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Haka Pa Maori Village
Visitors are invited to
immerse themselves in Maori culture in the charming show village of Haka
Pa Maori, where they are greeted by the wero (traditional Maori
welcome), take part in a cultural performance and are treated to a
sumptuous four course buffet ‘hangi’ feast.
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| Galley Museum
The museum contains a wealth of
information about the history of Queenstown and its surrounding areas. A
large photographic collection is housed in one of the more prominent
buildings in the town, once the Imperial Hotel. Among the displays are
minerals and documentation of the North Lyell Mine disaster, reminders
of the town’s miner’s camp beginnings.
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Winter Sports
Though usually a fairly quiet
town, Queenstown comes alive during the winter, when visitors come to
take part in every form of winter pastime imaginable. Many of the
visitors are locals whose agricultural work is halted by the long, hard
winters. Fortunately, there is plenty to do: skiing, sledding and
snowboarding are just some of the activities available in this winter
wonderland.
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| Summer Sports
During the quieter summer
months, Queenstown plays host to visitors who come to take in the
breathtaking landscape. From tramping trails to kayaking and
four-wheel-drive treks, there’s something for everyone who wants to get
a little closer to some of the most impressive scenery in the whole of
“God’s Own Country”.
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Extreme Sports
New Zealand is famed for its
rugged extreme sports scene, and Queenstown is the epicentre, with
everything from rally events, to death-defying snow stunts and aerial
jumps, all happening here. This is the birthplace of modern
bungee-jumping, and few visitors leave the area without taking part in
at least one heart-stopping activity, In fact, its practically the town
specialty.
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| Glenorchy
Just a short distance outside
Queenstown is the township of Glenorchy, the ideal location to take in
the wonderful scenery of the area. The 45 minute drive will take you
past Lake Wakitipu, through some amazing lake vistas. Upon reaching the
town, there is a choice of a road trip, a boat ride or a horse-riding
trail to take in even more sights.
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Lord of the Rings Film Locations
Queenstown
and its surrounding area has
become internationally famed for providing much of the spectacular
background landscape in Peter Jackson’s epic trilogy Lord of the Rings.
There are a number of tours offering visits to the film scene locations,
many of which have been restored to their original natural splendour.
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Skipper Canyon
An excursion to the more remote
and dramatic upper reaches of the Arrow River will end at the Skipper
Canyon, an adventure playground that first appeared in New Zealand
history as the site of a gold rush. Much of the landscape was sculpted
by the efforts of thousands of Chinese miners, whose legacy remains
visible. Bungee-jumping, white-water rafting and mountain bike trails
are also available to tempt the adrenalin seeker.
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Arrowtown
Queenstown’s beginnings as a miner’s
camp is manifest in all its physical splendour in the charming village
of Arrowtown, which was born in the 1860's gold rush period. Today, with
its art galleries and wineries, the beautiful scenery and the numerous
attractions, the town makes for a relaxing and entertaining day trip. |
