Alex and Chris from Kiwi tour company, The Road Trip, share their Queenstown weekend getaway ideas for enjoying the best of the region’s wineries.
Day 1 – Queenstown + Glenorchy
92km – 1 hour 30 minutes drive
Your tour begins! Venture up the Skyline Gondola for premium views of Queenstown, The Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu.
After lunch, enjoy a drive out to the head of Lake Wakatipu and experience the breath-taking scenery of the Glenorchy area.
Return to Queenstown in the afternoon to stroll around the botanic gardens and lakefront.
Day 2 – Central Otago Wineries
120km – 1 hour 45 minutes drive
Take a tour of Central Otago Wineries. You can start by heading towards Bannockburn and enjoy a lunch and wine tasting at Mt Difficulty, overlooking the vastly spread vines of the Central Otago area.
Following this, perhaps enjoy some wine tasting at Carrick Winery, Misha’s Vineyard and Terra Sancta while you’re in the Bannockburn Region.
Time permitting you can do some hot laps at Highlands Motorsport Park or check out the Cromwell Heritage Precinct. Return to Queenstown in the afternoon/evening.
Day 3 – Lake Hayes + Gibbston Valley Wineries
53km – 50 minutes drive
On your last day, take a wine tour around Queenstown, Lake Hayes and Gibbston Valley areas. If you’re feeling extra peckish, head to Amisfield Winery for a 5-course lunch with wine pairing.
Following this up with wine tastings at Akarua, Two Paddocks, Wet Jacket Wines and Peregrine, or a visit to the historic ex Chinese gold mining community of Arrowtown.
Wander the grounds where gold miners lived during the gold rush of the 1860s and indulge in some retail therapy following this in the town centre.
The merino clothing, fruit and honey are plentiful! Return to Queenstown in the afternoon/evening to finish up your long weekend getaway.