Accommodation & Local Travel

Where to stay

Queenstown — lakeside hotels, luxury lodges and holiday homes, all within ten to fifteen minutes of the airport and helicopter bases.

Wānaka — boutique lodges, lake-view holiday homes and relaxed stays, a little quieter than Queenstown.

Lake Tekapo — cottages, chalets and small hotels, many with lake views; wonderful during lupin season.

Aoraki / Mount Cook — from The Hermitage hotel to lodges, motels and campsites, right beneath the mountain.

Book early for the busy months (November to March), and choose somewhere close to your getting-ready spot with good natural light for photographs. If you’re self-driving, check your accommodation has parking — it’s scarcer than you’d expect in the resort towns.

Getting around

New Zealand is best explored by car, but a few things are worth knowing, especially if you’re visiting:

• We drive on the left — take the first hour slowly, and avoid a long drive on the day you land after a long-haul flight. Staying local that first night is the kindest thing you can do for yourselves.
• Many roads are narrow and winding, with one-lane bridges and alpine stretches without barriers.
• Drive times are longer than they look — allow plenty of time and fuel up before leaving towns.
• Speed limits are enforced strictly, and rural roads can be deceptive — the limit isn’t a target.
• Mountain weather changes quickly; in winter you may need snow chains on alpine roads.
• Check current road conditions on the NZTA (Waka Kotahi) journey planner before you set out, especially for Tekapo, Mount Cook and the passes.

If driving isn’t for you, just let me know and we’ll sort transfers so you can relax and enjoy the scenery.