Three weeks in New Zealand - 4/12 - 5/4/2024
Day 22-Exploring Queenstown-5/2/2024
From Queenstown Bay, we crossed the street and look up toward the hills, and there are rows of colorful houses tucked into the slopes. Their bright facades stand out against the deep green of the surrounding trees and the rugged mountain backdrop.
Queenstown Fallen Soldiers Memorial Arch, with the inscription “1914 – 1918 Service Above Self”, situated at the entrance to the Queenstown Gardens by Lake Wakatipu..
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The dates 1914 – 1918 refer to the period of World War I, commonly known as the Great War. The inscription “Service Above Self” honors the local men and women from the Queenstown district who put their duty and country before themselves
The memorial was unveiled on ANZAC Day, 25 April 1922, after fundraising began in March 1920. The town initially considered building a memorial playground, seen as “a place where children could ‘develop healthily’ while honoring the sacrifices made.” However, the community ultimately chose a more enduring and solemn form, a stone archway to serve as a poignant and permanent tribute
Standing between Marine Parade and Church Street, Lake Wakatipu and the Queenstown Bay Beach just a few steps away, while behind me the streets are lined with boutiques, cafés, and restaurants.
Marine Parade runs right along the waterfront, and is a favorite place for leisurely walks and lakeside views.
The Louis Vuitton store here is part of Queenstown’s reputation as a luxury destination, catering not only to outdoor adventurers but also to international visitors who come for high-end shopping and fine dining.
Further down Marine Parade is the Eichardt’s Private Hotel, the elegant, historic landmark by Lake Wakatipu. Its graceful Victorian façade still tells the story of Queenstown’s early days.
The building is one of Queenstown’s earliest buildings, connecting the gold rush era to modern-day tourism.
Located on Marine Parade, right along the Lakefront is a Bronze statue of William Gilbert Rees (1827–1898). He was an explorer, surveyor, runholder (sheep owner), and the first European to settle in the Wakatipu area. He and Nicholas von Tunzelmann were the earliest European settlers in the region, establishing what would become Queenstown in the early 1860s. Rees is often regarded as the town’s founding father. The statue is the work of artist Minhal al-Halabi, and it was cast and installed in March 2001.
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Rendered in bronze, the statue is slightly larger than life-sized. It features Rees in period attire, alongside a descriptive plaque bearing his name, his years of life (1827–1898), and a quote from his diary describing his first impressions of the land: “I saw an open country, not perfectly level, but broken by small hills and terraces; whilst a large lake or arm of a lake stretched away in the distance almost as far as the eye could reach. Rees settled in the area in 1861, building the first structures by Lake Wakatipu. After gold was discovered nearby in 1862, he converted his wool shed into the Queen’s Arms hotel, now known as Eichardt’s. Though he lost much of his original land to the gold rush developments, and received compensation, he went on to support the growing community by providing food, running a ferry service, and contributing to the construction of important local buildings, including St Peter’s Church
Lots of shops in this area.
Rees Street is one of Queenstown’s most lively and atmospheric streets, running parallel to the lakefront just behind Marine Parade. It’s named after William Gilbert Rees, the pioneering settler whose statue was by the waterfront. The street is lined by a mix of boutiques, outdoor gear shops, cafés, restaurants, and bars, which keep the street buzzing day and night. The buildings are low-rise, so as you look down the street you can still catch glimpses of the mountains rising dramatically in the background, most notably the jagged peaks of The Remarkables and the surrounding ranges that frame the town
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Walking along Mall Street in Queenstown during fall is a real treat. The street is lined with trees that have turned golden, amber, and deep red, creating a vibrant canopy that contrasts beautifully with the crisp blue sky. Looking up toward the hills, you can see houses perched on the slopes, many painted in bright, cheerful colors. Their placement on the hillside gives a layered effect, almost like a cascading painting, with trees and autumn foliage interspersed between the homes.
