While today's scorching Gibbston Valley heat saw the majority of punters at the inaugural Earthtonz New Year's Eve music festival stay in the shelter of their camping quarters during the day, the setting of the sun brought out the crowds to join a core element dancing, sunbathing and soaking up the electronic beats of the predominantly international acts.
Dutch duo Kraak & Smaak got the chilled onlookers on their feet, followed by DJ Muggs, DJ and producer of hiphop outfit Cypress Hill, whose bass-heavy set set the momentum for about 2000 punters to dance into the new year with The Freestylers, and headlining countdown act Tommy Lee with DJ Aero.
Earlier, Queenstown was a picture of chaos, with thousands of visitors flooding the streets and traffic on the resort's main streets slowing to a crawl.
Queenstown Beach was full of revellers enjoying a sunny Central Otago day, with a handful of people braving the water and crowds of people checking out buskers at the Saturday markets further along the Marina at Earnslaw Park.
Droves of young people were wandering around with boxes of beer under their arms, suggesting a good day's trade for bottle stores and supermarkets in the town.
In Wanaka, hordes of people enjoyed a beautiful day, many braving the waters of the lake for a swim while others relaxed on the shore or meandered through the town.
