As the days get longer and warmer it means one thing – Spring is here! Spring is arguably the best season in Queenstown!

For one, the scenery is particularly gorgeous. The mountains surrounding Queenstown are still covered in snow, but flowers begin to bloom everywhere throughout town.  

Spring is also a shoulder season in Queenstown meaning it isn’t as busy as our winter and summer peak seasons! The longer days mean you have more time for exploring in the daylight, not to mention there are usually some great deals on accommodation!  

If you’re lucky enough to be visiting Queenstown this spring, here are a few things you simply must do!  

Mt Nicholas Farm Experience

It’s shearing time for the sheep around New Zealand! In the spring, hundreds of thousands of sheep around New Zealand line up for their annual hair cut producing beautiful merino wool we’re so famous for.  

Join our Mt Nicholas Farm Experience which takes you across Lake Wakatipu on Spirit of Queenstown Scenic Cruise to Mt Nicholas High Country Farm. Here, you will be shown around the farm, meet the animals, learn about the journey of merino wool from the sheep’s back to yours and take in the incredible views.  

During shearing season you’ll get to see the shearing gang in action as they shear up to 1,200 merino sheep a day. Your farm guide will take you into the shearing shed so you can experience this incredible process first hand.

Spring Skiing

Just because it is spring, doesn’t mean the snow is gone. The mountains will still have plenty of the beautiful white stuff, meaning you can still hit the slopes skiing or snowboarding!  

Coronet Peak and The Remarkables are the closest ski fields to Queenstown. Closing dates change each year but it is generally around the beginning to middle of October. Be sure to check out their websites for the exact closing days and if you are around, attend their annual closing day parties – they’re a blast!

Bike through Gibbston Valley 

Warmer weather makes being outside that much more enjoyable and one of the best outdoor activities in the spring is bike riding! Gibbston Valley is a great place to go riding as you have access to various trails suitable for all levels including the Rabbit Ridge Bike Resort, the Gibbston River Trail, and the Arrowtown River Trail. 

If you like wine, there are also plenty of wineries where you can arrange tastings or even vineyard tours! If you really like wine, you can book on a dedicated bike and wine tour!

Take a scenic flight to Milford Sound 

If you haven’t taken a Scenic Flight to Milford Sound before, now is the time! On a beautiful, sunny, spring day the views from the plane are nothing short of breathtaking. Snow-capped mountain peaks and stunning blue lakes sure make for some incredible views!

A scenic flight to Milford is also the quickest way to get to Milford Sound meaning you’ll have lots of time to explore once you’re there! Be sure to jump on our boat cruise or even a cruise and kayak package to really make the most of the experience before flying back to Queenstown!  

Stroll around Queenstown Gardens 

This is an awesome way to spend an hour or two in Queenstown. Grab a hot chocolate or ice cream from Patagonia and some baked goods from Mrs. Ferg bakery, then head to the Queenstown Gardens, only a short walk from the town centre.  

Spring is the best time to enjoy the gardens because all the flowers are blooming! Easy walking trails and manicured flower beds make the gardens really special. If you want some excitement and exercise, try out the disk-golf in the gardens (it’s a favourite pastime for Queenstown locals!)  

Enjoy a meal by the lake 

There are some amazing restaurants in Queenstown and many of them are located with views of the lake and mountains. Many places around Queenstown have some great lunch specials! Go for lunch at one of the lakeside restaurants and enjoy local wine and craft beer with a delicious meal! A top tip from us would be to grab some delicious fish and chips from local favourite Erik’s, and head to Perky’s floating bar to take in the views.

If you want, plan for dinner at the same time as sunset, that way, you can enjoy a meal with a sunset view! For a really special experience, head up the gondola to Bob’s Peak and have dinner at the Stratosfare Restaurant – no views can compare!

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