Whereas the deserves of Queenstown as a journey vacation spot are tough to disclaim, it’s not a must-see for each sort of traveler. For instance, city-minded sojourners who need to work remotely at hip espresso retailers in Auckland or Christchurch may not discover the outside sports activities vibe of Queenstown so interesting.
Over the subsequent a number of paragraphs, I’ll clarify a few of Queenstown’s prime actions, which is able to hopefully enable you to determine whether or not to go or not. If you happen to do determine it’s the precise selection, I’ll additionally inform you what number of days you must spend, and advocate a number of locations to remain.
The place to Keep in Queenstown
Assuming you do find yourself considering that Queenstown is value visiting, you’ll must discover a place to remain. Some vacationers favor motels, equivalent to Sofitel Queenstown or Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, which is true on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Personally, nonetheless, I’ve discovered that Airbnb residences are extra inexpensive and in addition extra distinctive, significantly in case you want to keep outdoors the busy city middle.
What to Do in Queenstown
Go skydiving (or bungee leaping)
Indisputably, my favourite reminiscence of Queenstown was leaping out of a airplane a number of miles above the bottom, even when the bounce technically happened in Wanaka as an alternative of Queenstown. One Queenstown journey exercise I didn’t take into account, nonetheless, was bungee leaping. Though bungee operators right here have an impeccable security document, it’s simply not one thing I can think about myself doing at this level.
Take a jet boat trip
One other exhilarating pursuit which will make Queenstown value visiting for you is a jet boat trip. Though the particulars of each the car and the route it is going to observe could fluctuate relying on which firm you select, the expertise is identical: Rushing atop the water in a method that can make you are feeling such as you’re fairly actually rocketing alongside its floor.
Journey onward to Milford Sound
The dangerous information? Though Milford Sound seems near Queenstown on the map, it’s truly almost 4 hours by automotive; many vacationers (significantly well-heeled ones) determine to hop propeller airplane flights to get there. The excellent news? If you happen to can bear the drive (or don’t thoughts taking an all-inclusive tour), a go to to the Sound could be very value it. It evokes the fjords of Norway, albeit with out the colourful villages alongside either side of it.
(Or Lakes Wanaka and Tekapo)
For some vacationers, the bigger South Island expertise is way of what makes Queenstown value visiting. I can empathize with this: It wasn’t till I had spent a day frolicking amid the lupines of Lake Tekapo, and marveling on the weird tree submerged in Lake Wanaka that I used to be capable of correctly admire Queenstown, each its heart-racing journey tourism, in addition to its creature comforts.
Don’t neglect the city middle
Certainly, whether or not due to casinos, motels or eating places serving up delicacies from all world wide, downtown Queenstown is developed to an extent that only a few different South Island street journey locations are. Moreover, when you’ve completed consuming and ingesting, or just strolling alongside the lake shore, you’ll be able to ascend the Skyline Queenstown cable automotive for certainly one of New Zealand’s most beautiful panoramas.
How Many Days Do You Want in Queenstown?
I might typically say to spend a day in Queenstown for every exercise you intend to do. So in case you plan to skydive or bungee bounce, go for a jet boat trip, and take a day journey to Milford Sound, I’d counsel spending a minimum of 3 days in Queenstown.
You could even spend 4, on this case: Climate may cause your skydiving time to get pushed again and even canceled, so that you’ll must be versatile.
Another excuse that spending extra days in Queenstown somewhat than much less makes essentially the most sense? Queenstown is comparatively far-off, geographically talking. It’s a half-day drive from Christchurch, and a number of other hours from Tekapo, Wanaka and Aoraki/Mt. Prepare dinner. Due to this fact, it could be extra value it to spend extra days and discover the placement on this case.
Different FAQ About Visiting Queenstown
Is Queenstown essentially the most stunning place on Earth?
Queenstown is a really stunning metropolis, nevertheless it’s laborious to say it’s essentially the most stunning place on earth, and even in Center Earth (aka New Zealand). What I’ll say is that seeing the mountains rising above Lake Wakatipu is a sight for sore eyes after the lengthy drive to get there!
Which is healthier to go to, Auckland or Queenstown?
If you happen to’re in search of a correct metropolis with distinct districts, numerous co-working areas and wonderful air connections, Auckland is your best option. Select Queenstown, in the meantime, if journey actions and a laid-back, small-town vibe are extra your pace.
Why do vacationers go to Queenstown?
Vacationers go to Queenstown for journey. In the summertime, this entails skydiving, bungee leaping and jet-boating; in winter, it’s all about snowboarding. There are some vacationers that come right here for the overall atmosphere of the lakeside city middle, though not very many.
The Backside Line
Is Queenstown value visiting? Completely, though this assertion comes with some caveats. Given Queenstown’s comparatively far distance from different New Zealand locations, significantly Auckland and Christchurch, you’ll must be clear about the way you’re going to spend your days right here to make the journey worthwhile. Certainly, it’s additionally a good suggestion to determine upfront how lengthy you’ll be in Queenstown. One factor is for sure, in case you do find yourself making it to Queenstown, you’re nearly positive to go away happier than you arrived. Myself and everybody I do know positive had been!
