Australians, accustomed to escaping the summer heat in the cool mountains, are increasingly choosing Queenstown not only for the snow. The town, associated for decades with winter sports, is actively reorienting itself towards year-round tourism — and the first results are already noticeable.
International passenger traffic through Queenstown Airport has reached record levels, and trans-Tasman flights between New Zealand and Australia's east coast have exceeded pre-pandemic figures by 45 percent. Research by Tourism New Zealand shows that 67 percent of Australians considering a trip to New Zealand are ready to come in the off-peak season. Among the preferred periods, spring leads (42 percent), followed by summer (35 percent).
Infrastructure is responding to this demand. This month the new Kawarau Gorge Trail cycling route opens, which will add appeal to the warmer months. Skyline Queenstown is carrying out a large-scale redevelopment: the Stratosfare restaurant with its viewing platform and the 48-metre Vortex slide are already operating, and the full completion of the project is scheduled for the beginning of 2029. Wellness, gastronomy, wine tours, golf and hiking trails are being added to the traditional adventures.
Direct flights from Brisbane, launched by Air New Zealand and Jetstar in June, complement the year-round network of Qantas and Virgin Australia. This makes access easier for Australians seeking coolness when the heat sets in back home.
The Avani Queenstown hotel, which opened in September on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, has become a symbol of the changes. The former Oaks Shores Resort has undergone a complete reconstruction: it is now a full-fledged hotel with rooms and one-to-three-bedroom apartments, the AvaniSpa spa centre, a fitness room and the Six to Midnight restaurant, open from breakfast until late dinner. According to James Billing, general manager of Minor Hotels New Zealand, the investment took into account precisely Queenstown's evolution into a year-round destination.
New facilities and routes allow guests to stay in the mountains even without skis, combining active recreation with calmer formats. At the same time, Queenstown preserves its nature and scale, avoiding a sharp surge in mass tourism.
The success of the strategy will depend on how well the balance can be maintained between economic benefit and the preservation of the region's unique atmosphere.
