We will be traveling to this area in early Feb. 2008. Although I like fine food and wine which I understand there is a plenty in Queenstown- along with the principal diversion of adventure travel, I generally try to avoid heavily touristy areas. I understand that Queenstown will be very crowded at this particular time. Can I stay in less crowded Wanaka area and Te Anua and see all the nature I would see making Queenstown my base?We would like to go to Doubtful Sound and take some short day hikes and other nature attractions- no bungy jumping or rafting.

Every time I get back to Queenstown, I roll my eyes (literally) over the commercialism and the newest retail arrival. A couple years ago it was Starbucks. Then after a day or less, I completely forget it's there. The surroundings are so spectacular somehow QZN maintains a small-town feel with a pleasant buzz. The food is nothing special, BTW, but it isn't too special in Wanaka either and still less so in Te Anau. Lots of people love Wanaka (especially families) but it's never done it for me.

Frankly, you can't go wrong in any of these places as you're in the heart of the most beautiful scenery in the world and the weather ought to be brilliant.

Lots of good hikes on your figurative doorstep -- you'll need to drive to the better ones.

I wouldn't avoid it. If nothing else, it's a great base from which to explore Glenorchy, the wine region, and then head to Fiordland. It's easy to avoid the touristy areas IMHO. We stayed at Browns Boutique Hotel, took the TSS Earnslaw and the Gondola (both "touristy" I guess but NOTHING like American touristy areas) and had some nice dinners. We also visited Gibbston Valley Winery and Tim bungy jumped from the Kawarau bridge.

The thing is that Queenstown "very crowded" is by New Zealand standards i.e. most European destinations during quiet season!

I was there mid summer and yes it is bustling but still quite relaxing and beautiful

Like previous posters have said, Queenstown is not "crowded" in the way that London or Venice can be. It's a small town when all is said and done.

I don't much like it. But then I don't much like Port Douglas either.

Depends what you want.

Yes you can stay in Wanaka and Te Anau and have access to nature day walks, etc.

I like Arrowtown better, myself, because it is much quieter at night when all the shops close. And still has three pretty fabulous restaurants: Saffron, Postmaster's House, and Amisfield Bistro (which is really halfway between Queenstown and Arrowtown).

In Te Anau, Cafe La Dolce Vita comes highly recommended from friends who were there last December.

Queenstown is fantastic. It is truly a very beautiful place - something to go ga-ga over. And the people are really friendly. I am from Sydney, and have been to Queenstown a few times and have always enjoyed it. It is not busy in the true sense, and I would recommend staying in town rather than out. We generally stayed walking distance, and we did have incredible lake views.

Thanks all. It looks like we will stay in spite of the "crowds" I think if we stay at a homestay outside of town, we will get the advantage of both the scenery and the location of Queenstown without the "tourists"- of which we are two! Thanks too for the food ideas.

I love Queenstown and travel there every year from Oz for skiing. I have never noticed it to be crowded but I suppose that depends where you are from. The scenery is beautiful and there is so much to do in the surrounding areas.
Don't miss out on such a wonderful spot. At least give it a try and if you feel it is too touristy then leave but at least go there and experience it at least once.

Some good postings for your reply, it is a premium tourist destination but so are many places in the world that we all strive to see at least once. But that is only in Queenstown, you can easily get out into the countryside in ten minutes and find peace and solitude. Check out Arrowtown, it is quaint and gorgeous with a lot of gold mining history. Wanaka has become the place of choice for the wealthy to re-locate to so is growing at a rapid rate but still beautiful. If you want non touristy near Wanaka go to Lake Hawea instead.
Take the boat across the lake to the sheep station at Walter Peak on the far side and enjoy a short tour of the farm with morning tea, it is a real delight.
Te Anau is quite a distance from Queenstown and although very scenic it would not bother me if I missed it out on any itinerary of mine to the South Island. Although it all looks small on a map some of the places are well spaced apart and quite a long drive to get to.

I am Australian but I will still say that Queenstown is a wonderful place and should not be missed. It is a truly beautiful place, great friendly people, and well, you can't call it crowded. New Zealand is just not crowded. I love to go across to NZ as much as I can.

Queenstown is stunningly beautiful from certain spots, but it is crowded in Feb, and very commercialised. Wanaka is quieter, but I like the feel of Te Anau better (a personal thing perhaps), and Te Anau is a good base for Milford and Doubtful Sounds. If you want to be very near Queenstown, Arrowtown is a nice option. And then there's down the road in spots like Clyde... Just goes on and on, doesn't it?

Wanaka is lovely!!!! Relaxing, not so commercial, I loved it there, and nice base for Queenstown - Queenstown is lovely but you are right, you can base yourself out of it easy! TeAnua is also great, so really, what I am saying is, you can't go wrong LOVELY LOVELY LOVELY!

I have tentatively decided to make Wanaka and Te Anau my two bases. I think I can use Wanaka as a base for hiking to the north and west and some wine country visits to the south and east. I have found a B&B between Wanaka and Clyde. I will also spend three nights in Te Anau to visit Fiordland- the sounds etc. I am trying to limit my moving around so much.

Make that Wanaka and Cromwell- Obviously changed my mind from my previous post-mid May

Hi Zinfanatic,

Just wondering re accommodation - how did you find where you stayed?

Hope you had fun!