The Globe Editorial Team
Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s true jewels. A stunning slice of the country, no matter what time of year you decide to make your trip. While it’s known as one of the best ski destinations in Aotearoa, countless other amazing adventure activities in Queenstown also make it such an appealing spot for tourists.
Whether taking a quick jaunt over for a weekend or spending a few weeks in Queenstown, it’s worth exploring your options.
This Queenstown adventure guide has a few of the best ready for you, so let’s dive in.
The Skyline Gondola
The best part about this attraction is that it’s fun for the whole family. If you have a couple of thrill-seekers in your group, the luge is a high-speed activity you can go around as many times as you like. For the more active adventurers, trails run down the side of the mountain, perfect for riding a sturdy mountain bike.
You can even take a commemorative photo to proudly display on your wall at home. If the luge isn’t quite your thing, there are delicious places to eat and incredible views, and the cable car ride up to the top of the mountain is its own treat.
The Below Zero Bar
Next up, a spot for the grown-ups in the group (although you can bring the little ones along to experience the inside of the bar). This is one of the most unique spots in the region, a bar carved entirely from ice on the inside. Don a thick coat provided at the door and enjoy your drinks served in glasses carved from the ice.
There are plenty of options, as Below Zero offers a full selection of cocktails and mocktails. You’ll have plenty of photo opportunities as well, so make sure to take advantage of them!
Shotover Canyon Swing
Here’s one for the adrenaline junkies waiting in the wings. Shotover Canyon is well-known for tugging many visitors well outside their comfort zones and catapulting them into a new way of life. Essentially, you swing your way from a tiny platform across the entirety of the canyon, most likely screaming the whole way down.
It’s better than a bungy and grants you a view that few others worldwide have seen. After all, there’s a reason that this is known as the number one canyon swing in the world!
And with that, we’ve reached the end of our Queenstown adventure guide. As you can see, there are plenty of adventure activities in Queenstown to choose from, and each one is curated for a different kind of adventurer.
