Esther's Guidebook
Food Scene
These are a few of our favourite cafes/restaurants. All within the Queenstown/Frankton area.
Bespoke Kitchen
9 Isle StGreat Cafe with vegan friendly options
Pantry by Frank's
32 Red Oaks DrDelicious Cafe with amazing pastries. Sometimes closed in the weekends though!
Bella Cucina
6 Brecon StHomemade pasta and Woodfired pizza. One of our favorites.
Great Japanese restaurant that's relatively casual and a compact cool little bar.
22 locals recommend
Tanoshi
Great Japanese restaurant that's relatively casual and a compact cool little bar.
Dairy just down the road - stocks all the essentials. This is now called On the Spot - check online for opening hours.
11 locals recommend
Eight To Late Foodcentre
155 Fernhill RdDairy just down the road - stocks all the essentials. This is now called On the Spot - check online for opening hours.
Delicious woodfired pizza and craft beers with an epic outlook over the Shotover River canyon.
27 locals recommend
Canyon Brewing
1 Arthurs Point RdDelicious woodfired pizza and craft beers with an epic outlook over the Shotover River canyon.
Local fish and chips - 5min walk down the road. Recommend getting blue cod for fish. You must order online and pick up from the window. Recommend heading down to Sunshine Bay beach to eat with a view.
30 locals recommend
Chur Fish and Chips
155b Fernhill RdLocal fish and chips - 5min walk down the road. Recommend getting blue cod for fish. You must order online and pick up from the window. Recommend heading down to Sunshine Bay beach to eat with a view.
Biking/Hiking
Park down at the lakefront and heading into the trees where there are community maintained mountain bike trails. Mix of flow, tree roots and some boardwalks. Suited for intermediate - advanced. Great spot for a swim in the lake afterwards! Also welcome to take our stand up paddleboard.
7 Mile Scenic Reserve Mountain Bike Park
Park down at the lakefront and heading into the trees where there are community maintained mountain bike trails. Mix of flow, tree roots and some boardwalks. Suited for intermediate - advanced. Great spot for a swim in the lake afterwards! Also welcome to take our stand up paddleboard.
Community run mountain bike jump park. There are a number of trails in this area as well. Area is suited for intermediate - advanced riders. One of our favourite trails is McNearly Gnarly - flow trail. Have a look on Trail Forks. Access off Wynyard Crescent.
Wynyard Jump Park
Community run mountain bike jump park. There are a number of trails in this area as well. Area is suited for intermediate - advanced riders. One of our favourite trails is McNearly Gnarly - flow trail. Have a look on Trail Forks. Access off Wynyard Crescent.
Mt Crichton Loop Track
Approximately 7km loop track through native beech forest
If you are up for a full day hike up a mountain then this could be for you! Not for inexperienced or unfit people. You can catch a lift up the gondola as a shortcut, then head up to the very top of Ben Lomond. Make sure you take plenty of food and water. It may take you 6-8hrs, depending on fitness and whether you take the gondola. Amazing views from the top.
Ben Lomond Track, Queenstown, New Zealand
If you are up for a full day hike up a mountain then this could be for you! Not for inexperienced or unfit people. You can catch a lift up the gondola as a shortcut, then head up to the very top of Ben Lomond. Make sure you take plenty of food and water. It may take you 6-8hrs, depending on fitness and whether you take the gondola. Amazing views from the top.
City advice
Getting around
Driving versus public transport
If you want to travel further afield than between our home and Queenstown, then it's best that you rent a car.
There are public buses - that are great for getting into and out of town as there is not much parking in town. Have a look online for the ORC Queenstown Bus timetable. There is a bus stop on Fernhill Rd (about 2min walk).
Book before you go
Restaurants for Dinner
Over the Christmas/NY period you should book restaurants in advance. Some reserve space for walk-ins.
Book before you go
Any tourist activities
Suggest booking in advance if you are doing any tourist activities, such as the Earnslaw Boat, bungees, the Shotover River jet boat, Onsen.
What to pack
Warm clothes AND Sunscreen
The days during summer get very hot. NZ has less of an ozone layer meaning you get burnt much quicker than other parts of the world - so highly recommend sunscreen!
The evenings tend to drop in temperature so best to have a jumper if you are heading out in the evenings.