Queenstown has an excellent range of New Zealand-made goods, from sheepskin products, leather, and outdoor wear to fine crafts, pure wool hand-knits, and jewelry. Most shops are open daily to 10pm, and many offer overseas packaging and postal services. Pick up the free Queenstown Dining & Shopping Guide at the visitor center.
Several new upmarket shopping complexes have opened since 2007, and you can expect much more in the next two years as new shopping centers and town developments come on-stream.
O'Connells Shopping Centre, Camp and Beach streets (tel. 03/442-7760), has 25 stores offering everything from food and fashion to knitwear, jewelry, and contemporary art. If you missed Canterbury New Zealand (tel. 03/442-4020) in other major centers, you'll find it here.
Gallery Oceanic, 43b Beach St. (tel. 03/442-6076; www.oceanicgallery.co.nz), has the most impressive selection of arts and crafts by New Zealand artisans, followed closely by the Bonz Gallery, upstairs in Bonz New Zealand, 8-10 The Mall (tel. 03/442-5398), a top outlet for original designs in 100% merino wool hand-knit sweaters and jackets. Goldfields Jade and Opal, top of The Mall (tel. 03/442-9356), and The Opal Centre, Beach and Rees streets (tel. 03/442-8239), have the finest collections of investment opal jewelry.
For one of the biggest selections of sheepskins, woolen jerseys, leisurewear, jewelry, wooden carvings, confectionery, and local honeys and jams, go to DF Souvenirs, 32 The Mall (tel. 03/442-5275). Another good source of all of the above is The Mountaineer Shop, Beach and Rees streets (tel. 03/442-7460). And if you have a sweet tooth, don't miss The British Lolly Shop, Church Lane (tel. 03/441-2274; www.thebritishlollyshop.com), which seems an awfully long way from home to me, but some among you may be glad of that. You'll find another very cute little gift store at Vesta, Williams Cottage, Marine Parade (tel. 03/442-5687; www.vestadesign.co.nz), which is hardly bigger than a doll's house, yet manages to present some excellent New Zealand art, design work, and a tiny cafe.
Untouched World, The Mall (tel. 03/442-4992; www.untouchedworld.com), is a fabulous source of exclusive men's and women's apparel -- especially merino mink garments that combine 100% New Zealand merino wool with possum fur for pure luxury.
Body Business -- When the stress of being a tourist gets the better of you, turn your attention to one of Queenstown's new pampering services. Among them all, Body Sanctum Day Spa, Level 2, 50 Stanlet St. (tel. 03/442-8006; www.bodysanctum.co.nz), comes most highly recommended. Men and women alike can feel the benefits of aromatherapy, sports massage, shiatsu, reflexology, and a wide variety of beauty therapy services. You can also unwind at the Millbrook Resort Day Spa, Malaghan Road (tel. 03/441-7000; fax 03/441-7007); it's the biggest and classiest, and offers a full range of wet and dry massage therapies, a hair salon, facials, beauty treatments, manicures, and pedicures -- all set within the restful acres of Millbrook. Aspects Day Spa, 53 Shotover St. (tel. 03/442-7389; www.aspectsdayspa.co.nz), can rejuvenate the weariest traveler with a wide range of massage therapies, body wraps, Jacuzzis, and manicures. Hush Spa, Level 2, The Junction, corner of Gorge and Robins roads (tel. 03/409-0901; www.hushspa.co.nz), will soothe you with exotic body therapies, massage rituals, and facial treatments. Le Spa at Sofitel, Sofitel Hotel (tel. 03/450-0045; www.lespaqueenstown.co.nz), is the latest addition and its classy spa suites and gorgeous French products are well worth indulging in.
