Thursday, February 16, 2012

Non Stop Adventure at Queenstown, New Zealand

By Scott Souness


Known locally as the "Adventure Capital of the World," Queenstown is New Zealand's most popular tourist hotspot, attracting a huge number of international visitors each year. A quiet rural resort town, Queenstown is located along the bank of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by towering snow capped mountains that loom in the background. Starting off as a small farming community, Queenstown's population exploded after 1862 after the discovery of gold in nearby Arrow River. Queenstown today is primarily known as the resort capital of New Zealand's scenic South Island.

Famous for its many excellent ski resorts and lodges, Queenstown has quickly become the center for snow sports in New Zealand. The start of each ski season sees tourists from all over the world descend on the resort town to take part in some of the best ski runs in the Southern Hemisphere. A big reason why winter sports is so popular with international visitors to Queenstown is that most of the skiing activities cater to skiers of all skill levels, ensuring no one is left out and everyone gets a chance to hit the slopes. The staff are friendly and eager to help, and most of the best ski resorts are just a short drive away from your hotel.

You don't have to spend all your money to have a great vacation! While there are certainly many five star resorts and hotels available in Queenstown, those looking for something a little more down-to-earth will find a many high quality budget lodges. Accommodation Wanaka offers travellers an entire range of lodges, houses and rooms for rent at extremely reasonable rates.

Wanaka is a small town situated on the southern end of Lake Wanaka, about an hour's drive from Queenstown. Not as large or well known as Queenstown, Wanaka nevertheless boasts many activities for lovers of the great outdoors. The town's close proximity to Mount Aspiring National Park gives visitors the opportunity to take part in some of the best hiking in New Zealand. Known locally as tramping or trekking, hiking is an extremely popular past time in New Zealand. Hardcore trekkers can embark on a day long adventure through one of them many popular tramping tracks on Mount Aspiring National Park, while beginners may opt to go on a guided trek across the park.

Tourist accommodations in Queenstown are usually handled through agents. All sorts of accommodations are available for rent all year round - everything from a single room to an entire house is available to rent for a week, a month or just a few days.

Another option for visitors to Queenstown looking for affordable accommodation is staying at one of the many motels located in the resort town. Many of these cater exclusively to budget travellers - although some offer extra amenities and can be a little pricey. If you're in Queenstown for a few days and haven't booked any accommodation you could drive through a few motels to check out their prices and get a feel for them.

Queenstown is a hive of activity all year round, not just during the winter skiing season. Bungy jumping, mountain biking and white water rafting are summer favourites along with the more relaxing pleasures of hiking or going on leisurely tours of the local wineries. Regardless of what your individual tastes are, you are sure to find something to excite and amaze on your vacation to Queenstown, New Zealand.




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