If you’ve had even a passing fancy for adrenaline-inducing activities, chances are that you’ve heard of Queenstown, the quaint city residing at the heart of New Zealand’s South Island. While, by all other measurable factors, Queenstown would fade into obscurity, this tiny settlement of just 27,000 has put itself on the map for the most unusual of reasons – by marketing itself as the ‘Adventure Capital of the World’.
While this claim may seem self-aggrandising, a brief gander through the city’s history would suffice to substantiate it. After all, back in 1988, Queenstown introduced what was to be the world’s first-ever commercial bungee jump. Since then, thrill seekers from across the globe have ventured to this resort town to try their hands at skydiving, bungee jumping, canyon swinging, jet boating and everything in between, be it in the water, on the ground or from the sky.
As fate would have it, this adventurous heritage dates back to 1853 – even before the founding of Queenstown – to when the first European traveller set eyes on this pristine bit of real estate in the Otago region, a Scottish-born explorer named Nathanael Chalmers. Guided by a local Maori chief, it took a combination of canoeing, mountain trekking and white water rafting to reach the Wakatipu Basin where the settlement eventually sprung up. A decade later, an intrepid settler by the name of William Rees laid the foundation of Queenstown with a farm whose location is now the town centre.
The subsequent discovery of gold in the nearby Arrow River in 1862 saw thousands of miners, including a sizeable contingent of Chinese immigrants, descend to make their fortunes. After the early 1900s, however, when the gold dried up, the settlement was eventually abandoned, leaving behind a much-diminished population of just 200. It wasn’t until 1988, when Kiwi entrepreneur AJ Hackett launched the afore-mentioned bungee jump at Kawarau Bridge, that Queenstown finally re-emerged in the world’s zeitgeist as a tourist destination once more.
Today, adventure tourism remains the key draw for the small lakeside town, which boasts a staggering 220 adventure activities for every type of adrenaline junkie. The success of these ventures is undeniable, with over 3.3 million visitors descending on the town in the last year alone. To put that into perspective, it’s more than 122 times the number of people actually residing there.
A significant reason for the high influx of tourists could be because the city offers high-octane adventures all the year round. In the summer, visitors can partake in athletic excursions like hiking the Ben Lomond (a 1,748m mountain that offers panoramic vistas of Queenstown and its verdant surroundings) or the fast-paced Skyline Luge, which sees riders luge along 800m of thrilling twists and turns down the hillside. Perhaps the most unique opportunity here, though, is the Shotover Jet Boat Ride. Set in the Shotover Canyon, the jet boats traverse the rock-filled, narrow river at its heart, navigating the water at heart-racing speeds of up to 85kmph. In the winter, meanwhile, Queenstown transforms into a truly world-class winter sports destination, replete with enough snowmobiling, skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing to drive you snow-blind.
Less athletically-inclined sojourners need not fear either, for there are plenty of more sedate activities to enjoy as well. Indeed, despite its small acreage, there are lots to eat, see and do in Queenstown without accelerating your heart rate – be it soaking in the many hot pools that dot its mountains, taking in the beauty of Lake Hayes with a lakeside picnic or kicking up your heels with a beautiful sunset cruise.
Once you’ve had your fill of both the high-octane and the more relaxing pursuits to be found within Queenstown proper, there are still a multitude of nearby destinations in the greater Otago area that merit a trip. For history buffs, a mere 20km drive will put them at Arrowtown, once the heart of the gold rush movement and now wholly restored to its former glory. There are countless shopping, dining and sports activities on offer here, but for a truly historic experience, head down to the Arrow River, hire a gold pan and wade into the panning troughs to try your hand at a little gold mining.
Meanwhile, fans of Kiwi wines can also rejoice, as Queenstown lies squarely in the middle of the Central Otago vineyards that have put New Zealand on the map for oenophiles across the world. What most may not know, though, is that the region’s latitude of 45 degrees also makes it the southernmost wine-growing area in the globe. Thanks to suitable temperatures, a terroir that boasts a unique shaly soil and a climate ideal for grape production, many of its varietals – and its Pinot Noirs in particular – have become much sought after in recent decades.
It’s a fact that local wineries are more than aware of, with many of the 200 vineyards that lie within a 40-minute drive from town all keen to buy into the wine tourism boom. Perhaps the most famous of these can be found at Gibbston Valley, which is also known as the ‘Valley of Vines’, and where vineyards can be found perched between rugged mountains and the rocky Kawarau River gorge. One of the pioneers here is the Gibbston Valley Winery, established in the ’80s and still one of the country’s most popular producers. Offering unique underground cellar tours and delicious wine tasting experiences, travellers who visit during summer may also be lucky enough to catch one of its special seasonal concerts.
Meanwhile, if you’re so inclined, slightly further afield lies Milford Sound, a picturesque fjord that is home to luscious rainforests, stunning waterfalls and a whole array of exotic wildlife ranging from dolphins and fur seals to penguins. While you can opt for the three-and-a-half-hour drive, a more panoramic choice would be to fly there if weather permits. Not only does this speed up the journey, it also affords travellers the chance to get a bird’s eye view of some of New Zealand’s most scenic sights, including the towering Mitre Peak.
Once in Milford Sound, there are plenty of cruise options to choose from, all providing visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with the wildlife that reside here. For an added level of excitement, though, and if you are yet to have your fill of skyward sightseeing, helicopter tours present the chance to see the stunning glacial mountain range from a whole new perspective. From the snow-capped mountains and clear blue skies to the pristine azure waters below, your vantage point will serve to remind you that while Queenstown is rightly renowned for its athletic appeal, it is its rich geographic beauty that truly sets it apart as a world-class destination.
Text: Tenzing Thondup
Photos: Destination Queenstown