The Mountaineer is situated at the corner of Shotover, Rees, and Beach Streets, this historic structure has been a significant part of the town's architectural heritage. Originally constructed in the 1880s, the building was designed by architect Frederick W. Burwell. It served as the Mountaineer Hotel, a prominent establishment during Queenstown's early days. The hotel's name pays homage to the paddle steamer Mountaineer, which operated on Lake Wakatipu from 1879 until it was decommissioned during World War II.
The Mountaineer stands as a testament to Queenstown's rich history and its evolution from a gold rush settlement to a vibrant tourist destination. Its preservation and adaptive reuse underscore the community's commitment to honoring its past while embracing progress.
As we are looking above the sky we saw people paragliding. It is one of the most iconic adventure activities in the area.
Queenstown is often called the adventure capital of New Zealand, and the combination of high mountains, deep valleys, and the wide-open space above Lake Wakatipu makes it perfect for this kind of aerial display. From the ground, it looks almost like a colorful ballet in the sky, the red of the canopy contrasting against the blue lake and the rugged mountains behind.
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The red parachute is a paraglider wing, and the person performing flips is likely doing acro paragliding, a more advanced style where pilots can execute rolls, loops, and dynamic maneuvers in the air.
Queenstown gardens
Walking from downtown Queenstown to Queenstown Gardens is a lovely, short
stroll, just a few minutes from Marine Parade.
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The entrance of the Gardens from Park Street.
There are nobody there but us, so it felt like we had the gardens to
ourselves. There is a variety of trails in the garden with views of the
surrounding mountains and of Lake Wakatipu and the Frankton Arm as well as
Queenstown itself.
From the garden you can see the lake.
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A beautiful Holly tree with so many red berries.
Duck Pond is home to swans, ducks, and sometimes black swan chicks. It’s a peaceful spot, perfect for pausing and watching the water reflect the mountains in the distance. The duck pond is magical in the fall. The leaves on the surrounding trees turn fiery shades of gold, amber, and crimson, and the calm water acts like a mirror, perfectly reflecting that vibrant canopy.
Gazebos like this were often added to 19th-century parks for relaxation, social gatherings, or musical performances, so you can imagine visitors from decades ago enjoying the same serene views. From this spot, it’s a perfect vantage point to take in the gardens: the vibrant foliage, the still waters, and the mountains in the distance all come together.
Pathway inside the park. How gorgeous is this?
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Even in the fall, flowers are still blooming.
Beautiful purple Cosmos.
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Cosmos are flowering annuals that are easy to grow and they continue to flower through the fall.
View of the Duck Pond from another angle. This pond is one of the most photographed spots in the park. In addition to its calm waters, it features a water jet or fountain in the center, which adds movement and sparkle to the reflections. The pond is surrounded by large, mature trees, conifers, willows, and deciduous trees that are especially stunning in the fall when their leaves turn gold, amber, and red. The combination of towering trees, colorful foliage, and the fountain makes the pond a peaceful and striking centerpiece of the gardens.
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Bright purple Dahlias and Lady's glove.
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This giant sequoia is one of the park’s most striking tree. Giant sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum) are native to California and were introduced to New Zealand in the 19th century as part of a trend of planting exotic trees in public parks and estates. Planted in the 1860s–1870s: Many of the exotic trees in the gardens, including the giant sequoias, were planted soon after the park was established in 1867. The goal was both ornamental and educational, showing locals and visitors trees from around the world.
The Dog in the Pond is a playful bronze sculpture of a dog, often depicted mid-leap or standing in the water, capturing a sense of motion and curiosity. The placement in or near the pond makes it feel like the dog is interacting with the water, which adds a whimsical touch to the serene surroundings.
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The sculpture is part of the gardens’ collection of public art, intended to engage visitors of all ages. It brings a sense of fun and lightheartedness to the park, contrasting with the more formal memorials, fountains, and historic trees. n fall, the sculpture is framed by brightly colored leaves reflected in the water, making it a particularly picturesque spot for photos. Ducks and swans often swim nearby, enhancing the playful scene.
