Wanna-Kapture shots of Wanaka
1. #ThatWanakaTree
It was a five minute walk along a pebbled path from our hotel to the Wanaka Tree. On the stroll, we spotted ice glistening on the tree trunks as the sun peeked in between the mountains with a golden orange. Do be careful as there were lots of dogs roaming freely without leashes, and plenty of joggers.
In winter, the Wanaka Tree had bare branches contrasted against the snowy peaks. The tree was surrounded by the lake water, so we admired it from a distance. There were photographers waiting patiently to take good shots of the tree.
Address: Roys Bay 59 Wanaka Mount Aspiring Road, Wānaka 9305, New Zealand
2. Lakeland Wanaka
Many hang around the lake to say hi to the ducks and recreational activities. Think you can ride a paddle-boat, kayak and more. This was honestly one of the more vibrant towns with a variety of shops clustered in the centre of town.
Address: 100 Ardmore Street, Wānaka 9305, New Zealand
2. Snack Shack Turkish Kebabs (Halal)
Parking was quite a challenge on Ardmore street. We parked slightly further from the Lake, but it was fate because we saw a halal kebab shop along those shophouses, which was perfect for brunch. A lamb kebab was NZ$13.50 each while a coke was NZ$5.
Address: 139 Ardmore Street, Wānaka 9305, New Zealand
The Crown Road to Queenstown
Crown Range Road Scenic Lookout
This was the highest main road in New Zealand at 1,121 meters above sea level, and also with really steep cliff road turns. It was definitely a challenging drive with hairpin turns.
But with high risk comes high returns, because the views on the road just kept getting better and better! There was a viewing point, which was also icy and had snow, a few families stopped and had fun snowball fights.
Address: Roaring Meg 9384, New Zealand
Five Mile Shopping Centre
It was a great pit stop for some Boost juice, supermarket runs and household or lifestyle goods, with a huge parking space. Some of the items here were cheaper than in the city centre.
Address: Grant Road, Frankton, Queenstown 9371, New Zealand
Things to do in Queenstown
Queenstown was our final stop, where we spent five days immersing ourselves in its renowned hub of activities.
Activities
We were initially unsure about whether to pre-book activities but ended up doing a mix of both. While online booking is convenient, you can also explore and book from physical shops in town, mostly located along the same street. Prices varied, with some activities being slightly cheaper and others more expensive compared to online rates, so do check what each package entails.
Booking directly in Queenstown may be better for longer stays or water-related activities and group tours. Thankfully, we pre-booked the activities on our must-do list, and they turned out to be unforgettable experiences! Some of these included:
1. Ski at The Remarkables
The Remarkables Ski Area, located 45 minutes away from Queenstown was our first skiing experience ever. We collected our ski cards in town the night before, and opted for the Ski Bus, which was highly recommended compared to driving up yourself. The roads up the mountains were another level of crazy with one way roads and cliffs. We booked for three pax initially, but easily got a refund at the counter.
The Remarkables caters to all riders. We booked a beginner class, so we spent the morning learning the basics, while we were free to ski along the beginner slopes under the coach’s supervision. We got a super athletic, experienced, and strict coach. Throughout the day, you had to wear a skii suit and we were perspiring so much, so do bring extra clothing in the locker. The bus back was full of body odour smells.
After queuing for skiing gear and outfits, we headed outside. Ski rests were available for convenience, avoiding the hassle of carrying snowboards and poles. The restaurant and café offered lunch options, though none were halal-friendly, and payments were entirely cashless.
The last bus from the Remarkables was 4.30pm. Think we spennt about NZ$558 for two pax.
Address: Coronet Peak & The Remarkables Ski Bus, 9 Duke Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
2. Aj Hackett – Nevis Swing
I mean, how can we skip this iconic activity, right?
We booked the Nevis Swing directly on their website, opting for the paired experience (though individuals can swing solo, as a young woman in our group did). Their service was excellent – funny, friendly, and reassuring, and they even offered a video discount due to the cloudy weather.
We first had to check in and the staff weighed us before we headed up the Bungy Bus together with the rest in the same timeslot. We drove past the bungy site to a higher-altitude area for the swing.
