Cardrona

Travel Guide

Cardrona Alpine Resort which includes snow and mountains
Cardrona Alpine Resort featuring snow
Cardrona Alpine Resort which includes mountains, landscape views and snow
Cardrona
Cardrona Alpine Resort featuring snow and landscape views

Nestled in New Zealand’s majestic Southern Alps, this quiet town is famous for its iconic hotel and state-of-the-art ski facilities.

Cardrona first found fame during the gold rush of the 1860s. Today, it is better known as a haven for alpine sports and being the site of the Olympic-sized halfpipe. Come in winter to traverse the diverse network of snowy trails or arrange a summer trip to experience exhilarating bike rides around the steep mountain tracks.

Novice skiers and snowboarders can practice their technique on the large area of beginner slopes in front of the resort centre. For higher-level riders, an abundance of steeper and more challenging runs are spread across the mountain. All are accessible by high-speed lift service. Daredevils can perfect their aerial tricks on the several purpose-built areas for freestyle skiing and boarding.

During summer, the mountains around Cardrona become home to some excellent walking and mountain biking trails. Adventurous bikers can tackle jumps and drops in the freeride zones while children can get in some biking practice at the designated kid’s park. Explore the area on foot and discover pretty rivers where pioneers once panned for gold.

Don’t miss the iconicCardrona Hotel. This is one of New Zealand’s longest-running establishments, having first opened its doors in 1863. Stop in for a Cardrona (a beer of the same name) or stay the night in one of New Zealand’s most famous hotels.

From Cardrona, take a daytrip to the nearby coastal town of Wanaka, about a 20-minute drive away. During warmer weather, sunbathe on the shores of Lake Wanaka and try watersports. Several wineries are located in and around Wanaka and the town’s arthouse movie theatre, Cinema Paradiso, screens classic and independent films in a quirky setting.

Back in Cardrona, find cafés and restaurants serving tasty New Zealand fare around the main streets of town. Besides the hotel, accommodation here are mostly self-catered apartments however, you can find a small number of hotels closer to the ski fields.

Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview

Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview

4 out of 5
88 Frankton Road, Queenstown
The price is €140 per night from 17 Sept to 18 Sept
€140
17 Sept - 18 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Good"

Reviewed on 10 Aug 2025

Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview
Kamana Lakehouse

Kamana Lakehouse

4.5 out of 5
139 Fernhill Road, Queenstown
The price is €161 per night from 8 Sept to 9 Sept
€161
8 Sept - 9 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 hot tubs. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (477 reviews)
"Friendly, clean and comfortable"

Reviewed on 14 Aug 2025

Kamana Lakehouse
La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown

La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown

4 out of 5
16 - 18 Mountain Ash Drive, Remarkables Park, Queenstown
The price is €83 per night from 22 Sept to 23 Sept
€83
22 Sept - 23 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star ski aparthotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and a ski shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,292 reviews)
"The absolute breath taking, front row seat of the Remarkables. The location was perfect as it was just outside of Queenstown, so nice and quiet, but still so close to everywhere you wanted to be/needed to go. Parking was great with quick and easy access. Very happy with our stay!"

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2025

La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Camp Cardrona

Camp Cardrona

3.5 out of 5
2348 Cardrona Valley Rd, Cardrona, Otago
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Cardrona. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 hot tubs. Popular attractions Cardrona Distillery and Valley View Quad Chair ...
10/10 Exceptional! (6 reviews)
"Camp Cardrona is a fantastic place to stay when visiting Cardrona Alpine Resort. We loved it, family of 5 for 4 nights. We would absolutely stay again and highly recommend. As it’s quite new the surrounds still are evolving"

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Camp Cardrona
La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown

La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown

4 out of 5
16 - 18 Mountain Ash Drive, Remarkables Park, Queenstown
Stay at this 4-star ski aparthotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and a ski shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,292 reviews)
"The absolute breath taking, front row seat of the Remarkables. The location was perfect as it was just outside of Queenstown, so nice and quiet, but still so close to everywhere you wanted to be/needed to go. Parking was great with quick and easy access. Very happy with our stay!"

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2025

La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown
Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu Queenstown

Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu Queenstown

5 out of 5
110 Frankton Road, Queenstown
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,380 reviews)
Très belle vue
"Cet hébergement ne mérite pas ses 5 étoiles à part pour la vue qui est magnifique. L'appartement aurait besoin d'être rénové notamment au niveau du mobilier et de la salle de bain avec des joints noirs et pommeau de douche cassé. Les chambres sont mal insonorisées notamment au niveau du bruit de ..."

Reviewed on 15 Aug 2025

Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu Queenstown
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do