Visit Queenstown, New Zealand

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Queenstown, the primary entry point for the South Island is arguably the most famous tourist destination in New Zealand. The city is nestled within the Southern Alps near Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand’s longest lake. Queenstown offers spectacular mountain views such as those of The Remarkables range in the Southern Alps and is often referred to as the Adventure Tourism Capital of the World. Along with a host of other thrill seeking opportunities, Queenstown claims it’s the world-wide home of Bungy Jumping. Thrill seekers seek out jumps from the Nevis Highwire Platform and the place where jumping tethered to an elastic cord is said to have had its beginnings, from the Kawarau Bridge spanning the river of the same name. Both locations are readily accessible to Queenstown. And, if the leaps from nose-bleed heights aren’t enough of an adrenaline rush there’s always the option of Jet Boating at places on the Dart River, the Shotover River and the gorges at Rakaia and Waiau. The town’s location is the gateway to the Central Otago region, a fast developing destination for wine lovers seeking to visit up and coming winemaking regions. The much awarded Amisfield Winery & Bistro, about 15 a minute drive from town, is just one such up and coming winery on the new world scene. Central Otago also offers diverse opportunities for exploring, adventure and recreation. Skiing, ice skating and curling are enjoyed by visitors to Central Otago during the winter months but the region’s surprisingly warm summers afford opportunities for trekking and cycling adventures, wine touring and tasting along with camping in the scenic mountains. Queenstown is about an hour’s drive from the resort of Cardrona with its ski and snowboard mountains at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables. The Remarkables ski area also offers a snowtubing park. The Queenstown Trail offers trekkers and cyclists a nearly 70 mile long trail linking the towns of Queenstown, Arrowtown and the area of Gibbston. The trail follows the natural landscape and rivers to link key access points to myriad sites of interest. Golfers are not left wanting in the Queenstown area, either, as the Millbrook Resort, voted New Zealand’s Best Golf Resort for the most recent 3 years running, offers 27 holes of challenging links and eye-popping vistas. The Millbrook Resort has maintained a reputation of offering the best of everything one comes to expect from a luxury oriented facility, including a world class Spa. A visit to Arrowtown might also be motivating to some tourists, especially in the Southern Hemisphere’s fall season. Located on the banks of the Arrow river, the half hour journey from Queenstown rewards with pallet of red’s and gold’s when the autumn leaves begin to fall. The Arrowtown Autumn Festival presents attractions including a street parade, concerts in unique settings and the Buckingham Belles Can Can, Art Exhibitions, Vintage Cars and the Arrowtown Entertainers Musical.

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