Queenstown is renowned around the world for its spectacular scenery, outstanding landscapes and natural attractions. From our majestic mountains to our crystal clear lakes, our environment is the stage for all that we do.
This enviable environment combined with the natural species and resources, are at the forefront of every visitor experience in Queenstown and are core to what makes our destination so special. We recognise the significance of our pristine natural environment to the tourism industry and the importance of sustainable environmental practices.
Queenstown Cares aims to connect people to our environment and showcase initiatives that have been put in place to safeguard the future of our landscapes.
Here you’ll find out more about what our community is doing to sustain our environment.
If you're an operator who is keen to feature on Queenstown Cares, click here.
Be a Tidy Traveller: Top 10 Tips!
In Queenstown, we take great pride in our beautiful natural landscapes, and we want our visitors to share this pride of place too. Check out these...
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Lower Your Carbon Footprint with this Queenstown Eco-itinerary
Go Rentals and GOOD Travel have created a low impact, eco-itinerary which takes in Queenstown's views and visits several local operators who are...
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Check In's journey to net zero emissions through the Wao Climate Action Initiative
Check In is a locally connected concierge and holiday home booking service. Their focus is on sustainability, making conscious business decisions, and...
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Air Milford's journey to net zero emissions through the Wao Climate Action Initiative
Air Milford is a family owned and operated scenic flight and charter flight company with a goal of becoming one of the first carbon zero general...
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Controlling Wilding Pines and Predators with Nomad Safaris
Amanda and David Gatward-Ferguson from Nomad Safaris explain why getting involved with Queenstown environmental initiatives like predator trapping and...
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Queenstown is the destination for your Eco Elopement in 2021
Local Queenstown wedding planning company Simply Perfect Weddings haven’t let border closures, lockdowns and event cancellations get in their way. In...
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Anthony Wilkins: Operating Restaurants that Prioritise Environment
We chat with Taco Medic owner Anthony Wilkins to find out his tips on operating restaurants that prioritise the environment.
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RefillNZ is helping get rid of single-use plastics one tap at a time
Plastic pollution is a major problem globally and one of the main contributors is plastic bottles. Learn about an exciting initiative by RefillNZ to...
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The Cardrona Kārearea Conservation Project
The kārearea is New Zealand’s only native falcon species, however the species is currently under treat due to loss of habitat, human impact and...
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Kea Conservation at The Remarkables
NZSki has a five-year partnership with The Kea Conservation Trust to bring back the kea at The Remarkables. Through this partnership, NZSki provides...
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Local events to get stuck into this Conservation Week in Queenstown
The Department of Conservation’s upcoming Conservation Week/Te Wiki Tiaki Ao Tūroa (15-23 August) is the perfect time to get outside, learn something...
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Coronet Peak's Circular Waste Economy
NZSki took recycling to the next level last winter by investing in a large-scale glass crusher at Coronet Peak, effectively reusing 40% of the ski...
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Five Ways to Reduce your Plastic Consumption in Queenstown
When you are not in your usual routine, falling asleep in one place and waking up in another, convenience can be particularly appealing. However,...
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E-Bikes Collecting City Rubbish and Recycling
In a New Zealand first - two electric bikes (e-bikes) are set to collect rubbish and recycling from public litter bins in the Queenstown town centre...
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Remarkables Market: A Journey to Becoming NZ's First Zero Waste Market
Over the last three years, the Remarkables Market has been on a journey with a seemingly simple purpose; to be New Zealand's first zero waste market.
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Conservation at Kiwi Park
The Kiwi Park is a five-acre wildlife sanctuary for native New Zealand animals. All animals at the park are part of a managed conservation programme...
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Millbrook's Environmental Group Making Headway
In early 2019, the team at Millbrook decided to take action to reduce the impact that the resort has on the environment and local area, working...
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Sofitel Queenstown Is Taking Planet 21 One Step Further
Sofitel Queenstown is signed up to Accor’s global sustainability project Planet 21 which ensures Accor hotels operate in such a way as to limit their...
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Biodiversity, Sustainability and The Chef's Garden at Gibbston Valley Winery
In 2014, Gibbston Valley Winery made their first step towards a more environmentally friendly future in having the original Home Block vineyard...
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The Rees Queenstown's Birds And The Bees
What does independently owned, local Queenstown hotel The Rees have in common with the likes of Waldorf Astoria in New York, Mandarin Oriental in...
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Sam Chapman: Creating A Sustainable Community
Meet Sam Chapman, co-founder of Sherwood Queenstown. Discover his passion for people, community and sustainability and how this has formed the ethos...
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Queenstown Hotel Initiating a Fresh Start
Have you ever wondered what happens to the used bars of soap after staying at a hotel? A Queenstown hotel has prevented tonnes of discarded soap from...
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Wakatipu Wildlife Trust Works Towards a Predator-Free Paradise
Next time you’re taking in the views on a local walking track, see if you can spot an extra large pigeon humorously balancing on a delicate tree...
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New Zealand Tourism Sustainability Commitment
Destination Queenstown, Queenstown's regional tourism organisation, has adopted the New Zealand Tourism Sustainability Commitment, an initiative...
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Low Impact Activities for Conscious Travellers
Looking after Queenstown’s landscapes while visiting can be as simple as choosing some low-impact activities. Getting out into the wilderness and...
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The beauty of net-zero energy boutique accommodation at The Headwaters Eco Lodge
Aiming to set new standards for sustainably-designed guest accommodation in New Zealand, Camp Glenorchy’s mission is to educate, inspire and delight...
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Boomerang Bags in Queenstown
A Queenstown group is dedicated to bringing the global concept of Boomerang Bags to the Wakatipu Basin, find out the story behind it and where to grab...
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Ziptrek's Commitment to its Environment
When Queenstown’s Ziptrek Ecotours says it works ‘with the forest’, it means it.
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Coronet Peak's Wilding Pines Spread Christmas Cheer
Coronet Peak, one of Queenstowns ski areas, has a number of wilding pine pests to rid itself of this summer, and a new initiative benefits both the...
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A Beautiful Solution
A pioneering trio of Kiwi entrepreneurs are determined to turn one of New Zealand’s biggest environmental problems from pest into perfume – and a...
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Chain Gang: Queenstown Mountain Bike Club
Love mountain biking? Meet the locals who create and maintain our public tracks
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Queenstown Trails Trust
The Queenstown Trail is New Zealand’s most popular Great Ride – Nga Haerenga – and is run by the Queenstown Trails Trust.
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Making a World of Difference
The Wakatipu Reforestation Trust's aim is to restore the region's indigenous landscape and tempt native birds and insects back into their natural...
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