Surrounded by magnificent mountains and the Lake Wakapitu, Queenstown is a stunning location. Plus, from ziplines to wine-tasting to golfing discover the feast of activities Queenstown has to offer, and whether it would suit you to call it home.
With a choice of skiing to skydiving to fill your days, Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the world. In New Zealand’s South Island, set on Lake Wakaptiu and surrounded by mountains, it is also breathtakingly beautiful. Plus, discover the softer side to Queenstown of leisurely country walks and wine-tasting. Here are ten reasons why your dream home could be in Queenstown, New Zealand…
1. Queenstown truly lives up to the status of being the adventure capital of the world
Could bungee jumping be your new pastime?
The “adventure capital of the world” is not just a name that has been slapped on by marketers, Queenstown truly lives up to it. If you are an adrenaline junkie, there is no better place to provoke an inner thrill. From quad biking to whitewater rafting to canyoning, there’s plenty of adventure to enjoy. Get to know your new home by racing through the treetops via zipline. Get to know its lakes and rivers by speeding through on a jetboat. And for a real heart racer, you can skydive from 15,000 feet. With a property in Queenstown, bungee jumping might become one of your regular pastimes. Queenstown is home to the highest in all of New Zealand, the Nevis, at 134m.
2. Gibbston Valley
Pinot Noir, anyone?
It may be that your partner is the adrenaline junkie, and that while they’re busy diving from ridiculous heights, you’d like to be with your feet firmly flat on earth, relaxed, pinot noir in hand. Or, you might even be the couple that like to do both together. Located just twenty minutes from Queenstown, you’ll find the gorgeous Gibbston Valley. It is New Zealand’s largest wine cave and the region’s oldest wine region. Here, you can taste some of the delicious wine and even go for bike tours along the Kawarau River. There’s also a shop, restaurant, lodge and spa, and a cheesery and deli.
3. Fantastic options for hikers
Take in the view at the top of Ben Lomond.
If you like your feet to be on the earth but moving – and maybe faced with a steep slope or two, Queenstown is ideal. The most famous peak to climb in Queenstown is Ben Lomond (named after the one in Scotland by a shepherd long ago). This Ben Lomond sits at 1,785 metres. Taller still, and easiest to see from Queenstown itself, is Cecil Peak at 1,978 metres. While the trickier Walter Peak suits more experienced hikers.
4. The best place to ski in NZ
the Remarkables Ski Area.
If you are a skiing fan and feel frustrated by the seasonality of the sport, take advantage of the upside-down weather in New Zealand (well, it’s not upside down to them) and head from your holiday in the Dolomites or the Three Valleys to your home in Queenstown. You can ski from June through to October here! Queenstown is home to four world-class skiing resorts, the Coronet Peak Ski Area, the Remarkables Ski Area, Cardrona Alpine Resort and Treble Cone. The resorts are suited to all abilities.
5. A place to embrace your inner Bilbo Baggins
Skippers Canyon.
The Lord of the Rings was famously filmed in New Zealand and Queenstown does not disappoint with its filming locations. Kawarau Gorge played the River Anduin, Skippers Canyon was where Arwen was confronted by the Black Riders at the Ford of Bruinen. While you can get a tour guide to show you the sights, it’s also possible to have a look for yourself following online advice.
6. Great choice of golf courses
If you envision your weekends or retirement, in the sunshine, playing golf, Queenstown is the perfect place to search for property. Often described as one of the most picturesque golf courses in the world, Queenstown Golf Course is surrounded by the majestic Lake Wakatipu. While the 18-hole Millbrook Golf Course was designed to be especially challenging by the champion New Zealand golfer Sir Bob Charles. Queenstown also hosts the New Zealand Open in February – March.
7. Vibrant nightlife
Enjoy the nightlife near your new home!
Whether you prefer nights made for wine and gossiping or on your feet, feeling the beat of the music, Queenstown has your back. Gin drinkers should try the Gin Garden, Queenstown’s first boutique gin tasting room, with the pure water used in distillery sourced from the Southern Alps. While those after novelty (and perhaps a welcome break on a summer’s day), Below Zero is Queenstown’s coolest bar (pun intended) and offers an ice sculptured bar. If you are a sports fan, you’ll feel at home at the Locker Room Sports Bar. While a favourite for live music and DJs is Vinyl Underground.
8. A buoyant property market
According to the most recent data provided by Informetrics, as of June 2023, the average house value in the Queenstown-Lake district is $1,672,233. This is up 1.9% compared to the year before. Its growth was also higher than that of New Zealand as a whole, -11.1%.
9. A safe place to live
Queenstown has a safe, family-friendly atmosphere.
New Zealand often scores well in the Global Peace Index and 2023 was no different. It came in as the 4thsafest country to live. By contrast, the UK isn’t even in the top ten – it scored 37th place. Moreover, Queenstown is frequently listed among the safest places to live in New Zealand. So, you would own a home in one of the safest places in one of the safest countries in the world.
10. Work opportunities
If you are thinking of moving to New Zealand on a working holiday visa, suited to those aged 18-30, which enables you to stay in the country for up to 36 months, there is plenty of work available. The tourism, hospitality and retail industries are booming in Queenstown, as is construction.
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