By Bernard Spragg, on flickr
I’ve been there twice but I feel like I need to visit a hundred more times to be able to say I’ve really experienced the area.
There aren’t many other places where you can wake up every morning surrounded by majestic mountain views and then walk five minutes down the road, greeting people from all over the world as you go, to drink a bowl of perfectly brewed coffee and eat breakfast at a hipster café.
That’s not to mention the nightlife, which can be a problem if you’re like me. I’ve spent about two weeks in total in Queenstown, but I squandered most of my time in hostels, pubs and clubs.
The real reason to visit is for the incredible range of outdoor adventures that lie at your doorstep. (As an aside, hostels are a long way off being the best option for Queenstown accommodation.) Here’s a quick run down of the real reasons I can’t wait to go back and visit again.
Hike the Moke Lake Loop Track
Image courtesy of jbreiti, on flickr
The lake is a photographer’s dream, particularly popular with astrophotographers, but it also offers great fishing and a good spot for a swim in the warmer months.
Though I can see why they call it a loop since it follows a horse shoe shape around the lake, it’s actually a return track. Surrounded by mountains, you’ll stroll through grassland to a boardwalk that protects a small wetland to a picturesque campground and then return via the same route.
Need to know
Length: 5 km
Time: 2 hours
Grade: Easy – Moderate / Grade 3
Style: Return
Access: Drive towards Glenorchy for about ten minutes, turning right on Moke Lake Road. Continue to where this turns to gravel and then for a further 8 km, passing Lake Kirpatrick, before you arrive at Moke Lake. You’ll obviously need to look at car hire in Queenstown in order to make your way there.
Skydive Queenstown
Skydiving over Queenstown’s Lake Wakatipu
Image courtesy of NZone Skydive
If you’re not too nervous to enjoy it, treat your ascent to 15,000 as a scenic flight. There’s nothing quite like seeing the Otago region from above.
Jumps can be arranged from 9,000 feet, 12,000 feet or 15,000 feet, but you should seriously consider maximising your freefall.
Need to know
Your Queenstown skydive can be booked online via Experience Oz + NZ.
Check-in at the Skydive Centre in Queenstown is required. You’ll then be transported to the drop zone. If you’d rather drive yourself there, they can give you directions but you’ll need to check-in first for a briefing. Photos and video of your jump are available for an extra cost on the day. There is a 100kg weight limit for jumpers and anyone under 18 will require consent from a parent or guardian.
Hike Ben Lomond Track
Image courtesy of eGuideTravel.com, on flickr
The Ben Lomond summit sits at 1,784 metres above sea level, so the first 7 kilometres of the hike is almost all uphill and rises just under 1,500 vertical metres. The final push to the summit is especially steep.
You’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, lakes and valleys from above the treeline, as well as beautiful native Beech forest, and that incredible “I just climbed a mountain” feeling.
Need to know
Length: 14 km
Time: 8 hours
Grade: Difficult
Style: Return
Path: Carpark – One Mile Creek Walk / One Mile Track – Ben Lomond Track – Junction to Arthurs Point via Moonlight Track – Ben Lomond summit – return.
Access: Head towards Glenorchy on Beach St / Lake Esplanade, turning right at the roundabout onto a dirt track. At the end of this track, you’ll find a carpark and the trailhead.
Further Info: This is best walked in the warmer months. Expect snow on the trail from April to November. The trail can also be started from the top of Skyline Gondola (charges apply for the gondola ride), saving you about an hour of hiking and about 400 metres of ascent.
Maps: Purchase a map via the Queenstown Visitor Centre or print one from NZ Topo Map.
Zipline Queenstown
Ziplinging over Queenstown
Image courtesy of Zipline Ecotours
Ziptrek Ecotours have a range of options to suit families with children over six or more adventurous adults. Families can choose the cheaper 4-line tour features a 240-metre line where participants reach speeds of up to 50 kilometres per hour, flying through beautiful forests with views of Queenstown and its surroundings. The more adventurous can choose the 6-line tour which includes the worlds steepest zipline, dropping the equivalent of 30 stories at speeds of up to 70 kilometres per hour.
I know which one I’d choose.
Need to know
Your zipline tour can be booked online via Experience Oz + NZ.
