Queenstown, New Zealand is the epitome of a classic tourist town. We started our journey with Ultimate Hikes here and ended it as well. By start I mean we boarded a bus that took us to the hiking destination. I wish we had a little more time to spend touring around but here is what we were able to squeeze in during that last day in New Zealand.
I’ll also mention we visited during the New Zealand summer months which begins in December. The weather was still a little chilly and rainy during that time.
Healthy Breakfast in Queenstown
After Traveling New Zealand for nine days and eating super heavy (albiet, good) food, my husband and I were dying for something light and healthy. That was our goal when we started out the morning in Queenstown. Luckily for us, we found this little gem of a juice bar in the heart of Queenstown, New Zealand on the South Island. I could hardly wait to give it a try.
I am just one of those people that always needs an addiction, so the name itself resonated with me. My newest (healthy) addiction is fresh and whole food. That’s the way it should be, right? There are far worse addictions to have…..and I’ve had a few…like coffee. With bowls, juices and wraps to choose from, there is something for everyone.
Sticking to a healthy meal plan can be a challenge because let’s be honest, staying healthy is the furthest thing on our mind when we’re having fun on vacation. A simple step to stay on track is to look up healthier options in the area before your trip begins to help yourself stay on track.
Read about how Rehab Juice bar got started here. Stop by if you’re traveling in the Queenstown area of NZ.
Shopping
Queenstown is like any other touristy town with shops galore. Forget something for your hiking trip (ahem…like we did)? No problem, look to 100% Pure New Zealand or the several hiking gear stores on every corner like Patagonia and The North Face.
This store called Slow really piqued my interest from the moment I saw it. It was an experiential showroom that featured more conscious items that are both made of quality and are sustainable. Creating more lasting experiences with what we purchase vs. those trends that are here one day and gone the next. Raises hand! I’m guilty of the trend craze myself but I have become more selective these day.
The store had a super clean, minimalist vibe. I was loving it so much I visited three times in our two day Queenstown stay. A little on the spendy side but like they say, you get what you pay for.
If you visit you can also grab a cup of coffee. I didn’t try the coffee since my experience with New Zealand had been less than stellar up to this point. I guess you could call me an American Coffee Snob. It’s the one and only way you failed me New Zealand.
A Place to Chill
Surprisingly, Queenstown is a pretty small area to cover. It’s still easy to get worn out. So we stopped to sit on this little beach area.
Mostly we were just looking to kill some time before our flight. Not that there weren’t so many more things we wanted to see and do. We had to choose the activities that wouldn’t take too much time. We decided to check out the Skyline Gondala with the Luge ride. Super fun way to end the day with spectacular views. Sorry, no shots of my “mad luge skillz”. If nothing brings you joy, a luge ride will put a smile on your face and add a little adrenaline to your day. The Gondala + 6 Luge rides (that was enough for me) was under $70 per adult. Visit their website for details.
Where to Eat Dinner
In the center of all the Queenstown action sits the Pier Restaurant and Bar. Great food and atmosphere. Was a little loud during the night hours. To take the chill off we grabbed a S’Mores Latte. It was delcious and a great pick-me-up to keep walking around the town. We decided it would also be a great place to have dinner that same night.
View over Queenstown
Queenstown was a fun place to visit for the day. Everything is very accessible and all of the activities mentioned were walking distance from our hotel.
Have you visited New Zealand? Tell us about it in the comments below.