14thth Jan Nov - 20 Nov 2014 2017 27 3rdthFeb
FIRST ON THE STREET
No No 434 626
LAKES WEEKLY BULLETIN
1 J IN O 16 SI BS D E
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50 Years of Fun. Perched atop glorious Bob’s Peak, Skyline has been the cherry on top of Queenstown since the mid-60’s when a group of inventive local pioneers built the gondola – the first one in the Southern Hemisphere. The gondola brought Queenstown to the international stage, spurred the growth of the area, and has since been a hallmark of Queenstown (and New Zealand) tourism. Fifty years on, present day, Skyline has remained a central part of the Wakatipu – it’s what gives Queenstown its wow factor. If you only had one day in Queenstown, Skyline would be the place to go. From bungy jumping, to mountain biking, to luging, it has all the quintessential Queenstown activities all wrapped up in one beautiful place. The vision of those Skyline pioneers needs to be applauded. What would Queenstown be without its gondola? And the question has to be asked, would it ever get built today? Probably not, given the “adverse visual effects” argument of the Resource Management Act. In my hometown back in Santa Cruz California, our star attraction is a seaside amusement park built in 1907 – charming from afar with an original wooden rollercoaster, but not the most reputable community asset in 2017. The Boardwalk is beloved by tourists, but snubbed by locals as a major culprit for most of the rubbish on the nearby beaches. Skyline is not that kind of tourist attraction. Unlike the Boardwalk, Skyline’s stakeholders have a vested interest in maintaining its connection with the environment. The planned mega milliondollar upgrade to the gondola and associated buildings is a commitment from the owners that Queenstown will never be left with a once wonderful but now tired old attraction. A lot of that commitment comes from the locally owned and operated investment mentality we are lucky enough to have in Queenstown. AJ Hackett, NZSKI, Real Journeys are other examples.
Another amazing Melbourne Cup day put together by the Ballrat team - Elise Dowling, Lucy Taylor, Lauren Ludlow, Tracy Poole and Sarah Huggard. (Photo: Jodi Walters)
Not only is Skyline at the centre of Queenstown’s successful tourism industry, it’s a driving force in the district’s economy and an embedded part of the community. It’s one of the few corporations that funnels money back into the community, supporting more than 60 organisations and charities. Just think how different Queenstown would be without this major benefactor. If you haven’t been up to Skyline yet, now is the time to go. November marks their 50th birthday and they have tons of events and specials on all month long to celebrate, including 50% off gondola and luge rides this Saturday (18th November) for locals. This month is not only an important milestone for Skyline, but Queenstown tourism as a whole. Skyline is the ‘good kind’ of tourist attraction, and one I feel good about supporting with my tourist dollars. Haley Turner Californian in Kiwiland
LATINO PARTY www.qac.co.nz
SATURDAY 18th JOHN RAVENS WEATHER Last week John was 100% correct
RENTAL PROPERTIES
See inside back cover for our full list
TUES
WED
THUR
FRI
SAT
Fine Spells. Fine apart from Fine with Afternoon Fine Spells. Fine. Morning Cloud Southwesterlies Southwesterlies Southwesterlies Not Much Wind
SUN
MON
Fine. Little Wind
Partly Cloudy with not much Wind