Queenstown

Surrounded by towering mountains and positioned on the edge of Lake Wakatipu it is the hub for adrenaline fuelled adventures, with an ever present sense of fun. It is rumoured that gold prospectors captivated by the majestic beauty of the surrounding mountains and rivers gave this now bustling and cosmopolitan town its name. With a veritable smorgasbord of outdoor activities, Queenstown is the home of the ultimate adventure bucket list. Apart from skiing from winter through to spring, activities such as sky diving, bungy jumping, canyon swinging, jet boating, horse trekking, and river rafting take place all year round. Queenstown is also a renowned cycling destination, providing everything from easy scenic tracks to back-country trails, road rides to heli-biking and the southern hemisphere’s only gondola-accessed downhill mountain biking. Ride the Skyline Gondola to ascend some 450m to the top of Bob’s Peak, high enough to appreciate how the town hugs the protected bays of the lightningbolt-shaped lake, and the wall of mountains in the distance, known as the Remarkables. If hardcore adventure is not your thing, there are plenty of more sedate options available. Experience one of the many walking and hiking trails, sightseeing tours or indulge yourself with boutique shopping, spa treatments and excellent food and wine. On the shores of glacially carved Lake Wakatipu, the country’s third largest lake, Queenstown offers a respite from the great outdoors with sophisticated dining and shopping. A popular holiday spot at any time of the year, Queenstown is renowned for its four distinctive seasons. Winter brings crisp, blue-sky days, spring retains the snow but blooms into longer, warmer days, summer offers sunshine and long twilights, and autumn a burst of brilliant red and gold. Head out of Queenstown and the drama of the Central Otago landscape unfolds around you. If you are a Lord of the Rings fan you’ll recognise many Middle Earth locations here. Nearby Arrowtown’s gold-mining history is alive and vibrant; visit the Lakes District Museum or go gold panning. At the northern tip of Lake Wakatipu is rural Paradise Valley and Glenorchy. From here it’s a short drive into the Mt Aspiring National Park and the start of some of New Zealand’s great walks. Skyline Gondola. Photos: iStock, supplied.