You could never accuse Queenstown of being shy; it wears its heart on its sleeve and practically drags you on an action-packed, thrill-a-minute, adrenaline junky’s dream ride. You want to jump from something high, or race down something steep, or explore something deep and dangerous? Perhaps wild river rapids are more your style, or maybe you’d just like to hang for a bit – several hundred metres above the ground.
Whether its rafting, gliding, skydiving, bungee-jumping, mountain-biking, land-boarding, extreme ironing or some other new and inventive way of scaring yourself witless, Queenstown can and does provide for the most impressive and joyous adventure.
Of course, you don’t have to get involved in any of the above; you could just take a stroll around the lake and take in the stunning sunset, or relax on the strip in any of the numerous eateries and watering holes. But where would be the fun in that?
Where to stay
The Queenstown Park Hotel provide excellent service and luxury, including fantastic wine and canapés in the evenings and local knowledge of tours and activities second to none. Brown’s Boutique is a quiet and charming option a small walk from the central parade.
Where to eat
Boardwalk specialises in seafood but also serves some superb cuts of beef and lamb and continues to beat off competition from many of Queenstown’s more recent fine dining options. Of those, Wai’s Waterfront Restaurant is particularly notable both for its fresh and creative menu and its fine location of Steamer Wharf.
What to see
Queenstown is a great place to try skydiving, bungee-jumping and a host of other adventure sports. You can also book air tours for some great views of the interior, while gastronomes will be delighted by a tour of the nearby Central Otago wine region.
