Right here’s why Queenstown New Zealand is nicknamed the “Journey Capital of the World”.
As somebody with a worry of heights, canyon swinging was one thing I by no means thought I’d do. However since 1) it was a a part of my job, and a couple of) Queenstown might be one of the scenic locations on the planet to do it — it was clear what needed to be completed.
Seems, the swing made a key spotlight of our 12-Day journey to New Zealand South Island.
In opposition to the scenic backdrop of the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is a fantastic city. However don’t be fooled by its peaceable exterior, it’s in all probability probably the most thrilling city you’ll discover in the entire of New Zealand!
From skydiving to quad biking, Queenstown is the one-stop hub to test off your bucket record. Listed here are 11 actions excellent for the last word adrenaline junkie:
1) Canyon Swinging
The Shotover Canyon is beautiful 🤩, and the easiest way to understand its magnificence is by swinging throughout its turquoise waters from a top of 109m!
There are over 30 bounce kinds to select from as you make the swing of religion and expertise 60m of free fall.
Types vary from the pleasant tandem cutaway — the place you fall from a snug sitting place — to crazier choices just like the trike, the chair, and the sparta.
There’s no backing out when you’re seated on the tricycle. Merely roll out into the canyon and benefit from the trip!
Go for the chair in the event you benefit from the tease and adrenaline of rocking backwards and forwards on the cliff edge — on the mercy of your jumpmaster 💀.
In the meantime, the jumpmaster’s Sparta kick will ship you flying out into the canyon earlier than you’ve gotten time to course of the autumn!
In accordance with our jumpmasters, the oldest individual to leap so far was 87 years outdated, and understanding that he made the swing — maybe it’s time so that you can give it a strive 😉.
Value: ~S$214/grownup for a solo swing, ~S$154/grownup for a tandem swing
Timeslots: Varies
Assembly level: 34 Shotover Avenue, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
*Professional-tip: Go for a second swing by way of a special bounce fashion as a result of it’ll solely set you again by a further NZ$30 (~S$26), cost on-site!
2) Skydiving
Do you know that Lake Wakatipu is formed like a lightning bolt ⚡️? Right here’s one option to discover out.
Skydive from as much as 15,000 ft and soak within the gorgeous aerial views of Queenstown, New Zealand. Catch Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables in all of their magnificence as you free fall for as much as 60 seconds!
Value: From NZ$299/grownup (~S$264)
Timeslots: 9:30AM, 10:30AM, 12:30AM, 1:30PM (is dependent upon the climate)
Assembly level: 35 Shotover Avenue, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
3) Hydro Assault
Picture credit score: Hydroattack Queenstown
Right here’s a singular one: A semi-submersible, high-speed shark trip with Hydro Assault 🦈.
Zipping throughout Lake Wakatipu at excessive speeds, the mechanical shark takes a pointy dive into the blue waters earlier than blasting vertically again out into the skies, giving its passengers a splashing wild trip.
What’s extra, you’ll be driving one-on-one along with your pilot within the shark — so that you’re free to make requests and go as loopy as you need!
Value: ~S$125/grownup
Timeslots: Varies
Deal with: Seashore Avenue, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
4) Nevis Catapult
Picture credit score: Queenstown NZ
Have a style of the world’s greatest human catapult — the Nevis Catapult.
Expertise the adrenaline rush of being flung at a loopy pace of 100km per hour in 1.5 seconds! As you’re hurled 150m out into the open, strive your greatest to benefit from the views earlier than an exhilarating rebound.
Value: NZ$225/grownup (~S$194)
Tour timings: Varies
Deal with: Shotover &, Camp Avenue, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
5) White Water Rafting
Picture credit score: Realnz
Go on a bumpy trip as you problem the whitewater rapids of Skipper’s Canyon. Collectively along with your raft squad, strive your greatest to not flip over as you tackle gruelling rapids (grade three to 5) led by skilled guides.
The journey begins even earlier than you board the raft, because the shuttle bus taking you to the start line traverses one of the harmful roads in New Zealand — the Skipper’s Canyon highway.
Picture credit score: Stuff.com
The slim and unpaved mountain highway is carved out of a cliff face, with a sheer drop of some hundred metres. In the event you’re afraid of heights, strive to not look out of the window!
Value: ~S$171/grownup
Tour timing: 1PM, closed throughout Winter
Deal with: 37 Camp Avenue, Queenstown 9348, New Zealand
6) Paragliding
Picture credit score: Klook
Encompass your self in breathtaking mountain views of Coronet Peak as you paraglide by the skies of Queenstown. Thrill-seekers who search extra motion can try extra spins and turns within the air with as much as 1,100m of vertical top so that you can play with.
