7 minute read
Queenstown Must Do's
TOP TIP: Take a rugged 4WD safari tour to explore historical Macetown. You’ll cross the Arrow River 25 times as you head deep into the high country.
ADRENALIN
JET BOAT Skid across Lake Wakatipu at hair-raising speeds, then blast down Kawarau and Shotover rivers.
SHOTOVER CANYON SWIM The world’s highest cliff jump with 60m of freefall.
HYDRO ATTACK This semi-submersible watercraft speeds across Lake Wakatipu and dives to 2m.
FUN RIVERBOARDING Surf down Kawarau River while navigating grade 2 and 3 rapids on modified bodyboards.
ZIPTREK ECOTOURS Swoop over the treetops on two exhilarating ziplines, culminating in a 21m drop.
QUEENSTOWN PARAFLIGHTS Set off by boat and then lift into the sky; up to three people can fly at once.
SKIPPERS CANYON ROAD This precarious road drops vertically into the Shotover River and is so hairy,14 rental car companies won’t allow their vehicles near it. Consider taking a 4WD tour or if you’re fit, mountain biking is an option.
4WD OFF-ROADER Professional drivers will take you and two mates for a spin around the custombuilt course. This white-knuckle experience tackles near vertical hill climbs and descents, rock features and many other crazy components.
HOT AIR BALLOONING Rise early for an 1800m-high exploration of The Remarkables and Wakatipu Basin.
KAYAK DART RIVER on a Funyak and explore the dramatic landscape of Mt Aspiring National Park, a UNESCO world heritage area.
QUEENSTOWN MTB BIKE PARK Gondola ride up, then hit one of the 30 world-class downhill trails with 450m of vertical descent.
© Ziptrek Ecotours, Queenstown
Wellness
MILLER ROAD FRAGRANCES Indulge yourself and your senses at this perfume workshop. With 60 perfumery materials to choose from and expert insights into making a balanced fragrance, you will learn how to construct a scent and can take a bottle of it home.
SPA AT NUGGET PT This luxurious Grecian-style spa is located at Nugget Point Hotel. The range of facilities include fantastic plunge pools, sauna, steam room, rose shower and hot tub – the perfect place to unwind after a long day.
ONSENT HOT POOLS Sit in your own private spring-fed hot tub before sweeping alpine views. Each cedar tub enjoys its own private room and a retractable roof to bring the outdoors in.
TE ATAMIRA A new multipurpose art and cultural space holding exhibitions and workshops throughout the year. Delve into the latest works or installations on show or sign up to printing, pottery or weaving classes with expert tutors.
Ski & Winter
CORONET PEAK The rolling, open slopes include 280 skiable hectares and slopes for all abilities. This ski area also offers night skiing for every skill level plus on-mountain dining.
THE REMARKABLES SKI AREA A favourite with families, three sun-drenched, north-facing, snow-filled bowls cater for all abilities. Plenty of on-mountain spots to stop for lunch including an Ice Bar.
CARDRONA ALPINE RESORT More than 465 skiable hectares of dry, natural snow for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. Cross-country and freestyle skiing here too. One hour’s drive from Queenstown.
TREBLE CONE Intermediate (and above) riders, as well as those comfortable with steep descents, go wild for the vast expanse of varied terrain with truly exceptional views – just 90 minutes from Queenstown.
HELI-SNOWMOBILING Catch a ride in a chopper and feel the thrill of buzzing about on snowmobiles across pristine snow at elevations of up to 1800m.
OUTDOORS
Walter Peak High Country Farm © RealNZ
QUEENSTOWN GARDENS Home to landscape gardens, a playground, rose garden, frisbee golf, accessible trails and mere steps from shorefront.
WALTER PEAK HIGH COUNTRY FARM Established in the late 1800s and accessed via a TSS Earnslaw scenic cruise. The farm now runs tours and sheep demonstrations, followed by traditional afternoon tea.
STARGAZING Undisturbed by light pollution, the Queenstown region is blessed with a star saturated night’s sky. Operators in central Queenstown offer compelling galaxy tours.
