Located on the South Island of New Zealand, Queenstown is one of the most beautiful and scenic regions in the country, offering year-round attractions. The town sits along Lake Wakatipu (one of Otago and New Zealand’s most scenic lakes) and is surrounded by the Southern Alps, including the Remarkables, which is a saw-toothed mountain range on the opposite side of the lake. For your sightseeing trip to this place, here are helpful things to keep in mind:
Sightseeing destinations in Queenstown
Queenstown can cater for what you want to see on your trip, whether you are backpacking or traveling on luxury. It is a party town during the high seasons, but if you are planning on having a more relaxing and scenic holiday, then you can head out of town, such as to Wanaka, which offers a more tranquil atmosphere and just an hour’s drive away. Queenstown also has several other neighborhoods, with each having their own advantages when it comes to attractions and tourist spot access.
Top tour activities in Queenstown
There are many things to do that can make your holiday here more worthwhile, and the following are just some of them.
- Bungee Jumping - The town is known for bungee jumping, with its first commercial jump established on the Kawarau Bridge.
- Cruising - To get great views of the town, you can take a cruise on Lake Wakatipu, where you can also see the beauty of the surrounding mountains and other natural sceneries.
- Cycling and Walking - Just 15-minutes from Queenstown is the Arrowtown, which is the center of the Queenstown Trail. Here, you will find more than 100 kilometers of biking and walking trails. You can start from the Gibbston Valley and end at the Clubhouse to bask in the sun beneath the famous mountain range, the Remarkables.
- Fishing - Lake Wakatipu is famous for its trout. As you cannot buy fish from lakes in the country, you will have to fish for them yourself.
- Horseback Riding - There are some great horseback riding tours that will start in Queenstown and will take you through rivers into the valleys.
Top tour attractions in Queenstown
Among the many great attractions in Queenstown, the following are those that you should include in your itinerary:
- Lake Wakatipu - This lake attracts interest of many tourists for it is distinctively Z shape and its surroundings hemmed in by high hills. According to legend, the lake came into being when the monster Matau was burnt to death. His heart is said to still beat at its bottom, which causes the water to rise and fall every 20 minutes by 10 centimeters. But actually, this is due to a tide caused by the odd shape of the lake.
- Skipper's Canyon - A drive through this 22-kilometer-long canyon is one of the most scenic journeys you can take in Queenstown. This will take you to Coronet Peak that was once home to thousands of prospectors after the gold discovery in the Shotover River in 1892.
- Skyline Gondola - You can still take in some scenic panoramas without having to head out of town, as it is possible via the Skyline Gondola, which offers incredible vistas over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables. You see, this cable car is known for being the steepest in the Southern Hemisphere.
Queenstown sightseeing tours and activities
Check out all Queenstown sightseeing tours and activities here at La Vacanza Travel to be able to see what this beautiful town is all about.