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queenstown regional information | back to regions & attractions

Queenstown is the Southern Hemisphere's premiere four season alpine and lake resort. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and overlooked by the majestic Remarkables Range, Queenstown is the perfect destination all year round. Queenstown was named because '...it was fit for Queen Victoria.' It's certainly lived up to that expectation. Today it's an exhilarating alpine resort, perfect for both adventurers and leisure seekers.

In spring and on long summer days (when the sun doesn't set till 10pm) it's a popular base camp for trekkers, and adventure lovers. The shops open till 10pm also, seven days a week, and there are over 100 choices of places to eat or drink.

There are year-round action-packed thrills, such as jet boating, white water rafting and parapenting. Queenstown is also the world capital and home of bungy jumping. In winter, Queenstown turns into an alpine playground - skiers and snowboarders come from all over the world to join in the fun at the annual Winter Festival.

For some suggested itineraries that include Queenstown, please click here.

For a video preview of Queenstown, please click here.

top attractions

• Take a walk. After all, this is the walking capital of the world!
  
• Whether you're an experienced skier or a novice, take to the slopes.
  
• Put time aside to experience the silent grandeur of Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound.
  
• Shoot to Shotover River for jetboating, white water rafting, bungy jumping or helicopter flight-seeing (most tour operators will mix up a cocktail of different adventure activities.
  
• Whether you're a hacker or a pro, you won't find a more beautiful setting for a round of golf.
  
• Take a kayak out on one of the lakes.
  
• Take a trip into Skippers Canyon to enjoy a mix of history and high adventure including bungy jumping, rafting, flying fox and jet boating
  
• Explore New Zealand's largest underground wine cave at Gibbston Valley Winery near Queenstown and Rippon Vineyard near Wanaka is perhaps the world's prettiest winery, nestled along the lake.
  
• For fun in the snow without balance and bindings try skidooing or snowmobiling from Queenstown
  
• Visit the picturesque gold mining settlement of Arrowtown (20 minutes from Queenstown).
  
• For the small and grown-up kids, get lost in The Great Maze, Puzzle Centre and Tilted House at Stuart Landborough's 'Puzzling World' in Wanaka.
  
• Drift over Queenstown at dawn in a hot air balloon
  
• Ride the gondola 450 metre above Queenstown to Bob's Peak to enjoy views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains. Get down the fast way - take the luge (a short raised toboggan for one person seated)
  
• Cruise Lake Wakatipu aboard TSS Earnslaw, a 100 year old steamboat