FLY FISHING With scenery this epic and water this clear, it’s worth pulling your waders on. Welcome to an angler’s paradise, with back-country rivers open for fishing from November onwards.
CORONET LOOP TRAIL Queenstown’s newest cross-country trail, with over 50km of spectacular back-country and gold-mining heritage to discover on this epic single-track trail.
QUEENSTOWN TRAIL Offers over 130km of cycle trails.
TOP TIP: Over The Top Helicopters deposit golfers 1372 metres above sea level on a golf course only accessible by chopper.
ACTIVE RELAXATION
Queenstown © Adobe Stock
> Tracks & Trails – Glenorchy Walkway, Queenstown Hill Time Walk, Ben Lomond Track, Queenstown Trail
> New Zealand’s Great Walks – Access to the Routeburn, Milford and Kepler tracks
> Golfing at Jack’s Point, Millbrook Resort, Frankton, The Hills and Queenstown Golf Club
> Pedal a three-wheeled aqua bike across stunning Lake Wakatipu
> Cycle to Kelvin Heights Peninsula for a picnic and a dip in the lake
> Self-guided wine tour on an e-bike with Around The Basin Bikes
> Queenstown Art Trail Walk around Queenstown uncovering galleries and studios, then hit the road for an art-finding odyssey around the Wakatipu Basin
FAMILY
© IFLY, Queenstown
THRILLZONE Enjoy multiplayer virtual reality gaming and a 12D theatre.
IFLY Experience all the exhilaration of skydiving without the 12,000 foot drop at Queenstown’s indoor skydiving centre.
KINGPIN Packed with fun, hit the state-of-the-art bowling, cryptology escape rooms, arcade and pool tables.
TIME TRIPPER An underwater observatory with a difference; this 3D experience will take you back 90 million years.
QUEENSTOWN ICE ARENA Have a go at ice skating, curling and ice bumper cars; smooth, fast and so much fun!
SKYLINE QUEENSTOWN LUGE Jump on the ski lift at the top of Skyline Queenstown to access the luge start line. After an initial demo, you’re set free to race your friends and family down the hillside race rack.
KIWI PARK Located at the bottom of Skyline Gondola, visitors meet parakeets, kea and weka. Watch an informative conservation show, join a 45-minute audio tour and observe the Kiwi Encounter show.
SCENIC
Moke Lake in Spring © Destination Queenstown
TSS EARNSLAW This traditional steamship has been gracing the waters of Lake Wakatipu since 1912. Enjoy a 1.5-hour cruise and explore the vessel’s vintage engine room.
HORSE RIDING Head deep into Queenstown’s back country on horseback with jagged mountainscapes, pristine rivers and lakes providing a dramatic backdrop.
High country horse, Glenorchy © Destination Queenstown
SKYLINE GUIDED WALK Ride the gondola to the start of two guided walks: The Ben Lomond Saddle and Summit Hikes.
BOB'S COVE This secluded cove on Lake Wakatipu lies 20 minutes out of Queenstown on the road to Glenorchy, reachable via the Bob’s Cove Track.
LAKE ALTA TRACK Lake Alta is a striking glacial lake 1800m above sea level and 200m above The Remarkables ski field buildings, where this 90-minute walk begins.
HELI FLIGHT TO CECIL PEAK Cover all of Queenstown’s highlights by air. Glide over Lake Wakatipu, fly above historic Skippers Canyon, then land on Cecil Peak for more unprecedented views.
GLENORCHY AIR Appreciate the full scope of the landscape is by scenic flight. Sunrise over Mt Aspiring is particularly memorable; a rare, romantic experience like no other.
DRIVE THE CROWN RANGE There are two routes from Queenstown to Wānaka. This is the shorter one, passing non-stop glorious views and one of New Zealand’s most iconic places – the Cardrona Hotel.
LOOP AROUND MOKE LAKE Just 25 minutes from Queenstown this two to three-hour walk around the lake with several uncrowded swimming spots makes for a serene escape.
MOVIE BUFFS Feel Tolkien’s trilogy come to life as you visit the magical landscapes that inspired Peter Jackson’s film locations for the Lord of the Rings movies. Tours take you through Queenstown, Glenorchy and beyond.
