subject: A day in Queenstown New Zealand [print this page] A day in Queenstown New Zealand A day in Queenstown New Zealand
It was 8.00am on a chilly September morning and we were just boarding a bus outside our motel in Queenstown New Zealand. Our destination was Glenorchy, a 45 minute journey through spectacular scenery and we were going to have our first jet boat experience. There are jet boats operating on the Shotover River that depart from the Queenstown wharf but we had been advised that as a mature couple we would enjoy the Dart River experience much more. The advice proved correct.
The drive to Glenorchy is magnificent and the bus driver pointed out places of interest. One such place that had everyone craning their necks was the site of the big battle in the movie Lord of the Rings. On arrival we were given our lifejackets and gloves and assigned our seating positions, and we were right up front! The first thing we all noticed was that the handrail was heated making the trip even more pleasant.
Jet boats were designed to travel in very shallow water and due to the clarity of the water at times we seemed to be gliding/flying in water only inches deep. The Dart River scenery was beautiful, snow-topped hills, crystal clear water, heavy vegetation and an abundance of bird life made the time fly by. The driver pointed out where the Sylvester Stallone movie "Cliffhanger" was filmed and was able to correctly name all the birds we sighted. At one stage we pulled over for a short bush walk and before we pulled in the driver commented that large trout frequented this pool. Sure enough there was a whopper lazily swimming around.
Thrill seekers love jet boats because of their ability to spin on a dime throwing water in great arcs up into the sky and generally wetting the occupants and we were treated to several. No one seemed to mind getting a little wet and everyone loved the whole experience.
We were driven back to Queensland and were dropped off at the Skyline. A short gondola trip to the top and we were able to have lunch at the restaurant where the best views in the region are found here spread out in a spectacular 220 degree panorama, with breathtaking views of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables mountain range and across Lake Wakatipu to Cecil and Walter Peaks.
After such a great morning we could also have indulged in the luge or the bungee jump but we declined and settled back to enjoy the scenery. Taking the gondola back down we enjoyed a walk along the wharves at Lake Wakatipu before settling down at an outside table at a local tavern to luxuriate in a Speights Dark Ale against the backdrop of the Lake and the Remarkables, a truly magnificent setting to watch the passing parade of people thoroughly enjoying themselves.
The next day we had organised to go on another bus trip, this time to the famous Milford Sound where we were to enjoy a lunch cruise in perfect weather before flying back over the Southern Alps by light plane in idyllic conditions. We could also have gone snow skiing on the Remarkables or Coronet Peak or had a lake cruise on a steamship but these things would have to wait for our next trip. Queenstown may be small but if sure is a lot of fun.
