As a four-season resort, Queenstown in New Zealand provides amazing opportunities for recreation at any time of the year. How do you decide when to visit this top holiday destination? Find out what attractions each season has to offer.
Winter
The winter season is from June to the end of August and boasts with plenty of snow up the mountains and pleasant weather in Queenstown itself. The temperature is typically between 0 and 8 degrees Celsius and rarely drops below zero. You can expect to enjoy plenty of sunshine.
You can select from four large snow parks. Coronet Peak is the closest to town and the most popular with families with children. The Remarkables is a top choice for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. It has a large learner area. If you want to enjoy steeper and more challenging slopes, you should consider Cardrona and Treble Cone. For the more adventurous, there is alpine helicopter skiing.
If you prefer more relaxed outdoor activities during the winder, you should consider the guided snowshoe walks in the magnificent mountains. The Ice Arena, which is in the heart of town, is the place for ice skating and hockey in Queenstown. For the more adventurous, there are ice-climbing tours.
Summer
The summer season is from the beginning of December to the end of February. It offers spectacular views and endless opportunities for outdoor fun plus perfect temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius. The most exciting adventure activities include jet boat riding, whitewater rafting, bungee jumping and skydiving. You can also try some local specialties like canyoning which involves travelling down streams and creeks within a canyon.
Among the more relaxed outdoor activities, you will find lake and river canoeing and rafting, biking, lake cruises and sunbathing. The gorgeous Queenstown Gardens are among the best places for casual strolls. You should definitely include golf on your holiday agenda too. There are free as well as paid golf courses in the resort town. Among the most popular hiking routes, you will find Routeburn Track, Paringa Track Hollyford Track and the famous Ben Lomond Track.
Spring and Autumn
Many of the summer and winter outdoor activities can be enjoyed during the spring, which is from September to the end of November, as well. You can visit the town during the annual Jazz Festival if you are a music fan. Spring is a great time for beauty spa treatments too. The same applies to the autumn, which is from March to the end of May. You can enjoy golf, mountain biking and the famous Gibbston Food and Wine Festival. It is the ideal time for wine tasting tours.
