We all love to hate Valentine’s Day. Flowers, chocolates and awkward hand-holding are overrated. But the day of love needn’t be about cheesey Hollywood-worthy antics or expensive dates. Here in Queenstown, there’s so much you can do to woo your other half, or find one, without resorting to a night on your sofa drinking a crate of Speight’s and watching Shakespeare in Love.
We’ve scoured the event listings to find some of the more unique activities available this Valentine’s Day in Queenstown. Whether you’re looking for love, hoping to get lucky with your beau or are trying to keep the sparks flying, here’s Queenstown’s hottest events…
Cycle Speed Dating
“You might meet someone who rings your bell, or make some wheely nice new friends.”
Meet at Cycle Higher on Earl Street for speed dating on two wheels. You’ll ride along the Queenstown Trail and into the park in pairs, swapping partners every few minutes. Tickets include a drink on arrival, a Cookie Time cookie and another drink at No5 Church Lane afterwards.
A ride guaranteed to take your breath away, particularly if your fitness levels are lagging.
For more information email - cyclespeeddating@gmail.com. Admission costs $28 and booking is essential.
Archer and Flora Knight – Gig at Sherwood
“No one really knows how Flora and Archer met, but it's not too far-fetched an idea that the world might've stopped spinning for one 13,000 billionth of a second or so.”
Two loved-up songbirds will grace Sherwood with their rockin’, rollin’, crawlin’ tunes.
The pair are tramping the South Island with guitars and fiddles in tow, playing gigs as they go. Check out their music here.
Tickets are $10 on the door. Show up early to scoff some of Sherwood’s fabulous food and get the romantic conversations going.
Science for Survival - AMN8’s Nano Trio
There’s nothing sexier than science.
At this free event at the Copthorne Hotel, three top female scientists and mathematicians will talk about their careers and discoveries. They’re here for the AMN8 advanced materials and nanotechnology conference, which looks at smarter and cleaner materials for a better world.
If that doesn’t make you swoon, we don’t know what will.
Registration essential, email: connect@catalystnz.org
Valentine’s Luge Lift of Love
Skyline’s speed dating with a difference.
There’s no awkward dinner dates involved, just a five-minute gondola ride to see if something clicks. If sparks don’t fly with your chairlift partner, simply whizz down on your luge cart and have another go.
Your admission includes the gondola, three luge rides and a free house drink to steady your nerves.
Dorothy Brown’s – Pork Pie
“We’re taking this bloody car to Invercargill, boy!”
If you’re not much of a talker, the cinema is the go-to date option. Boutique Cinema Dorothy Brown’s in Arrowtown is a romantic spot year-round with wine, beer and seriously good ice cream and cheese boards on offer. There’s often an interval, where you can get more wine, beer, ice cream and cheese, or you can attempt a conversation with your date.
We recommend watching recent release ‘Pork Pie’ – a remake of the 1981 Kiwi classic, where three accidental fugitives race across New Zealand in a yellow mini. There’s a love story in there somewhere, some epic chase scenes and plenty of Kiwi banter.
Wakatipu Grill
Are you a true romantic at heart, who demands red roses and a candle lit dinner?
If the above ideas are too quirky for your liking, do Valentine’s the old-fashioned way with a three course romantic dinner at Wakatipu Grill, the Hilton. The $70 special includes a glass of bubbly on arrival and if the evening is really going well, you can book a special accommodation package for $500.
Call 03 450 9400 or email wakatipugrill@hilton.com to make your reservation.
