48 hours of indoor-outdoor winter flow in Queenstown!
The cool air is creeping in and the snow is tipping the mountain peaks here in Queenstown. And that means our favourite season is upon us – après-ski!
The iFLY team are an adventurous crew who love to hit the slopes like most of our Queenstown residents and visitors, but we’re also partial to an indoor skydive and a decent bite to eat once we’re all snowed out. So we’ve become quite the experts on what to do outside of a solid run downhill! Read on for a full weekend’s itinerary of Queenstown indoor must-do’s to wring every last drop of excitement out of this world-famous adrenaline hot spot!
DAY ONE:
Breakfast at Bespoke Cafe
Fly into Queenstown on a Thursday or Friday eve and kick start the next day with arguably “THE best coffee in town, hands down,” says our owner & managing director, Matt Wong. Bespoke Cafe offers a colourful menu that changes with the seasons, with quirky culinary adventures like Smoked Mackarel, Broccoli & Agria Croquettes. And we won’t judge you for caving and buying a whole Tunisian lemon cake to take back to the hotel…
Late morning indoor skydive at iFLY Queenstown
Not enough powder to warrant getting up the hill, or just enough rain to keep you indoors? We’ve got your morning escapades sorted. Book a Kickstart or Airborne indoor skydive with us on our website for a special 10% online discount, or treat the whole family with a Friends and Family Pack. Any one between 5 and 105 can enjoy this smooth cruise on a cushion of air! It’s the superhero moment that’ll rev the engines and burn through that lemon cake before the afternoon ahead.
Lunch at Cargo Brewery, Arthur’s Point
This crowd favourite of an eatery is on the way to Coronet Peak ski field. So if you’re able to sneak in some runs around the weather, or just want to soak in the après-ski atmosphere (whether you skiied or not is irrelevant), it’s a great choice for lunch and a bevvie. The kids will be able to stretch their wee legs with a run around on the sprawling property, and you’ll be able to rest yours thanks to the Instagrammable array of red bean bags.
Early evening activity: Escape Quest or Fear Factory
Rely on your mind and not your legs, with an escape room challenge! Set during Queenstown’s gold rush era of the 1860s, you’ll learn a lot and challenge yourself even more. Kids under the age of 7 are free at Escape Quest, so even if the hints are a bit hard for the young ‘uns, they’ll enjoy playing dress up and seeing themselves projected into the Victorian era on camera.
If you’re visiting us sans kids, or you’ve managed to lock in a babysitter, Fear Factory is also a fantastic option for indoor evening entertainment. Screams, squeals and jumps abound, with epic actors on staff and the eerie setting of a rather spooky vintage hotel. You can expect to be in and out in around half an hour or so, which means a comforting meal and calming drink isn’t too far off…
Dinner at The Cow (family friendly) or Madam Woos (date night treat)
We’d be remiss not to include tried-and-true restaurant super star, The Cow. It opened its doors in 1977 and has been serving soul food like rich spaghetti Bolognese to knackered snow sports enthusiasts ever since. Their crowd-pleasing pizzas will fill the kiddos’ bellies, and pineapple is an optional extra – so no arguments about flavours (though we’re Team Hawaiian too).
Managed to source that sitter for the night? Then keep the date night rolling after Fear Factory with an indulgent meal at Madame Woos. Tip: a Duck Rendang goes down well with a Lychee & Mint Spritz…
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- Photo Credit: Madam Woos
And for the real iFLY tip to make a good night great? Finish up at Little Blackwood for a Dance with the Devil and a late night nibble thanks to their custom cheese & meat boards. Trust us on this one.
DAY TWO:
Rise and shine, flyers!
Sleep off your night time antics before heading out for a ski or snowboard. Or if the peaks aren’t looking promising but the kids are rearing to go, head over to Queenstown Ice Arena. Their brightly coloured ice bumper cars are always a good time regardless of skill set, but donning skates and trying your hand at a friendly round of ice hockey is a creative way to keep the winter hobbies rolling. Haven’t manage to squeeze in your indoor skydive yet? There’s no time like the present…
Lunch bites at Ice Arena’s The Garden Bar or Pub on Wharf
When hunger eventually strikes after all that falling gliding about elegantly on ice, The Garden Bar right in Queenstown Ice Arena is a family (and dog) friendly option for a quick bite of a bacon butty. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a longer leisurely lunch with views to boot, Pub on Wharf is a fantastic option for the whole fam jam. It’s a ten minute picture-perfect walk from the arena, weather permitting. Their all day breakfast will warm you up and our pick is the unique avocado pea smash. The kids will absolutely love getting their hands on the sticky BBQ ribs and chips.
Round things off with the Skyline Gondola and a toast to the weekend
After a spot of shopping and generally enjoying our walkable town centre (if we do say so ourselves), head up our way again and hop on the Skyline Gondola. This is a quintessential Kiwi must-do, and for good reason: panoramic views and the thrill of the ride itself will keep every one of every age happy. Top it off with a Shirley Temple or something stronger at Stratosfare‘s bar at the top, and you’ve taken your Queenstown winter weekend from fun to fab with one simply-perfect, 5 minute gondola ride.
