Queenstown & Surrounds
At Vannort Luxury Travel we believe that the journey starts with your flight, not only literally in terms of having to get to a destination, but your class of travel ensures your holiday to start the moment you get to the airport. Start your journey at a business or first class lounge with a glass of bubbles.
GETTING THERE
Flying in Qantas Business Class, offers a first-class experience from start to finish. Upon boarding, passengers are greeted with a welcome drink of their choice, including a selection of premium wines or champagne.
The spacious business class seating is designed for optimal comfort, featuring fully reclining seats, ample legroom, and personal entertainment systems stocked with a range of movies, TV shows, and music. The in-flight dining experience is impeccable, with gourmet meals crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Options include a range of New Zealand-inspired dishes, perfectly complemented by a selection of premium wines from the region.
The spectacular mountain scenery during landing and take-off is an added bonus when it comes to a destination like Queenstown.
GETTING AROUND
In Queenstown, multiple car rental companies offer top-notch services, ideal for exploring the stunning landscapes. We rented an SUV from Enterprise and it was a fairly seamless process albeit a bit manual and paper-heavy compared to Redspot Car Rental in Australia and First Car Rental in South Africa & Mauritius.
Enterprise – A solid choice for luxury SUVs, perfect for navigating Queenstown’s rugged terrain.
Ezi Car Rental – A local company offering well-maintained, high-quality vehicles.
Go Rentals – A popular option for premium cars, known for great customer service and vehicle variety.
Omega Rental Cars – Offers reliable service with affordable rates and a range of vehicles.
Avis and Hertz – Both offer a range of entry-level to premium vehicles.
HOTELS
There are so many accommodation offerings in this quaint little town, we can recommend the following in order of preference.
QT Queenstown
A sophisticated, modern hotel offering luxurious rooms with panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains. The on-site restaurant serves delicious, locally sourced dishes, with an impressive wine list to match. They have a magnificent bar area with magical views of the lake. The hotel is very conveniently located at the edge of town only a 5 minute stroll, there is easy access to the promenade via lift that takes you through the The Ridges hotel lobby, as it is located below the QT.
Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa
Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, this resort offers a blend of luxury and comfort. The spa is a standout feature, providing a range of treatments that allow guests to unwind in style. The rooms are spacious and well-appointed, offering stunning lake or mountain views. This is a rather large hotel and the breakfast area can be a bit busy.
Millbrook Resort
A peaceful retreat with luxury accommodations, a world-class spa, and a renowned golf course. The Millbrook Resort offers a perfect balance of relaxation and adventure. The rooms are a bit dated , but if you are a golfer it is still the best and most convenient option with close proximity to all the best courses.
GOLF COURSES
Queenstown offers some of the most scenic and challenging golf courses in the world, we recommend you do not miss these 3 courses, and be sure to book a second round at Jack’s Point at a highly discounted rate.
The Hills Golf Course
A world-class, private golf course set amidst the stunning landscape of Queenstown. The challenging layout and breathtaking views make it a must-play for golf enthusiasts.
Jacks Point
An 18-hole championship course designed to complement the natural surroundings. Golfers can enjoy panoramic views of the Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wakatipu.
Millbrook Coronet and Remarkables Courses
Millbrook Resort offers two stunning courses: the Coronet and Remarkables, each providing a unique golfing experience set against the backdrop of majestic mountains.
RESTAURANTS
Queenstown boasts a selection of world-class dining options, perfect for those seeking a gourmet experience.
Botswana Butchery
Known for its cozy yet upscale atmosphere, Botswana Butchery offers hearty, gourmet meat dishes paired with an extensive wine list. The lamb and venison dishes are particularly noteworthy, showcasing the best of New Zealand’s produce.
Nest Kitchen & Bar
Located at the Kamana Lakehouse, this restaurant offers a contemporary dining experience with views over Queenstown. The menu focuses on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, with a range of creative dishes.
The Hills Club House
The perfect place for a post-golf meal, The Hills Club House serves delicious meals in a relaxed setting with stunning views of the golf course and surrounding landscape.
Amisfield Bistro & Cellar Door
This restaurant is located at Amisfield Winery and offers a must-visit tasting menu paired with the vineyard’s premium wines. The culinary experience is enhanced by the scenic surroundings, making it a perfect spot for wine enthusiasts.
Buckingham Street in Arrowtown
Located in the charming Arrowtown, this street is home to several delightful restaurants and cafes, perfect for a relaxed meal after exploring the town.
