Queenstown (New Zealand)

From eTripTips Wiki

The Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown

Queenstown [1] is a scenic town in the South Island of New Zealand. It is one of the most beautiful regions of Otago and offers year round attractions. The town sits on the edge of Lake Wakatipu and is surrounded by the Southern Alps. The most remarkable sight is the Remarkables, which is a saw-toothed range of mountains on the opposite side of the lake from the town.

Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown

[edit] Understand

Queenstown lies at the outlet to Lake Wakatipu, one of New Zealand's Southern Lakes. It caters for tourists on a wide range of budgets, from backpackers to luxury tourists. In many respects Queenstown can be a tourist trap. However, reasonable prices and bargains can be found for those prepared to look for them.

Queenstown is a party town during high seasons. if you plan on getting a good nights sleep, then you might consider staying slightly out of town. It is common to see people on the street up to 5am in the morning, coming back from the disco or pub. If you are looking for a relaxing scenic holiday, Wanaka (an hour drive) is smaller and more tranquil (with less of a party atmosphere).

[edit] Local Community Newspapers

The Mirror. The first of two free community newspapers to hit the streets (on Wednesday morning), The Mirror is a great source for catching up on all things that are happening in the Queenstown area (including the entire Central Otago and Lakes District region). In addition to the news articles, there is a weekly restaurant review and profile of a band or dj that will be headlining at one of Queenstown's many bars/clubs/discos that week.

The Mountain Scene. Available around town from 5pm on Thursday, the Mountain Scene is known for its sensational tabloid style. It is also a must read for all locals looking to find a new flat or a used car.

[edit] History

The town and surrounding area was originally settled by Europeans, and a substanial Chinese population for gold mining and farming in 1860s. After the decline of goldmining, Queenstown became a sleepy rural town, popular as a summer getaway.

In 1947, New Zealand's first commercial skifield Coronet Peak opened and since then the town has grown into a world class tourist resort. There are now 4 commercial skifields within easy driving of Queenstown.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Queenstown has an international airport which is served by two large carriers, Qantas and Air New Zealand. There are connecting flights from all New Zealand's major centres and, during the ski season, direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in Australia. The airport is currently being renovated (2006), and new technology has enabled flights in poor conditions.

Queenstown airport is known for it's spectacular approach, the snow-covered mountains of New Zealand's Southern Alps surround it on four sides and there is a complicated path to the runway. Low cloud and cold weather can close the runway, especially in winter, resulting in cancelled flights.

Queenstown airport also provides for private jets and other aircraft, and there is a huge number of helicopter take-offs and landings each day. Scenic flights and heli-skiing are a popular attraction for the region.

[edit] By bus

Daily services from Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill, Te Anau, Wanaka and the West Coast. The mian bus operator in the south island is IterCity Coachlines.

Many international tour companies carry holidaymakers into Queenstown by coach.

[edit] By car

Allow a full day from Christchurch (about 6 hours driving). The drive is spectacular, through the diverse countryside of New Zealand's South Island, with vast plains, rolling hills, multicoloured lakes and mountain passes. Major international and all national rental car and campervan companies have offices in Queenstown.

[edit] Get around

The Queenstown town centre itself is small enough to walk around. Parking is at a premium and can be hard to find during the day. For more distant travel wheeled transport such as a bus or car is necessary.

There are a number of tour operators to be found in downtown Queenstown. Transport from downtown Queenstown to adventure activities is often part of the tour package. Some operators may even pick up from your tourist accommodation.

A number of boat tours depart from the Queenstown Wharf at the bottom of the Mall.

[edit] See

The spectacular mountain scenery and Lake Wakitipu dominate the view from many parts of town. Most attractions in Queenstown make the most of the view. It is enough reason to spend time in Queensown if you choose not to do anything else.

The drive to Glenorchy, 50 minutes north up Lake Wakatipu, is rated as one of the top scenic drives in the world. The Gibbston Valley wine area is 20 minutes drive from Queenstown by the ancient Kawarau Gorge.

