By: Bec Robertson
The Headspace and Bass Movement has drawn inspiration from many days spent in the natural wonderland that is Queenstown, New Zealand. There is an ethereal energy about Queenstown that comes from its “majestic mountains and shimmering lakes“. The forest scenes are spectacular and otherworldly. You can easily lose track of time as you take in the scenic masterpieces that appear around every corner.
When the leaves start to change colour in Autumn, it is almost as if nature is showing off just how incredible mother earth truly is! With flowing rivers, golden landscapes and breath-taking sunsets, the Autumn days in Queenstown are life changing.
With such a dramatic background, Queenstown is the perfect place to take stock. For those wanting the most epic setting for transformational vacations, Queenstown is your place. And if you want the perfect itinerary, Destination Queenstown has the edge on Queenstown experiences that are sure to refresh the mind and the soul. We interviewed DQ to bring you the insider’s guide to Queenstown wellness and nature activities. As incoming DQ CEO, Paul Abbot, says:
“Queenstown is a very special place I agree and one which has a very well-established position in the hearts and minds of travellers and aspiring travellers. The team at DQ are incredibly passionate about showcasing the many attractions and reasons to spend time in the region and are well experienced in regard to the messaging and stories that are there to be told.”
HB: Queenstown is the adventure capital of the world, but it also hosts a multitude of beautiful retreats, yoga centres, healthy cafes and nature based opportunities to reconnect. How does an ideal ‘wellness’ day look for a visitor to Queenstown?
DQ: Welcome to New Zealand’s alpine wellness retreat on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, a place rich in natural beauty and breathtaking wilderness where you can unwind, indulge, and explore at your leisure. Pamper yourself at a luxurious day spa, try a local yoga class, rejuvenate on an extended retreat, or simply reconnect with yourself on a local hike or leisurely bike ride through stunning scenery. Queenstown’s cafes and restaurants serve up the highest quality local produce catering to all needs and requirements, so you can be sure you’ll leave feeling completely nourished from within.
Start the day with an early morning yoga class at Nadi Wellness Centre located in Queenstown’s downtown. Good food is an integral part of holistic wellbeing so make sure you follow the class with a visit to Bespoke Kitchen or Yonder café for a healthy breakfast/brunch. Bespoke Kitchen’s Breakfast Board, which includes a house made Kombucha shot, poached eggs on toast, greens and a chia pot topped with fresh fruit, is a great way to get you going. Yonder Café is also a great spot for those with dietary preferences or specific health requirements. Their Vegan Scramble goes down a treat.
From breakfast, its time to explore the stunning scenery. The Queenstown Trail is a 130km network of cycling and walking tracks that run throughout the region taking you all the way from downtown Queenstown out to Kelvin Heights, Jack’s Point, Arrowtown and Gibbston. Local bike hire companies have a great selection of bikes, including plenty of e-bikes. They also run shuttle pick-ups throughout the day, so if you find you’ve been over-ambitious it’s easy to organise a pick up along the trail.
If you don’t feel like exerting too much energy, it’s also more than possible to explore Queenstown’s magnificent landscapes without breaking a sweat. Nearby towns of Arrowtown and Glenorchy provide ample opportunities to immerse yourself in the scenery at a leisurely pace. Arrowtown is located an easy 25-minute drive from downtown Queenstown. The historic former gold mining town is rich in heritage and many relics remain from the town’s early days including the Chinese Mining Village located on the banks of the Arrow River. Wander the streets and treat yourself to a coffee or lunch, check out the local galleries and indulge in some retail therapy. Or take the 45minute scenic lakeside drive to Glenorchy, a true slice of New Zealand paradise. Located at the edge of Mount Aspiring and Fiordland national parks and surrounded by magnificent snow-capped mountains, pristine lakes and rivers, and ancient beech forests, the frontier town of Glenorchy has provided the backdrop for many films, including The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings and its easy to see why.
Late afternoon it’s time to relax and reflect with a massage or beauty treatment at a local spa, or a hot tub with an incredible view. Onsen Hot Pools’ private cedar-lined hot pools, located above the Shotover River Canyon, are the perfect spot to relax in while you take in the scenery. Afterwards, treat yourself to dinner at one of Queenstown’s over 150 bars and restaurants. Restaurants such as Sherwood, The Bunker, Rata and Ivy & Lola’s pride themselves on using seasonal and local produce and their drinks menus heavily feature locally made wine and beer.
For those who wish to extend their Queenstown retreat, Aro Ha Wellness and Camp Glenorchy offer 3-7 day extended retreats which give you the time to truly rejuvenate and reconnect amongst Queenstown’s incredible alpine scenery.
HB: One feature of Queenstown is that you can be immersed within nature just by stepping outside your hotel room. From the Botanic Gardens to the Tiki Trail, you only need to walk 5 minutes from town to breathe in the natural landscape. What are the top three hikes for someone who wants to walk straight off the plane into a nature wonderland?
DQ recommends:
3 – Lake Hayes Trail
The Headspace and Bass Movement says “we can’t wait to get back to the forests, the mountains, the alpine scenery and, of course, the lake. See you soon Queenstown!!”
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