8 minute read
Queenstown Must-Do's
WELLNESS MUST-DO'S
Golf at Jack’s Point
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Both the golf course and its restaurant sit at the foot of mountain peaks on a beautiful, mirror-like lake,while Millbrook Resort (in nearby Arrowtown) has previously been voted the best course in Australasia. Other highly rated courses where you can swing your club include Arrowtown Golf Club, The Hills, Queenstown Golf Club and Frankton Golf Centre.
The Spa at Nugget Point
Book a private outdoor hot tub and let your gaze wander across epic alpine views. Then make full use of the salt-water plunge pool, steam room and sauna.
Onsen Hot Pools
Sit in your own private spring-fed hot tub before sweeping alpine views. Each cedar tub enjoys its own private room and a retractable roof to bring the outdoors in.
ADRENALIN MUST-DO'S
Jet Boat
Skid across Lake Wakatipu at hair-raising speeds, then blastdown Kawarau and Shotover rivers.
© KJet
Shotover Canyon Swing
The world’s highest cliff jump with 60m of freefall.
Hydro Attack
A semi-submersible watercraft that speeds across Lake Wakatipu and dives to 2m.
Fun Riverboarding
Surf down Kawarau River while navigating grade 2 and 3 rapids on modified bodyboards.
Little Thailand Rock
Jump This little-known spot on Lake Wakatipu impels brave types to leap off 5-15m-high cliffs into the water.
Skippers Canyon Road
This precarious road drops vertically into the Shotover River and is so hairy,rental car companies won’t allow their vehicles near it. Consider taking a tour or if you’re fit, mountain biking is an option.
Ziptrek Ecotours
Swoop over the treetops on two exhilarating ziplines, culminating in a 21m drop.
Queenstown Paraflights
Set off by boat and then lift into the sky;up to three people can fly at once.
Hot Air Ballooning
Rise early for an 1800m-high exploration of TheRemarkables and Wakatipu basin.
Macetown
Take a rugged 4WD safari tour to explore this historical town. Cross the Arrow River 25 times as you head deep into the high country
NZONE Skydive
Most people agree that the Queenstown landscape is spectacular; few can say they've admired it from 15,000ft, while freefalling at 200km/hour. If such daredevil antics appeals, join a qualified NZONE instructor for a memorable tandem skydive.
Peak Gondola
Escorting visitors to prime powder terrain, winter sightseeing from these cable cars serves up phenomenal views. Disembark the gondola for tobogganing and the Yooner, a hybrid of sledding and skiing that provides another thrilling means to carve a route down the mountain.
AJ Hackett Collection
1. Nevis Swing
This isn't the type of swing a playground can prepare you for. It's a complete 300 metre arc – at speed – over a canyon. Squeal by yourself or go tandem and share the thrill with a friend.
2. Ledge Swing
Ride the gondola to get here (in which time you'll gather a sense of the immense height). Located at Skyline Queenstown, this 47-metre swing catapults off the hillside.
3. Bungy Jumps
Try the original Kawarau Bridge bungy; take off from The Ledge Bungy at Skyline Queenstown or experience New Zealand’s highest bungy, the 134 metre Nevis. With a whopping 8.5 second of free-fall.
4. The Nevis Catapult
Located in the same place as Nevis Swing and The Nevis bungy, if you’re more of a Superman-style daredevil, fly through the air at 100kph in 1.5 seconds, experiencing 3Gs of force.
5. The Kawarau Zipride
The smile will be plastered all over your face on this 130-metre swing-stye ride, careering over the canyon at 60kmph. Sitting is just one way you can tackle this thrill – superman poses are wholly encouraged.
SKI & WINTER MUST-DO'S
© Remarkables Ski Area
CORONET PEAK
The rolling, open slopes include 280 skiable hectares and slopes for all abilities. This ski area also offers night skiing for every skill level.
THE REMARKABLES SKI AREA
A favourite with families, three sun-drenched, north-facing, snow-filled bowls cater for all abilities, from the complete beginner to the dedicated powder hound.
CARDRONA ALPINE RESORT
Discover more than 320 skiable hectares of dry, natural snow for all levels of skiers and snowboarders. There’s also cross-country and freestyle skiing.
TREBLE CONE
Slopes cascade from great heights, allowing for some truly exceptional views. Intermediate (and above)skiers and snowboarders, as well as those comfortable with steep descents, go wild for the vast expanse of varied terrain.
SCENIC MUST-DO'S
Spirit of Queenstown Dinner Cruise © Southern Discoveries
TSS Earnslaw
This traditional steamship has been gracing the waters of Lake Wakatipu since 1912.Enjoy a 1.5-hour cruise and explore the vessel’s vintage engine room.
Southern Discoveries
Spirit of Queenstown offers scenic lake cruises; upgrade your sailing with wine and a cheese platter.
Skyline Gondola
Make your way up Queenstown’s dramatic hillside by gondola. The views are spectacular; at the top is Skyline Queenstown.
