Queenstown, New Zealand is arguably the world’s best adrenaline playground. With options ranging from jetboating through the Shotover Canyon to parasailing on Lake Wakatipu to skydiving to bungy jumping, there is not shortage of heart-pumping activities.
Those travelers interested in a more subtle adventure in Queenstown need fear not: there is plenty to do if you’re not keen to up your heart rate. Here are five things guaranteed to make your stay in Queenstown memorable.
hike ben lomond
Alright, this one is a little strenuous, but there are no death-defying leaps up on Ben Lomond. It’s a six-eight hour hike up and back through alpine forest and up along the saddle ridge. The views out over the Southern Alps from the summit and back across the lake are both breathtaking. Definitely make this a day trip. You can access by riding the gondola up and walking from there, or walking from town through the forest up to the gondola (adds two hours.)
bungy jump
AJ Hackett is the leading bungy jumping company in New Zealand, with the Harbour Bridge jump in Auckland and three (yes, three) different jumps in Queenstown. They basically pioneered the sport of bungy jumping here on the South Island. The Nevis is the highest bungy in the country and not for the faint of heart.
enjoy a wine tasting
With a wine shop in town that offers tastings of 80+ wines while sitting on plush leather couches and around fireplaces, you don’t have to go far to enjoy some of the Central Otago region’s best wines. For travelers looking for a winery to visit, look no further than only thirty minutes up the road: Amisfield and Gibbston Valley are two excellent ones. Check this list for more.
eat a fergburger
No visit to Queenstown is complete without stopping at Fergburger for a delicious, juicy, handmade burger. Beware, the lines will be long. Fergs is open every day and has an extensive menu for your dining pleasure. If you can’t choose from one of the (many) mouth-watering options, go for the Fergburger original.
get out on the water
There is no shortage of water activities in Queenstown. Lake Wakatipu happens to be a rather large lake with lots of little fingers darting off into the canyons. These make perfect places for white-water rafting, kayaking, or jetboating. On the lake itself, try parasailing, paddle boating, or take a scenic cruise toward the islands.
Photo by Prinz Wilbert
