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Local time Queenstown

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Queenstown Travel Guide

About Queenstown

Queenstown’s mind-blowing lakeside setting, beneath the splendid Remarkables mountain range, turns the adrenaline radar up to the max - and that’s before you’ve even booked your first bungee jump.

Adventure junkies flock to this sublime New Zealand town on the South Island to test its claim as the adventure capital of the world. The array of excitement-inducing activities on offer is mind numbing: you can fling or swing yourself from pretty much any available ledge or peak. A bungee jump off the Kawarau Bridge is virtually a rite of passage for any self-respecting visitor (this is the birthplace of the bungee, after all, invented here in 1988 by AJ Hackett). Then there’s jet boating, flying foxes, the world’s highest swing, canyoning, river surfing, acrobatic flights - you name it. In winter, meanwhile, skiers and snowboarders hit the slopes by day and take advantage of the town's legendary bars and clubs by night.

And if all that high-velocity action gets your heart beating a little too fast, you can take it easy on a laid-back vintage steamship cruise on S-shaped Lake Wakatipu or calm your nerves with a few swigs of Pinot Noir on a winery tour. Discover the region’s gold-mining heritage in nearby Arrowtown, or sink into a private cliff-side pool peering over the Shotover River canyon.

From Queenstown, it’s a short drive to Mount Aspiring National Park, a heady mixture of remote wilderness, pristine river valleys and soaring peaks. The park is home to the beautiful Routeburn Track, a two- to four-day hike weaving through beech-forested valleys and alongside clear green rivers, glistening alpine lakes and breathtaking views from a mountain pass. Further south, a kayak paddle through magnificent Milford Sound is an experience you’ll be telling your grandchildren about.

With such a mesmerising panorama, it’s little surprise that native New Zealander, Peter Jackson, decided to use Queenstown and some of its unspoilt surroundings as the backdrop for Middle Earth in The Hobbit movies and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. This is the one set where you’ll want to be the star.

Key facts

Population:
16000
Latitude:
-45.031104
Longitude:
168.662731
A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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The Diary

The Dairy is a classy operation - formerly a corner store, this sumptuous guest house contains 13 intimate rooms, all kitted out with designer touches and a contemporary feel. Breakfasts and afternoon teas are a treat, and there are open fireplaces for those chilly evenings. Great packages are available for skiers in winter.

Eichardt's Private Hotel

Established in 1867, Eichardt's has just five opulent suites all with roaring fires, luxurious bathrooms and lake views. Decor is a mixture of modern comfort and antique elegance. Guests can also enjoy the relaxing Parlour and comfortable House Bar. A great luxury Queenstown hotel if you want to splash out.

Evergreen Lodge

Located on the outskirts of Queenstown, the Evergreen Lodge has beautifully decorated contemporary rooms and panoramic views of the lake and the Remarkables. It's a great place to kick back and relax, dispensing with urban grit.

Tanoa Aspen Hotel

This Alpine-style resort offer 87 rooms ranging from lake-facing rooms, some with private balconies, to homely, two-bedroom apartments. There's also 24 hour service, a stoage area for skis, snowboards and bikes, laundry facilities, two spas, complimentary parking, Wi-Fi and a restaurant with fantastic views.

Hotel St Moritz

Within easy walking distance of the central area, this hotel enjoys a dramatic setting with panoramic lake and mountain views. Every sumptuously decorated room boasts a 40" LCD television with i-pod docking station, while there's a stylish bar, dining room and library featuring a stunning stone fireplace.

Four Seasons Motel

All 15 rooms are equipped with kitchen facilities, DVD, stereo and flat screen TVs. There's a 15m (45ft) outdoor swimming pool, spa pool, BBQ, grassed play area, guest laundry and drying room for skis. Best of all, it's a short walk into the centre of town.