Queenstown

Queenstown/Aotearoa

The beautiful resort town of Queenstown is located in the south west region of New Zealand’s South Island.  It is a popular tourist destination for skiers and thrill seekers, as well as travellers lured to the region by the stunning lake and mountain surroundings.  

Queenstown was built around an inlet on Lake Wakatipu, a lightning bolt shaped lake that was created by glacial processes.  Lake Wakatipu is one of several picturesque bodies of water that form the Queenstown Lakes District.  While Queenstown has an alpine climate, summer days can be long and warm, with maximum temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit.)  Queenstown receives frequent cloudless blue sky days.

According to the 2006 census, the permanent residential population of Queenstown is approximately 10 000.  As a small tourist town, there are few primary administrative organisations such as hospitals.  Residents are serviced by the nearby Southland province.

European explorers William Gilbert Rees and Nicholas Von Tunzleman were the first Pakeha’s to settle in the area.  They established a farm in 1860 after a long search for suitable pastoral land.  While their stay in the area was short lived, the discovery of gold in nearby Arrow River in 1862 gave the fledgling town a population boom.

Queenstown has a reputation for being the adventure capital of the world.  White water rafting, bungy jumping, mountain biking and fly fishing are just some of the extreme activities that Queenstown has to offer.  As a resort town servicing four mountain ski fields (Cardrona Alpine Resort, Cornoet Peak, The Remarkables and Treble Cone), it is a major hub for snow sports.

Queenstown also has a reputation for producing some of New Zealand’s best food and wine.  Nearby wine producing regions manufacture premium pinot noir.  As a result, Queenstown’s restaurants and bars are typically excellent.  The town has recently developed a vibrant nightlife that is making it increasingly popular with young backpackers.

Queenstown is home to the TSS Earnslaw, a century old coal fired steamship that provides tourist trips across Lake Wakatipu.  It also hosts the International Jazz Festival, which has seen such jazz luminaries as Anika Moa and Di Bird perform.

Queenstown was the filming location for parts of Lord of the Rings and The X-Men Origins: Wolverine.  Controversy arose over the X Men filming after Fox Studios made the decision to store explosives in the local ice skating rink.  The explosions were moved after the Department of Labour voiced their objections.

A beautiful resort town with a lively atmosphere, Queenstown is popular with tourists of all ages and personalities.