Once there, we donned harnesses and prepared for the swing. The toilets were clean, featuring charming bungy-themed designs. Walking along the metal structure that extended out the valley revealed clouds, mountains, and the river below, as we waited our turns.
We could choose the position when it was our turn – whether to sit forwards, backwards, opposite your partner or even upside down. It was definitely anxiety-inducing at the start because we did not know what to expect, and everyone else felt the same I think. Everyone had a blast – free-falling down 300m for a few seconds, across a canyon 160m over the Nevis River.
The canyon was too cold, so we headed back in earlier while waiting for the others. There were bean bags in front of the heater in the building, and we could see through the live stream of the rest who were on the swing still. We were gifted a certificate and commemorative cap for completing the swing.
Address: 27 Shotover Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
We heard about the beautiful “Eighth Wonder of the World” aka Milford Sound and obviously had to check it out. If you’re ever in New Zealand, a Milford Sound day trip is an absolute must. From the journey and commentaries to the destination, it’s an experience that leaves you breathless—in the best way possible.
Following a hearty hotel breakfast, our tour bus picked us up at 7.30am. The tour guide’s timing was right on schedule. After picking up all the guests from the respective pick-up points, the journey begins!
We embarked on a scenic five hour drive along one of the world’s most beautiful roads. The glass-roofed coach made it easy to soak in the view, from misty rainforests and rivers to rugged cliffs and snow-dusted peaks. The snow here was quite different from what we saw at Lake Tekapo, much harder and not as pristine.
We took a short break at Te Anau for morning tea/coffee. Along the way, the guide introduced as to some iconic locations, including the mountain that was used as the filming location of The Lord of the Rings. We also stopped for photos at the peaceful Mirror Lakes, where the still water created a perfect mirror of the mountains. Waterfalls of all shapes and sizes lined our route.
Speaking of waterfalls, Milford Sound was the coolest close-up experience with waterfalls. We finally arrived at Milford Sound after 12pm, where they served us packed lunch (we were able to request Muslim-friendly food beforehand) as we made our way to the cruise at the Marina.
The cruise journey through the fjord made you feel like a kid again, as you can get drenched under running waterfalls up-close. Everyone was slightly soaked but smiling – it was nature in its most natural state.
The cruise captain and tour guide both provided entertaining and informative commentary throughout, and helped us spot cute seals lazing around on the rocks and other wildlife. After the cruise, we hopped back on the coach, tired but completely awed by the beauty we had witnessed.
The last highlight of the tour was driving through the Homer Tunnel. It cuts through the Darran Mountain Range in Fiordland National Park, connecting Te Anau to Milford Sound. This one-way tunnel was very narrow and dimly lighted up, which felt pretty intense.
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The following activities were booked in town:
4. Skyline Queenstown (Gondola Ride + Luge + G Force Paragliding)
To get a birds’ eye view of Queenstown, take the Skyline Gondola, which ascends Bob’s Peak. You could also hike up, but nah. The gondola felt pretty scary because it was ascending almost 90 degrees up, but at the same time, the view was a good distraction. We bought the tickets right before going up the gondola. The queue was short. At the summit, step onto the outdoor viewing deck for stunning views, accompanied by strong winds, and visit the charming souvenir store.
Next, we enjoyed the Skyline Luge, which was more thrilling than most luge rides. The long, winding tracks allowed for fast rides with amazing scenery, and the sky lift itself was an adventure. A minimum of three rides is a must for the full experience!
We booked G Force Paragliding a few days in advance at a local shop. The paragliders shared their business took a hit during COVID-19, so we were actually the only ones that booked a slot for that day.
We went on a short uphill walk to the takeoff site , a downwards open field, and then did the tandem paragliding down. The view of Queenstown was sweet, and all the worries disappeared as you float in the air.
Address: 53 Brecon Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
5. Thrillzone Queenstown
We went to this place a couple of times to relieve our boredom at night since a lot of shops close early. We enjoyed the Putt’N’Glow Mini Golf, a unique mini-golf experience with glow-in-the-dark courses inspired by local sights, Race Car Simulator, a VR game.
The staff were cool too, because they helped adjust my phone recording while we were sweating it out at the VR station.