WINERIES
Amisfield Winery
Amisfield Winery is one of the most prestigious wineries in the Central Otago region, known for its biodynamic vineyard practices and commitment to producing high-quality wines. The winery is situated on the shores of Lake Hayes, providing stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Location – Lake Hayes, 15 minutes from Queenstown
Famous For – Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Sauvignon Blanc
Wine Experience
Their flagship Pinot Noir is widely regarded as one of the finest in the region, offering complex flavors of red fruits, spices, and earthy undertones. Their Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc are also well-crafted, with fresh, vibrant flavors that reflect the terroir.
Cellar Door & Restaurant
Amisfield offers an excellent cellar door experience, with wine tastings and tours of the estate. The Amisfield Bistro is a must-visit, offering a seasonal tasting menu that pairs perfectly with their wines.
Gibbston Valley Winery
Gibbston Valley Winery is one of the oldest and most respected wineries in the region, known for pioneering Central Otago’s wine industry. The cool climate of the Gibbston Valley is perfect for producing expressive and elegant wines.
Location – Gibbston Valley, 25 minutes from Queenstown
Famous For – Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling
Wine Experience
The Pinot Noir from Gibbston Valley is the winery’s signature wine, showcasing rich berry fruit, spice, and earthy notes. Their Chardonnay and Riesling are also exceptional, offering balance and complexity with refreshing acidity.
Cellar Door & Restaurant: The cellar door offers wine tastings, vineyard tours, and a wine cave tour, which provides a unique opportunity to see how the wines are aged. The on-site restaurant serves locally sourced cuisine, designed to complement the winery’s award-winning wines.
Chard Farm Winery
Perched on a hillside above the Kawarau River Gorge, Chard Farm is not only known for its excellent wines but also for its breathtaking views. The winery’s vineyards benefit from the cool climate and unique soil composition of the Central Otago region.
Location – Gibbston, 20 minutes from Queenstown
Famous For – Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling
Wine Experience
Chard Farm produces a range of Pinot Noir wines that are highly regarded for their elegance and depth. Their Rieslingand Chardonnay also showcase the winery’s commitment to quality, offering vibrant acidity and balance.
Cellar Door
The cellar door at Chard Farm is intimate and inviting, with knowledgeable staff providing tastings and detailed insights into the winemaking process. It’s a perfect stop for wine enthusiasts looking to discover boutique wines in a scenic setting.
Mt Difficulty Wines
Situated in Bannockburn, Mt Difficultyis one of Central Otago’s most renowned wineries, particularly famous for its Pinot Noir. The winery’s vineyards are located on steep, rugged slopes, giving the wines a distinctive character.
Location – Bannockburn, 45 minutes from Queenstown
Famous For – Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling
Wine Experience
The Pinot Noir is bold and complex, with flavors of dark cherries, plum, and spice. The winery’s Pinot Gris and Riesling also stand out, offering rich, aromatic profiles with refreshing acidity.
Cellar Door & Restaurant
The cellar door provides stunning views over the Bannockburn vineyards and offers tastings of their full range of wines. The on-site restaurant serves delicious, locally sourced meals designed to pair with their wine selection.
Quartz Reef Winery
Quartz Reef is located in the Bendigo sub-region of Central Otago, and is well-known for its biodynamic viticulture and dedication to producing top-quality wines. The winery is named after the large quartz deposits found in the area, which contribute to the unique terroir.
Location – Bendigo, 60 minutes from Queenstown
Famous For: Pinot Noir, Sparkling Wine, Pinot Gris
Wine Experience
Quartz Reef’s Pinot Noir is highly rated for its purity, structure, and balance. Their Methode Traditionnelle sparkling wine is another highlight, known for its elegance and finesse. The Pinot Gris is full-bodied with a rich, aromatic profile.
Cellar Door
The cellar door offers a personalized tasting experience, allowing visitors to explore their range of biodynamic wines. The staff is passionate about sharing the winery’s philosophy and methods, making this a highly educational and enjoyable stop.
Additional Wineries Worth Mentioning (Honorable Mentions):
Peregrine Wines (25 km from Queenstown): Known for its stunning architecture and outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Two Paddocks (Alexandra, ~95 km from Queenstown): Owned by actor Sam Neill, Two Paddocks produces some excellent Pinot Noir and Riesling in a boutique setting.
WINES FROM THE AREA
If you do not have enough time to travel to all the wineries on your trip, then we highly recommend these five wines from the South Island represent the pinnacle of New Zealand’s winemaking, highlighting the diversity of styles and the exceptional quality produced in regions like Marlborough and Central Otago. They are widely available at all the upmarket eateries in and around Queenstown.
