Great Kiwi Escapes | Queenstown | AA New Zealand Travel Guide

Anything is possible
Queenstown lives up to its reputation as the Adventure Capital of the World in more ways than one. The inspiring backdrop of The Remarkables mountain range, magnificent views of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu and some of the purest alpine air on earth ignites a sense of adventure in everyone. Where better to put yourself to the test than in this year-round playground and home to the world's first bungy jump!

A season for excitement

Step out into a fresh, bright spring morning in Queenstown and you'll appreciate why visitors keep coming back. It could be the way the alpine valleys and lakes are bathed in warm spring sunshine, it might be the fragrant cherry blossoms or maybe it's the promise of a lakeside picnic.

Set your own pace

Queenstown is a diverse place to holiday with a vast range of activities to entertain, invigorate, relax and challenge. No two travellers' tastes are ever quite the same. While the plucky grandmother thinks nothing of jumping out of a plane over Queenstown’s vast peaks, the satisfaction from kayaking on the lake, horse trekking or simply riding the gondola to photograph the town from a superb hilltop vantage point can’t be underestimated.

Adventure central!

For an honest-to-goodness adrenalin rush this unique corner of the rugged South Island leaves visitors truly spoilt for choice. On land, choose from quad biking, highly challenging downhill mountain bike tracks, heli-biking or the luge track. Take to the air for some of the most breathtaking views imaginable and get thrills aplenty from an aerobatic aircraft spin round the skies, helicopter ride, parapenting, bungy jumping, tandem skydiving, aerial swinging or a spot of hang-gliding.

Water works

Queenstown is the birthplace of commercial jetboating and its braided rivers provide fantastic water adventures. Rivers swell in spring, making rafting and jetboating escapades an exciting option. Catch the canyons on the famous Shotover River or jump aboard a jetboat from Queenstown Pier. Sail on an America's Cup yacht to blow away the cobwebs, or go canyoning or river boarding to send heart rates racing! For a glacier country experience visit Glenorchy for a jetboat ride up the Dart River.

Feed the senses

Dining alfresco is the ideal way to enjoy warming spring sunshine and you’ll find restaurants literally everywhere, some hiding in the tiniest of corners and many with outdoor areas. Many nationalities, cultures and influences cook up truly tantalising menus. Choose from Pacific influenced, traditional pub, winery kitchen, stylish café bar, Asian, designer burgers, Japanese, Indian, Chinese, Turkish or Mexican. Nearby, historic Arrowtown is a fine-dining hub and home to a gourmet chocolatier, French crêperie, gelaterie, delicatessen and a traditional tavern.

Wine time

Fine growing conditions in Central Otago mean the region has more than its fair share of award-winning wines. A trip to Gibbston Valley's vineyards will introduce glorious pinots and rieslings, and lively local bars have extensive wine lists where your sampling can continue in style. Live music entertains in many venues around town and visiting acts, international DJs and a 10-day Jazz Festival in mid October add to the lively evening scene.

Queenstown Gardens

A stone's throw from the lake shores and dawdling ducks, enjoy luminescent blooms and a palette of subtle pastels on a meander through Queenstown Gardens.