Restaurants
These spots near Cardrona offer delicious food, local flavors, and welcoming atmospheres, perfect for enjoying the best of the region.
Cardrona Hotel – Cardrona
The Cardrona Hotel is a historic pub with a cozy atmosphere. It offers hearty meals like New Zealand lamb and venison, along with local vegetables. The outdoor garden is perfect for enjoying a meal with mountain views.
La Rumbla – Arrowtown
La Rumbla serves Spanish-inspired dishes with a local twist. The restaurant offers a variety of tapas, featuring fresh seafood and meats. It’s a lively place with a great selection of wines.
Amisfield Bistro – Lake Hayes
Amisfield Bistro is known for its “Trust the Chef” menu, which changes daily based on fresh local ingredients. The vineyard setting adds to the experience, and their wines are a perfect match for the food.
Sight-seeing
These attractions showcase the rich history, stunning landscapes, and unique experiences that make Cardrona a special place to visit in New Zealand.
Crown Range Road – Queenstown
The Crown Range Road is the highest main road in New Zealand and offers some of the most scenic drives in the country. The road connects Cardrona with Queenstown and provides spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
The Wanaka Tree – Wanaka
The Wanaka Tree, famously known as the “Tree in the Lake,” stands as an iconic symbol of New Zealand’s natural beauty. Nestled in the serene waters of Lake Wanaka, this solitary willow tree captivates visitors with its picturesque charm, especially at sunrise and sunset.
Bannockburn Sluicings – Cromwell
Just a short drive from Cardrona, the Bannockburn Sluicings is a historic site that offers a glimpse into New Zealand’s gold mining past. Visitors can explore the rugged landscape, walk the trails, and learn about the gold rush era.
Activities
Immerse yourself in the outdoors with world-class mountain biking, hiking trails, and winter sports in a breathtaking alpine landscape.
Cardrona Alpine Resort – Cardrona
Cardrona Alpine Resort is one of New Zealand’s top ski destinations, offering skiing and snowboarding during the winter months. In the summer, visitors can enjoy mountain biking, hiking, and stunning alpine views.
Cardrona Distillery – Cardrona
Located in the heart of the valley, Cardrona Distillery is a must-visit for whiskey and spirits enthusiasts. Visitors can take a guided tour of the distillery, learn about the craft of spirit-making, and enjoy tastings of their award-winning products.
Glendhu Bike Park – Wanaka
Nestled in stunning alpine scenery, near Wanaka, Glendhu Bike Park offers a variety of mountain bike trails. With over 30 kilometers of well-maintained singletrack, the park features flowing descents, technical challenges, and breathtaking views of Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountains.
Roys Peak – Wanaka
Roys Peak offers one of the most iconic views in New Zealand. Located near Wanaka, this popular hiking trial provides stunning panoramic views of Lake Wanaka, the surrounding mountains, and the Southern Alps. The trail is a challenging ascent but rewards hikers with breathtaking scenery, especially at sunrise and sunset.
Hook Wanaka – Salmon Fishing
Hook is a unique lake to plate salmon fishing and restaurant attraction in Wanaka, nestled in the heart of New Zealand’s Southern Lakes. It offers the only interactive fishing experience in the region, where visitors can catch their own salmon and have it prepared fresh on-site.
Scenic Flights
Discover the beauty of Queenstown and Wanaka with a scenic flight over the Southern Alps. Get a unique perspective of the rugged peaks and pristine lakes that define this stunning region of New Zealand.
Roys Peak – Wanaka
Crown Range Road – Queenstown
Scenic Flight – Southern Alps