TIME VISITED: December 2015 BUSY ? Yes
WEATHER: 75 🌤 REASON FOR VISIT: Views
WHERE TO STAY: Airbnb or Camp EXPENSIVE?: $$-$$$
I am from Michigan so Christmas time is almost always filled with snow, icy roads and people counting down the days left until summer. Everyone here is always saying next year we are going somewhere warm! Well I have an awesome idea for all of you. Buy a ticket to Queenstown. For people from the North a Christmas without snow is a bit odd but I can promise you won’t miss much celebrating Christmas day in the beautiful town of Queenstown. Swap out sledding for a barbecue on the beach and enjoy hiking, camping, water sports, kayaking, yummy food all while meeting people from all over the world!
BBQ ON THE BEACH
If you are looking for a party on Christmas head to the main beach in Queenstown. There will be people of all ages enjoying drinks and various barbecues on the beach. If you are visiting for more of a romantic or family trip just simply walk away from the congested part on the beach or a different beach, there are plenty of spots to enjoy a quieter Christmas around Queenstown!
WHERE TO STAY
You have a few options for accommodation, Queenstown has plenty of options for hostels but they can be up to $50 per person per night because they are so busy this time of year. If I were you I would rent an Airbnb or get a hotel room with friends, you will pay around the same for a really nice stay. If you want to get away from everyone there is an incredible campground just outside of Queenstown-I stayed here for two nights and loved it!
12 MILE DELTA CAMPGROUND
This is one of my favorite campsites I have ever stayed at, the camping fee is $13 a night and the camp warden and his family are super nice. I came here after a few crazy nights in Queenstown to relax and enjoy a day in my hammock and spend the night in my tent. The campground has 100 sites but it didn’t get loud and was quite peaceful. The stars were awesome from here!
My favorite view was when I was about to turn off to head down to the campsite.
WHERE TO EAT
There are two amazing places to get burgers in town: Fergburger and Devil Burger. Everyone will tell you to get Fergburger and it is amazing but I do think Devil Burger is comparable. My favorite at Fergburger was their Ferg Deluxe and favorite at Devil burger was the Mary’s Little Lamb. Both burger joints have great veggie options as well.
*Insider tip: Order pickup at Fergburger because the line will be out the door and around the block most days and most times (unless you go at 3/4 AM-they are open 8AM-5AM).
OTHER AWESOME PLACES TO EAT
- Rehab Smoothies
- Awesome for vegan and vegetarian fruity breakfast
- Vudu Cafe
- Great pastry selection and breakfast options, recent renovation
- Halo
- Great for breakfast, great tea selection
- My Thai
- Went here twice, great service, specials and fresh summer rolls!
- Fat Badgers Pizza Bar
- Enter their pizza challenge or split a giant pizza with new friends!
ACTIVITIES
HIKE BEN LOMOND
There are a couple different ways to start this track. You can walk from town the first hour or you can shave off that hour and take the Gondola up. I was looking to save as much money as I could so I hiked it. It is definitely challenging at times and the hike totals in 7 miles taking about 6-8 hours total, it may be a strenuous hike but the views are so worth it!
A few view points on this hike reminded me of Roy’s Peak (read more about that hike HERE) but the mountain peaks in the background are very different once you get a closer look.
Other Activities
- Queenstown Disc Golf
- Free to play if you have or own discs or you can rent them in town for $5
- Difficult 18 hole course with a lot of obstacles (trees!) (located in Queenstown gardens)
- Very beautiful course
- Queenstown Garden’s
- Free of cost
- So many different species of trees including sequoias!
- Rose Gardens bloom November-February. So many beautiful colors.
- You can start a walk to Franktown from here (2 hours)
- Kayaking
- Bungy Jump with AJ Hackett
- The Nevis is the highest bungy jump in NZ at 435 feet!
Have you been to Queenstown!? What was your favorite thing to do? Comment below!
