About Cardrona Hotel
The Cardrona Hotel opened in 1863 and is one of only two buildings left from the Cardrona Valley gold rush, when it was one of four hotels serving miners and coaches. As the gold ran out, most of the township was carted off to what became Wānaka. Jimmy Patterson ran the bar from 1926 until his death in 1961, after which it closed and fell into disrepair, until Rosemary and Eddie Jones restored it in the 1980s. They opened the restaurant in 1983 and began serving after-ski high tea, the start of the hotel's long après-ski tradition. A 14-room accommodation block was added in 2002, and the current owners have run it since 2013.
It sits on the Crown Range road between Wānaka and Queenstown, about five minutes from the Cardrona ski area, so winter brings skiers and summer brings road trippers. For 12 to 25 October 2026 the restaurant and bar open Monday to Friday from 11am and weekends from 10am, until late. A bakery opens daily from 6:30am until 12:30pm or until it sells out, and the Old Schoolhouse gift shop opens daily from 9am to 5pm.
The bar menu covers a lamb burger, fish and chips and chicken parmigiana, while dinner from 6pm brings venison, beef Wellington and a shared lamb shoulder. There are kids' menus for every service, local wines and ales, and the large beer garden. Functions and weddings are hosted too.
Wānaka Lavender Farm on Morris Road is about 25 minutes north down the valley and opens daily.
What to do
- See one of the last buildings from the Cardrona gold rush
- Have lunch from the bar menu in the beer garden
- Book dinner for venison or a shared lamb shoulder after 6pm
- Grab morning baking from the bakery before it sells out
- Browse the Old Schoolhouse gift shop
Season, hours and prices
- Hours
- 12–25 October 2026: restaurant and bar Mon–Fri 11am–late, Sat–Sun 10am–late; bakery daily 6:30am–12:30pm; gift shop daily 9am–5pm
Good to know
- Reservations
- Restaurant bookings by phone
Tips for your visit
- Hours change through the year, so check the contact page on their website before you go
- The bakery closes at 12:30pm or earlier if it sells out
- The Crown Range road is high and winding; allow extra time in winter
- Plan a designated driver if you are stopping for a drink
Pair it with a lavender farm
Wānaka Lavender Farm · about 25 minutes away
Drive north down the Cardrona Valley to Wānaka Lavender Farm for its gardens and tearoom, then come back over for dinner or carry on to Queenstown.
Getting there
Questions
How old is the Cardrona Hotel?
It was established in 1863, during the Cardrona Valley gold rush.
Can you stay the night?
Yes. The hotel has guest rooms, including a 14-room block added in 2002.
Is there a kids' menu?
Yes. There are kids' menus for breakfast, the bar and dinner.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farm of Wānaka, New Zealand
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
