Region appreciating in value
Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago’s free-wheeling love affair with biking have seen the region listed as the ninth ‘best value’ holiday hotspot in the world by Lonely Planet.
The travel bible, which once could be found in almost every traveller’s backpack before going digital, celebrates its 50th birthday this year.
It has released a special print edition of Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel to celebrate, listing 50 must-visit destinations around the globe.
Our region makes the list, in the perhaps surprising top 10 best value category.
“In an area best-known for its golf courses, winter sports and wineries, activities such as biking, hiking and exploring the outdoors are free and accessible to all around New Zealand’s popular Southern Lakes resorts of Queenstown and Wānaka, as well as in Central Otago,” it reads.
It highlights the Queenstown Trails network, with its 130kms of bike trails, and the commitment to environmental stewardship.
“When it comes to biking, new trails are being opened, more being constructed and bigger plans are afoot. While locals are in the know, international visitors have barely cottoned on.”
Altitude Brewery and Atlas Beer Cafe are name-checked as places to savor craft beer and cheap eats after a ride.
“Wānaka has wonderful lakeside rides and Central Otago is seeing formerly sleepy towns revitalised, such as Clyde, at the end of the recently opened 55km (34-mile) Lake Dunstan Trail. In a few years, bikers will be able to ride from Queenstown and Wānaka all the way through Central Otago to Dunedin on the east coast.”
The USA’s Midwest takes first prize in the best value category, “underrated regions with bustling cities and incredible food scenes” while Poland, Romania’s Danube Limes, France’s Normandy, Egypt, Greece’s Ikaria, Algeria, and Europe’s Night Trains almost make the list.
Mongolia is named top country, recognised for its wide-open spaces, adventure activities, and distinctive culinary and musical culture. Nairobi is the best city, chosen for its unique rhythms, impressive array of locally-inspired restaurants, and steady rotation of arts and culture venues. And Spain takes top in the sustainable travel category, for its efforts to boost off-season travel, expand renewable energy, and bring tourism to previously overlooked destinations.
