Queenstown

Overview

Queenstown sits on the edge of Lake Wakatipu, ringed by the jagged Remarkables mountain range, and has built an entire identity around adventure tourism - this is where commercial bungy jumping was born. But you don't need to jump off anything to love it here; the drive in alone, past turquoise lakes and sheep-dotted hills, does most of the convincing.

Getting There

Queenstown Airport (ZQN) has direct flights from major Australian and New Zealand cities, landing you in one of the most dramatic runway approaches in the world. A rental car opens up the wider Otago region, including Wanaka and the wine country of Gibbston Valley.

Top Experiences

• Ride the Skyline Gondola for a sunset view over the lake, then take the luge down
• Try at least one adrenaline activity - bungy jumping at Kawarau Bridge, jet boating on the Shotover River, or skydiving
• Drive to Milford Sound for the day (it's long, but the fiord is worth it), or take a scenic flight instead
• Spend an afternoon wine tasting in Gibbston Valley, one of the world's southernmost wine regions

Local tip: Book Milford Sound cruises and any summer activities well ahead - Queenstown's small size means everything sells out fast in peak season.

Food to Try

Don't leave without a Fergburger, a Queenstown institution worth the inevitable queue. Central Otago is also serious Pinot Noir country - a cellar-door tasting pairs naturally with the mountain views.

Practical Info

• Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
• Getting around: A rental car is worth it for day trips beyond the town center
• Weather: Mountain weather changes fast - layer up even in summer
• Seasons: Reversed from the Northern Hemisphere - December to February is summer here