Whereas the deserves of Queenstown as a journey vacation spot are troublesome to disclaim, it’s not a must-see for each kind of traveler. For instance, city-minded sojourners who wish to work remotely at hip espresso retailers in Auckland or Christchurch may not discover the out of doors sports activities vibe of Queenstown so interesting.
Over the subsequent a number of paragraphs, I’ll clarify a few of Queenstown’s prime actions, which is able to hopefully enable you to determine whether or not to go or not. In case you do determine it’s the precise selection, I’ll additionally inform you what number of days it is best to spend, and suggest just a few locations to remain.
The place to Keep in Queenstown
Assuming you do find yourself pondering that Queenstown is value visiting, you’ll must discover a place to remain. Some vacationers choose resorts, resembling Sofitel Queenstown or Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, which is true on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Personally, nevertheless, I’ve discovered that Airbnb flats are extra reasonably priced and likewise extra distinctive, notably in case you want to keep outdoors the busy city middle.
What to Do in Queenstown
Go skydiving (or bungee leaping)
No doubt, my favourite reminiscence of Queenstown was leaping out of a aircraft a number of miles above the bottom, even when the soar technically befell in Wanaka as an alternative of Queenstown. One Queenstown journey exercise I didn’t think about, nevertheless, was bungee leaping. Though bungee operators right here have an impeccable security file, it’s simply not one thing I can think about myself doing at this level.
Take a jet boat trip
One other exhilarating pursuit that will make Queenstown value visiting for you is a jet boat trip. Though the particulars of each the automobile and the route it can comply with might differ relying on which firm you select, the expertise is similar: Dashing atop the water in a means that may make you’re feeling such as you’re fairly actually rocketing alongside its floor.
Journey onward to Milford Sound
The dangerous information? Though Milford Sound appears to be like near Queenstown on the map, it’s truly practically 4 hours by automobile; many vacationers (notably well-heeled ones) determine to hop propeller aircraft flights to get there. The excellent news? In case you can bear the drive (or don’t thoughts taking an all-inclusive tour), a go to to the Sound may be very value it. It evokes the fjords of Norway, albeit with out the colourful villages alongside each side of it.
(Or Lakes Wanaka and Tekapo)
For some vacationers, the bigger South Island expertise is way of what makes Queenstown value visiting. I can empathize with this: It wasn’t till I had spent a day frolicking amid the lupines of Lake Tekapo, and marveling on the weird tree submerged in Lake Wanaka that I used to be capable of correctly respect Queenstown, each its heart-racing journey tourism, in addition to its creature comforts.
Don’t neglect the city middle
Certainly, whether or not due to casinos, resorts or eating places serving up delicacies from all around the globe, downtown Queenstown is developed to an extent that only a few different South Island street journey locations are. Moreover, when you’ve completed consuming and ingesting, or just strolling alongside the lake shore, you possibly can ascend the Skyline Queenstown cable automobile for one in all New Zealand’s most gorgeous panoramas.
How Many Days Do You Want in Queenstown?
I might typically say to spend a day in Queenstown for every exercise you propose to do. So in case you plan to skydive or bungee soar, go for a jet boat trip, and take a day journey to Milford Sound, I’d counsel spending at the very least 3 days in Queenstown.
You might even spend 4, on this case: Climate may cause your skydiving time to get pushed again and even canceled, so that you’ll have to be versatile.
One more reason that spending extra days in Queenstown reasonably than much less makes probably the most sense? Queenstown is comparatively far-off, geographically talking. It’s a half-day drive from Christchurch, and several other hours from Tekapo, Wanaka and Aoraki/Mt. Prepare dinner. Due to this fact, it will be extra value it to spend extra days and discover the placement on this case.
Different FAQ About Visiting Queenstown
Is Queenstown probably the most stunning place on Earth?
Queenstown is a really stunning metropolis, however it’s exhausting to say it’s probably the most stunning place on earth, and even in Center Earth (aka New Zealand). What I’ll say is that seeing the mountains rising above Lake Wakatipu is a sight for sore eyes after the lengthy drive to get there!
Which is best to go to, Auckland or Queenstown?
In case you’re in search of a correct metropolis with distinct districts, numerous co-working areas and glorious air connections, Auckland is your best option. Select Queenstown, in the meantime, if journey actions and a laid-back, small-town vibe are extra your velocity.
Why do vacationers go to Queenstown?
Vacationers go to Queenstown for journey. In the summertime, this entails skydiving, bungee leaping and jet-boating; in winter, it’s all about snowboarding. There are some vacationers that come right here for the overall atmosphere of the lakeside city middle, though not very many.
The Backside Line
Is Queenstown value visiting? Completely, though this assertion comes with some caveats. Given Queenstown’s comparatively far distance from different New Zealand locations, notably Auckland and Christchurch, you’ll have to be clear about the way you’re going to spend your days right here to make the journey worthwhile. Certainly, it’s additionally a good suggestion to determine prematurely how lengthy you’ll be in Queenstown. One factor is for sure, in case you do find yourself making it to Queenstown, you’re nearly certain to go away happier than you arrived. Myself and everybody I do know certain have been!
