of Queenstown-town on the shores of Lake Hayes. Otherwise, if you like the sound of stunning wines without all the seriousness, get yourself over to Wet jacket Wines – they’ve got a new tasting room right in the marina.

Whether it’s a last minute stop for souvenirs, or a bit of relaxing retail therapy (even though we’re sure this isn’t a real thing), there are plenty of spots in and around Queenstown.

The best place to start with both of the above is probably the Saturday Craft Market. Stroll the lakefront amidst handmade arts, crafts, food and live music. It’s really quite lovely.

Just up from the lakefront, Queenstown town itself offers a plethora of shops, all within easy walking distance. Many of these streets are pedestrian only, making the stroll even more pleasurable. And on one of these such streets, Beach Street to be precise, you’ll even find your local Swanndri Store.

Your brand new Swanndri Sherpa or Shacket will be the perfect attire for a trip up to the Shotover Jet or Coronet Peak. And on the way, we’d recommend stopping in at Ruthven & Co for to see their selection of sustainable, artisan homeware.

And finally, somewhere to hit the scratcher. Close to town there’s the Heartland Hotel, offering delightful Swiss-style chalet accommodation with, as expected, incredible views. A little further out, The Sherwood is an eco-hotel set on three hectares of rolling hillside, with its own garden and on-site restaurant. Further out again, The Cardrona Hotel, as mentioned above, is packed full of rustic charm and rich in history.

Apparently, it’s also the most photographed building in New Zealand. Just leave your buttocks out of this one.