William Gilbert Rees Statue
William Gilbert Rees Statue
William Gilbert Rees Statue
3.5
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Monuments & Statues
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
3.5
20 reviews
Excellent
3
Very good
10
Average
5
Poor
0
Terrible
2
santo t
Auckland, New Zealand7,589 contributions
Dec 2019
The explorer, settler and founder of Queenstown nearly 200 years ago in the shape of bronze satue. Not a very special attraction, however, at least visitors know some of the history of this tourist destination. You can find easily near the K Jet Pier, at the north end of Marine Parade. Not too far from here is the other statue, the giant Moa. Stop for a while and take photo when you are wandering along this beutiful lake front.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2MilesforaCookie
Philadelphia, PA133 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
If you need an easy to find meeting point for everyone, this is it! Easy to find & see from a distance, along with a bench for the weary and a nearby ice cream parlor for a treat while waiting for your friends/family
Written March 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Time to go travel
Brisbane, Australia2,089 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
Well, it history lesson time for the kids at this stop.
William Gibert Rees established a high country farm in 1860 close to the current location of Queenstown's town centre. His homestead was located near the mouth of the Kawarau River, at the site of the present day Hilton Hotel. Some historic buildings have been preserved.
Gold was discovered not far to the northeast two years later, at which point Rees converted his wool shed into a hotel named the Queen's Arms, now known as Eichardt's. Today, Rees is considered the founding father of Queenstown.
Also when gold was discovered in 1862, Rees was paid compensation of 10,000 pounds for the of of his farm.
William Gibert Rees established a high country farm in 1860 close to the current location of Queenstown's town centre. His homestead was located near the mouth of the Kawarau River, at the site of the present day Hilton Hotel. Some historic buildings have been preserved.
Gold was discovered not far to the northeast two years later, at which point Rees converted his wool shed into a hotel named the Queen's Arms, now known as Eichardt's. Today, Rees is considered the founding father of Queenstown.
Also when gold was discovered in 1862, Rees was paid compensation of 10,000 pounds for the of of his farm.
Written April 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sachin K
New York City, NY5,856 contributions
Dec 2018 • Solo
This bronze statue is impressive and is located close to the lake in Queenstown. Certainly worth a photo stop.
Written November 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simon J
United Kingdom3 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Why this fellow Welshman would leave his luscious green homeland in the middle of an industrial revolution that would change the world to travel to the back end of beyond in the middle of nowhere I will never know.
Written June 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dela
Wellington, New Zealand2 contributions
Feb 2021 • Couples
Don't understand how he was the first person here, when he obviously wasn't. Statue of the moa has more meaning.
Written February 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
422iana
Dunedin, New Zealand3,102 contributions
Jan 2021 • Family
The stute itself is OK with the view behind of the lake and is probably the busiest place in Queenstown. The are usually buskers and there is a few places to eat.
Written January 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christopher C
Selby, UK1,679 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
A fantastic bronze statue located near the water front to remember the life of the man who started Queenstown.
Well worth a stop to read the inscription.
Well worth a stop to read the inscription.
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KGB777
Singapore, Singapore41,727 contributions
Aug 2019
This is an attractive bronze statue located near the lake in Queenstown, not far from the point of departure for the various tourist boats. Easy to find and worth a quick stop when you're already in the area.
Written October 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gabriel H
Bellaire, TX7,078 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
William Gilbert Rees was the European founder of Queenstown. He settled in this area around 1861. The bronze is the creation of artist Minhal Al-Halabi, and dates back to 2001. It is located by the lake, right in front of Patagonia, an ice cream parlor that looks out on the lake.
Written May 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingWilliam Gilbert Rees Statue (Queenstown) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about William Gilbert Rees Statue
- We recommend booking William Gilbert Rees Statue tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 William Gilbert Rees Statue tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near William Gilbert Rees Statue:
- (0.03 mi) Absoloot Hostel QT
- (0.08 mi) Adventure Queenstown Hostel
- (0.06 mi) Eichardt's Private Hotel
- (0.08 mi) Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa
- (0.10 mi) Nomads Queenstown Hostel
- Restaurants near William Gilbert Rees Statue:
- (0.01 mi) Vudu Cafe And Larder
- (0.02 mi) Pog Mahones Irish Pub
- (0.02 mi) Surreal
- (0.03 mi) Mackenzie Coffee Co.
- (0.03 mi) Prime Waterfront Restaurant and Bar
- Attractions near William Gilbert Rees Statue:
- (0.01 mi) AuthenticAs
- (0.02 mi) Waka Gallery
- (0.02 mi) The Remarkable Sweetshop - Queenstown
- (0.03 mi) Escape Quest Queenstown
- (0.03 mi) SkyCity Queenstown Casino
William Gilbert Rees Statue Information
| Excellent Reviews | 3 |
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| Very Good Reviews | 10 |
| William Gilbert Rees Statue Photos | 28 |


































