Tours meet near the top of the Skyline Gondola. Gondola passes are not included in your booking and do come at a cost. However, you can avoid the cost if you’re willing to walk to the top of the gondola. The maximum weight for ziplining is 125kg. There’s no minimum weight, but kids under 30kg may need to fly tandem.
Canyoning in Kawarau Canyon or Black Spur Canyon
Canyoning near Queenstown
Image courtesy of Experience Oz + NZ
Scramble, jump, slide, swim and abseil your way through stunning slot canyons on these half or full day guided tours that take you just outside of Queenstown, with all equipment provided.
There’s a tour for all fitness levels. Depending on which you choose, you’ll spend either two or three hours canyoning. The full day tour to Black Spur Canyon requires more travel time but is tougher and more adventurous than the half day.
Both tours will lead you outside your comfort zone, with either an abseil down a waterfall or an 8-metre jump into water, depending on which you choose.
Need to know
Tours include transfers from Queenstown CBD, all equipment and experienced guides. You’ll need to be over 13 years of age, reasonably fit and confident in the water.
Hike the Hollyford Track
A waterfall on Hollyford Track
Image courtesy of Experience Oz + NZ
The entire track can be walked in 4 to 8 days and if you’re an experienced hiker can be done independently. However, I recommend taking a shorter guided trip.
You’ll be rewarded with the spectacular terrain of Fiordland National Park as you follow Hollyford River (Whakatipu Kā Tuka) from the Darran Mountains to Martins Bay. Along the way, you’ll find tricky river crossings, swing bridges, waterfalls and spectacular views.
If you choose the guided option, your trip will include a helicopter ride over Milford Sound, lodge accommodation and all meals.
Need to know
Organising an independent walk on the Hollyford Track is more complex than I’ve got room to describe in this article. However, the Department of Conservation page is a good starting point.
Update: Check out Ken’s comments below about hiking the Hollyford Track independently if you’re looking for some assistance.
Shotover Canyon Swing
The Shotover Canyon Swing
Image courtesy of Shotover Canyon Swing & Fox
Your adventure starts on a cliff top platform, 109 metres above the Shotover River. Here you’ll launch yourself off the cliff, freefalling 60 metres before swinging out 200 metres. When the terror subsides you’ll find yourself gracefully swinging back and forth between the canyon’s walls, enjoying the incredible scenery, before eventually being pulled back up to the platform to have another go (if you dare).
Need to know
The Canyon Swing is suitable for anyone 10 years or older. The maximum weight for solo jumps is 135kg or 180kg for tandem jumps.
Disclaimer: Some of the links above are affiliate links. This has no influence on the opinions presented in my review.
Have you been to Queenstown? Got any questions, comments, updates or corrections? Let us know by commenting below.
Exploring the Great Ocean Road?
You won’t see the best sights from your car. Get the definitive guidebook, featuring the 25 best walks in the area with detailed instructions and maps.
Organisation for the Hollyford is not too bad. We used https://tripsandtramps.com and they organised the plane into Martins Bay, dropped us off and picked us up again. The unguided walk is a bit harder than the guided as it does the Demon Trail. If it rains (not uncommon) then there are a number of 3-wire bridges which some people just can’t cope with.
Also recommended for Queenstown is to buy an ice-cream at Patagonia Chocolates and eat that overlooking the water.
Hey Ken,
Those are some excellent tips! Thanks so much. I’ll add a note on your comments to the article. As for the ice-cream, the food was something I decided not to approach as it’s pretty changeable (note: I didn’t even mention Fergburger!). I haven’t tried Patagonia Chocolates myself though. Next time!
Cheers
Neil
I expect Patagonia are staying around, they are very well established and have excellent products. I haven’t tried a Fergburger, the queue was always too long and I’ve heard that they are good hamburgers but not that special. There are so many places to eat and some surprising ones like the cheap pizza place not far from the central YHA. I wouldn’t mind trying the place that just sells lamb shoulders with potatoes, apparently very good.
Keen to try all of the above now, Ken. Ferg was the only food mentioned to me before I visited so I was keen to try. The burgers I had were pretty special, but if I went back I’d still rather skip the lines!