Luxury Escapes Guide to Queenstown

Our top pick for the Queenstown Lakes region is this inventive winery restaurant, positioned near Lake Hayes, 14km from central Queenstown. View it as the culinary equivalent of bungy jumping as you place your palate completely in the hands of the chef over a multi-course degustation. At lunchtime you do get a little more control, being able to pick your own small-plate menu from the trio of dishes offered for each of the three courses. Wine tastings at the cellar door are free if you’re dining or $10 for five wines otherwise.

The chef hails from South Africa rather than Botswana and the menu’s meaty but not exclusively so. Rather, Botswana Butchery makes the most of its prime lakeside setting by delivering an upmarket vibe and an international menu (French onion soup, Peking duck, Korean-style squid) – along with big slabs of meat from its ‘butcher’s block’. If you’re not in the mood for a Flintstone-proportioned slow-cooked lamb shoulder, come at lunchtime for options that are lighter on the waistline and the wallet.

Helmed by one of New Zealand’s best-known chefs – Michelin-star-winning and Masterchef-hosting Josh Emett – Rātā is Queenstown’s slickest restaurant. The standards and service are consistently high but don’t expect too many bells and whistles. Rather than tricksy culinary wizardry, the focus is on top-notch New Zealand produce, responsive to the seasons, deftly prepared and elegantly presented. The back-lane location is equally unassuming, with a backdrop of native flora – both photographic and real – setting the scene for a showcase of the best the country has to offer.

An eclectic menu awaits at this excellent cafe that caters well to the needs of travellers, with USB ports and powerpoints by most of the tables. Daytime dishes range from corn-and-jalapeno fritters to poached pear and pretzel French toast, along with tasty burgers and some vegan options. At night it gets even more globetrotting, with poutine, Japanese fried chicken, Szechuan squid, tacos and bao buns. The coffee’s excellent too. Check the website for details of their regular live performances and DJ-fuelled parties.

The queues at its big brother Fergburger, next door, are nearly as legendary as the burgers themselves – but we usually prefer to skip them and head to this wonderful little bakery instead. Inside you’ll find a good selection of savoury and sweet pastries, including innovative exemplars of that Kiwi staple: the meat pie. Like Fergburger, Fergbaker is open until the wee hours of the morning – perfect for a late-night snack on the way home from a few bars. The Ferg family has also expanded to the next shop in the row, where you’ll find the Mrs Ferg gelato bar.

This place is truly tiny but still manages to carry a hefty selection of craft beer on tap, including a good selection from Queenstown’s very own Altitude Brewing. If you can’t choose between the nearly two dozen brews on offer, opt for a tasting paddle. The food is also surprisingly good, particularly the hefty Breakfast of Champions. Later in the day there are tacos, burgers, share plates and a good-value ‘Pie and Pint’ deal. On a sunny day, grab a seat at an outdoor table and gaze out over the lake.

After hopping from Christchurch to Auckland following the earthquakes, Tatsumi has now landed in beautiful Queenstown. As you’d expect from a top-tier Japanese restaurant, everything looks as good as it tastes and the service is just as precise. The kitchen blends traditional dishes with European techniques and a diverse array of ingredients to create authentic Japanese cuisine with a modern twist. Opt for either a set selection of signature dishes, or pick an array of sushi, sashimi and Japanese tapas to share.

Moments from Lake Hayes, this rustic winery-restaurant spills out from a pretty cottage onto the surrounding lawn. The lunch menu is an upmarket take on country cooking, with dishes such as half a confit duck and slow-cooked beef-cheek pie designed for sharing. It’s also open for breakfast and afternoon snacks, daily and for dinner on Friday nights. Otherwise you can just call in for a wine tasting in the cellar door fashioned from a shipping container (it’s free if you purchase a bottle or if you’re dining).

Ease yourself into your own private, Japanese-style, cedar hot tub, and gaze down the valley and over the Shotover River to the mountains beyond. Each pool is freshly filled with spring water and heated to 38.5 degrees Celsius, and has its own dressing area and retractable roof. Some can fit up to four people, but there are also smaller tubs for singles and couples. Prices include a complimentary drink and snack, and transfers from Queenstown, which is 6km away. Spa treatments are also available, including massages and facials.

Whether you want to taste wine on a mountain-top or ski on untouched powder, Over the Top’s helicopter trips will get you above and beyond the usual tours. Other options include dog sledding, guided heli-fishing, glacier and remote beach landings, and a scenic flight through the fiords. However, the most ludicrously over-the-top experience is targeted to golf obsessives: complete a round at a local course and then get flown up a mountain for a 19th hole at an altitude of 1372m.

The Routeburn Track is one of New Zealand’s most loved ‘Great Walks’: a three-day hike through remote wilderness taking in mountains, forests, lakes, waterfalls and mirror-like tarns. Most people carry all their provisions with them and bed down in basic Department of Conservation bunkrooms along the way. If you’d rather just carry a day pack, Ultimate Hikes offers guided walks staying at their own luxurious lodges, replete with private rooms boasting hot showers and comfortable beds, and a cooked meal waiting for you at the end of each day. Prices include transfers to and from Queenstown.

Immerse yourself in Queenstown with Luxury Escapes’ hand-picked Experiences. We’ve curated a selection of cultural activities, adrenaline thrills, food adventures and luxury add-ons to help you discover your destination. These Experiences are bookable when you purchase your next escape. Simply select your travel dates and number of travellers for any package, and opt to tailor your escape by selecting the available Experiences.