Queenstown autumn key event listings (March- May 2013)
New Zealand XI vs England cricket
match – 27 February-2 March
See New Zealand XI
take on England in a four-day warm-up cricket match at
Queenstown Events Centre.
http://www.blackcaps.co.nz/schedule/the-national-bank-series-v-england/130/series.aspx
New Zealand PGA Championship – 28 February-3
March
Some of the world’s best golfers and
well known celebrities will take to the fairways at The
Hills for the four-day Championship including cricketing
legend Sir Ian Botham and World Number 1 Women’s Amateur
Golfer, Lydia Ko. New to the programme this year is an
all-ages concert featuring rising Kiwi star Jamie McDell
adding to the atmosphere of the 19th hole, which will
showcase the best in Central Otago food, wine and
entertainment.
Professionals play for the NZ PGA
Championship over four rounds, but in a unique event format,
64 invited amateurs and celebrities are each paired with one
of the 64 professionals that make the cut, playing together
as a team for the NZ PGA Championship over the final two
days.
The Hills hosted three consecutive New Zealand
Open Championships since opening in 2007 and is one of New
Zealand’s most spectacular golf courses.
www.pgachampionship.co.nz
GODZone
Adventure Race – 8-16 March
Some of the
world’s best adventure racing teams, including
Australia’s top team and current Adventure Racing World
Champions ‘Seagate’ and crack Scandinavian racers
‘AXA-Adidas’, will take on nature’s ultimate
playground in the second annual GODZone Adventure Race in
March 2013. The multi-day, non-stop, expedition-style
adventure race will see competitors negotiate their way
through backcountry terrain and stunning landscapes. A new
Corporate Challenge will allow businesses do a shortened
version of the race and raise money for Starship
Children’s Hospital.
www.godzoneadventure.com
Motatapu – 9 March
The Motatapu is
New Zealand’s premier mountain bike and off-road running
event between Wanaka and Arrowtown in March each year. From
recreational runners, riders and walkers to elite athletes,
the Motatapu offers a challenge for everyone with a 47km
Mountain Bike, 42km Off Road Marathon, 49km Adventure Run or
15km Miner's Trail – all through the magnificent
landscapes of the Motatapu and its surrounding valleys. www.iconicadventures.co.nz/motatapu-home
Gibbston
Wine and Food Festival – 16 March
Food and
wine lovers can sample the ‘best of the best’ at the
annual Gibbston Wine and Food Festival (16 March), a harvest
celebration which showcases the famous winemaking region’s
finest wines, wine celebrities, local produce and talented
chefs. Learn how wine and food can enhance each other at
master classes run by industry leaders such as multi
award-winning winemaker Grant Taylor, try grape stomping, or
simply sit back, relax and enjoy the stunning wine, food and
lineup of entertainment on offer. This year’s event will
be co-hosted at the picturesque Mt Rosa and Brennan
vineyards. www.gibbstonwineandfood.co.nz
Queenstown Bike Festival – 22 March-1
April
Grab your bike and helmet and head to
Queenstown this Easter for the Queenstown Bike Festival.
It’s an exciting 10-day event for all ages and abilities
and it gives you the chance to check out Queenstown’s
world-class cycle tracks, trails, roads and spectacular lake
and alpine scenery.
Whether you’re a biking novice,
recreational cyclist or serious biker there’s plenty of
action. Events range from the spectacular Teva Slopestyle,
Mega Avalanche and Dirtmasters Downhill to the Tour de
Wakatipu, kids’ mini cross, Coffee to Grape wine trail
ride, and bike movies and parties. www.queenstownbikefestival.co.nz
Arrowtown
Autumn Festival – 12-21 April
The Arrowtown
Autumn Festival provides a superb reason to get out and
enjoy the slowing pace of autumn and the magnificent colours
of the season. The region focuses on its gold mining history
and celebrates its heritage in the streets of Arrowtown with
a street parade and a programme of community-based events.
www.arrowtownautumnfestival.org.nz
Southern
Lakes Festival of Colour – 16-21 April
The
biennial Festival of Colour is one of New Zealand’s
premier regional arts festivals with six exciting days and
nights of performances and inspiring exhibitions set against
the Southern Lakes region’s spectacular autumnal backdrop.
The festival, based in Wanaka with events in Queenstown,
Glenorchy, Cromwell, Hawea and Luggate, features a broad mix
of local, national and international live performances in
dance, music, theatre as well as visual arts. www.festivalofcolour.co.nz
Routeburn
Classic – 27 April
An amazing 32km 'adventure
run' over New Zealand's world famous Routeburn Track.
www.goodtimesevents.net
Southern
Lakes Wedding Show – 11 May
With dramatic lake
and mountain vistas, four distinct seasons, and a variety of
venues and experiences, Queenstown provides the perfect
romantic setting for weddings at any time of year. To find
out what the region has to offer for your special day,
don’t miss the inaugural Southern Lakes Wedding Show on 11
May which promises would-be brides, mothers and the odd
groom a full and entertaining programme with a serious
‘wow’ factor. The show, to be held at the Skyline
complex, will bring a wide range of Queenstown-Lakes
businesses and suppliers such as celebrants, spas, hair and
makeup artists, dressmakers, photographers, cake makers,
entertainers and event managers together in one stunning
location with panoramic lake and mountain views. There will
be plenty of demonstrations, shows and a few surprises as
well as a ‘Man-Zone’ for the better halves featuring
Playstations, a BBQ, Speights on tap (with the first drink
free), men’s magazines and sports TV. The grooms-to-be
can also head out onto the luge track while their brides
enjoy the show.
www.southernlakesweddingshow.co.nz
To view a full list of Queenstown’s events please click on the ‘Local Events’ tab on www.queenstownNZ.co.nz.
ENDS