Posted on January 22, 2013 by sguese

 

In Queenstown, you better have a lot of energy. This small town serves up a wealth of thrill-seeking activities, from bungee jumping, caving, rafting, sledging, skiing and skydiving. At the same time, the city manages to be laid back and easy going, where you can occupy a table at a café for hours on end. And with one of New Zealand’s most beautiful views, Queenstown seemingly as it all, fun, energy and calm all in one town.

 

Take in the views on the Skyline Gondola: For one of Queenstown’s best views, board the Skyline Gondola. The ride will lend travelers shots of Queenstown, the lake and the mountains. At the top, you can sit back at either the café or restaurants and observe one of their regular Maori cultural shows. Also from this vantage point, the more active will find a number of walking trails.

 

Play I Spy the Kiwi at the Kiwi Birdlife Park: Obviously with a name like the Kiwi Birdlife Park, this is probably your best bet for spying a kiwi while in Queenstown. The park is not just home to kiwis and their darkened houses, but also 10,000 native plants and hordes of birds. Expect to see the rare black stilt, kea, morepork and parakeets at the Kiwi Birdlife Park.

 

Find Queenstown’s Oldest Resident: To see the oldest home in this town, travelers should seek out Williams Cottage. Built in 1864, the home remains very much as it was originally, complete with 1930s wallpaper. It also serves as an annex of the Arrowtown’s Lake District Museum and Gallery.

 

Strike it big at the Goldfields Mining Center: If you have always been fascinated by Queenstown’s gold mining history, the Goldfields Mining Center will occupy your attentions. Aside from the official gold mining demonstration site, you also have the chance to see the goldfields of the region that turned up to be the richest in the world in the early 19^th century.

 

Experience the calm of the Church of St. Peter: Perhaps you just went skydiving or bungee jumping in Queenstown and are in search of a bit of calm. The Church of St. Peter presents such an oasis. With its pretty wood beams, visitors should also note the church’s organ and colorful stained glass. Its cedar wood lectern is also worth a gander, the work of Chinese immigrant Ah Tong.

 

Sample the fruits of the land at a Queenstown winery: The lush vineyards from Central Otago’s rugged hillsides produce some of New Zealand’s best wines. Sip on a pinot noir, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc from vineyard to vineyard. The Queenstown area is home to over 70 vineyards in the region. There is a Queenstown Wine Trail travelers can take, taking you through four wineries for five hours.