Choose Minibus Hire In Queenstown To Explore The City In Its Entirety
Acclaimed as the adventure capital of New Zealand, the town of Queensland with its towering mountain peaks and extensive shoreline is a tourism delight offering plenty of rush-of-adrenaline activities for visitors of all abilities and interests. It is the home of bungee jumping, and doesn’t fall far behind in terms of other activities such as paragliding, parachuting, zip lining, rafting, jet boating, ballooning fishing and trekking. During the colder months, the focus shifts on snowboarding and skiing with two of the best skiing destinations in the country. If you are planning to visit this township full of lively thrills and entertainment, avail minibus hire in Queenstown to explore these favourite attractions.
Historic Cruise On The Lake Wakatipu
Set against the dramatic Southern Alps, Queenstown sits nicely on the shores of South Island’s Lake Wakatipu, covering an area of 293 square kilometres. According to a belief, the lake is said to have been existing ever since the death of a Monster Matau. His heart is believed to be still beating down under the lake, causing the ascent and descent of water every 20 minutes. This is actually due to the Z-shape of the lake which forms tides.
A vintage 1912 paddle steamer is the key attraction here, offering you a chance to undertake a scenic cruise journey to explore the rich history of the region. Know everything from the time when Europeans first reached the lake, and during the Otago gold rush, when a number of ships pursued the waters servicing gold prospectors in the town. Today, the lake is used as a spot for kayaking, boating and fishing tours.
Skiing In The Remarkables
Winter time is certainly the best for skiing in the north-facing slopes of the mountain ranges known as The Remarkables. Tourists from across the world come here to combat the heat in Northern Hemisphere, by ski resort sitting ideal for beginners as well as expert skiers. The Remarkables has remarkably great ultra-modern ski facilities to cater all abilities.
Located around 28 km from Queenstown on the south-eastern shore of Lake Wakatipu, the scenic mountain ranges live up to its name with its sharp rise, set against impressive background for the waters. Three mountain bowls constitute the ski area covering 540 acres, with a total of 7 lifts, including 3 magic carpets and 4 chairlifts.
Experience The Skyline Gondola
If you are looking to absorb the panoramic views of the beautiful landscape and mountain peaks surrounding Queenstown, the Skyline Gondola has you covered with an amazing over-the-top journey through the natural beauty. Take in some breathtaking views, as you fly over the rugged peaks of the Remarkables overlooking the Lake Wakatipu, with a 446-metre high journey to the summits of Bob’s Peak. Known as the steepest cable cars in the Southern Hemisphere, skyline Gondola will take you to some of the best lookout platforms, with a chance to dine at a classic restaurant right at the top.
Go Bungee Jumping With AJ Hackett Bungy
Pioneering this crazy adrenaline activity, AJ Hackett is the person behind popularizing the extreme sport of bungy jumping. You can call Queenstown, the homeland of this activity, and there is no better place than this, if you ever wish to go bungee jumping once in your lifetime. This worldwide adrenaline craze was first initiated by AJ Hackett Bungy in 1988.
The historical suspension bridge which was built over the Kawarau Gorge in 1880 is where the 43-metre jump sits nicely on a platform. If you are looking for some more thrills, try the highest bungee jumping point in New Zealand at the Nevis Point location, which is at an elevation of 134 meters from the Nevis River.
Spot The Kiwis At The Kiwi Birdlife Park
The Kiwi Bird is the national icon of New Zealand, but a difficult one to spot easily flying over the city’s skyline. This is basically due to their remote native forest habitat and nocturnal nature. The Kiwi Birdlife Park gives you an opportunity to witness these lovely creatures in specially equipped nocturnal kiwi-homes.
The 5-acre forest is also home to a variety of bird species, other than the Kiwis. You can also get up and close with the New Zealand’s endemic reptile, tuatara. Park has also got to offer plenty of kid’s activities, including kiwi feeding encounters and daily animal conservation talks.
Walk Around The Dramatic Queenstown Trail
The 110-kilometer long dramatic countryside surrounding Queenstown, is the incredible Queenstown Trail with cycling and walking paths traversing through the region. Given recent renovations, the trail has created a route of organized paths, and has opened up vast portions of private lands for hikers and cyclist. Along the way, you’ll come across the vine-draped Gibbston Balley, the historic gold mining settlement of Arrowtown, Lake Hayes and Lake Wakatipu shorelines, and the dizzying suspension bridges.
Across the entire stretch, there are 8 separate tracks, and you can choose a route depending upon your time of stay. Ideally, if you have 4 days in hand, take a shorter route to cycle or walk the complete trail. At various points along the path, reasonable accommodation options are available to suit all pockets. This should be a fun experience for anyone travelling with a group of friends.
Scenic Drive Through The Skipper’s Canyon
Driving through the Skippers Canyon is the most historic and scenic drive you can undertake in Queensland. Extending over a length of 22 kilometres, it houses one of the richest gold bearing rivers, Shotover. It was once a haven for thousands of prospectors in the district, after the discovery of gold in 1892.
Today, the narrow and twisting road through the gorge, flanked by high cliffs on one side and breathtaking vertical drops on the other, is an extremely beautiful road trip, with the key highlight being the high suspension bridge known as Skippers Bridge. Private cars are allowed on this route, but no rental company will give you insurance for commuting here. It’s more sensible to hire Queenstown minibus charter for a safe ride.