Cardrona Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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

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 iconic Cardrona 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.

Cardrona Hotel

Cardrona Hotel

3 out of 5
Crown Range Road, RD1, Cardrona
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Cardrona. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge) and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (640 reviews)
"Fabulous piece of history to stay in. Would be nice to have 2 chairs in the room and an updated tv for for those cold wet days when the pub itself is full."

Reviewed on 11 Jul 2025

Cardrona Hotel
Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview

Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview

4 out of 5
88 Frankton Road, Queenstown
The price is ₹13,252 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
₹13,252
₹15,240 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Shower was old and mixer needed replaced - either scalding or freezing water - would have been dangerous for children Bed nice and comfy and room spacious and clean just old"

Reviewed on 20 Jul 2025

Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview
Kamana Lakehouse

Kamana Lakehouse

4.5 out of 5
139 Fernhill Road, Queenstown
The price is ₹16,032 per night from 31 Jul to 1 Aug
₹16,032
₹18,437 total
31 Jul - 1 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 3 hot tubs. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (462 reviews)
"Highlight was the food and bath soak, I will be back!!"

Reviewed on 5 Jul 2025

Kamana Lakehouse
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 Wi-Fi, 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
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 Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,363 reviews)
"The location is great around 15 minutes walk to the Center of town and some fantastic views from our room"

Reviewed on 23 Jul 2025

Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu Queenstown
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 Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre and a ski shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,257 reviews)
"Easy check-in, walkable location, close to airport, clean and handy."

Reviewed on 21 Jul 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.

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