Attractions Guide of Queenstown

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About Queenstown
The first people to discover Queenstown's rare beauty were Maori pounamu (jade) hunters. Then came the gold miners, in search of another kind of treasure. Today Queenstown is treasured for its magnificent scenery, adventure opportunities and luxury lifestyle.

Long summer days blonde the tussocks, throwing the hills open to mountain bikers and hikers. The brilliant reds and golds of autumn colour the trees, inspiring photographers and golfers alike. In winter, snow transforms the region into a remarkable alpine playground for skiers and snowboarders. Spring brings the spark of fresh green to the landscape – a time to celebrate life with a cruise on the lake or an invigorating bungy jump.

In any season, you can count on stylish accommodation, designer shopping and marvellous cuisine experiences. Queenstown's compact downtown area is a cosmopolitan hub that's relaxed during the day and huge fun at night.
Getting here & around
Whether you arrive in Queenstown by road or air, the journey will be memorable. Flying into Queenstown airport is a rare experience - the sheep on the hillsides are uncannily close. The road approaches from north, east or south are all famously scenic. Once you've established your base in Queenstown, self-drive is the easiest way to explore the region.

Getting to and from Queenstown
By Air
Queenstown international airport is well served by Air New Zealand and Qantas. Air New Zealand flies direct from Sydney and Melbourne year round and extends this service to encompass Brisbane in winter. Qantas also offers winter services out of Sydney and Brisbane.

Domestically, there are several connections each day from New Zealand's main centres.

By Road
State Highway 6 runs through Queenstown, bringing traffic from the south, north and east. Hire a rental car or campervan, catch a scenic coach tour or hop aboard a shuttle bus. There are several shuttle options daily from Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill and Wanaka.

Getting around Queenstown
Once in Queenstown, getting around is easy. If you've arrived at the airport you can catch a bus or minivan to town for just a few dollars. Tell the minivan driver where you're headed and he's likely to obligingly drop you at the door. The bus has prescribed stops throughout the town. A taxi is slightly quicker but more expensive.

Out-of-town accommodation properties generally offer courtesy transport, as do adventure operators.

The town is compact. If your accommodation is close, you can generally walk anywhere you want to go.

If independence is important and you plan to visit outlying towns such as Glenorchy or Arrowtown, a rental vehicle is the best option. Every major car rental company is represented in Queenstown.

The town's bus service operates regular shuttles to and from the airport, between the shopping precincts of Queenstown and Frankton and into suburban areas. There are also bus services linking Arrowtown, Glenorchy and Wanaka with Queenstown.
Top Dunedin scenic highlights

From the moment you wake up until the moment the sun slips behind the mountains, Queenstown delivers full strength alpine scenery. Your camera is going to be exhausted by the end of this holiday.

You're right in the middle of Middle-earth
If you've see the Lord of the Rings trilogy, you're already familiar with some of Queenstown's most picturesque places. Rugged mountains, lush beech forests, golden hill country and crystal clear waterways made Queenstown, Glenorchy and Arrowtown perfect for many Middle-earth locations. Fans will recognise the Ford of Bruinen, Dimrill Dale, Ithilien, Isengard, Lothlorien, Amon Hen and the Pillars of the Kings.

Several operators conduct specialised tours of Lord of the Rings filming sites. These tours are increasingly popular with LOTR fans; they're also great for those who just want to see the magnificent back country.

Take a walk through history in Arrowtown
Less than half an hour from Queenstown, Arrowtown is home to the superb Lakes District Museum, often described as one of New Zealand's best small museums. Much of Arrowtown's history is very much alive and in daily use. Wander the banks of the Arrow River and discover life as it was for the Chinese gold miners - their humble village can still be seen tucked into the riverbank. The main street, Buckingham Street, is testament to the town's determination to preserve its illustrious past. Historic buildings house a stylish shopping and dining precinct. Pick up a directory of historic buildings from the museum and spend an afternoon exploring Arrowtown's unique history. In April and May, the town's trees are a magnificent sight - one of the best autumn displays in the country.

Glenorchy - the gateway to paradise
Bordered by a World Heritage area, the frontier village of Glenorchy at the northern tip of Lake Wakatipu is completely surrounded by mountains, glacier fed rivers and beech forest. The road to Glenorchy promises breathtaking views of Lake Wakatipu and glacial geological formations, including sheer mountain sides and hanging valleys. 20 kilometres further on is Paradise, a tiny farming settlement where the road evolves into a 4WD track and, eventually, a walking path. Many of New Zealand's great walks start or finish just beyond Glenorchy. You can walk across the great divide via the Routeburn, Greenstone or Caples tracks or across the Mt Aspiring National Park on the Dart/ Rees Track.

Skippers Canyon - the road to high adventure
From the 1860s until quite recently, Skippers Canyon was the centre of gold mining activity in the Queenstown region. Historic sites still exist today, so it's easy to imagine the harsh life of a gold digger. A number of original gold mining workings are being progressively restored.

Hand carved out of solid rock, the Skippers Road is an adventure in itself. Pause to take in the stunning views - looking down is likely to make your toes tingle. There are several adventure operators making good use of the road and the canyon. Depending on your appetite for thrills, you can take a ride on the flying fox, go white water rafting or get a vertical view of the canyon attached to a bungy. Less terrifying options include blasting along the Shotover River in a jet boat, walking across a historic pipeline or a visit to Winky's Museum.

Seasonal Tips
Summer (Dec-Feb)
Summer in Queenstown is relatively hot and very dry. At 45° south, the summer days are long with dawn breaking as early as 5.30am and the sun setting as late as 10.30pm.

It’s a fantastic time to pack a gourmet picnic lunch and find a beach at the edge of the lake. Or climb into the hills as high as you dare for massive views of the mountains, lake, rivers and valleys.

Autumn (Mar-May)
A luxurious, relaxed time against a backdrop of brilliant reds and golds. The leaves usually begin to turn in late March and early April. By April’s end, the fall colours are in full swing.

Stable, clear weather allows most outdoor pursuits. Walk in the hills by day; snuggle up by a roaring open fire at night. Temperatures swing from below zero to around 25°C, so you’ll need a full range of clothing.

Winter (Jun-Aug)
A magical season of snow capped mountains and clear blue skies. Six snow areas, with an après ski culture to match, promise a fantastic winter holiday. The town is alive with the happy sounds of people reliving the day’s skiing. International visitors rub shoulders with locals, united in their passion for snow sport. Dress warmly - winter temperatures seldom reach higher than 7° C and often fall below zero.

Spring (Sep-Nov)
As the snow recedes, the gardens and golf courses defrost and bloom. The temperature ranges from 8° C to 15° C, and the weather can change abruptly – sunny one moment, spring showers the next. Queenstown’s skiing is often at its best in spring, while down in the valley the lakeside beaches begin to attract sun seekers. In town, the restaurant tables creep onto the sidewalks. Dress in layers, so that you can adapt quickly to temperature changes.
Key Tips
- Queenstown airport welcomes daily flights from New Zealand’s main centres and several flights each week to/from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
- The downtown area of Queenstown covers less than 2 square kilometres. Most shops and restaurants are within easy walking distance.
- Four golf courses (three eighteen-hole and one nine-hole) provide spectacular and varied terrain. Clubs, trundlers and carts can be hired.
- You won’t need a suit or tie in Queenstown. But be ready with warm clothing – mountain weather can change quickly.
The above material are taken from Tourism New Zealand

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