[edit] Do

• Touring - the scenery surrounding Queenstown makes for excellent touring, with lakes, mountains and bush around vineyards and farmland
• skiing & snowboarding - 4 world class ski fields
• bungy-jumping - the first commercial bungy jump was established on the Kawarau bridge just outside Queenstown.
• jet boats - exciting jetboat rides have been operating near Queenstown for 50 years. The Shotover Jet is billed as "The World's Most Exciting Jetboat Ride". The jet boats carry passengers at high speeds over shallow waters performing stunts like 360 degree pirouettes in the water.
• parasailing
• mountaineering
• parapenting - launching yourself off a hill with a parachute to ride the "thermals"
• white water rafting
• scenic flights - the helicopter and light aircraft flights to Milford Sound and Fiordland are rated amongst the best in the world.
• flyfishing
• hiking
• wine tasting. The southernmost vineyards in the world are close to Queenstown.
• cycling - hire a bike for the day and use your legs
• relaxing - Queenstown is a sleepy village with reasonable nightlife
• fishing - lake wakatipu is known for his trouts. You cannot buy fishes from lakes in NZ, you have to fish it yourself.

[edit] Buy

The town centre contains many tourist and souvenir stores, and bargains can be hard to come by.

Top quality knitwear, Sheepskin and Possum Fur products, Greenstone (Jade) and bone carvings, and fine New Zealand wine is available for a price.

Outdoor suppliers are plentiful, with equipment for trampers (hikers), mountain bikers, skiiers and snowboarders, and many others who use Queenstown as the launching-pad for expeditions into the nearby National Parks.

There are a handful of convenience food stores in the town centre, most open until midnight and beyond. Two large supermakets are on the outskirts of town.

Most of the stores in Queenstown are open until 8pm or 9pm, 7 days a week.

[edit] Eat

There are a huge variety of numerous eating establishments to be found in Queenstown, from all-hours takeaways to fine dining. Reservations for dinner are important at the best places most times of the year, and most nights of the week.

Fine restaurants serve world-class seafood (local mussels, oysters and deep sea fish such as blue cod), game, red meat (farmed venison, lamb and beef).

The wineries of the Gibbston Valley (20 minutes drive) are open for lunch.

• The Bathhouse Fine Restaurant, Esplanade (03) 442 5625 (fine dining)
• The Bunker, Cow Lane (03) 441 8030 (fine dining)
• Wai Waterfront Seafood Restaurant, Steamer Wharf (03) 442 5969 (fine dining)
• Fergburger Takeaways, Shotover Street (03) 441 1232 (large burgers)
• Winnie Bagoes Pizza Bar, 7 The Mall (03) 442 8635 (pizza and drinking)
• The Cow Pizza & Spaghetti House, Cow Lane (03) 442-8588 (pizza)
• At Thai, Church Street, (03) 4423683 (Thai cuisine)

[edit] Drink

Nightlife in Queentown is largely about drinking, and there are over a hundred licenced premises in Queenstown. Most are in the downtown area, a number open 24 hours. Most bars have licenses to close at 5am and it is lively most nights.

There are cheap bars popular with backpackers and young locals, and sophisticated and expensive wine, cocktail and imported beer bars. Many bars and pubs have sunny outdoor courtyards in the summer months, and roaring open fires in the winter. Major sports events are normally to be found on screen somewhere in Queenstown.

There are two small casinos and one "massage parlour" for adult entertainment.

Many bars do not offer food.

[edit] Sleep

Accommodation ranges from camping and backpackers through to luxury hotels and apartments.

[edit] Contact

There are several internet cafes to be found in Queenstown with cheap rates. Some hotels charge plenty for internet, others offer it free.

[edit] Stay Safe

Queenstown is a relatively safe town. However, visitors should still take care to ensure their own personal safety. Many of the other people in town are also visitors.

The most common offense commited against tourists in the Queenstown are car break-ins. Remember to always lock your doors and do not leave valuables in your vehicle.

Although limited in number, the police in the Queenstown area are intolerant of disorderly behaviour and are prepared to arrest for quite minor offences. As with anywhere in New Zealand, they have no tolerance for possession of drugs.

Other emergency services in the area operate on a volunteer basis.

Rental car companies have restrictions in their rental agreements to prevent their vehicles being operated on some high country roads. New Zealand's skifield roads also take many visitors by surprise, but driving to the conditions means no real risk.

[edit] Get out

Queenstown can be used as a base to see the surrounding country, including Arrowtown, Glenorchy, Kingston, the Kawarau Gorge, Cromwell and Wanaka.

More distant tourist destinations such as Te Anau and Milford Sound are a day trip away, with many tour operators providing bus tours and flights.

Dmoz:Oceania/New_Zealand/Otago/Localities/Queenstown/

WikiPedia:Queenstown, New Zealand