The South Island of New Zealand is an Autumn Paradise. From March to May, the trees turn autumnal shades of gold, orange and red, peaking around late April. Queenstown is one of the best places to view this. People around the world flock to this part of New Zealand and it’s no wonder why - everywhere you turn is a postcard perfect scene! To capture these beautiful colours, get in touch with Arrowtown tourism to find out what specific date is best to visit for that year (www.arrowtown.com)

Now on to the locations..

Arrowtown

A crowd favourite - Arrowtown is always top of the list for autumn season. With such a picturesque little village, complete with old-style candy (sweets) shop and post office, there is a picture perfect opportunity everywhere you turn. Wander around the village or check out Tobins Track for a great view of the autumn colours from above.

Queenstown Waterfront

Queenstown has a lot of autumn foliage accessible to the centre of town, just a quick walk down to the water. Walk parts of the Queenstown trail, take pictures amongst the rock paths by the lake and enjoy the swing found by the Queenstown Garden. Queenstown is just really a playground!

Kingston

With scenic views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains, the road to Kingston has plenty of opportunities for quick stops and picnics, which we did here. There are even spots to camp overnight in. With plenty of trees and foliage all the way, you’ll want to stop every chance you get! And Kingston itself is a lovely little lakefront town, with a darling old steam train + station on display. Bring a jacket, a hat and a scarf, as it may get a bit chilly in the autumn air.

Moke Lake

A hidden gem, Moke Lake has stunning views any time of the year. Only 20 minutes away from Queenstown centre, this campsite has a beautiful road leading up to an equally beautiful lake, fringed with beautiful autumn trees. You can swim, kayak or do a little walk round the lake. On clear nights , if you’re lucky, you can even see the southern lights from the campsite!

Arrow Junction

The roads in and out of Queenstown are great to roam. This was taken at Morven Ferry Road just between Lake Hayes and Arrow Junction. Keep an eye out for vineyards, lines of trees and hedges as they all make look beautiful in the autumn season.

Cromwell

Cromwell! Ok, this may be a little out of Queenstown but trust me, the drive is worth it - just shy of an hour away. To get to Cromwell, you pass through the Kawarau Gorge, a stunning drive with a few bays to look out from. The road gets windy and a little narrow at times, so just watch out if you are in a big vehicle like a campervan. Cromwell itself is a beautiful little town with the Kawarau River on one side and Lake Dunstan on the other. It is well known for their orchards/fruit so keep an eye out for the fruit stalls and shops that litter the side of the highway.

Happy Autumn Hunting!