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Exploring Queenstown City Center: A leisurely walking tour

Exploring Queenstown City Center

Let me tell you about our tour in Queenstown City Center!

We stayed for nine days and went on awesome day tours to nearby places. But we also had downtime to explore this incredible city. 

Queenstown is a gem, with the stunning Wakatipu Lake and Remarkable range as its backdrop. We took a leisurely walk, hit cool cafes, and tried out famous restaurants for mouthwatering dishes. 

Then we spend some time for a lakefront stroll—it’s so unwinding with the breeze and the ducks gliding by, sometimes even getting up close and personal. 

Exploring Queenstown City Center

Queenstown Gardens (2)-01s, Exploring Queenstown City Center

Here’s a rundown of a typical day to chill in Queenstown Center. We simply enjoyed a laid-back day with no specific plans or tours. It was all about relaxation and going with the flow.

Trust me, and you’ll love it!

1. We stayed at Colonial Village Motel

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Let me tell you about our amazing stay at Colonial Village Motel in Queenstown. Not only was it reasonably priced, but the view of Lake Wakatipu was breathtaking. 

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I mean, words can’t even describe it! The window and balcony gave us the most incredible views, even better than some famous photography spots. Check out these photos—I’m sure you’ll be amazed too!

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Our room was pretty sweet too. It had an ensuite bathroom that was spotlessly clean. They even had heaters in both the room and the bathroom. That exceeded our expectations, especially during that chilly early winter weather. 

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They had cooking facilities with microwaves and induction stovetops. Plus, they provide free coffee and tea, something not every motel will provide.

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Certainly, they covered the essentials: wifi and TV, just as expected.

Watch the video we shot at Queenstown City Center. It is at the end of this article. 👇👇

2. Walk around the city of Queenstown

After breakfast in our room, we decided to stroll down to downtown Queenstown. It’s only about a twenty-minute walk, but no worries if you’re not up for it! You can hop on the city bus for just two NZD and go anywhere within the city.

Our motel is only three stops from the city center, so it’s super convenient. The scenery along the way was so captivating that we lost track of time. Before we knew it, we found ourselves right in the heart of this enchanting city.

We decided to embark on a hike up Queenstown Hill, conveniently located on the outskirts of the city center. You can find all the details about our adventure in this article

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The hike lasted around three hours, and once we descended, we treated ourselves to the legendary Ferbberger. To learn more about this renowned burger spot, check out our article on the top restaurants in Queenstown.

Booking.com

3. Landmarks and notable spots of Queenstown City

After a delicious lunch, we leisurely strolled through the town, capturing photos of significant landmarks and notable spots.

Check out the following collection of random photographs we took while wandering around the city center. Everywhere we turned, there was something picturesque to capture, and the sheer beauty of this tourist hotspot blew us away. 

Take a look!

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Next to the King Made Noodles and Brazz Steakhouse Bar and Grill is the village green of Queenstown.

Diagonal to the Village Green is the previous Old Library. The Old Library building was constructed in 1877. The Queenstown Borough Council has been the guardian of the building. It is listed as a Category 1 Historic Place by Heritage New Zealand and QLDC.

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St. Peter’s Anglican Church in Queenstown is a stunning stone building often captured in photographs. It is situated in a grassy and park-like environment, adding to its beauty. It is on Church Street, just a minute’s from Blue Kanu Restaurant.

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In addition to these stunning buildings, make sure not to overlook the renowned Patagonia Chocolates – Ice Creamery & Chocolaterie located on Marine Parade. Their ice cream and chocolate creations are well-known and a must-try for anyone visiting Queenstown. 

patagonia

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Right in front of Patagonia is the Statue of William Rees, an explorer, surveyor, and early settler in Central Otago, New Zealand. 

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After that, we walked to the  Stanley Street Bus Hub, hopped on a bus, and returned to Colonial Motel to unwind and recharge. 

4. From the Frankton Track to downtown Queenstown

Franton track, Exploring Queenstown City Center

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At around 4 pm,  we went to Blue Kanu Restaurant for an early dinner. However, we opted for a leisurely walk along the Frankton Track to reach the restaurant instead of taking the bus. The track is just opposite the road in front of Colonial Village Motel.

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This scenic track follows the lakeside, passes through Queenstown Garden, and eventually leads back to the city center. If you’re short on time during your visit to Queenstown, taking this track will give you a glimpse of what the numerous other tracks in the area offer.

Watch the video we shot during our trip to 👇👇Queenstown City Center.

We also upload a video we shot during our trip to Queenstown City. Please click the image below to bring you to our YouTube channel (shot in high definition!). You may also want to check out our visit to Queenstown Gardens and Milford Sound.