A schoolgirl who had just three hours' driving experience when she killed one of her friends in a head-on crash has warned young drivers to think twice before taking the wheel.

Two pilots used their airside security passes to sneak onto Queenstown Airport runway in the middle of the night to race a car.

Allied Farmers says it has has conditional agreement to sell the second stage of the Five Mile property development in Queenstown.

Paul Rush visits Queenstown and enjoys some mellow yellow adventures.

Forecast rain today is expected to raise the Lake Wakatipu level, but not beyond its peak, reassures Queenstown Lakes District Council.

Lake Wakatipu's brimming water level rose no further overnight and dropped slightly today, easing the risk of flooding in Queenstown.

Full-to-the-brim Lake Wakatipu is likely to start dropping back tomorrow, but high winds could still push waves of water into the streets.

River flow levels and a minimal rain forecast suggest Queenstown's Lake Wakatipu might only rise by a further 10cm.

The view augured well for a night out without kids, but hopes were soon dashed.

Cheapskate backpackers have forced a Queenstown supermarket to introduce a ticketing system for buying Bluff oysters.

We came here because we were on holiday in Queenstown and a friend who lives there recommended it as the "best brunch in town".