Cardrona

Travel Guide

Cardrona Alpine Resort which includes mountains and snow
Cardrona Alpine Resort featuring snow
Cardrona Alpine Resort showing mountains, snow and landscape views
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 center. 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 theater, 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, accommodations 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! (643 reviews)
"Great spot. Food was top quality. Staff very excellent. Only thing that would be good was if the rooms had a fridge which would be such a simple fix. Kids weren't a fan of the tube tv either😂 but didn't matter to us. Would definitely stay again."

Reviewed on Aug 2, 2025

Cardrona Hotel
Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview

Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview

4 out of 5
88 Frankton Road, Queenstown
The price is P8,670 per night from Aug 27 to Aug 28
P8,670
P9,971 total
Aug 27 - Aug 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Lovely view, lovely staff, free parking available, and short walk into town. Shower pressure a bit low."

Reviewed on Jul 22, 2025

Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview
Holiday Inn Express And Suites Queenstown by IHG

Holiday Inn Express And Suites Queenstown by IHG

4 out of 5
CNR STANLEY AND SYDNEY STREET, Queenstown
The price is P8,464 per night from Aug 28 to Aug 29
P8,464
P9,733 total
Aug 28 - Aug 29
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,008 reviews)
"Enjoyed every minute of the stay ."

Reviewed on Aug 3, 2025

Holiday Inn Express And Suites Queenstown by IHG
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 WiFi, 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 Jul 3, 2025

Camp Cardrona
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 WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and a ski shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,271 reviews)
"Clean and new building. Friendly staff but a few minutes to walk to any amenities like food"

Reviewed on Jul 30, 2025

La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown
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 WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,371 reviews)
"Stunning view."

Reviewed on Jul 29, 2025

Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu 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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