{"id":264,"date":"2016-10-18T02:13:09","date_gmt":"2016-10-18T02:13:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.waiorauhomestead.co.nz\/?page_id=264"},"modified":"2023-12-12T00:05:07","modified_gmt":"2023-12-12T00:05:07","slug":"attractions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.waiorauhomestead.co.nz\/attractions\/","title":{"rendered":"Attractions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Local attractions<\/h1>\n

In Cardrona Township, Cardrona Valley and beyond<\/h3>\n

The historic Cardrona Valley, first used by Maori on their way to the pounamu (greenstone) rivers and then a gold mining area in the 1800’s, runs between the Queenstown and Wanaka areas.<\/p>\n

Restaurants, cafes and bars<\/h3>\n

Enjoy the finest food and wines New Zealand has to offer.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Cardrona township in the Cardrona Valley is home of the historic Cardrona Hotel \u2013 the oldest hotel in New Zealand. Enjoy some traditional New Zealand hospitality by taking lunch in the beautiful cottage garden or a hearty dinner by the roaring fire during Winter months. Wanaka Township also has a large variety of restaurants catering to all tastes. Your hosts are happy to arrange dinner reservations and transport for guests.<\/p>\n

Cardrona Distillery<\/h3>\n

World-class Distillery<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cardrona township is home to the world-class Cardrona Distillery<\/a> which is just 2 minutes drive from Waiorau Homestead.<\/p>\n

Shopping<\/h3>\n

There is a huge range of excellent retail shops and galleries for clothes, gifts, local wines and produce in the area. Local fresh produce and craft markets are held regularly in both Wanaka and Queenstown and your hosts are happy to escort you on shopping expeditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wineries<\/h3>\n

Some say the worlds best Pinot Noir<\/strong><\/p>\n

Visit Central Otago wineries for wine tasting in the spectacular vineyard settings through the Gibbston Valley, Cromwell Basin, Bannockburn, Bendigo, Lake Wanaka and Alexandra. These areas are renowned for their world class grapes, in particular the pinot noir and pinot gris grape varieties which are the \u2018new gold\u2019 in this southern region of New Zealand.<\/p>\n

There more than 30 wineries\/vineyards on the Central Otago Wine Trail offering tastings, tours, lunches and meals. To visit them all could take several days! Wine tours can be hosted by Blyth and Ann or arranged by local suppliers.<\/p>\n

Heritage<\/h3>\n

Take a step back in history<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cardrona Village is home to its own historic hall and heritage sites, including New Zealand\u2019s most famous hotel which was established in 1868. The hall hosts the annual Cardrona Folk Music Festival, which is held on Labour Weekend in October.<\/p>\n

Cultural<\/h3>\n

World renowned festivals<\/strong><\/p>\n

A number of festivals are held through out the year from the world renowned Warbirds over Wanaka<\/a> held at Easter 2024<\/span>: Rhythm and Alps,<\/span> 29-31 <\/span>December 2023; RIPE (Wine & Food Festival), 23 <\/span>March, 2024<\/span>; Wheels at Wanaka, Easter 2025; NZ <\/span>Winter Games, Aug\u2013Sept, 2024<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Local theatre productions, gallery exhibitions and craft markets are held in Wanaka <\/span>on a regular basis.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>

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