QUEENSTOWN - THE NATURAL CAPITAL OF THE WORLD
Queenstown sits on the shore of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu among dramatic alpine ranges; it’s rumoured that gold prospectors - captivated by the majestic beauty of the surrounding mountains and rivers - gave this now cosmopolitan town its name.
Queenstown is the home of the ultimate adventure bucket list. There’s skiing in the winter and activities such as bungy jumping, sky diving, canyon swinging, jet boating, horse trekking and river rafting all year round. It has also become a renowned cycling destination, providing everything from easy scenic tracks to back-country trails, road rides to heli-biking and the Southern Hemisphere’s only gondola accessed downhill mountain biking. |
Queenstown was carved out of the land by glaciers, rivers and lakes, but it has been shaped by innovative adventurers and entrepreneurs drawn to the region from all over the world to make this place home.
If hardcore adventure isn't your thing, there are plenty of mellow options available. Experience one of the many walking and hiking trails, sightseeing tours or indulge yourself with spa treatments, boutique shopping and excellent food and wine. A popular holiday spot at any time of the year, Queenstown is renowned for its four distinctive seasons. Winter brings crisp, blue-sky days, spring retains the snow but blooms into longer, warmer days, summer offers sunshine and long twilights, and autumn a burst of brilliant red and gold. Queenstown is rated internationally as one of the world’s top holiday destinations and was named New Zealand’s number one destination in the Travellers’ Choice Destinations by TripAdvisor as well as the second best destination in the South Pacific. Head out of Queenstown and the drama of the Central Otago landscape unfolds around you. If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan you’ll recognise many Middle‑earth™ locations here. Nearby Arrowtown’s gold-mining history is alive and vibrant; visit the Lakes District Museum or go gold panning. At the northern tip of Lake Wakatipu is rural Glenorchy and Paradise Valley. From here it’s a short drive into the Mt Aspiring National Park and the start of some of New Zealand’s great walks.
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Venture off road or into the bush to learn about the region's astounding natural heritage, or explore the old farm homesteads and historic gold mining villages for a peek into early settler life. There are also numerous heritage walks to be had in and around Queenstown, exploring the unforgettable natural scenery that forms the backbone to this region's fascinating history.
You can delve into the incredible pioneering background of the Southern Lakes at the Lakes District Museum in Arrowtown —a globally recognised collection of facts, titbits and items from region’s European and Chinese settlers. Queenstown also has a rich Maori heritage—in Maori mythology Lake Wakatipu itself was formed when the indentation left by a sleeping giant was flooded. Members of South Island tribes ventured into the Wakatipu Basin in search of food and New Zealand’s precious pounamu (jade), long before the first European settlers arrived. You can explore this heritage with dinner and a cultural show or with a visit to one of the many stores selling pounamu. 
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Back to more modern times, Queenstown is home to some extremely talented musicians, actors, dancers and artists. Browse and purchase exceptional local artworks when you visit the art galleries of Queenstown and Arrowtown. Paintings, drawings, contemporary scultpure, watercolours and photography are all on display in various public galleries and workshop spaces. Often you can meet the artist and purchase their work as a memento of your visit to Queenstown.
Tim Wilson
You may even meet the world renowned Landscape Painter, Tim Wilson (pictured mid) at his gallery.
"Queenstown is my home. It’s where I draw my inspiration from and where I have my gallery.The mountains valleys and lakes are all part of my primal Cathedral, my sanctuary. There is a very solid arts community in both Queenstown and Arrowtown with Galleries representing a large cross-section of genres. Photography, painting, sculpture, carving, jewelry and crafts are all well represented across all budgets with a number of individuals and businesses organising tours and private showings at various ateliers." Find our more about Tim Wilson by visiting: www.timwilsongallery.com |