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Queenstown is one place which holds sway over your imagination. Whether it is the attraction of lakes and sunshine in summer or snow clad mountains in winter it is a great place to visit all year round. Draped beside Lake Wakatipu in the Southern Lakes district of New Zealand, Queenstown is a land of sublime scenery, best hiking trails, bustling activities - in a nutshell it has something for all ages. It's the kind of country that lingers in your dreams long after you leave it. This is why so many travelers are drawn back to this town, armed the second time round with a greater appreciation of its natural splendor.
Queenstown is an ideal location to base yourself to explore some of the attractions of the Southern Lakes region. Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound in Fiordland National Park are a day trip distance from Queenstown. A range of multi-day tramping tracks, including the Routeburn, Hollyford, Greenstone and Rees-Dart, are within driving distance of Queenstown.
The Southern Lakes Region
Succulently fusion of rugged mountains to a wild and deserted coastline, golden hill country to crystal alpine lakes, these regions seem to be sanctified not only by nature but are also culturally affluent. To encompass all these places into your schedule its best to follow a loose itinerary here.
Mythical Arrowtown
Twenty-one kilometers from Queenstown, Arrowtown is a combination of striking seasonal changes, historic buildings and quiet charm. As one enters the main street the combination of old buildings with that of new powerfully substantiates the downy melding of mythical with the modern.
The superb Lakes District Museum is also located here. Mountain biking tracks, horse riding to gold panning, adventure seekers can get hold of various activities out here. Whereas those with indolent attitude can go in for walking and fishing. Artistically inclined this town is famous for its artwork ranging from traditional to contemporary. These artifacts are exhibited in many homestead studios surrounding Arrowtown, in several galleries and in the Museum.
Vibrant and jovial this town is always in its celebration mood. The main street is often alive with entertainment from the Miners’ Band, the Buckingham Belles and all the fun of a country fair as local artists display their wares on the Village Green.
Lake Wanaka
Lake Wanaka is about 50 minutes drive from Queenstown. The view of crystal-clear waters embracing the snow-capped peaks of Mount Aspiring National Park is just breathtaking. This park features a vivid kaleidoscope of landscapes: hanging valleys, lake basins and some one 100 glaciers of different shapes and sizes. In addition to this it has a series of secluded hill retreats ideal for interested anglers, trekkers and those wanting a quiet getaway.
Wanaka is a virtual paradise for skiing. In winter, snow lovers congregate at the slopes of Treble Cone Ski Area, Waiorau Snow Farm or that of Mecca of Cardrona Alpine Resort. There is also the specialist Snow Park at Waiorau offering terrain parks and half pipes while some of the world’s finest heli-skiing is simply a phone call away.
There are activities for every season. Spring, summer and autumn, Wanaka attracts hikers, mountaineers, parapenters, windsurfing, wakeboarding, kayakers, helibikers rock-climbers and day walkers from around the world who revel in the mother nature's ever changing portrait. The 90 kilometre lake and riverside journey up the Matukituki Valley is a spectacular highlight. Horse trekking, tandem skydiving, 4WD motor biking and eco rafting are available close to the village.
Fiordland
A picturesque region, Fiordland is magnificently robed with beauty. It is a world heritage area and is loaded with cherished icons of a past era. Located on the South West Coast of the South Island, New Zealand's largest National Park, Fiordland National Park, which includes the Milford and Doubtful Sounds, covers the majority of the region.
5 hours drive from Queenstown, Milford Sound is one of the world's famous hiking track. That is why Rudyard Kipling considered it among the "eight wonder of the world."
Glenorchy
45 kilometres drive from Queenstown, Glenorchy is exquisitely picturesque, vibrantly colorful with dazzling waters stretch, backdrops of glaciers and sun-drenched mountains. With a view of beautiful lake Wakatipu, this land represents unimaginable beauty, created by nature, to take your breath away...
Horse riding, jet boating, dart river jet safar, fishing or scenic flights, Glenorchy is a virtual paradise for all kinds of adventure sports. Glenorchy Department of Conservation (DoC) visitor centre is also worth visiting.
Wines of Central Otago
Today Central Otago is one of the fastest growing wine regions in New Zealand. It has has now been established for well over 20 years, with vineyards across Central Otago and into the Queenstown and adjoining Wanaka areas. There are about 75 wineries in the region serving 177 vineyards.
Gibbston Valley Wines near Queenstown is also a mind-boggling region. It features a wine cave tour, mouthwatering lunches and an elegant gift shop.
Golf Courses
In Queenstown, one of the venerated area is the Bob Charles designed Millbrook where golfers can not only access to some course but also luxuriate in these green pastures. The Kelvin Heights course is set on a stunning peninsula reaching far into Lake Wakatipu while the locally favored Arrowtown course offers scenery and traps for the unwary.
Artistically Inclined
The Queenstown Lakes District Council is committed to the commissioning of public artwork, performance art and sculptures from artists. Live Performance and Community Art Performance is alive and well in the region. Major concerts pepper the regional events calendar and there are several amateur theatre groups offering regular productions.
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