A Brief Guide To Queenstown
On 8th July 2017 by HelenPeople told me I’d like New Zealand but having always been obsessed with Australia I knew this place had to be pretty special to beat it. Well I’m here to tell you I’m in love with this beautiful country, it’s people, culture and really just everything about it. Two places on this trip particularly caught my eye the first in the North Island being Taupo and then the second the in the South Island Queenstown. Due to Taupo being a complete wash out – though if you like somewhere in the rain you know it’s pretty special, I thought I’d do a guide to Queenstown.
Queenstown is absolutely stunning and has so much to offer. This is the place where you come to do all your crazy activities. It’s the place where mothers fear (or at least mine did). So what’s on offer….
Firstly you can access Queenstown by road or air. It took 3 weeks to drive with Kiwi Experience (prices vary depending on your pass) and 2 hours to fly back to Auckland with Air New Zealand. Cost $140/£85 including luggage.
Queenstown is ‘the adventure capital of the world’. There’s just so much on offer:
BUNGY jumping! Of course AJ Hackett the original BUNGY creators have there main jumps in Queenstown. There’s 3 for you to choose from Kawarau Bridge (43m), The Ledge (47m), Nevis (134m), there are also 2 swings for you to choose from Nevis and the Ledge. Everyone needs to complete a BUNGY jump, it’s the best and worst thing you’ll ever do all in one! It doesn’t matter how long it takes you to jump (I’m proof) the rush you get afterwards is like no other! Cost $180 (as a Kiwi passenger) the photo package cost $100 and I got 10% off additional merchandise (of course another t-shirt, I need as much evidence as possible) and 20% off for life on all AJ Hackett jumps.
(One of the photos purchased as part of my jump)
Parasailing: I wanted to do this so badly but due to finances it’s on hold until the next time. You parasail off the top of the gondola and it just looks so cool. There’s a couple of companies that do this so check them out when you’re there – most travel shops will be able to advise you on who to use for the best experience. Prices are around $250
Skiing obviously only in winter. Three of my friends went and they had a great time. You can hire all the gear in the town and most hostels have storage for ski/boarding gear. Cardrona seemed to be a popular choice of slops to go to. You can have lessons or just go down the slopes as you please. My friend Dexter who writes http://nextdextination.wordpress.com was kind enough to let me know the details of his trip. He booked with Happy Travels for $182 and that included transfer to the slopes, ski lift, jacket and snow pant rental, boots helmet and goggles. The ski company Happy Travels book with is Go Orange. Guys PLEASE go read Dex’s blog it’s amazing!
(Everyone meet Dex – photo courtesy of http://nextdextination.wordpress.com)
The Gondola takes you straight up to the Skyline where you get the most amazing views back down over the town. It’s very pretty to go at sunset and watch the town light up below you. Cost $35
(View from the cable car)
The Luge sits at the top of the Skyline/Gondola in Queenstown. It’s basically a go-cart type-contraption that you fly down the hill in. With Kiwi Experience $29
There’s also numerous walks you can complete including Queenstown Hill and a walk around the gardens.
Hire a car and take a road trip to the end of the lake about an hours drive out of Queenstown to Glenorchy – there’s so many beautiful viewing points and scenery to look at.
Places to stay:
- I stayed in Nomads when I was there. Reasonably priced (though the most expensive hostel of the trip), clean and very comfortable, the kitchen was huge with sofas and pool tables and an open fire as well as the reception area having places to sit with a fire place too. Cost $121 for four nights in a 4 bed ensuite. There’s free wifi in reception or $4 per day to use in your rooms.
- Base hostel: I haven’t stayed in this hostel but we stayed in Base the entire way down the islands bar one or two stops. They seem clean and comfortable. My friends that stayed here in Queenstown didn’t really have too many complaints.
- Haka Lodge: again I’ve not stayed there but friends have, clean and comfortable, fastest wifi and a homely feel.
Places to eat:
FERBURGER: Guys you cannot come to Queenstown and not eat in Fergburger it’s AMAZING. In fact it’s so amazing I think I ate there every night except one. The burgers have been voted number one in the world by CNN News channel. They are well priced and my god they are HUGE. Best bit they even do gluten free options prepared in the back of the kitchen so there’s no cross contamination. The original Fergburger is delicious but you can have everything from minted lamb, chicken, pulled pork. Because the burgers are so good they’ve expanded to a bakery and gelato place. Firstly the gelato is amazing and you guessed it gluten free and the bakery does the best gluten free mud cake ever. Also if you’re new to my blog you won’t know that I have a slight Acai obsession and anywhere that does Acai smoothies or bowls gets a thumbs up from me and yes this place does them and does them well. Cost $22 for burger, fries and drink. Gluten free options available and prepared separately in the kitchen $3 extra. Coffee $4.50. Gelato $5.50-$8 depending on how many scoops, cake $5.50, Acai $9.50-$13 (depending on smoothly or bowl).
Devils Burger: I ate here the night of my bungy and I’m not sure if it was because I’d starved all day or the fact I was just elated to still be alive after a 47 meter drop but this place was great and if I’m honest I kinda preferred the burger to Fergburger. They do gluten free options and they were able to give me full warning of any potential cross contamination in the kitchen so I was fully informed – I was fine. Cost $18
Badgers Pizza: this place gets amazing reviews with a 20 inch pizza for $27. I obviously didn’t eat there but I’ve been told by others that it was pretty epic.
Places to drink:
- Red Rock – good vibes, live music, everyone gathered here to watch all the rugby
- Loco – modern bar and associated with Base hostel, good fun
- World bar – opposite Nomads hostel, good music, get shots in a teapot (yep, if that doesn’t sell it, what will?)
- Winnie’s – good music, you can dance on the bar
- Cowboys – mechanical bull say no more
Everyone needs to visit here it’s one of the best places ever!
(All pricing is $NZD)
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