Fun filled , action pack yet tranquil! (Queenstown)

Member Name: emma_ski

Product:	Queenstown
Date:	16/06/09 (36 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: lots to do and see

Disadvantages: little pricey

I visited Queenstown whilst backpacking in NZ and was constantly told it was the adventure capital! This was true as Queenstown offers a huge variety of crazy things to do though a little more pricey than in other NZ cities.
**Skyline and luge**
The skyline up to the top of the 'hill' presented wonderful views over Queenstown, of the surrounding mountains/hills and of the sky blue lake. The ride was quick and smooth and reasonably priced (about $30 for ride and 3 sets of luge rides) At the top is a good size restaurant offering food, drinks and snacks all reasonable price too! Oo not forgetting the yummy ice-cream! The views are amazing up here especially on a clear day!
The luge (like go-karting but safer) was great fun too! It could go as fast as you felt comfortable with, I found toddlers over taking me! It wasn't busy so we had fun racing with my friends! While I was there they were rebuilding some of the track, which should be finished now, offering more routes to drive down! This is a great fun activity and well worth a try regardless of age!
**adrenalin junkies*
There are lots here for you guys! Including bungee jumping, white water rafting, gondolas, river rafting, skydiving, jet boating and canyon swinging and much more. These are all crazy activities, which will cost you a little more than doing them in other cities around NZ such as in Rotorua or Tapou, though it depends on how much time you have to spend.
Personal I did a lot of these activities elsewhere so didn't do any whilst in Queenstown! Sorry, I've heard from other backpackers these are all great fun though!

**Lodgings**
Both visits I stayed in a YHA youth hostel on the river front, with amazing views and great scenic trails/paths near by! This could $27 nz per night and the rooms were very clean as well shared showers/toilets on each corridor. There is also a big common room with a big DVD collection, the hostel is safe and locks up around 10, needing a unique code to open doors after this time.
The town is very touristy, offering a variety of lodging from 5* to tents!

**Eating and Drinking**
There was a selection of places to eat and drink around the town. There is also a handful of take-aways, some open late into the night for us drinking night-owls! We mainly bought from the super market but the nights we did eat out, all the food was tasty! The cafes right on the river front are a little more expensive but a great location to eat and watch the world passing by! A huge range of drinking places too, we drank in backpacker's pubs as was cheaper and full of likeminded people! Definitely try the 'teapot cocktails!'

**Events**
Winter-festival hosts a range of activites from music, sport and comedy, a great 10 day event! (DEC)
Festival Street parade - great family event and parade (JUNE)
Festival Mardi Gras - lively event which is free and a huge range of foods (JUNE)
Rail - Jam - event where free style skaters and riders show off their skills! (JULY)
There is usual some sort of event or another going on, so best to check it out before hand, most hotels can advise on these!

**other**
Queenstown is a beautiful location with so much to do! It has a fantastic lake and mountains as well as a botanic garden and lots of walks to enjoy the scenery!
The town is quite tourist driven so there is lots of activities to do which can be book so easily! A wonderful place to visit whilst in NZ.

Summary: fab place to visit! go now!