The Aporia · NZ’s ski capital is fast becoming a summer destination

New Zealand's Queenstown, known primarily as a ski destination for Australians, is seeing increased year-round tourism as temperatures rise elsewhere. Summer travel to Queenstown has grown significantly, with international traffic at record levels and trans-Tasman flights reaching 145% of pre-pandemic levels. The town is diversifying its attractions beyond skiing, including new cycling trails, a Skyline redevelopment project, wellness centers, and culinary experiences. A newly renovated hotel, Avani Queenstown, is set to open this month, featuring full-service amenities aimed at drawing tourists year-round.

Written by AI on 2026-09-19, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

Story summary

Australians traditionally flock to Queenstown, New Zealand, during winter for skiing. However, as summer temperatures rise and make some popular destinations less appealing, Queenstown is positioning itself as a year-round travel destination for Australians. International traffic through Queenstown Airport has reached record levels, with trans-Tasman travel connecting the city to Australia's eastern seaboard at 145% of pre-pandemic levels. Tourism New Zealand research indicates that 67% of Australians considering a New Zealand holiday would consider an off-peak visit, with spring being the most popular season at 42%, followed by summer at 35%. To attract visitors year-round, Queenstown is developing new attractions like the Skyline redevelopment project, which includes a new Stratosfare restaurant and viewing platform and a 48-metre Vortex slide. This transformation aims to complete in early 2029, making the area more appealing beyond its traditional winter sports season.

Written for “NZ Summer Tourism Growth” on 2026-11-03, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

📰 NZ Summer Tourism Growth

Economy/Business · 1 article(s) covering the same event.

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Julietta Jameson

12 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction

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Skyline Queenstown is also undergoing a substantial redevelopment, with year-round attractions including the new Stratosfare restaurant and viewing platform and a new 48-metre Vortex slide, while the wider transformation continues towards completion in early 2029.

framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-09-19

🔮 But as temperatures rise and summer heat makes some traditionally popular destinations less appealing, could the lure of cooler climes start heating up?

2026-09-19 · The Sydney Morning Herald

NZ’s ski capital is fast becoming a summer destination · assertive framing

Australians love to chase the sun on holiday. asserted

Australians → love → holiday

But as temperatures rise and summer heat makes some traditionally popular destinations less appealing, could the lure of cooler climes start heating up? uncertain

lure → rise → climes

Certainly, New Zealand’s Queenstown would love that. asserted

Queenstown → love → that

Australians have long flocked to Queenstown for the ski season, but increasingly the destination is courting them year-round. asserted

destination → flock → them

And there are signs the strategy is working: international traffic through Queenstown Airport is at record levels, while trans-Tasman travel connecting Queenstown with Australia’s eastern seaboard has reached 145 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. asserted

travel → be → levels

Tourism New Zealand research also suggests Australians are open to travelling outside the traditional peak: 67 per cent of Australians actively considering a New Zealand holiday say they would consider an off-peak visit. uncertain

they → suggest → visit

Asked which seasons they would consider, spring came out on top at 42 per cent, followed by summer at 35 per cent, autumn at 29 per cent and winter at 24 per cent. asserted

spring → ask → cent

Queenstown is, of course, synonymous with skiing for many Australians, but there’s an ever-growing list of reasons to visit without skis. asserted

Queenstown → ’ → skis

Cycling is getting bigger, with the new Kawarau Gorge Trail expected to open this month, adding another reason to visit in the warmer seasons. asserted

Cycling → get → seasons

transformation → undergo → 2029

Getting there is becoming easier, too. asserted

Getting → get → ?

In June, Air New Zealand and Jetstar added seasonal direct Brisbane services, joining an extensive trans-Tasman network. asserted

Zealand → add → network

Qantas and Virgin Australia also fly Brisbane-Queenstown year-round. asserted

Qantas → fly → Queenstown

A new hotel on the Queenstown scene is hoping to do its bit to foster year-round travel. asserted

hotel → hop → travel

Avani Queenstown, opening this month on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, was formerly Oaks Shores Resort. asserted

Queenstown → open → Wakatipu

The Frankton Road property has undergone a substantial transformation from serviced-apartment accommodation into a full-service hotel and becomes Avani’s New Zealand flagship. asserted

property → undergo → hotel

The revamped accommodation includes hotel rooms alongside one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, many with lake and mountain views. asserted

accommodation → revamp → views

New facilities include an AvaniSpa and an AvaniFit gym, while new restaurant and bar Six to Midnight moves from breakfast and lunch through to high tea, apres-ski and dinner. asserted

restaurant → include → tea

New social, private dining and event spaces have also been added. asserted

spaces → add → ?

Rather than launching at the beginning of the winter ski rush, Avani Queenstown arrives in September as the destination heads into spring and begins swapping snow sports for hiking, cycling, golf and other warm-season pursuits. asserted

destination → launch → hiking

There are walking trails nearby and Central Otago’s wineries are within easy reach. asserted

wineries → be → reach

Minor Hotels New Zealand area general manager James Billing says Queenstown’s changing appeal was part of the thinking behind the investment. asserted

appeal → say → investment

“Queenstown has evolved into a destination that offers much more than seasonal travel,” he says. asserted

he → evolve → travel

In other words, there are growing reasons to head to the mountains even when you have no intention of hurtling down them. asserted

you → be → them

NZ’s ski capital is fast becoming a summer destination

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