Cardrona Hotel False Front

The Cardrona Hotel False Front is a historic wooden building from the 1860s in the Queenstown-Lakes District. Its front is designed to appear larger than the structure behind it, a construction technique meant to impress travelers passing through the valley.

The hotel was built in 1863 during the gold rush in the region and served as a vital stopping point for miners and travelers. After the mining boom ended around 1890, the building gradually declined and fell into disrepair until a restoration effort in the 1980s brought it back to life.

The building takes its name from the valley where it stands, and its wooden false front reflects the architectural style of the gold-mining era. Visitors can see how travelers and miners once gathered here to rest and exchange news about their journeys.

The building is easily accessible on foot from Cardrona town center and can be viewed from the outside at no cost. Inside, there is a restaurant and bar where visitors can eat and enjoy drinks while learning about the location.

Owner Jimmy Patterson gained a local reputation for controlling how much alcohol guests could consume based on their destination. Travelers heading over the Crown Range could drink only one, while those heading to Wanaka were permitted two drinks per visit.