This guest post is by Craig Patterson.
With the 2011 Rugby World Cup now in full flight I thought it might be an opportune moment to cast the spotlight on the host nation, New Zealand and more specifically one of its smaller but no less vibrant communities, Queenstown. Although the closest a rugby match will come to being played in the peaceful resort town is in nearby Invercargill, Queenstown still has plenty to offer at any time of the year.
There is a charismatic and intimate sense to Queenstown that lends it a small-town feel but with many of the benefits of a more sizeable municipality. Visitors can choose from a variety of accommodations in the area from boutique guesthouses, to remote lodges and grand hotels such as the exclusive Eichardt’s Private Hotel which looks out over the waters of Lake Wakatipu and backs on the fashionable Beach Street.
 |
| Looking out over Lake Wakatipu |
What you get up to in Queenstown can largely depend upon the season; this is a town that metamorphoses from a charming slow paced community into a bustling snow sports Mecca during the winter months when New Zealanders from miles around as well as hordes of international enthusiasts descend upon the region to enjoy its renowned ski and snow boarding facilities. Of course being in the Southern Hemisphere this winter period stretches from June to the end of August; although the skiing season does continue into October.
For anyone lucky enough to visit Queenstown towards the end of June, the annual Winter Festival is a spectacular 10 day event featuring a host of winter-related activities including street parades, exhibitions, workshops, invitationals, fireworks displays, markets, street stalls and much, much more. If you’re not hitting the slopes on one of the 6 international standard pistes then you can take time to explore the beautiful National Parks of Mount Aspiring, the Fiordland or Glenorchy.
During the long, pleasant days of the summer months a steam boat tour of the winding Lake Wakatipu is a must. Whether you choose a historic steamer or a regal sailing ship, the views out across the bay and Otago’s highlands beyond that are breathtaking. The adventure doesn’t stop when the snow melts, and one of the most memorable experiences for outdoor enthusiasts is a helicopter flight and cross country bike ride down from Ben Crauchan, one of the tallest peaks in the Remarkables (yes that’s what it is really called) mountain range. Promising incredible panoramas of the undulating landscape and an adrenaline fuelled race down the mountain this is the ideal way to get the heart racing and enjoy a unique perspective of Queenstown.
If you really have a stomach of steel you could dare yourself to take the ultimate plunge; the Nevis Bungee jump- a member of the famous AJ Hackett group of bungee sites- stands at over 134m and is New Zealand’s highest commercial bungee. With over 8 seconds of free fall, the Otago countryside will never look as spectacular nor as intimidating when you are stood at the edge of the bungee pod that hovers high above the Nevis River.
Despite its diminutive size Queenstown still boasts a rather impressive catalog of shops, bars, restaurants, museums and galleries to entertain any taste or persuasion from the iconic Fergburger burger bar (a must try) to fine dining experiences such as the skyline restaurant- perched above the city on Bob’s Peak with fantastic views across the lake and beyond. The skyline restaurant actually forms part of the wider skyline complex which features a cable car ride up to the summit and also a down hill luge course promising fun for all of the family. The Skyline Kiwi Haka is a cultural exhibition that allows guests to appreciate up close traditional Maori practices including, dance dress and ceremony.
 |
| The view from Bob’s Peak |
Shopaholics are sure to find a bargain or two as well as “splash the cash” around the centrally located shopping district which boasts a number of renowned outlets and famous labels as well as couture items. Local sheep skin clothing, artworks and crafts such as Pounamu (Jade) jewelery make great souvenirs and mementos of your trip. The shopping area generally encompasses Shotover Street, Beach Street, Ballarat Street and Camp Street.
 |
| Milford Sound |
If you have time to (or even if you don’t), a tour to Milford Sound- one of the world’s most recognizable and celebrated natural sites- is highly recommended. Judged by Trip Advisor users as one of the world’s top travel destinations, numerous tour operators and services are available from Queenstown to Milford Sound in the Fiordlands of the west coast. Driving times can vary according to weather conditions but are generally between 4-5 hours with a choice of stop offs; usually at Te Anau, a small but quaint town on the banks of the Te Anau Lake. A boat trip around the simply breathtaking scenery is just reward for the long journey time. One of the more expensive but most spectacular ways to encounter the Sound is to combine your trip with a light aircraft flight back to Queenstown; a chance to take in all of the drama and grandeur of the South Land region.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————
Craig Patterson is an avid traveller and professional travel writer and has been lucky enough to visit Queenstown on a number of occasions. He is also an associate of The Turquoise Holiday Company, one of the world’s leading tour operators specialising in luxury holidays and honeymoons.
No comments yet.