Queenstown Suburbs Explained
Monday 15 Nov 2021
Purchasing residential property in Queenstown, whether as a home or rental investment, requires thought and preparation. One of the biggest considerations is the geographical location and Queenstown is fortunate enough to offer a diverse portfolio of suburbs to choose from. The type of property you’re looking for will often dictate the right suburb for you – whether your priority is sun, views, proximity to town, heritage buildings or space to roam, Queenstown has a suburb for you, and with the Queenstown-Lakes District showing a 25.3% increase in average house price over the last 12 months (Source: QV), the time is right to take a step into the local market.
Arrowtown
Arrowtown is a charming historic gold mining town approximately 20 minutes drive from Queenstown. Surrounded by beautiful walking and biking trails, there’s an excellent primary school and some of the top golf courses in the country. This quaint settlement is a great place to live and invest and remains extremely popular with holidaymakers. Housing ranges from larger modern homes to historic cottages, with a few new settlements on the fringes of the village.
Arthur’s Point
Named after Thomas Arthur who first discovered gold on the banks of the Shotover River in 1862, Arthur’s Point is in close proximity to Queenstown CBD, Coronet Peak Ski Field, Nugget Point Spa and a host of local amenities. Arthur’s Point is a popular location to live in amongst the locals and is well-positioned within the trails network. Sunshine hours are substantial compared with other suburbs, making property in this area consistently in demand. Housing stock consists of the original Arthur’s Point properties and newer subdivisions with comfortable, contemporary homes on offer.
Closeburn
Closeburn is a 10-minute lakeside drive from Central Queenstown in the direction of Glenorchy. Nestled within native landscape, overlooking Lake Whakatipu and The Remarkables, Closeburn is close to town and offers easy access to nearby walking and cycling trails.
Dalefield
Situated at the foot of Coronet Peak and located between Arthur’s Point and Arrowtown, Dalefield is known for sunshine, beautiful outlooks and semi-rural living. Many prestigious lifestyle properties sit on multiple hectare landholdings, some with capacity for a smallholding. Dalefield enjoys not only some of the most sought-after addresses in the district, but also the convenience of being close to Arrowtown, Queenstown International Airport and Frankton’s amenities.
Fernhill/Sunshine Bay
Fernhill’s known for its close proximity to town and epic views. Properties range from a 15 minute to 40 minute walk to town, or less than five by car. Fernhill is one of the most affordable suburbs in Queenstown to live in and boasts incredible elevated views of the lake and mountains, many looking directly at The Remarkables. Highly sought-after by tenants, young families, workers and professionals, it’s also traditionally a very popular spot for investors. It has a handy local shop and a couple of eateries adding to the appeal.
Sunshine Bay is positioned on the far side of Fernhill and boasts similar housing and popularity, plus a small beautiful beach an easy stroll away. There are numerous walking tracks in the Fernhill area including the Arawata Track, the Town link track (a short, beautiful walk to town), the One Mile-Sunshine Bay walking track and the steep Fernhill Loop.
Frankton
Frankton is a popular place to buy or rent due to its easy access to shopping, cafés and restaurants, excellent schooling of all levels, mountain views and year-round sun. Frankton is home to the Remarkables Park Shopping Centre, Queenstown Central and File Mile Shopping Centres and multiple supermarkets and big-box retailers as well as a host of commercial and industrial amenities. Queenstown International Airport is also located here and Frankton plays host to the public transport hub, with Frankton Bus Shelter at the heart of the area.
Gibbston
The Gibbston community is located along SH6 and is famed internationally for bungy jumping, wine growing and cycling trails. Award-winning wineries line the road and offer a sun-soaked day out for locals and holidaymakers. Property in Gibbston is mostly comprised of semi-rural homes and lifestyle blocks, with a few surprises such as a cluster of restored heritage villas adding interest to the landscape.
Glenorchy
Glenorchy is a settlement at the northern end of Lake Whakatipu, sitting approximately 45km from Queenstown. The famous Routeburn Track starts a short distance from Glenorchy, as do other notable trails including the Caples, Greenstone and Rees-Dart. Popular local and tourist activities include fishing, horse riding, jet boating, canyoning, skydiving, skiing, and boating. The township is host to a collection of homes of varying ages and has a real sense of community. Prices are generally a touch more affordable than Queenstown itself, though we’ve seen high demand for the township in recent years.
Goldfield Heights and surrounds
Goldfield Heights and the surrounding areas are known for being a short drive to both Queenstown and Frankton. Most properties have wide-ranging views of Lake Whakatipu and the mountains. Opposite the entrance to Goldfield Heights is Queenstown Marina with its commercial activity and café. Investors love the Goldfields area for the strong returns and high tenant demand.
