Lazy Girl in the Adventure Capital of the World – Queenstown Walks
Three hours after taking off from Sydney, our eyes are glued to the aircraft’s windows in awe of the spectacular snow-capped Southern Alps and pristine lakes as we experience one of the world’s most scenic airport approaches. Queenstown, New Zealand truly is a site to behold from the air!
Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the world, but there’ll be none of that nonsense for me thank you very much! While everyone is skiing, I intend to spend my week off-piste going for leisurely walks, scenic drives and savouring regional cuisine and wines.
Our home for the week was the Sofitel. Its location is exceptional, the spa bath is big and the granola is the best I’ve tasted!
I began my first day of Queenstown walks with a walk along the picturesque Lake Esplanade followed by a break at my favourite coffee-spot Vudu Café & Larder – where I braved the chilly weather to sit outside and admire the majestic lake framed by rugged mountains and to watch the passing parade of holiday makers.
I continued my walk along the lake and after a few minutes I had left the busyness of town behind and was now wandering through the tranquil Queenstown Gardens located on a small peninsular on the lake. The gardens feature a frisbee golf course, an ice-skating rink, skate park, lawn-bowls club, tennis courts, mature exotic trees and a rose garden. I walked the lake-side path which has plenty of places for me to stop for photos, take in the view or to just sit and read a bit.
The lakeside path connects with the Frankton Track walkway which offers views across Frankton Arm to Kelvin Heights. I only walked along as far as Sherwood where I had a light lunch (and a cheeky pinot noir) by the fireplace. Their team specialises in fresh, seasonal, soul food harvested from their own kitchen gardens, orchards and surrounding farms – a philosophy which extends to their natural wines and independent craft beers.
The tracks I walked are just part of the 120kms of Queenstown Trail. The trails range from the flat bicycle and pram friendly walks I took to the more enduring 500m climb up Queenstown Hill and the challenging full day hike to Ben Lomond Summit.
Full day uphill hikes aren’t for me, but there are many kilometres of easy Queenstown walks that I am yet to conquer!
Did you read about Glenda Halliwell’s quick trip to Mt Hutt & Methven in New Zealand? Click here.