Queenstown Gardens’ historic white oak (Quercus alba or a similar species). Many of the large oaks in the gardens were planted in the late 19th century, soon after the park’s establishment in 1867. Given the size of the trunk and the length of the branches, this tree could easily be 120–150 years old. The combination of red and yellow leaves with bare branches is typical in the fall, as the tree prepares for winter. The long, sprawling branches indicate decades of steady growth, as the tree had ample space and good conditions to expand outward and upward. Trees like this oak are considered landmark specimens in the gardens. They provide shade, habitat for birds, and a striking seasonal display, as well as a living connection to the early days of Queenstown’s community planning
As we continued on the edge of the park, we can see the Remarkables mountains rise dramatically in the background and Lake Wakatipu stretches out below. These spots are ideal for photos or just taking a moment to soak in the scenery.
We are approaching the Rose garden which is one of the park’s most charming features. The rose garden was established in the early 20th century, likely around the 1920s, as part of ongoing improvements to the gardens after their founding in 1867. It was designed to add formal beauty, fragrance, and color to the park, complementing the larger trees and open lawns.
Many hardy varieties of roses can continue to bloom into the fall, especially in Queenstown’s mild autumn climate. This means we can still enjoy bright, vibrant flowers even as other trees display autumnal reds, oranges, and gold's.
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The rose garden is not only a visual highlight but also a popular spot for photography, weddings, and quiet strolls. The contrast of colorful roses against the backdrop of the lake, mountains, and surrounding gardens creates a particularly picturesque scene.
Tree-Lined Walkways shaded by towering conifers, willows, and deciduous trees. In the fall, leaves turn shades of gold, amber, and red, creating a vibrant canopy overhead.
Along the walk, there are small sculptures, plaques, and war memorials, including reminders of local history and contributions to the community. These add character and a sense of place to the gardens.
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The Scott Memorial unveiled in 1913 is a tribute to Robert Falcon Scott and the men who died during the Antarctic expedition of 1912. The expedition was most famous for Captain Scott's team reaching the South Pole and all perishing on the return journey. The expedition also had other wide ranging ambitions and achievements.
We passed by a pine grove, a section is dense with tall conifers, which create a cool, shaded corridor contrasting with the open lawns and flowerbeds elsewhere in the gardens. The scent of pine is strong here, adding to the sensory experience as you walk.
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As we stepped down a wooden stairs giving us access to the lakefront of Lake Wakatipu. These stairs are built to connect the higher garden paths to the shoreline, giving visitors close-up views of the water.
From this vantage point, you can see how the gardens slope gently toward the lake, making it feel like the park blends seamlessly into the natural landscape. What an incredible view with the contrast between the towering pines above and the sparkling lake below makes this a particularly scenic and peaceful spot to pause.
What an amazing view! Lake Wakatipu stretches out in a long, winding S-shape, with its deep, clear waters reflecting the sky and surrounding peaks.
The lake is framed by dramatic mountain ranges. To the east rise the Remarkables, with jagged peaks that catch the sunlight, showing sharp contrasts of shadow and stone. To the west and north, other forested ranges slope down to meet the lake, their lower slopes dotted with houses and autumn-colored trees. Snow can often be seen on the higher peaks, even in fall, adding a crisp white contrast to the warm autumn tones below.
The shoreline gently curve and it is so quiet here that we really enjoyed walking here.
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It is very windy near the weather so that's why we had to wear our hoodies for warmth.
We did a whole tour of the garden and we are now leaving the park.
We are walking along a pathway lined with Chinese hawthorn trees (Crataegus pinnatifida). These trees are known for their bright orange to red fruits, which often persist well into fall and early winter, adding vibrant color to the landscape. Crataegus pinnatifida is native to China and East Asia, but it has been planted in parks and gardens worldwide as an ornamental tree. Its attractive fruit, fall color, and manageable size make it popular for lining walkways or framing gardens.
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The trees are typically medium-sized with upright growth, and their fruits cluster along the branches. In addition to the fruit, the foliage can turn warm shades of yellow, orange, and red in autumn, making the pathway especially picturesque
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We are now exiting the Park and along the way the colorful foliage are so pretty in the fall.
NEXT... Dinner at Sherwood