In a region dotted with serene alpine lakes, a summer holiday spent here can be filled with days lazing on picturesque shores and enjoying water sports. Lake Wanaka, Lake Wakatipu, Lake Te Anau and Lake Hawea are four of the best.
Queenstown's shopping, café and nightlife scene is always abuzz with activity. There's adventure to be had here as well, and nothing promotes family bonding like screaming together on a spine-tingling jet-boat ride. Or perhaps you could provide the countdown for your nearest and dearest before they hurl themselves off a bungy platform. Queenstown is, after all, the home of adventure and it will certainly ensure that it's a holiday to remember.
In the remote lower left-hand corner of the South Island are some of the most jaw-dropping views you'll see anywhere. Take a cruise on one of the fiords in Fiordland (more commonly known as sounds) for a magical experience guaranteed to impress even the most scenery-weary young family member.
Hitting the slopes for a skiing adventure is a Kiwi right of passage, and every year in winter the Southern Lakes region is abuzz with thousands of skiers and snowboarders who descend upon the area. Aside from the fabulous skiing terrain, there are also plenty of opportunities for off-piste fun, creating holiday memories of hot drinks in the chalet, fireside board games, snowball fights and gazing at star-filled night skies.
Aerial view Queenstown in winter from Bob's Peak © Destination Queenstown
Queenstown's dramatic landscapes and dynamic activities ensure its position as New Zealand's premier lake and alpine resort. Having the Remarkables mountain range as a backdrop, crisp alpine air to fill the lungs and superb restaurants to nourish, this famous town makes for an inspiring and revitalising family holiday.
This picture-perfect landscape entices Hollywood filmmakers to record in Queenstown, and this trend continues to grow as more and more producers cast favourable eyes over the stunning scenery, increasing film facilities and expertise available in the area.
Queenstown certainly puts on a show for its visitors. The town's centre is compact and everything is within walking distance, including more than 100 places to dine. The streets are often alive during the night and the day with live music and street theatre, and many shops stay open until 10pm.
But Queenstown's main claim to fame is its collection of spine-tingling adventure activities; commercial bungy jumping was born here. Other activities include skydiving, canyon swinging and white-water rafting.
The new Queenstown Cycle Trail includes over 100km of stunning vistas, hidden ruins, spectacular architecture and world-class food and wine. It passes through Queenstown, historic Arrowtown and the vineyards of the Gibbston Valley. Guided tours are available.
Attractions
- As the home of commercial bungy jumping, Queenstown has plenty of places where you can have a go at this extreme sport. Whether from a ledge, bridge or high wire, prepare to experience a sensation well beyond words.
- Jet-boating is a favourite Queenstown activity, with thrilling options available on the Kawarau and Shotover rivers.
- The region's incredible visual appeal makes skydiving a spectacular experience. Then there's the buzz of rafting and canyoning, the exhilaration of paragliding or hang gliding and the thrill of river boarding. If that's not enough, try a 4WD safari, sailing, horse trekking, quad or motor biking or for a truly breathtaking experience, take to the skies in a helicopter, plane or hot-air balloon.
- The historic paddle steamer TSS Earnslaw cruises the waters of Lake Wakatipu every day. Cruises can be combined with a visit to Walter Peak High Country Farm.
- One of the best ways to take in the breathtaking scenery of Queenstown and its surrounds is on horseback. There are several horse trekking operators in the region, with rides for novices to experts and everyone in between.
- Queenstown earns its title as the South Island's major ski resort town thanks to its easy access to world-renowned ski fields such as the Remarkables, Coronet Peak and Cardrona, as well as Snow Farm.
- The Skyline Gondola in Queenstown affords breathtaking views of Coronet Peak, the Remarkables mountain range and beyond. The panorama is truly magnificent, and the best part is getting back down - try the luge for a fast and incredibly fun descent.
- Whether your palate is well developed or simply enthusiastic, Queenstown has many vineyards and wineries to discover. The best way to cover all your bases is to go on the Queenstown Wine Trail, an absolute visual and taste sensation.
Lake Manapouri © Grant Chapman
Te Anau is the ideal spot from which to explore Fiordland National Park and its breathtaking sights. Not only is this pretty town the gateway to Fiordland's attractions, with Milford Sound a 2.5-hour drive away and Manapouri just a 20-minute drive away, it's also a family-friendly destination packed with attractions all of its own.
The township sits in one of the country's most scenic locations among spectacular mountains and lush virgin forest. The town's focal point, the sparkling blue waters of Lake Te Anau form the largest lake in the South Island and the second biggest lake in New Zealand (after Lake Taupo).
The basics are all readily available here, with shopping facilities, access to rental cars and banking facilities, the Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre and Museum, plus a great selection of restaurants, cafés and accommodation.
One of the best ways to spend a day here is to explore the Milford Road. This road from Te Anau to Milford Sound twists and turns its way through an amazing collection of diverse sights, making it one of the world's finest scenic alpine stretches. Dazzling scenery includes waterfalls, rivers, the Eglinton Valley, Lake Gunn, the Avenue of the Disappearing Mountain and the Mirror Lakes.
If you're doing the driving yourself, be aware the Milford Road does require caution, but a coach tour will eliminate the hassle of driving, free you up to gaze out at the scenery and provide an entertaining and informative running commentary.
Te Anau is known as the Walking Capital of the World - the Milford, Hollyford, Routeburn, Greenstone, Caples, Kepler and Dusky tracks (as well as several other excellent walks) are all nearby. Swimming, water skiing and boating at Bluegum Point, trout and salmon fishing, float-plane flights, kayaking and horse trekking are also popular activities to spice up your Good Old Kiwi Holiday.
Attractions
- For a truly mesmerising experience head to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves. Located on the western shores of Lake Te Anau, the caves are famous for their beautiful water-formed rock sculptures and formations, their rushing white water and whirlpools and their magical glowworms.
- If you're a bird lover, Te Anau Wildlife Centre is worth a visit. Also found on the shores of Lake Te Anau and home to many native (and rare) bird species; among them the flightless takahe, kea, kaka, weka and parakeets. Not only is this a great place to learn about native birds, but it's also free.
- Opposite the Te Anau Wildlife Centre is the 35ha Ivon Wilson Park, where open spaces, marked trails and native and introduced trees combine.
- Visit the Underground Trout Observatory to see and feed Lake Te Anau's rainbow and brown trout.
- Taking a cruise on one of the Fiordland sounds is a must-do experience. Most cruise providers are based in Te Anau and offer transport to the sounds.
© Destination Queenstown