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Sitting on Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by spectacular jagged mountain scenery, Queenstown is a picturesque little town that is jam-packed with fun filled activities, great shops and restaurants, and a vibrant atmosphere.
Queenstown is New Zealand's adventure capital, and there are so many adrenaline-pumping activities to try here. Get your kicks at the original AJ Hackett Bungy jump site over Kawarau Bridge, or try New Zealand's highest bungy, the Nevis. There's also high-speed jet boat rides and white water rafting through gorges and canyons, not for the faint hearted. If you're in Queenstown for winter, you can discover all the fun of the nearby snowfields, The Remarkables, Coronet Peak and Cardrona are all in easy driving distance of Queenstown. Enjoy amazing views of the surrounding alpine scenery, and some of the best skiing in New Zealand.
If all this sounds a bit hectic, there are plenty of other more leisurely activities to enjoy in Queenstown. Jump aboard the TSS Earnslaw, a vintage steam ship that will transport you across stunning Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Farm where you can meet farm animals and enjoy a nice high tea.
A popular excursion is a day trip by bus or plane to Milford Sound, a natural wonder where mountains stand vertically and dramatically out of the sea. Rockfaces are covered by rainforest, with crystal clear waterfalls tumbling down them hundreds of metres. Kayak or take a boat trip out into the sound to take in the incredible scenery.
If you're travelling with kids, make sure you catch the Skyline Gondola up to the summit over looking Queenstown. You can enjoy the amazing views over a nice cup of coffee from the restaurant, while the children have loads of fun on the lugeracetrack up there.
If you have any energy left after all that activity, check out Queentown's thriving nightlife. There's lots of great quirky little wine bars and clubs where you can enjoy some of the local produce from Otago and further afield.