Home to glorious alpine vistas and vitreous lakeside scenery, Queenstown is also known as the adventure capital of the world. From skyline gondola rides over glacial mountains to downhill skiing at Coronet Peak, bungee jumping off the Kawarau Bridge or a visit to the town of Arrowtown, create lifelong memories with a picturesque escape to New Zealand’s most famous city.
Bathe in the Beauty of Queenstown’s Glorious Alpine Scenery
Jet set into the mountains for an adventure of a lifetime in New Zealand’s South Island with a breezy ride in your Hertz rental car from Queenstown Airport. A glacial masterpiece, cast your eyes high in the sky at the intricacy of the city’s majestic highlands and crystalline valleys that help breathe life into this ethereal environment. Palpably sculpted, Queenstown’s alluring natural décor is patently some of mother nature’s finest work of art.
Ascend to the clouds, 480-metres over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu on a Skyline gondola ride to Bob’s Peak. Soak up the scenery on your journey through the skies before laying your eyes on the stunning views from the peak’s tip. For those that prefer to stretch their legs, the 2.1-kilometre Tiki Trail winds up through the pine forests and onto the summit on a moderately challenging hike through the Hunter Ranges. Dine in at the luxurious Stratosfare Restaurant & Bar overlooking the Wakatipu Basin before some high-octane fun on the Skyline Luge, Ledge Bungy, or Skyline Paragliding.
In winter, the alps come alive as layers of snow adorn the mountains. Take to the slopes at one of three scintillating ski fields – Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Cardrona. Coronet Peak is the most accessible, only 20 minutes from the city centre in your Hertz rental car. Boasting one of the longest ski seasons in the Southern Hemisphere, try your hand at downhill skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing or the extraordinary Night Ski at Coronet Peak on Wednesdays and Fridays, 4 pm to 9 pm.
Another way to absorb Queenstown’s exuberant sights is sailing through the mountains on the world’s steepest zipline. Traverse native beech forest and stunning mountain scenery through the canopies on your way to the base of Bob’s Peak Mountain. We recommend trying Ziptrek’s dynamical Kea Tour which includes six zipline rides, and a final line descending 30 storeys at up to 70 kilometres per hour.
Action-Packed Attractions in and around Queenstown
Famous in winter for its snow-capped mountains and sparkling alpine scenery, it’s in summer when Queenstown starts to shine. The most popular time of year to visit the adventure capital, there is no shortage of attractions in this slice of the world.
Test the waters with a famous jet boat ride on the iconic Shotover River. Synonymous with the river since its inception in 1965, shotgun your way through numerous rapids and narrow river canyons on a pulsating adventure through the valley. For more endless fun tackle the rapids in an entirely new light with white water rafting on the Shotover River. Journey deep into the abyss on this wonderfully wild ride through the sparkling alpine countryside testing your strength and adversity in this action-packed encounter.
From the seas to the land, fuel your wanderlust by bungee jumping the legendary Kawarau Bridge. A daily ritual in this part of town, New Zealand is the birthplace of commercial bungy jumping when pioneer A.J Hackett infamously bungeed from the Eiffel Tower in 1987. See where it all started with a giant leap of faith at The World Home of Bungy at the otherworldly Kawarau Gorge.
Less action more adventure, Arrowtown warrants a slight change of pace. Entry into this charming small-town community feels like you are on the set of an old English sitcom, set in a wooded valley at the foothills of the mountains. Deemed New Zealand’s ‘most beautiful small town’ in 2020, this idyllic township was at the forefront of Otago’s 1860’s gold rush with many historic buildings still standing today. With a whole host of fun-filled activities and exotic scenery, escape the crowds to this wonderful alpine town.
Featuring a host of beautiful country towns, Queenstown is just the start. Explore the rest of the Southern Lakes region and what it has to offer with elegant towns such as Glenorchy, Gibbston, Fiordland, Kingston, and Wanaka all with the added convenience of your trusty Hertz rental car.
