Hayley and Chris Scott

Head to Coronet Peak for Mountain Biking on some spectacular bike trails. You can bomb it downhill on the Hot Rod trail or traverse across Coronet face into the Bush Creek trail that ends in Arrowtown, and where you can enjoy a well-earned beer at The Fork and Tap. We also recently completed the Lake Dunstan Trail with She Bikes He Bikes. The trail went right along the side of the lake, with plenty of places to stop off.

We like to visit Country Lane Queenstown, a quirky little boutique retail precinct that has recently opened and showcases inspiring local artisans. You can spend ages wandering around admiring the gorgeous bespoke jewellery, art, pottery, vintage clothing, books and plants. It’s such an awesome addition to Queenstown.

You can’t go past Arrowtown in autumn. The trees are stunning at that time of the year, and you can walk along the river, look in the shops or grab a coffee. The kids are obsessed with The Remarkables Sweet Shop, of course. But for the adults, stop in at ​Amisfield Vineyard or Akarua Wines and Kitchen for wine or lunch.

There are so many walking trails down here it’s hard to pick just one. One of our favourites with the kids though is to start in Kelvin Heights and head out to Jack’s Point. You get a bit of everything - forest, lake, flats and hills - and the views are next-level.

Or, walk up Queenstown Hill and take in the sights at the Basket of Dreams. There’s no escaping the uphill trek, but there’s a fairy garden halfway for the kids to explore and for the adults to catch their breath.

Kamana Lake House would be our pick for a blissful staycation. Enjoy a soak in a hot tub and unwind with a glass of local pinot noir for some time out. Set high up on the hill, the views are magnificent.

If you’re lucky enough to be in town when The Lab Kitchen NZ are slinging burgers, then you must get there! You’ll have to follow them on Instagram to find out where they will be next, and the trick is to order ahead. They sell out fast!

When we did the fit-out at the Sherwood, we worked with local artisans to design wall hangings and artwork. We’re a community hotel, so it’s a real hub for creatives; there are always people around who inspire with what they do. Plus, the Sherwood Garden—seeing what is growing gets us excited and keeps us creative. That’s our happy place!

Head out to Gibbston Valley to visit the vineyards. One of our favourites is Mount Edward Winery, where they make the most incredible natural wines. You have to book for a private tasting, but it is well worth it. Duncan is a local legend and has many stories to tell - as well as his delicious wines.

Ziptrek Ecotours is on our ‘hit list’ with the kids. A company that shares our ethos of regeneration and sustainability and also offers the chance to fly through the trees at speed—why wouldn’t you?!

Take a stroll along Lake Wakatipu and have a beer with the locals at Altitude Brewing. The beer is outstanding, the chat is great and there is always a food truck to keep you well-fed. They do interesting brews that reflect the seasons—we personally love their hazy, but their sours are also popular.