adventurealive
Rich & Elaine's Overseas AdventuresQueenstown New ZealandQueenstown New Zealand is our town, an exhilarating, year round, international alpine resort, perfect for adventurers and leisure seekers. It is known as the ‘Adventure Capital of the World’ and is overlooked by the rugged and majestic Remarkable Mountains. Queenstown New Zealand is situated on the shores of stunning Lake Wakatipu, it is 85km long, 313m above sea level and this spectacular landscape was formed fifteen million years ago by huge rivers of glacial ice grinding down from the higher mountains of the Southern Alps. Queenstown Photo Gallery This small town with a population of 15,000 people has a cosmopolitan flavour with outdoor dining in the summer months and huge open blazing wood fires in restaurants and cafes in the winter, it offers endless adventure and its natural beauty is breathtaking. Queenstown New Zealand has four distinct seasons and occasionally gets them all in one day. Summer is from December to March with warmer daytime temperatures of 200C - 30oC ranging down to brisk southerly winds sweeping up Lake Wakatipu that can deposit a sprinkling of snow on the mountain tops.  The autumn weather is mostly settled, with trees a blaze of colour it is a photograph’s paradise. Winter, June to Sept, brings cold and frosty night-time temperatures with icy winds off the mountains, the air is dry and the days are often clear and sunny. Springtime sees the snow melt, the trees bud up, the flowers pop through the earth and everyone has a spring to their step. Queenstown is the one place in New Zealand where there are many ski areas, you can ski cross country or down hill, snow shoe, or heliski on spectacular isolated mountains. You can kayak or raft down turbulent rivers, mountain bike on passive tracks or rugged mountain terrain, bungy jump the highest in the world and paraglide off a mountain top, all in one day if you so wish.  There is wonderful hiking over mountain tracks staying at overnight huts, or day walks on an amazing choice of trails. Heli-hiking is another way to experience the wilderness mountain tops and valleys, jet boating up braided rivers or canyons, sightseeing in helicopters, trout fishing in the wilderness or you may prefer playing golf on one of the six scenic golf courses. In addition to high adventure, Queenstown New Zealand has wonderful boutique cafes, restaurants and local wineries that are a huge attraction where not only wine tasting is fun but they also offer delightful gourmet meals. On a day trip from Queenstown New Zealand you can visit world renowned Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound, both spectacular in different ways with day or overnight cruises available. Awesome scenic helicopter flights of mountains and lakes in and around Queenstown, Milford Sound & Fiordland National Park with glacier and snow landings. Hunting, fishing, heli-skiing & heli-hiking. The accommodation options in Queenstown New Zealand offer everything from Back Packers, Youth Hostels, Holiday Parks, Motels and Apartments, Bed and Breakfasts, International Hotels, Boutique  Lodges and Golf Resorts.The architecture and use of local stone in the town buildings are reminiscent of the 1860’s gold mining days when the area buzzed with hopeful miners from all over the world, today this alpine resort is very much alive and buzzing with adventure and relaxed travellers from all corners An hour’s drive from Queenstown over the highest scenic road pass in New Zealand takes you through the Cardrona Valley to Lake Wanaka and on to Lake Hawea. Both are surrounded by mountains where many activities are offered, the fishing is special, there are great walks, the cafes and wineries are excellent. These lake side havens are not to be missed, the accommodations are varied and people relaxed and friendly. |