Bob’s Cove
This empty stretch of Lake Wakatipu lies 20 minutes out of town on the road to Glenorchy, reachable via the Bob’s Cove Track.
Drive the Crown Range
There are two routes from Queenstown to Wānaka. This is the shorter one,passing non-stop glorious views and one of New Zealand’s most iconic places – the Cardrona Hotel.
Lake Alta Track
Lake Alta is a striking glacial lake 1800m above sea level and 200m above The Remarkables ski field buildings, where this 90-minute walk begins.
Heli Flight to Cecil Peak
Cover all of Queenstown’s highlights by air. Glide over Lake Wakatipu, fly above historic Skippers Canyon, then land on Cecil Peak for more unprecedented views.
Glenorchy Air
A fantastic way to appreciate the full scope of the landscape is by scenic flight. Sunrise over Mt Aspiring is particularly memorable; a rare,romantic experience like no other.
Loop Around Moke
Lake Just 25 minutes from Queenstown this two to three-hour walk around the lake with several uncrowded swimming spots makes for a serene escape.
OUTDOORS MUST-DO'S
Queenstown Gardens
Home to landscape gardens, a playground, rose garden, frisbee golf and mere steps from shorefront walks and The Bathhouse Café, where you can eat with your toes inches from the sand.
Walter Peak High Country Farm
Established in the late 1800s and accessed via a TSS Earnslaw scenic cruise.The farm now runs tours and sheep demonstrations, followed by traditional afternoon tea.
Stargazing
Undisturbed by light pollution, the Queenstown region is blessed with a star saturated night’s sky. Operators in both Cardrona and central Queenstown offer compelling galaxy tours, or you can simply pack a blanket and head to Moke Lake. Lie back and quite literally stare into space.
Fly Fishing
With scenery this epic and water this clear,it’s worth pulling your waders on. Welcome to an angler’s paradise, with backcountry rivers open for fishing from November onwards.
ACTIVE RELAXATION MUST-DO'S
> Tracks & Trails – Tiki Trail, Queenstown Hill Time Walk, Ben Lomond Track, Queenstown Trail
> Kayak Dart River in a ‘Funyak’
> Pedal a three-wheeled aqua bike across stunning Lake Wakatipu
> Cycle to Kelvin Heights Peninsula for a picnic and a dip in the lake
> Self-guided wine tour on an e-bike with Around The Basin Bikes
FAMILY MUST-DOS
Rainbow lorikeet, Kiwi Wildlife Park © Kiwi Wildlife Park
Kiwi Birdlife Park
Located at the bottom of Skyline Gondola, visitors meet parakeets, kea and weka. Watch an informative conservation show, join a 45-min audio tour and observe the Kiwi Encounter show.
Thrillzone
Enjoy multiplayer virtual reality gaming and a 12D theatre. Open until 9pm every day.
iFLY
Experience all the exhilaration of skydiving without the 12,000 foot drop at Queenstown’s indoor skydiving centre.
SITE Trampoline
Burn off some serious energy with large, small and even interconnected trampolines.
Time Tripper
An underwater observatory with a difference; this 3D experience will take you back 90 million years.
Queenstown Ice Arena
Have a go at ice skating, curling and ice bumper cars; smooth, fast and so much fun!
Skyline Queenstown Luge
Jump on the ski lift at the top of Skyline Queenstown to access the luge start line. After an initial demo,you’re set free to race your friends and family down the hillside race track.
FOOD & DRINK MUST-DO'S
The Pinot Pit
This is part of the Hilton’s Wakatipu Grill and features a fire pit fronting Lake Wakatipu.
Hilton Wine Tasting Room
Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa is the world’s first Hilton to feature its own wine tasting room, representing prominent Central Otago vineyard, Three Miners of Alexandra.
Luxury Lunches
Book with The Helicopter Line, land atop The Remarkables, then drop into a vineyard for a cave tour and lunch.
Wine Tours Galore
Queenstown Wine Trail has been running wine tours since 1992; Gibbston Valley Wine Tours step inside the country’s largest wine cave; Appellation Wine Tours venture off the beaten track and Altitude Tours feature both daytime and twilight itineraries.
Starlit Wine Tours
Progressive Dinner Tours with Alpine Wine Tours involve a scenic, starlit drive complemented by gourmet meals and cellar tours.
Fergburger
These world-famous burgers have been joined by Fergbaker, Ferg’s Bar and Mrs Ferg Gelateria.
Amisfield Restaurant and Cellar Door
Distinct dining experiences, here. Lunch and dinner are degustation style, championing the season’s local produce. Wine tasting combines five wines for $15pp.
Better by Bike
Take a bike or e-bike to wineries and taverns to sample local food, wine and craft beer. The team has a full list of recommended trails.
Minus 5˚Ice Bar
The largest ice bar in the southern hemisphere is an intricately ice-carved world. Don a down jacket and gloves, sit on the ice furniture and sip on frosted drinks from icy glasses.
