The Queenstown Times
News, guides & local updates from the Adventure Capital
Ski season opens in four weeks: 2026 dates for all four major fields
Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona and Treble Cone all targeting mid-June openings. Snow guns are already running on the lower trails.
💡 Mid-June is the cheapest week of the entire ski season — book accommodation by end of May for the best rates.
Read full story📰 Local Updates
Ski season opens in four weeks: 2026 dates for all four major fields
💡 Mid-June is the cheapest week of the entire ski season — book accommodation by end of May for the best rates.
Read update
First snow watch: Mount Aurum dusted overnight
💡 The next two weeks are the rare sweet spot — autumn colour below, fresh snow on the peaks, lake walks still warm at midday.
Read updateTonight: NZ's biggest energy debate, six politicians on one stage
💡 If you can't attend in person, the gondola and lakefront are unusually quiet during the 2:15–4:30pm debate window.
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Drive to Glenorchy: peak larch colour, last four days
💡 Last 4 days for peak larch colour. Mid-morning light + Mrs Woolly's bacon and egg pie = perfect autumn morning.
Read update📖 Travel Guides
The Easiest Way to Find a Room or Ride in Queenstown
Moving to Queenstown or planning an extended stay? Finding a room or a shared ride is one of the biggest challenges — until now. Here's how the Queenstown Tourism rooms and rides platforms work.
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10 Hidden Gems in Queenstown Most Tourists Miss
Everyone knows about bungy jumping and jet boats, but Queenstown has a quieter, more surprising side. Here are 10 hidden gems that most visitors walk right past.
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The Ultimate Milford Sound Road Trip Guide
The drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound is one of New Zealand's great road trips. Here's your complete guide to the route, stops, timing, and what to expect.
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Queenstown on a Budget: Save Without Missing Out
Queenstown has a reputation as expensive, but smart travellers can experience the best of the adventure capital on a budget. Here's how to save without missing out.
Read guideMore Stories
First snow watch: Mount Aurum dusted overnight
Tonight: NZ's biggest energy debate, six politicians on one stage
Drive to Glenorchy: peak larch colour, last four days
Electrify Queenstown opens today — free community day at the Events Centre
The Fergburger story: how a Shotover Street takeaway became a global pilgrimage
Sunday in Arrowtown: the autumn farmers market and the last of the golden light
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