A golf traveller’s guide on new things to see and do in Queenstown and Wanaka.
Queenstown has a way of getting under your skin. What begins as a short escape as a golf trip or ski weekend often evolves into something more enduring. Repeat visits turn into longer stays, and before long, the idea of a place to return to feels less like a luxury and more like a natural next step.
At Jack’s Point, that transition feels effortless. Framed by stunning alpine views, world-class golf and lakefront trails, the area offers a quieter, more considered way to experience Queenstown. There is space to breathe here, protected landscapes, open skies and a strong sense of connection to the outdoors, all while remaining just minutes from the international airport, award-winning wineries and Queenstown’s main centre.
The soon-to-be-completed Lake Tewa Alpine Residences reflect this shift in how people choose to live and stay in the region. Designed for owners who value quality, longevity and ease, this luxury apartment precinct offers a refined base for regular returns, extended stays, or future-focused investment.
If you haven’t worked it out by now, Jack’s Point is not about fleeting visits. It’s about belonging to a place that rewards time spent, where Queenstown is experienced at a more relaxed pace, and ownership feels like a natural extension of the lifestyle that first drew you there.
If a short stay is more to your liking, try the following options, as assembled by our trans-Tasman-hopping editors.
Short and sweet
Gibbston Valley Golf Course is expected to officially open to the public this month after the completion of its clubhouse, pro shop, gym, heated pool and jacuzzi. The nine-hole, par-32 course has been designed by Kiwi golf legend-turned architect Greg Turner. The course combines intricate green complexes with broad, undulating fairways – providing something for all skill levels.
Time to unwind
Watershed is a premium floating sauna experience that opened just before Christmas on St Omar’s Wharf in Queenstown. With uninterrupted views of Lake Wakatipu, guests can enjoy a contrast therapy experience, alternating between the hot temperatures of the sauna and a cold plunge into the lake.
In late December, The Bathhouse Queenstown also opened its doors on Brecon St, offering hot pools, saunas, and wellness treatments inspired by classic European bathhouses. It’s set to be a relaxing new addition for visitors looking to unwind after a day of adventure or exploring Queenstown.
No small feat
The much-anticipated Kawarau Gorge Trail is on the home stretch. The work has included building bridges across a major river without easy access, lifting diggers into locations by helicopter, building bluff bridges capable of carrying machinery and building a trail around “one of the gnarliest highway bluffs in the region”. The 32-kilometre bike trail, built by the Southern Lakes Trails, is expected to open towards the end of summer and will unlock a 530-kilometre continuous network across Queenstown and Central Otago that’ll extend to Waihola, near Dunedin.
On ya bike!
Coronet Peak opened for summer with three new mountain bike trails – ‘Wakatipu View’, ‘Velvet Rolls’ and ‘World Cup’ – set to be added in what looks like an attractive proposition for adrenalin junkies. Nearby, another three new mountain bike trails near Arrowtown are also being constructed in the former Coronet Forest. Part of Project Tohu, it is one of the largest revegetation projects in New Zealand and involves Queenstown Lakes District council, Te Tapu o Tāne and Tāhuna Ride and Conservation.
Let it snow
NZSki and Coronet Peak have announced the purchase of a Snow Factory, an innovative snow-making technology that produces snow regardless of air temperature, to guarantee an early start to winter on May 30. The high-tech snow-making system has the ability to make up to 200cum (cumulative precipitation) of snow a day and is the first to be introduced into a South Island ski area. The $2 million-plus investment will enable lower learner slopes to open to beginner skiers and snowboarders, as well as a dedicated snow play area that includes tubing, plus a dedicated learner slope for kids. It forms part of a total $4 million capital works programme for Coronet Peak this year.
3D eats
Experience dining reimagined with Le Petit Chef at Crowne Plaza Queenstown, where 3D animation meets world-class cuisine. Ideal for groups seeking something extraordinary, this interactive experience includes themed décor, entertainment and costumed staff. Available for up to 24 guests until this May.
A new waterfront dining option
New waterfront bar and restaurant, Wharf Bar, opened in December on Steamer Wharf in Queenstown. Events and hospitality entrepreneur Quentin Nolan has created a large venue for locals and visitors, aimed at families during the day, then becoming a night-time social hub offering cocktails, pizzas, small plates and curated experiences.
Need some accommodation with the lot? Coronet Ridge Resort, a five-star, 40-room luxury alpine retreat, opened a few months ago after a $30 million redevelopment of the previous Nugget Point Hotel. The property boasts 41 rooms, including suites, all-new Elevation Bar & Restaurant, as well as a state-of-the-art fitness centre, squash courts, Roman-style spa, outdoor jacuzzi, conference room and private cinema.