Cloudy Bay (Central Otago)
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Central Otago
Tasting Notes
Cloudy Bay Te Wahi Pinot Noir is a premium expression of Central Otago’s unique terroir. This wine offers a rich bouquet of dark cherry, blackberry, and plum, combined with floral notes and a subtle spice. The palate is structured and elegant, with velvety tannins and balanced acidity. The complexity of flavors includes layers of ripe berries, forest floor, and a touch of oak, leading to a long, silky finish.
Pairing
Ideal with roasted lamb, venison, or mushroom-based dishes, this Pinot Noir’s earthy undertones complement gamey and hearty meals.
Felton Road (Central Otago)
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Central Otago
Tasting Notes
Another masterpiece from Central Otago, Felton Road Block 3 Pinot Noir is a highly sought-after wine with an intense aroma of black cherries, raspberries, and wild herbs. The palate is complex, offering flavors of ripe red and dark fruits, spice, and earthy minerality. It is a beautifully balanced wine, with refined tannins and a long, harmonious finish that speaks to its aging potential.
Pairing
Best enjoyed with grilled lamb, duck breast, or truffle-based dishes, enhancing the wine’s complexity and fruit character.
Greywacke (Marlborough)
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough
Tasting Notes
Greywacke Wild Sauvignon Blanctakes a more sophisticated approach to the classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, with wild fermentation and oak aging. This process imparts a rich, textural wine with notes of ripe stone fruit, grapefruit, and citrus, along with hints of spice and flinty minerality. The oak influence adds a creamy mouthfeel and subtle vanilla notes, balancing the vibrant acidity typical of Marlborough wines.
Pairing
This wine pairs well with seafood, especially oysters, scallops, and smoked fish, as well as creamy pasta dishes.
Seresin Estate (Marlborough)
Variety: Pinot Noir
Region: Marlborough
Tasting Notes
Seresin Estate Sun & Moon Pinot Noir is a biodynamically farmed, handcrafted wine that showcases the depth and character of Marlborough Pinot Noir. With intense aromas of blackcurrant, cherry, and spices, this wine is well-structured with fine tannins and bright acidity. On the palate, expect flavors of dark red fruits, earthy notes, and a subtle smokiness from the oak aging. The wine has great aging potential and is known for its long, elegant finish.
Pairing
This wine shines alongside roasted pork, duck confit, or mushroom risotto, allowing the fruit and savory notes to complement each other.
Dog Point (Marlborough)
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough
Tasting Notes
Dog Point Section 94 is a premium, barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc that stands apart from the typical bright and zesty style of the region. This wine offers complex aromas of citrus peel, grapefruit, and dried herbs, with smoky, flinty undertones from the oak aging. The palate is full-bodied with a creamy texture, balanced by crisp acidity and layers of tropical fruit, minerals, and spice.
Pairing
Best served with grilled seafood, white meats, and soft cheeses, this wine’s rich flavors and acidity make it a versatile pairing for sophisticated dishes.
HELICOPTER TOUR MILFORD SOUND
A highlight of the trip, the helicopter tour to Milford Sound offers an unforgettable experience. The journey takes you over some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery, with views of fjords, waterfalls, and snow-capped mountains. The helicopter lands in several scenic spots, allowing for up-close exploration and photography. This is a must-do experience for those seeking adventure and natural beauty.
We have personal experience with Heliworks and they were brilliant to work with and our captain was very knowledgeable and accommodating. Herewith all operators:
Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters
One of the most reputable helicopter tour operators in Queenstown, known for their safety, service, and experienced pilots. They offer various Milford Sound tours, including glacier landings, alpine landings, and flights over Fiordland National Park. Private charters and customised itineraries are available.
The Helicopter Company
Specialising in luxury, bespoke helicopter experiences, Over The Top offers a premium way to explore Milford Sound. Tours include alpine landings and the option to explore Fiordland National Park, glaciers, and remote mountain lakes. Private tours, gourmet picnics in remote locations, and exclusive landings.
Milford Helicopters
A local operator focused on scenic flights in and around Milford Sound. Known for their direct flights from Milford Sound, which can include glacier landings, scenic tours of the fjords, and connections to Queenstown. Custom itineraries and glacier flights are available.
Heliworks Queenstown Helicopters
A well-known operator offering a variety of scenic tours and specialised photography flights. Options include glacier landings, alpine landings, and remote wilderness flights through Fiordland National Park. Private charters, photography tours, and bespoke experiences.