When I think of a girls weekend away, I think good food, excess wine, beauty treatments, dancing to cheesy 80’s music and endless amounts of girly banter that you just can’t get away with in a room full of guys. Agree?
But, a girl’s weekend is even better when you get to fly away from the boys and Queenstown, on NZ’s beautiful South Island is the perfect option.
Here are my top 10 reasons why Queenstown is the best spot for a girlie weekend:
1. It’s cheap to get there!
Queenstown is ultra accessible and there are about 4-5 flights departing from Australian capitals most days. Plus it’s only three hours- that’s nothing!
| Hot Tip: Keep an eye out on the sale fares, usually once one carrier has a sale, the others won’t be far behind. Check all the current cheap flights to Queenstown. |
2. The wine is amazeballs
If you don’t do anything else but a wine tour in Queenstown you have your priorities right. There are so many beautiful wineries fairly close by and if you take a tour for the day, it’s even better as the designated driver battle is no longer an issue! One of my faves is Amisfield Winery, located overlooking Lake Hayes. It’s a beautiful setting for a long lunch or an extended cheese platter and tasting, the latter being the option we always decide on 🙂
3. You can shop!
I don’t know what it is, but every time I visit Queenstown I just love the shopping. I always end up finding little treasures that I must ignore in the big city. Head to Arrowtown for boutique-style shopping. There are so many little cute shops throughout the main street; you’ll easily spend a morning there.
4. There’s great nightlife
Queenstown has a great selection of nightlife, from intimate wine and cocktail bars to crazy table dancing at Winnies (which is just about as famous as Fergburger when you mention Queenstown to any previous 18+ visitor.) Trust me, there’s something to please even the fussiest group of girls.
5. Good accommodation
Queenstown has so many accommodation options and because of the group attractions here, there are a lot of apartments or bigger style hotel rooms perfect for girl’s weekends. We stay at The Heritage Queenstown, an iconic hotel situated just up the hill from the town centre in Fernhill. The rooms are really comfortable, roomy and have balconies that look over the stunning lake. The hotel’s facilities include an indoor/outdoor pool, spa, gym and restaurant. Pretty much everything we need!
6. Food
Food is not hard to come by in Queenstown and one of my favourite places to eat is The Boat Shed Cafe & Bistro. Near Frankton, it’s a beautiful spot that serves delicious food and drinks. Most of the local wineries also serve up really great nosh and in the town centre, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
7. You can walk off calories
Queenstown has some really great walking tracks. My tip is go on a leisurely stroll with the girls and just see where you end up. You’ll be blown away by the views and you’re also sure to find an awesome spot for a coffee or wine beside Lake Wakatipu.
8. There are SO many things to do
Queenstown is the ideal spot to get your adventure on so book yourself in for something extreme and brag to the boys when you get home! My suggestions would be the world renowned bungy, a jet boat ride, or if you’re up for something less scary, try a trip on the famous Earnslaw over to Walter Peak.
9. Girl time is the best time
Girls weekends are the perfect opportunity to indulge in beauty treatments. Plus they’re uber fun to do in a group! We book a beauty session with local make-up artist Janine Joseph. Throughout the session, she gives us tips and tricks, shows us a couple of different looks and critiques our basic skills. I genuinely recommend this, we all learn so much and I will definitely be keeping this idea up my sleeve for the next girl’s weekend.
10. Queenstown is just one place
Explore a little further than just Queenstown itself. Make sure you head out to Lake Hayes, Arrowtown and Jacks Point to take a look around and take in the views. You will be in awe, I promise!