Queenstown
The biggest city at Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown has a reputation as Adventure Capital of New Zealand. If you are looking for a special thrill, you'll probably find it here.
Because of the all year round visitor season Queenstown has a large variety of Restaurants, Cafes and Shops.
Over thousand years ago Maori came to this place in search of food. At the head of Lake Wakatipu they discovered pounamu - greenstone.
The first permanent European settler was William Rees and his family in 1860. You'll find his statue at the bottom of the mall, at the shore of Lake Wakatipu.
The lake is 84km in length, New Zealand's longest lake and the third largest. It's 378m deep but in fact, the level has a rhythmic rise and fall of about 12cm in 5 minutes. Bob's Cove is the best place to observe that phenomenon. A Maori legend explains it with the beating of a monster's heart in the depth of the lake.
Steamboat TSS Earnslaw
Before roads were built, the only way to Queenstown and the surrounding stations was either by train or by boat.
The only remaining Steamship is the restored TSS Earnslaw. The Ship needs about one ton of coal per hour and you can do a cruise to Walter Peak High Country Farm to watch farming or simply have lunch or a tea there.
Skyline gondola
End of Brecon Street
The gondola takes you some 450m up to a viewing platform, Café, Restaurant and the Skyline Showcase Theatre.
Underwater World Aquarium
main jetty
There are large windows where you can have a look at the life 5m below the lake's surface.
Motor Museum
Becon Street
As you already guess - lot of nice motors and machines to admire.
Walks
Queenstown Gardens
30 min or as long as you want to - easy
Start at the Bathhouse Cafe on the waterfront.
The Time Walk on Queenstown Hill
2 - 3 hours return
Enter through the iron gateway, about 15 minutes along Queenstown Hill track and than follow the story panels. They were added to the track to celebrate the turn of the Millennium in 2000. The walk offers great views of the Remarkables.
Ben Lomond Track
full day
Start: Take the Skyline gondola, follow signs to the saddle and the ascent to your left to the summit.
A track to one of the highest peaks around with stunning views from 1747 m over sealevel.
Arawata Track
50 minutes return
Start at 45 Arawata Tce, Sunshine Bay
Great views of the lake and Queenstown.
Around the city
Road to Glenorchy
The Road to Glenorchy is a very scenic drive along the shore of Lake Wakatipu.
Lot of TV commercials and a bit of the Lord of the Rings trilogy were filmed around Glenorchy.
If you wanna try out a jetboat ride, maybe that's the place to do. The playground is Dart River where you'll explore great scenery between great mountain ranges.
Glenorchy is the Starting point for the Routeburn and Greenstone Track.
Mt. Alfred
5 - 6 hours return - moderate
The partly steep track rewards you with fantastic views.
