Nestled in the heart of Queenstown, Country Lane is a unique retail village that offers a refreshing take on shopping, relaxing, playing, and exploring. Unlike the fast-paced development trends that turn landscapes into concrete jungles, Country Lane grows organically, staying true to its farming roots and preserving the essence of the region’s rural origins.

Country Lane's story began on the Grant Farm, a sheep farm in the beautiful Whakatipu Basin spanning back 5 generations. Fourth-generation brother and sister, Bruce Grant and Tineke Enright, were inspired by their deep connection to the land and their desire to protect and enhance their family’s heritage buildings when Bruce and Tineke's parents, Bill and Tilly Grant, retired from sheep farming in 2014.

This vision soon became a reality as Bruce left his surveying job and Annika Grant, his wife, joined the team, leaving her career as an engineer. Together, Bruce, Annika, and Tineke combined their strengths to transform the farm into a hub for local artists, craftspeople, and sole traders. Their passion for preserving treasures of the past led them to relocate iconic holiday cabins from the Lakeview Holiday Park in Queenstown. The addition of these five cabins helped form the Country Lane collective, transforming the historic farm buildings into a rustic retail village adorned with lush gardens, farm animals, and a variety of local artisans.

Their dedication to celebrating Whakatipu’s farming history and its pioneering community recently culminated in a significant achievement: the relocation of the historic Queenstown District High School to Country Lane. This 100-year-old building, saved from demolition thanks to the tireless efforts of numerous passionate individuals and the community, arrived at Country Lane in a historic moment. The team felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility and excitement as they embarked on restoring this iconic building to its former glory.

The relocated school building will be transformed into a vibrant visual arts hub, featuring artists' workshops, gallery space, and arts-related businesses. This addition will enhance the unique visitor experience at Country Lane, offering a relaxed and quirky vibe. The interior will be reimagined to create ten different-sized rooms that highlight the iconic school windows and maximize natural light, creating an inspiring space for artists to work in studios bathed in daylight and overlooking the picturesque green space with roaming animals.

Country Lane is not just a place to shop; it is a journey back to Queenstown's roots, providing a space for the community to come together and celebrate local talent and history. They are still in the process of finalizing tenancies for the new arts hub, and they invite interested artists and creatives to join this exciting journey by filling out a Google form on their website, here. 

Country Lane stands as a testament to the power of preserving heritage and nurturing community spirit, creating a vibrant space where history and creativity flourish together.