When William Rees first discovered Queenstown back in 1860,
hardly could he have imagined the amazing bounty this land was going to bear in
the years to come. And I am not even talking about the gold that was excavated
two years later which changed the history of this beautiful city forever. To
put it in a line and I have really given this one some thought, this idyllic dreamland
has everything one could possibly want in the name of indulgence- nature,
adventure, peace, gastronomy, cruises, excursions, safaris, culture, history
and not to forget, rare cinematic charm. Queenstown is so photogenic that it is
like shooting a ravishing woman on your camera, she will come out looking like
a million bucks everytime! You can take all the credit for it but the truth is,
this is one good-looking holiday album you just simply cannot go wrong with.
The best part- it still manages to feel humble, warm and welcoming, almost like
its indubitable beauty is a given, something that the city wears effortlessly,
reminiscent of an alluring woman who wears her charm like a
shining brooch.
From gushing rivers, placid lakes, glacier hot pools to
gaping valleys, towering peaks and mersmerising fiords, Queenstown offers a
stunning amalgamation of sights and sounds. Whether you are out with friends or
looking to relive the good times as a couple, trust this city to help you
unleash the wild side in you with innumerable action adventures to count on. So
if you wish to lose yourself in the lap of nature, try bungying to a
jaw-dropping depth at the Kawarau Bridge- the ‘world home of bungy!’ You can
choose to ziptrek or skytrek, paraglide, skydive or hang glide your way through
the scenic alpine views. For those who can dig deeper in their pockets, there
is the helicopter ride or flight that glides over the state’s expansive national
parks, glaciers, mountains and lakes. Many of these are accompanied with
gourmet picnics, extreme golfing, wine trails and fly fishing to make them
truly exhilarating experiences.
Whether you go for these aerial stunts or not, your
adventure is incomplete without a cruise through either Milford Sound or
Doubtful Sound. One can try kayaking through the crystal clear waters and
behold the untrammeled wilderness. Also touted as the ‘eighth wonder of the
world’, Milford Sound is a piece of timeless beauty you are likely to remember
for years to come. Observed as the place of silence, a visit to Doubtful Sound
will help you enjoy rare moments of tranquillity you can treasure for a
lifetime. If you lack time for the whole cruise trip, a lake cruise through the
majestic Wakatipu is a must to soak in the sight of the sturdy Remarkables
mountain range, the plush urban settlements around the shore, and the translucent
waters gushing under the boat as you sip from a glass of refreshing white wine.
While if you want to play explorer, one can go ahead and look out for the
Hidden Island, Frankton Arm and Cecil Peak’s secret waterfalls, a la Enid
Blyton style, for those who like to enjoy a toast on the lake, the vintage
steamship TSS Earnslaw packs in a farm tour, gourmet BBQ meal at the Colonel’s
Homestead Restaurant and a guided cycle tour to Mavora Lakes. Itineraries
around Queenstown are customised to suit your time in the city, so if you can’t
squeeze in so much, just slip in to a harness and get an awe-inspiring bird’s
eye view of Lake Wakatipu on a paraflight, that lifts you 600 feet above the
ground!
Need one for speed? Drop the cruise and head out to jetset or
raft across the fiesty Kawarau and Shotover rivers on a jetboat and let the
rapids, cliffs and willows thrill you through the jagged canyons. Wish to dig
deeper in to the white water- opt for riverboarding that takes you around Mt.
Aspiring National Park, try a rough rock jump or peer in to a rock pool and
lose yourself in the gorgeous chasms. Don’t blame yourself if you feel you have
washed up right in to the ‘The Lord of the Rings’ franchise because this is
exactly where parts of the series as well as The Hobbit were shot. In fact, 45
kms away by road from Queenstown is the frontier village of Glenorchy. Tour on
horse or a quadbike to take in the spectacular scenery that is now immortalised
as ‘Middle Earth’ in cinema. Let local experts guide you through film locations
of Isengard and more as they regale you with stories from the films’ making. My
fan moment however, was when I almost ended up buying a replica of the Evenstar
necklace that Arwen gifts Aragon as a token of her love in the film! If only I
could rub it and land up in Lothlorien and perhaps bump into Legolas....sigh!
Now if you like roughing it out on a tight budget and yet
not compromise on the nature trail, rent a bike around Lake Hayes also known as
the ‘mirror lake’ or the most photographed lake in the state. Zip through
Arrowtown, Gibbston wineries or the stimulating Jacks Point trail. Or simply
put on your walking shoes and trudge through a half day bush walk in the
forested hills. Take a closer look in to Kiwi culture tracing the goldmining of
Arrowtown, the origins of Merino wool at Mt. Nicholas High Country Farm or a
wine trail that lets you get a taste of the local hospitality and cheese.
Oh wait, in case I made this sound like a trip for adults so
far, and you are probably wondering where to dump the kids, read on! Don’t even
get fooled by Queenstown’s reference to being New Zealand’s adventure capital,
because this is a holiday destination meant for all ages. Got kids- send them
off reeling into the Puzzling World with its whacky architecture, the Transport
and Toy Museum that houses over 50,000 toys or the creepy Fear Factory. Say
hello to the diving ducks, slimy eels or the heady trout and many more fauna at
the Underwater Observatory or take a plunge into the city’s largest indoor
swimming complex called Alpine Aqualand. Tamer versions of explorations include
the Ziptrek Ecotours or a visit to the Lakes District Museum for some exciting
insights in to the history of the Southern Lake District. Bringing in the
cherry on the top is the absolutely addictive Luge ride (between me and my
sister, we clocked 27 rounds!) that gives you breath-taking views of the
mountain as you slide down the sloping and twisted tracks downhill.
After burning so much energy, all you need is a chilled
cocktail to celebrate a heavenly holiday and the Minus 5 degree Ice Bar or the
Below Zero Ice Bar sure keeps it frozen! Calm those senses with a rejuvenating
bout at a neighbourhood spa. The city has plenty of those keeping in mind the
sore feet you will have after so much of swashbuckling action! Craving some
delish food- there’s everything from rustic Italian, authentic Indian or Irish
to modern Malaysian to please your palate. While there are enough fine dining and
fast food options, make sure you gorge on some prime lamb rump steak cooked to
perfection and served with rosemary or creamy mashed potatoes, green beans or
fresh herbs and harissa sauce or coleslaw on the side.
Putting up in Queenstown is easy as it offers a varied
picking for the asking- from rented apartments for the whole family to
campervans or caravans for those who like to stay close to the great outdoors. Before
you fly out though, make room in your bags for some award-winning, handcrafted
sheep, goat and cow cheese , organic produce and of course the full-bodied
Otago pinot noir wines spiked with mixed spice, fruit or even chocolate to
complement your meals back home. As for me, I stocked up on some candied fruit,
kiwi-shaped souvenirs and opal and jade jewellery that would serve as worthy
reminders of a trip so precious!
Queenstown rightly encapsulates the mythical proportions of
J R R Tolkein’s imagined landscape and justifies his musing, ‘Not all those who
wander are lost.’ However, given its fantastical backdrop and intoxicating
exuberance, it is easy to lose oneself in the blissful wonders of Queenstown.
