If you plan to explore the South Island of New Zealand, don’t forget to visit the magnificent town of Queenstown that is widely famous for its picturesque nature. This settlement lies near Lake Wakatipu against the breathtaking Southern Alps. Queenstown is one of the most visited towns in New Zealand that attracts mostly fans of extreme sports. Are you in the mood for something truly thrilling? In Queenstown, you have an amazing opportunity to jump into the abyss using the highest bungee jump or conquer fast mountain rivers during a risky and amusing rafting adventure. The town itself is calm and peaceful, so even fishing enthusiasts can enjoy their favorite hobby without any problem.
Archaeologists proved during excavations that there was a small village in the territory of the modern resort many centuries ago. At that time, the indigenous Maori people lived here. When Europeans arrived in New Zealand, the indigenous people were forced to leave their land. A group of explorers and their leader John Chabin reached the shore of Lake Wakatipu in 1856. They were searching for a suitable area to make a sheep breeding farm. Three years later, Donald Hay and Donald Cameron arrived here. They were primarily interested in the historic heritage of the unexplored territory.
All beaches in Queenstown are wild, so do not expect to find comfort and beach infrastructure here. There are no sun lounger and umbrella rentals here, same as dressing cabins. Despite this, there are always many vacationers on the lakeshore because the area is so charming that it is hard to resist the temptation to relax on the pebble surface. Queenstown Bay is the central recreation area in the town. This is the most crowded part of Lake Wakatipu. The area is situated in the central part of the town. This beach hosts daily entertaining events and parties. It is very comfortable to relax with kids here because the water is shallow near the coast.
Walk a bit further from the central beach along the coast, and you will reach Sunshine Bay. This is a place to find peace and serenity away from the bustling town and large groups of people. Fine pebbles cover the entire beach, so it is better to find proper shoes beforehand if you want to take a walk here. Despite some distance from the central part of Queensland, this coastal area is always clean. Just like the beach mentioned above, Sunshine Bay Beach is suitable for vacationers with small children. The water is shallow near the coast, and the bottom doesn’t have any sharp objects. The water is so clean here that it is easy to see the underwater world of the lake without any special equipment.
Not far from Queenstown, tourists can visit another local attraction – Walter Peak Farm. This is a piece of picturesque nature that is great for relaxing and leaving all problems and difficulties behind. Moreover, a visit to this farm is an excellent opportunity to see how the countryside lifestyle in New Zealand is different from the life of people in towns. If you want, you can enjoy a horseback riding tour to the most beautiful areas of the farm. The landscapes are so fantastic here that many people spend hours sitting at the lakeshore. If you like animals, you can try to shave a sheep or to feed a deer. In the evening, a delicious barbecue awaits all guests.
Fishermen can try to catch excellent trout in Queensland. This fish lives in the local waters all year round. By the way, you can fish not only from the coast. There are cruises for fans of this activity, during which people can fish in the middle of Lake Wakatipu. Naturally, this drastically raises your chances for a big catch. After fishing, it is incredibly pleasant to make a small cruise in the area. The surrounding nature is so spectacular and unique that it attracts not only tourists but also filmmakers. The legendary blockbuster “The Lord of the Rings” was filmed near Queenstown.
The airplane is the fastest way to get to Queenstown. Local airport receives flights from such cities as Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, as well as international flights from Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. For European tourists, it is more comfortable to fly to Auckland first and then take a flight to Queenstown. To get from the airport to the central part of the town, tourists can rent a car, call a taxi or buy tickets to a bus that departs in the right direction every twenty minutes.
Sightseeing in New Zealand: things to see
Stephens Island is located between North and South Islands. This small island is home to many rare animals. In tropical forests of Stephens Island one can see tuatara, a close relative of dinosaurs, which are extinct many million years ago. The island is a restricted zone, and the area, where the unique reptile lives, is put under strict control. Local biologist work hard to keep that rare animal and ensure it won't disappear in future.
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