This is not a paid post.
Framed by the Remarkables mountains that seem to carry on
forever, Queenstown hugs the shores of the clear blue waters of Lake Wakatipu.
Whatever you have heard or read about the “Adventure Capital” of New Zealand,
it will astound you more than you can imagine.
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| The clear blue waters of Lake Wakatipu |
Many flock to this South Island town for an adrenalin rush. Jumping off a bridge, paragliding, mountain biking or holding on tight on a jet boat on the Shotover River, billed as “the ultimate in water sports excitement”, were not high on my agenda. So I was pleased to discover that this delightful historic alpine town pulsated energy and danced to the beat of a city with many sides to its character.
It has a superb gastronomic scene with plenty of enticing
restaurants. Ferburger is a Queenstown institution and serves arguably one of
the best burgers you have ever eaten. There is always a line but the wait is
worth it.
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| Queenstown |
The tranquil waterfront is the ideal spot to meander and take in the awesome scenery. It is also a good place for people watching, and enjoying a glass of pinot noir, for which the Central Otago region is renowned, at one of the many bars or cafés.
If you find you are consuming too many calories, do not
worry. There are several outstanding walks, from the challenging Tiki
Trail which leads
from the base of the Skyline gondola to the summit of Bob's Peak, to a sedate
saunter through the stunning Botanical Gardens.
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| TSS Earnshaw |
For those of you whose idea of exercise is a trip to the shops Queenstown will not disappoint. The streets surrounding the waterfront are packed with boutiques and stores as well as some interesting art galleries.
Wine buffs will want to venture further afield and take a
trip through the Gibbston Valley to sample the best numbers of the area. For
those that yearn for a bit of quiet solitude there is good trout and salmon
fishing. Golfers will adore this place.
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| Street in Queenstown |
Following an action-packed day, I relaxed on a leisurely cruise aboard the 100-year-old steamship TSS Earnshaw. The beauty of Queenstown passed before my eyes as the “Lady of the Lake", as she is known as, sailed to Walter Peak where we sampled a taste of farm life.
After seeing sheep and deer as well as Scottish Highland
cattle, we enjoyed a buffet dinner. This was followed by a trip to the shearing
shed to watch farm dogs round up the sheep and a farmer, which was a first for
me, shear one.
Compact and gorgeous, the spiritual home of bungi jumping
will have your heart pumping and you do not have to be sporty!
By Daralyn Danns
Getting there
Which city you fly into in New Zealand will depend on where
your tour starts from and therefore, which airline you choose. Highly
recommended are Cathay Pacific cathaypacific.com
and qantas.com
The service and inflight experience is spot on. Ensure that the flight you book
is operated by the company and not just code-sharing
The tour was part of the Grand Pacific Ultimate Small Group
Tours which I booked through Trailfinders (trailfinders.com) as I did the flights
The advantage of travelling aboard the Ultimate Coach is
that instead of carrying the normal 48 passengers, it only carries 20. You sit
in comfort in leather fully-reclining seats so no neck ache at the end of a
long day. (Distances are vast in New Zealand.) There is plenty of personal
storage. It is much easier being in a small group, no hanging around waiting
for people, no long queues for the loos, overall much cosier
