Joanna James
Queenstown is the tourist capital of New Zealand. It is fondly called the adventure city. There are many reasons for the Town to get this reputation. These are a few of them.
A distinct feature of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu is a Z shaped body of water that borders the town. Legend has it that the Lake was created with the death of monster Matau and that his heart still lies at the bottom of the lake beating away. According to this Maori legend, it is the beating heart of the monster that causes the water in the lake to rise and fall by 1cm every 20 minutes. In reality, this is an interesting tidal effect caused by the strange shape of the lake. Although the Lake was quite busy during the gold rush of 1860, it is now largely used for recreational purposes like fishing, boating, and kayaking. In fact, you will find a lot of Queenstown apartment accommodation bordering the area. It is a popular place to come by in an evening and simply enjoy the end of the day. The historical significance of the Lake makes it all the more wonderful, making one feel as if they are connected to a story far bigger than they can ever imagine.
If you are looking for a road trip, driving through Skipper's Canyon is a great idea. The Canyon is just over 20 km long and was a part of the gold rush of the 1890s. You will have your breath knocked out of you by the sheer drop on one side of the drive, while on the other you will see civilization. You can make your way to Skipper's Bridge which is a high suspension bridge. You can easily drive your way down the road. But car rentals do not provide insurance for driving Skipper's Canyon. If you are not sure of yourself, you can take a tour bus and go sightseeing. Pack some snacks and call a few local friends to make a real road trip out of the journey. You can make stops whenever, as the sights here are ones you would definitely want to carry with you in the form of photographs. If you are taking a tour bus, they usually make designated pit stops at the most scenic locations for you to take pictures.
If you are tired of simply sitting and relaxing at one of the apartments that will have everything at your fingertips like Oaks Shores, you can have a day of mild adventure by going jet skiing. Jet skiing is usually done along the Shotover River, which is about 75 km long. As is most places in Queenstown, the Shotover River was popular during the Otago gold rush. There narrow sections of the waterway that form canyons, and navigating these are not possible by everyone. With slopes and dramatic cliffs bordering the ride, this is often dubbed the most exciting jet boat ride in the world. In fact, it is one of the longest-running adventure activities in Queenstown, being in operation since 1965.
The Remarkables is the best-known ski destination in all of New Zealand. It is a place where a lot of families gather during the winder for a holiday of winter activities and games. The ski facilities at the Remarkables are quite modern and state of the art, to the extent that European skiers make their way here during Summer in the Northern hemisphere. Although no accommodation is available on the ski slopes, there is a regular shuttle service between the place and Queenstown.
Skyline Gondola is located right within the town and gives you incredible panoramic views of the surrounding city. While there are quite a few viewing points out of town, the proximity of Skyline Gondola makes it one of the busiest places in town. The summit is called Bob's Peak and is reached in cable cars. The ride itself is quite scenic and worth every minute you spend on it.
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