Haast - Queenstown

From Queenstown’s air of adventure to Arrowtown’s old-world charm to the sparkling waters of Lake Wanaka and the grandeur of Mt Aspiring National Park, this stretch of road is truly magical. Towering peaks surround vast open valleys and lofty waterfalls plunge from steep green cliffs.

It's no Grand Canyon, and this certainly isn't Arizona, but the Skippers Canyon near Queenstown is the closest you'll come to this Wonder of the World in New Zealand. Home to the legendary Shotover River, Skipper's Canyon was once the site of many a prospector during the late-1800s gold rush. Because of its depth, access in and out of the canyon was by horse or mule via the Pack Trail.

Today, you can jump on a modern mule (aka your mountain bike) and tackle the thrilling 7km descent of this old Pack Trail from the top of the canyon to the valley floor. Pack your helmet, check your brakes and bring along a massive dose of adrenaline for the most extreme downhill descent imaginable. If you don't have a bike of your own or have left yours at home, you can hire one from Queenstown or even take a tour.

The trail starts at Skippers Saddle, a rocky outcrop among the jagged tors at the top of the canyon. Don't be put off by the initial steep descent; the series of mild switchbacks can be a bit intimidating at first, but the trail goes on to cross the river near an old gold miner's hut, and begins to flow more freely from there on out. Rocky in parts, the Pack Trail continues with more switchbacks, short but sharp uphill sections and a final blast at the bottom through the widest of several creeks.

If that's still too nerve-wracking for you, opt for the wider 4WD road, which offers similar thrills without the fear. But for intermediate to experienced riders, the single-track Pack Trail is well worth the (calculated) risk. If your eyes aren't super-glued to the track, check out the awesome views of the Richardson Mountains to the west and Harris Mountains to the east.

Prepare to experience a perspective of the globe like you never have before with a visit to Puzzling World.

Set among almost three hectares of lawns and gardens at the Wanaka township entrance, here you can explore the modern-style maze, with its confusing passages.

Once you’ve completed that (or given up and headed to the exit) there’s the Illusion Rooms, with amazing 3D holograms and the Hall of Following Faces, where 68 giant, famous eyes follow you around the room.

Then it’s on to the Ames Forced Perspective Room, with the illusion techniques used in the Lord of the Rings film to create tall and little people and the Tilted House, which will mess with your brain.

This is great value, genuine family fun where both adults and children are sure to be highly entertained.

Take Queenstown with its compact town centre, numerous first-class restaurants and bars, and locals and visitors who are keen to party and the result is a thriving nightlife.

There are more than 100 places to dine here – a collection of local and international restaurants – which blend in nicely with bars, casinos and cafés that are scattered throughout the town.

Whether it's in the heart of the city, overlooking the water or providing breathtaking views, chances are you'll be drawn to one (or more) of these establishments. Often top-class musicians covering various genres will add to the buzz by performing in many of these venues.

She's over ninety years old and looks as good as the day she was launched. The pure lake waters and clean alpine air have treated Queenstown's 'Lady of the Lake' very well. It was October 1912 when TSS Earnslaw made her maiden voyage from Kingston to Queenstown on beautiful Lake Wakatipu, and she has been delighting passengers ever since.

Originally commissioned by the government to service the growing tourist trade and farms in the lake region, the vessel was taken over by Fiordland Travel in 1968 to operate pleasure cruises on the lake.

As the last remaining coal-fired passenger vessel operating in the southern hemisphere, TSS Earnslaw recaptures the elegance of turn-of-the-century travel.

Cruises on the TSS Earnslaw depart regularly all year round. You'll find plenty of time to explore the steamer's decks and bridge and look down into the engine room where stokers feed the pounding marine steam engines a tonne of coal every hour.

You can also combine your cruise with a guided visit to Walter Peak High Country Farm where you can go horse trekking, have a barbecue lunch, join a heritage excursion or enjoy a delicious evening dinner. On the way back, relax in the bar and join a lively sing-along with the ship's pianist.

It's true - no one can throw a winter party quite like Queenstown can. The vibe here builds as winter nears and the town gears up for the nation's biggest winter celebration, the Queenstown Winter Festival. Head to our own winter wonderland from 25 June to 4 July 2010 and see why around 60,000 people will be doing the same. Don't forget your warm clothes, sense of humour, dancing shoes, and of course, your mardi gras costume!

The iconic Winter Festival is ten days of non-stop partying, mountain events and fantastic entertainment. There's something here for everyone, from loads of mountain action, street parties, fireworks, live concerts and comedy to theatre, family fun, and a great mix of internationally acclaimed performers and home-grown acts.

Ben Lomond is a name that pops up all over New Zealand as well as the world: a Munro in the Scottish Highlands, an area in California, a volcano near Lake Taupo, a lunch bar in Pakuranga and a mountain in Queenstown. Mountains in Tasmania and Utah, steamboats from the 20th century, and towns in West Virginia and Arkansas also carry the name. So who is this Ben Lomond, and what is the Ben Lomond Track in Queenstown?

You might be surprised to learn that Ben Lomond is not the name of one great man who travelled the globe pioneering mountains, sailing the high seas and inventing sandwiches, but a Gaelic translation of "beacon peak", hence the name's widespread use.

A full day of walking will get you to the summit of Ben Lomond in Queenstown, not before tracking through native beech forest or Douglas fir stand, alpine tussocks and dragon-leaf grass trees. Magnificent views of Lake Wakatipu and the majestic mountains Queenstown is renowned for are plenteous on this track, and the views from the summit do not disappoint. The only question left is: are you up for the challenge?