1251 days ago

Queenstown makes TIME list of 'world's greatest places' to visit in 2022

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Otago News

Queenstown is among the best places in the world to visit as people get used to living and travelling with Covid-19 and hit the roads – and skies – en masse.

At least that’s the view of TIME magazine, which included New Zealand’s adventure capital in the 2022 instalment of its “world’s greatest places” list.

The New York-based magazine and website compiled the 50-strong list using nominations from its international network of correspondents and contributors, paying particular attention to destinations offering new and exciting experiences.

Queenstown was described as “both a destination in its own right and a fantastic base to explore the region’s diverse landscapes”.

New luxury boutique hotel The Carlin – where guests can even get a massage on the toilet – was highlighted.

“High rollers can opt for the Skyhome suite – its seven bedrooms make up the largest penthouse in the southern hemisphere,” TIME said.

Each suite in the hotel, which bills itself as “more than five-star”, has its own outdoor fire and spa pool, and a kitchen where private chefs can whip up a meal.

Homes & Villas by Marriott, launched in June, won praise for its “stylish multibedroom apartments and houses”.

Kingpin Queenstown – a sprawling new entertainment hub featuring escape and karaoke rooms, pool, bowling, virtual reality and arcade games and a restaurant and bar – also scored a mention, as did the three Great Walks within a couple of hours driving distance to the town, namely the Milford Track.

Mention was also made of Invivo, the winery which famously collaborated with Sarah Jessica Parker and Graham Norton and announced plans to launch what has been dubbed “the world’s first winery airline” later this year. Fares for the Auckland to Queenstown flights are set to include a visit to local wineries.

Other destinations on the list include Australia’s Fremantle and Great Barrier Reef, “ecotourism hot spot” Kerala in India, the arty Setouchi Islands in Japan, the “year-round playground of Park City in the US state of Utah, and Portree in Scotland with its winning combo of whiskey and wilderness.

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More messages from your neighbours
6 hours ago

Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’

If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.

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1 day ago

Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”

We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?

Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.

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Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
  • 41.6% Yes
    41.6% Complete
  • 31.8% Maybe?
    31.8% Complete
  • 26.6% No
    26.6% Complete
425 votes
5 hours ago

Police urge caution on Southland beaches

The Team from Southern District Police

As the weather warms up and Southlanders begin flocking to the beach, Police are reminding people of an important fact – beaches are roads and need to be treated as such.

Senior Sergeant Scott MacKenzie, Southland Area Road Policing Manager, says while it is legal to drive on Oreti Beach, you still need to adhere to the road rules.

“The beach has a speed limit of 30k/h – there is no excuse to be over this limit.
The days are getting warmer and with school holidays it can be expected that a lot of families with small children and animals will be heading to the beach to enjoy the sun."

“Anyone driving on the beach needs to be mindful of this, and stay focused on your surroundings,” he says.
The risks of injury or worse, to yourself or others, are just the same as on traditional roads.

Senior Sergeant MacKenzie also reminds beach goers that any form of antisocial road-user behaviour will not be tolerated.

“Some people seem to think that road rules don’t apply to you when on the beach – this is not the case.
Antisocial driving behaviour is unacceptable, on and off the beach, and we encourage the community to report the driving behaviour immediately."

“It is best to make a report while the incident is occurring to allow our staff the opportunity to respond immediately and hopefully disrupt any offenders in the act.
Please take note of as much detail as possible, such as registration number of the vehicle, any identifying features of the vehicle and its driver, or even take a video of the driving behaviour if safe to do so,” he says.

You can report information to us by calling 111 if it is happening now, or through 105 for non-emergencies.
Alternatively, you can report information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

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