Bella Vista's Blog

Come to Queenstown in Autumn and live like a local!  You won’t be disappointed, and you don’t need to spend a fortune in this resort town to have a good time. 

We liken Queenstown in Autumn to a very sublime cocktail as it is blessed with the most beautiful and spectacular surroundings of mountains and lakes, mixed with those stunning autumnal colours of the South and stirred up with the town’s great vibe. It’s cool!

Have you been to Queenstown before and ticked off most of the attractions or do you like to immerse yourself in the local scene and mingle with the locals and experience a place as they do? This list of experiences from our hosts at our Bella Vista Queenstown accommodation will have you discovering Queenstown just like a local!

Arrowtown displays the red and gold splendour of Autumn like no other place in the South and this year kicks off its 34th Festival.  A time when the community gets together in a fun-filled event of activities, food, and wine, crafts, children’s workshops, exhibitions, shows, and music. A highlight of the festival is the free street parade featuring fabulous floats and colourful characters. Visit the Arrowtown Bakery for some picnic treats and you are set. 

Autumn in Queenstown is still a great time to get out and about and you’ll see lots of locals out on their bikes or walk the many trails. There are many options for hiring bikes and your hosts at the Bella Vista Queenstown can point you in the right direction depending on where you would like to explore. If walking is more your thing a popular trail is the Lake Hayes Loop Track or if the snow hasn’t arrived yet, drive up the Remarkables access road and walk up to the glacial waters of Lake Alta or the Lookout for fabulous views over the Wakatipu Basin.

Another of Queenstown’s popular free activities is Frisbee Golf. There are now 2 courses, one scattered through the beautiful Queenstown Gardens and another located by the Shotover River near Quail Rise. This is a great activity to get out and experience the beautiful outdoors and have some fun.

If you need that coffee hit each day or fancy a leisurely lunch, then check out these recommended places Bob’s Weigh or Bespoke in central Queenstown or out of town, try The Boatshed overlooking the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu. Access to some top coffee and eateries is only minutes away from your Queenstown motel accommodation.

The local Saturday morning Remarkables Market, open till mid-April, located in the Red Barn down from Remarkables Park Shopping Centre has a great vibe. Pick up some fresh seasonal fruit or veges, pastries or other local delicacies along with art and crafts and while away some time listening to a local performer.

If the rivers are still low, taking a 4WD along one of the many local tracks and river crossings is always a fun day out and a favourite is to 4WD through Skippers Canyon.

If you are after that sweet treat then head on into the Remarkables Sweet Shop for some fudge tasting or the delectable Patagonia ice-cream parlour. So rewarding after a day out! Both of these great outlets are in downtown Queenstown and Arrowtown.

And when you slow down into the autumnal evenings, grab some Fish ‘n’ Chips from Erik's or a legendary burger from Fergburger and head down to the beach for a picnic dinner at Lake Wakatipu. Local’s tip: Ring Fergburger and pre-order if you don’t like waiting in queues. If the weather is starting to get the chilly head inside to one of the many outstanding restaurants – they may even have that cozy fire going!

Check out a Quiz Night and mingle at a local pub or head back to Arrowtown to catch a movie at the boutique cinema, bar and bookshop Dorothy Brown’s.

So, get your Autumn in Queenstown started. Firstly, book your Queenstown accommodation with Bella Vista Motels. You can do this at www.bellavista.co.nz and take advantage of the ‘Book Now, Pay Later’ option. The Bella Vista Queenstown is centrally located with free parking and WiFi and all room options have kitchenettes. The friendly team is there to help you experience Queenstown like a local.

Enjoy!