Jack’s Point
Created as a desirable lifestyle resort, Jack’s Point covers 1,200ha of sun-soaked land, of which only 5% will be developed for housing. In a spectacular location on the shores of Lake Whakatipu, the backdrop of (and proximity to) The Remarkables mountain range sets it apart. A sense of community is fostered by the development’s planners and the carefully thought-out resort includes numerous walking and cycling tracks, an 18-hole championship golf course, wetlands, reserves and other recreational amenities.
The developers have put in place specific building guidelines to protect the integrity of its residents and to retain the property’s historic and farming links. Attractive modern homes are set within the beautiful landscape, and there’s the added incentive of having Frankton’s shops and amenities just a few minutes drive away.
Hanley’s Farm
Hanley’s Farm is a master-planned development located close to Jack’s Point and has 561 hectares of land on offer. Currently, Queenstown’s newest major subdivision, Hanley’s Farm is located conveniently only five minutes’ drive from Frankton amenities and Queenstown International Airport. Hanley’s Farm is surrounded by mountain views and is only minutes from Lake Whakatipu. A new school is soon to be completed in Hanley’s Farm and taking enrolments from Term One of 2022.
Kelvin Heights
Kelvin Heights, also known as the Kelvin Peninsula, looks out into the waters of Lake Whakatipu and showcases a golf course at the end of the long main road. Lakeside homes with incredible northerly sunshine range from original holiday baches to prestigious family homes, all designed to maximise the phenomenal outlooks. Demand for the Kelvin Heights lifestyle is very consistent, with most property owners being either long-term residents or holiday homeowners.
Kingston
A small settlement 47km south of Queenstown and approximately 35 minutes from Frankton, Kingston offers a laid-back and peaceful way of life. Traditionally known as a holiday destination, many properties are owned by Southland and Otago residents and Kingston properties are all within easy reach of the lake. Properties in this area comprise holiday baches right up to modern, stylish homes and are at the more affordable end of the Queenstown scale, therefore popular with first home buyers.
Lake Hayes
Lake Hayes is a small picturesque lake positioned near Arrowtown in amongst some of the area’s finest scenery. Property around the shores of the lake has long been sought-after for its exemplary views and northerly outlooks. Many stunning homes enjoy generous landholdings and gentle slopes, and rarely become available to the market. A renowned 8km loop track invites residents and visitors out to explore.
Lake Hayes Estate
Not to be confused with Lake Hayes, Lake Hayes Estate is a subdivision a short distance from Lake Hayes itself. Lake Hayes Estate has grown to become the domain of local families of all ages. Level landholdings meant easy builds and landscaping around Lake Hayes Estate is well established, with the suburb showcasing a range of different types of modern properties. Recreational amenities close to the subdivision include walking tracks alongside the Kawarau River and around Lake Hayes. The area has a deli/café for local convenience and a childcare centre.
Shotover Country
Shotover Country is a residential suburb at the northern end of The Remarkables mountain range, with beautiful outlooks to Coronet Peak. It borders the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers, playing host to a network of leafy riverside trails. Established in the last decade, the smart modern homes are only a five minute drive from Frankton and approximately 15 minutes from the town centre. Shotover Country plays host to the local Primary School, plus there’s a medical centre and a handful of shops and eateries within walking distance.
Quail Rise
Quail Rise area is on the banks of the picturesque Shotover River, approximately a five minute drive from Frankton. Quail Rise showcases quality homes in an attractively landscaped subdivision with plenty of space, gentle contours and generous section sizes. Design standards put in place at the subdivision’s inception have ensured an appealing blend of homes with a carefully planned layout.
Queenstown
The town centre has extremely sought-after housing. There’s ample property within walking distance of town, with residences ranging from luxury apartments to family homes on high-value land, and rental properties often occupied by multiple tenants.
Prices in the town centre prove consistently strong, particularly properties with sought-after zoning and the ability to build more than one unit onsite. Property prices remain strong, with high tenancy demand and consistent returns.
Queenstown Hill
Queenstown Hill offers exceptional views that reach out across Lake Whakatipu, Cecil and Walter Peaks and Ben Lomond. Homes are consistently in demand for both purchase and rental, with tenants ranging from high-end holidaymakers and local professionals to ski-season workers. The lower levels of Queenstown Hill contain an abundance of housing, turning into pine-covered hillsides as more altitude is gained. A popular local walk is the Queenstown Hill track, leading walkers up to the Basket of Dreams sculpture with its awe-inspiring views.
If you’re considering purchasing in Queenstown or would like more information about any of the locations covered above, contact us at queenstown@colliers.com - we’re here to help.