They’re areas recognized for winter sports activities, wine and the outside – however now, they’re additionally seen as ‘finest worth’ locations for eager travellers throughout the globe.
Southern Lakes and Central Otago each obtained point out in Lonely Planet’s ‘Greatest in Journey 2024’ below the ‘finest worth’ class, regardless of being generally often called costly areas.
Tourism operators don’t disagree with the classification both, with each Tourism Central Otago head of vacation spot Anthony Longman and Vacation spot Queenstown chief govt Mat Woods placing their reputation right down to a various alternative of actions which cater to completely different journey kinds.
“It’s nice to obtain this world recognition and consider that the award recognises the hassle our local people and companies put into delivering excellent experiences that not solely profit guests, but additionally our communities and surroundings,” mentioned Longman.
Woods informed 1News the areas are beloved by “adventurers and outside fanatics”, which had numerous do with the “distinctive panorama, the mountains for snowboarding and biking, and the lakes for water actions like fishing, kayaking, boating and swimming”.
However Longman mentioned: “As Lonely Planet recognized, worth is just not strictly being about {dollars}, however within the customer sense it’s the mixture of worth for cash, depth of the expertise, engagement with individuals and place, and a lot extra.”
Low price range journey ideas
So, the ‘finest worth’ classification might not be all about cash, however what about guests who do wish to restrict their spending?
Longman mentioned some low-cost actions included taking a dip on the lake or the native swimming swimming pools in summer time, having fun with an actual fruit ice cream, stocking up on recent produce on the weekly farmers markets, or choosing up seasonal fruit at an orchard stall.
“Pack a picnic and discover a scenic spot to get pleasure from.”
In the meantime Woods mentioned mountaineering and biking are “nice methods” to discover the area.
“A few of New Zealand’s finest walks and hikes are accessible from the area, many inside straightforward attain of Queenstown’s city centre. Whether or not it’s a brief stroll or a multi-day path, the area’s hikes are an effective way to attach with nature, breathe within the mountain air and expertise the unimaginable panorama.”
For these searching for a much less train centered exercise, Longman additionally recommends visiting a Tohu Whenua heritage web site: “Arrowtown, Bannockburn Sluicings, Hayes Engineering and Homestead and Otago Central Rail Path are all recognized as websites of significance.”
And after a day of experiencing all of the areas needed to supply, Woods really helpful trying out some price range pleasant native companies.
“When surrounded by world-class surroundings it could be a missed alternative to not seize a take-away chunk, sit on the lakefront and take within the views.
“Discount hunters can discover second hand outlets and pre-loved designer boutiques. Whereas Queenstown is legendary for its surroundings and actions, we now have an incredible collection of charity and classic outlets which aren’t solely inexpensive however sustainable too.”
Lastly, for these seeking to have an extended keep, Longman urged extending your vacation by becoming a member of the summer time workforce by choosing fruit, and staying on for the grape harvest.
“In an space finest recognized for its golf programs, winter sports activities and wineries, actions akin to biking, mountaineering and exploring the outside are free and accessible to all, across the in style Southern Lakes resorts of Queenstown and Wānaka, in addition to in Central Otago. In terms of biking, new trails are being opened and extra are being constructed. In a number of years bikers will be capable to journey from Queenstown to Dunedin on the east coast.”
By Taylor Rice
