Hi We are flying into Queenstown to attend a wedding at Wanaka but will have about 5 days to spend around Queenstown before the wedding. We are after suggestions as how to best spend that time. Do we stay in Queenstown and do day trips/walks or are there better places to base ourselves outside of Queenstown? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We are relatively fit 60 yr olds who like walking/wineries etc. We have previously been to Queenstown but that was some 20 years ago.
Thank you for your help.

Queenstown has a lovely view over the lake and is very busy with tourists. But if the wedding is in Wanaka why not just stay there? If you have a rental car you can visit other places as desired. We stayed at the Archway which had been newly renovated. Note this is the traditional NZ motel which means there is a full kitchen and outdoor BBQ, more like an apartment really. Wanaka is well supplied with supermarkets and not as busy as Queenstown. I'm sure there are also some nice AirBnbs available.

Arrowtown would be another good choice. As I recall, there is bus service between Arrowtown and Queenstown.

Agree that QT is very busy these days, to the point that I personally avoid staying there. As suggested, Wanaka is a good choice, as is Arrowtown, Cromwell and Glenorchy. I adore Glenorchy, but it's quite small, so accommodation and restaurants are very limited. It's the perfect starting point for several tracks, some multi-day. Cromwell is a fruit and wine growing area, has some good winereis and is close enough to QT and Wanaka for day trips. But, having a rental car is key.

We have reservations at the Archway in November, so I am very happy to hear that you recommend it.

That sounds like an amazing trip! Since you’ve been to Queenstown before (though a lot has changed in 20 years!), it might be fun to base yourselves outside of town for a fresh perspective. You could stay in Arrowtown, which is charming and quieter but still close enough for day trips to Queenstown and some stunning walks. The Gibbston Valley wineries are also nearby, which would be perfect for some relaxing tastings. If you’re up for a bit more adventure, consider spending a night or two in Glenorchy for some beautiful hikes.

Hope the Archway works nicely for you Karen Woo. They had a lovely rose garden as well.

That sounds like a wonderful trip! Since you’ve been to Queenstown before, it might be fun to explore some of the surrounding areas this time. You could consider spending a couple of days in Arrowtown, which is just a short drive from Queenstown. It has a charming historic vibe, some lovely walks, and is close to some great wineries in the Gibbston Valley. Another option is to stay in Glenorchy, about 45 minutes from Queenstown, where you can enjoy stunning scenery and fantastic hiking trails like the Routeburn Track. Then, maybe spend your last couple of days back in Queenstown to soak up the town’s energy and enjoy a few more day trips.