Address: 53 Shotover Street, Central Queenstown
6. NZONE Skydive Queenstown
We checked in and even watched the safety briefing, but unfortunately it was cancelled due to bad weather.
Address: 35 Shotover Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
Sightseeing and Shopping
1. Village Green
The area had beautifully manicured terraced lawns with Horne Creek flowing through and ducks swimming. This was probably where the community also hangs out too. Informational panels were planted around, narrating Queenstown’s rich history. The place overlooks the main shopping street, so we could easily walk over to the crowds after taking a peaceful break here.
Address: Athol Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
2. Queenstown Mall
Their idea of a mall here are shophouses along the same cobbled street. Stretching from Camp Street to the lakefront, it offers a diverse array of retail outlets, eateries, and entertainment options, making it a central hub for all. The crowd was definitely there, and it was fun seeing civilisation (and shopping!) after being on the road for hours.
If you are planning for souvenirs, they have quite a range of souvenir shops.
Address: Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
3. Main Town Pier
This is an iconic feature of Queenstown’s waterfront on Lake Wakatipu. Over the years, it has evolved from an industrial hub to a vibrant area offering various activities and attractions, including jetboating, a super cool hydro attack shark ride, and even a floating bar.
You can also find the cutest singing sheepdog name Happy, who busks together with his human pal. They have been singing there for at least six years, and everyone lighted seeing Happy as they passed by.
The place felt right at home like we were at Marine Parade or at Queenstown in Singapore. Who colonised us, really?
Address: Marine Parade, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
4. AS Colour Queenstown
I think this is a Kiwi brand known for its premium basics and minimalist designs. The Queenstown store offers a curated selection of men’s and women’s apparel, including t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, and accessories. The material was on the thick and sturdy side with nice shades.
There were also thrift stores and other shops along Shotover street. Do take your time to explore the area in the day!
Address: 27 Shotover Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
Food (Halal options available)
Fun fact: Their acai bowls are only made in the morning, and not available the whole day unlike in SG.
1. Gong Cha
Yes, Asians need their bubble tea. Was aesthetic to spot Gong Cha and drink hot milk tea with pearls in 5 degree weather. It was NZ-priced so it costed at least $6.
Address: Shop 4/36 Camp Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
2. Cookie Time Cookie Bar Queenstown
From what I’ve observed, the locals really like their cookies, chai, chocolates, and popcorn. Besides raiding their supermarkets for souvenirs, definitely had to get souvenirs from their iconic Cookie Time. This cookie was also served as a snack on Air NZ flights.
Address: 18 Camp Street Queenstown 9300
3. Patagonia Chocolate
Their vegetarian-friendly products are perfect for a treat as you stroll down the pier. You can also grab some to take home as souvenirs. Don’t miss the award-winning banana split ice cream.
Address: 2 Rees Street, Cnr of the Mall, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
4. Gatto’s Churros Bar
Eating freshly made hot churros dusted with cinnamon sugar and served with a variety of dipping sauces in cold weather was pretty good.
Address: 21 Marine Parade, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
5. Bolliwood (Halal)
We bought fish curry, butter prawn, butter chicken, naan, rice and drinks for about S$92. Their curry was a lot stronger and thicker than those in Singapore. We left the place smelling like curry, but worth it.
Address: 62 Shotover Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
6. Erik’s fish and chips (Halal)
This eatery specialise in traditional Kiwi fish and chips in Queenstown and Wanaka, with locally sourced fish options including Hoki, Dory, and Blue Cod. Their menu also features homemade chips, kumara chips, oysters, and gluten-free. Their food had halal certification!
In NZ, they serve the fish as a main, so you have to add on to get the chips. And you have to buy the sauces separately. Luckily, we brought our own chili packets. The seating area was in a container, which shielded us from the cold weather to eat comfortably while the kitchen is in the other container.
Address: 13 Earl Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
7. The Coffee Hatch + The Hangi Hole
Not sure how we found this place, but this was a pretty good cafe with creamy, delicious takeaway hot chocolate and coffee. There was also some fresh bakes on the shop beside it in the morning.
Address: Camp Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
It had been three years, but it seems like the memories are still fresh. Overall, the 100% Pure New Zealand was a 100% trip that I would go back to!
Uminsummer 