Queenstown is a scenic town in the South Island of New Zealand. It is one of the most beautiful regions of Otago and offers year round attractions. The town sits on the edge of Lake Wakatipu and is surrounded by the Southern Alps. The most remarkable sight is the Remarkables, which is a saw-toothed range of mountains on the opposite side of the lake from the town.
Queenstown lies at the outlet to Lake Wakatipu, one of New Zealand's Southern Lakes. It caters for tourists on a wide range of budgets, from backpackers to luxury tourists. In many respects Queenstown can be a tourist trap. However, reasonable prices and bargains can be found for those prepared to look for them.
Queenstown is a party town during high seasons. if you plan on getting a good nights sleep, then you might consider staying slightly out of town. It is common to see people on the street up to 5am in the morning, coming back from the disco or pub. If you are looking for a relaxing scenic holiday, Wanaka (an hour drive) is smaller and more tranquil (with less of a party atmosphere).
The town and surrounding area was originally settled by Europeans and a substanial Chinese population for gold mining and farming in 1860s. After the decline of goldmining, Queenstown became a sleepy rural town, popular as a summer getaway.
In 1947, New Zealand's first commercial skifield Coronet Peak opened and since then the town has grown into a world class tourist resort. There are now 4 commercial skifields within easy driving of Queenstown.
PLACE TO VISIT
The spectacular mountain scenery and Lake Wakatipu dominate the view from many parts of town. Most attractions in Queenstown make the most of the view. It is enough reason to spend time in Queenstown if you choose not to do anything else.
One of the best views is from the top of Bob's Peak reached by the Skyline Gondola. Breathtaking views of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables mountain range and across Lake Wakatipu to Cecil and Walter Peaks. It's truly magnificent and awe-inspiring!
The drive to Glenorchy, 50 minutes north up Lake Wakatipu, is rated as one of the top scenic drives in the world. The Gibbston Valley wine area is 20 minutes drive from Queenstown by the ancient Kawarau Gorge.
For visitor information and brochures, call into the official Queenstown i-SITE office on the corner of Shotover & Camp Streets. Ph 03 442 4100 Email: info@qvc.co.nz
WHAT TO DO
Skiing & snowboarding - 4 world class ski fields
Touring - the scenery surrounding Queenstown makes for excellent touring, with lakes, mountains and bush around vineyards and farmland
Bungy Jumping
AJ Hackett Bungy, first commercial bungy jump established on the Kawarau Bridge edit
Jet boats. Wxciting jetboat rides have been operating near Queenstown for 50 years. The jet boats carry passengers at high speeds over shallow waters performing stunts like 360 degree pirouettes in the water.
Shotover Jet. The original Shotover Jet is billed as "The World's Most Exciting Jetboat Ride"
Luge is fun filled gravity ride for all ages and abilities. You control your own gravity propelled vehicle down the track. Choose from two tracks, one scenic and gentle, the other advanced and adventurous.
Horseback riding. There are some great tours that pick up in Queenstown and take you into the valleys, through rivers, etc. Pamphlets can be collected at any hotel or hostel to explore the dozens of horseback tours
Parasailing
Mountaineering
Parapenting - launching yourself off a hill with a parachute to ride the "thermals"
White water rafting
Scenic flights - the helicopter and light aircraft flights to Milford Sound and Fiordland are rated amongst the best in the world.
HeliWorks
Flyfishing
Hiking
You can do a short walk to the Oxenbridge river tunnel from the Shotover Jet base.
Heli-hiking in stunning, remote locations near Queenstown and get away from the crowds.
HeliWorks,
Wine tasting. The southernmost vineyards in the world are close by.
Cycling - hire a bike for the day and use your legs.
Relaxing - Queenstown is a sleepy village with reasonable nightlife
Fishing - lake wakatipu is known for it's trout. You cannot buy fishes from lakes in NZ, you have to fish for them yourself.
Cruising - lake cruises on Lake Wakatipu offer great views of the town, surrounding mountains, etc.
HOW TO REACH
By plane - Queenstown has an international airport which is served by two large carriers, Qantas and Air New Zealand. There are connecting flights from all New Zealand's major centres and, during the ski season, direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in Australia.
Queenstown airport is known for it's spectacular approach, the snow-covered mountains of New Zealand's Southern Alps surround it on four sides and there is a complicated path to the runway. Low cloud and cold weather can close the runway, especially in winter, resulting in cancelled flights.
Queenstown airport also provides for private jets and other aircraft, and there is a huge number of helicopter take-offs and landings each day. Scenic flights and heli-skiing are a popular attraction for the region.
Queenstown is an expensive airport and it can be cheaper to fly to Dunedin or Christchurch and drive the 3 1/2 or 6 1/2 hour journeys.
By bus - Daily services from Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill, Te Anau, Wanaka and the West Coast.
Newmans Coach Lines operates a premium sightseeing tours to Queenstown from Christchurch and from the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers.
InterCity Coachlines is New Zealand's national coach company and operates over 150 services to more than 600 destinations nationwide. Daily services in and out of Queenstown connect throughout the South Island.
nakedbus.com is the cheapest way of getting to Queenstown with fares starting at $1 if you book early enough. Many international tour companies carry holidaymakers into Queenstown by coach.
By car - Allow a full day from Christchurch (about 6 hours driving). The drive is spectacular, through the diverse countryside of New Zealand's South Island, with vast plains, rolling hills, multicoloured lakes and mountain passes. Major international and all national rental car and campervan companies have offices in Queenstown.
