Things to do in Queenstown

Follow the Iron Way up Queenstown Hill

The best way to get to grips with rock climbing is to follow a viaferrata. Climbing Queenstown (tel: +64 27 477 9393; www.climbingqueenstown.com) will take you to the only one in the Southern Hemisphere. Literally translated as Iron Way, climbers follow a series of fixed rungs as they snake up Queenstown Hill for unrivalled views. 

Throw yourself deep into a canyon

If nature has carved out a beautiful canyon, than an adrenaline junky has dreamt up a way to explore it. Try Nevis (tel: +64 3 450 1300; www.bungy.co.nz); at 143m (440ft), it is one of the highest bungee jumps in the world. Or for those who want to fly, the Shotover Canyon Swing (tel: +64 3 442 6990; www.canyonswing.co.nz) can provide that pleasure.

Take to the skies with an aerial adventure

In order to see the best of Queenstown, you’ll need a head for heights. Sky diving, paragliding and hang-gliding are among the aerial adventures you can enjoy, enabling you to truly appreciate the area's scenic wonders. A number of companies like NZONE (tel: +64 3 442 5867; www.nzoneskydive.co.nz) take in the Remarkables and glistening Lake Wakatipu.

Put yourself in the landscape with a hike

Put one foot in front of the other and be rewarded with some of New Zealand’s most magical views. For ramblers with resolve, the Ben Lomond Summit Track is a tough hike but boasts spectacular panoramic views, whilst the easier Frankton Arm Walkway is an unforgettable Lake Wakatipu shoreline stroll.

Dare to ride the rapids with only a bodyboard

Queenstown is unquestionably the adventure sports capital of an extreme sports obsessed nation. It’s rivers are a playground; careen down the Karawau with some white water rafting, shoot through the Shotover river with a jet boat or try Mad Dog River Boarding (tel: +64 3 442 5262; www.riverboarding.co.nz), navigating the rapids with nothing but a body board.

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