Value: From ~S$204/grownup
Tour timings: 8:45AM, 11AM, 1PM, 2:45PM
Deal with: 37 Camp Avenue, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
7) Quad Biking
Driving a Quad bike is an journey of its personal however driving with panoramic 360° views of Queenstown and the Remarkables mountain vary is an expertise that’s onerous to beat.
The bikes listed below are large ones utilized by native farmers and the problem comes with controlling them as you bike up the steep uneven hills of Queenstown Hill.
For us, it was tough balancing the bike and coordinating the gears to remain upright and on the trail. Fortunately, a mini-training session helped us get accustomed to them and we have been zooming off very quickly!
Value: ~S$254/grownup
Eligibility: Aged 16 and above, go a obligatory coaching session earlier than the precise tour
Tour timing: 8:30AM
Assembly level: Resort pick-up from Queenstown is offered
8) Jetboating
Picture credit score: NewZealand.com
Going as much as 95km per hour, pace throughout Lake Wakatipu and the world-famous Kawarau and Shotover River on this one-hour jet boat trip.
Maintain on tight as you expertise thrilling 360° spins whereas admiring gorgeous views provided by the three Queenstown waterways. Carry a set of garments to vary since you most definitely will likely be drenched.
Value: ~S$111/grownup
Tour timing: Varies
Deal with: Foremost City Pier, Marine Parade, Queenstown 9348, New Zealand
9) Snowboarding/Snowboarding
Picture credit score: coronetpeak.co.nz
Queenstown is dwelling to a few of New Zealand’s greatest ski fields equivalent to Coronet Peak and the Remarkables — providing a variety of terrain catering to riders of all skills.
In the event you’re taking on this winter sport for the primary time, we suggest taking a newbie’s package deal — the enjoyable begins once you study to navigate across the terrain confidently! In the meantime, intermediate or skilled riders can benefit from the thrilling curler coaster terrains amidst breathtaking views of the Southern Alps.
*Notice: Packages for under ski-pass and transport are additionally out there.
Value: From S$201/grownup for a one-day newbie package deal
Assembly level: Spherical-trip transfers from the lodge is supplied
10) Ziplining
Soak up scenic views of Queenstown as you zipline from treehouse to treehouse on the prime of Bob’s Peak mountain.
Excursions embrace a 4 and six-zipline possibility, with the sixth zipline being a 30-storey descent to the underside of the mountain at a pace of 112km per hour! It’s the steepest zipline on the planet, solely out there with the six-zipline tour possibility.
And if that isn’t thrilling sufficient for you, outdo your self by doing a belief fall or by ziplining the wrong way up! Shut your eyes, lean again and fall off the platform earlier than elevating your legs to the sky — you’ll uncover a singular view of the Remarkables whereas inverted 🙃
Value: ~S$128/grownup for the Moa 4-Zipline tour, ~S$171/grownup for the Kea 6-Zipline tour
Tour timing: 4PM
Assembly level: Ziptrek Treehouse, 45 Camp Avenue, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand (positioned on the prime of the Skyline Gondola)
*Notice: The Gondola trip to the assembly level just isn’t included and have to be bought individually.
11) Riverboarding
Picture credit score: Severe Enjoyable Riverboarding
We’re all aware of white water rafting, however have you ever heard of riverboarding?
Riverboarding takes the joys issue up by a notch as you come face-to-face with the rapids of the Kawarau River with out the security of a raft. As an alternative, you’ll be counting on bodyboards to remain buoyant for the total white water expertise!
Conquer thrilling rock jumps alongside the best way as you surf grade two to 3 rapids in your bodyboard — from standing waves to whirlpools!
You have to be assured within the water to tackle this problem, however friendlier choices to float or riversleigh (which makes use of a sleigh as an alternative of a bodyboard for extra stability and buoyancy) are additionally out there.
Value: ~S$181/grownup
Timeslots: Varies
Assembly level: 5 Duke Avenue, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
Plan Your Personal Bucket-Checklist Journey to New Zealand South Island
tip for planning your dream NZ highway journey is to prioritise what you’d prefer to expertise. Be it nature, wildlife or journey, try our South Island information for some inspiration that will help you resolve!
As you intend your individual New Zealand highway journey, a number of questions will in all probability come to thoughts: North or South Island? Automobile or Campervan? How’s the petrol, parking and driving in New Zealand?
On this article, we’ve compiled 30 most often requested questions on highway tripping round New Zealand — from budgeting ideas and entry necessities to the perfect metropolis to fly into.
No matter your thrill urge for food, there’s no higher place to strive one thing new than within the lovely nation of New Zealand. And regardless of a superb 12 days exploring the South Island, we’ve merely scratched the floor of the adventures New Zealand has to supply.
Be it a scenic hike alongside Roy’s Peak or an thrilling skydive in Queenstown, we hope that our guides will push you to hunt your individual loopy adventures in New Zealand!
Which excessive exercise in Queenstown would you go for? Share your favorite ones within the feedback beneath!
