Queenstown

Queenstown is well known as the South islands adventure capital as it offers an almost unlimited array of adrenaline pumping adventure activities, most of which have the most amazing backdrop of stunning scenery. Queenstown is wedged between beautiful lake Wakatipu and the Southern alps, which allow for many water sports as well as alpine adventures to be added to the mix.

In winter there is a choice of two ski fields to ski or snowboards with exhilarating downhill runs, overlooking the town and lake. In summer the chairlift still operates taking mountain bikers up the hill to bike back down through the forest trails. The café / restaurant at the top offers great food, amazing views of lake and Alps and has regular live cultural displays and dances as well as souvenir shops.

There are many walking tracks around the district some short and leisurely while others like the renowned Routeburn track can take four days to complete but the scenery and terrain make it well worth the effort.

Some of the many adventure activities on offer are Jet boating the rapids of the Kawerau river, Bungee jumping/swinging, Canyoning, White water rafting/surfing/sledging, Kayaking , 4WD tours, Luging/Flying foxing, Flying, Gliding and Skydiving but more are being offered all the time.

There are also horse treks through the rugged foothills of the alps available for those less adventurous but who will appreciate the beautiful scenery. There are also Golf, Winery tours, Aerial sightseeing.

The lake offers great trout fishing or you can take a lake cruise on the Earnslaw, a vintage steamship that was once the main form of transport in days gone by.

Day trips to beautiful Milford sound can be started from Queenstown or scenic flights and helicopter tours to Mt Cook and its Glaciers take off daily from the airport.

Queenstown has accommodation and restaurants to suit those traveling in luxury as well as those on a tight budget and with stunning scenery and all those activities is a must see for everyone