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Wednesday 4 July 2012

Top Ten Things to do in Queenstown

We visited Queenstown and Wanaka in New Zealand’s Southern Alps in the school holidays. I had heard about how beautiful Queenstown was but it is even better when you see it in person. Talk about stunning, spectacular, jaw-dropping and gorgeous … it is all of the above and them some. We stayed at the Rees in Queenstown and every morning and evening, braved the cold air on the balcony to watch the sun colour in the rocks and snow of The Remarkables, the aptly named mountain range to the west. Just beautiful.

There is a ridiculous amount of things to do with four ski resorts and every activity known to mankind. We just did a few of them and here is our top ten.

1. Ski, ski and ski some more. We skied Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona and Treble Cone. Every one is different.
a. Coronet Peak is just twenty minutes from Queenstown and is an easy drive. It has night skiing Friday and Saturday nights. Favourite run – M1.
b. The Remarkables is sensational for freestylers with plenty of terrain park adventure on offer. Favourite run – Water Race.
c. Cardrona has incredible facilities for children of all ages and abilities and is really picturesque. Lovely wide, groomed runs are the order of the day plus great backcountry options. Favourite run – Gin and Raspberry.
d. Don’t let people tell you Treble Cone is only good for experts. We’re not experts and we loved it. Wonderful terrain, plenty of blue runs and black runs to appease even the best of the best skiers. Favourite run – South Ridge or Raffills Run.

2. Visit Cardrona Adventure Park and let the kids drive the ‘school bully’ – a massive monster truck. Afterwards, do a tour on quad bikes. We even got to walk on a frozen lake. Sensational fun!

3. If it’s raining or you want a break from action, visit Puzzling World in Wanaka. It has a two storey maze that keeps you going, amazing puzzles inside plus many weird and wonderful things that are … puzzling! Great for all ages.

4. Go for a jet boat ride with Wanaka River Journeys. We took off in gloomy weather and blasted up river, the jet boat shooting through impossibly shallow water and narrow gaps. The sun came out and we gaped at the scenery. Mt Aspiring is inspiring. Hang on when Brent throws a 360!

5. Go up the Skyline Gondola in Queenstown for more brilliant views, a few goes on the two luge tracks and maybe for a bungy jump off The Ledge. You can even do a tandem hang glide if you’re brave. We weren’t.

6. Eat out in Queenstown. So many good places with roaring fires, great meals for kids and fantastic ambience. The Cow (also in Wanaka) has incredible pizzas and garlic bread while Joe’s Garage is so cool even the NZ Prime Minister eats there. How do I know that? We saw him there. The bacon and egg rolls – called “Sweeties” are divine, and so is the coffee.

7. Stop in at the Cardrona Hotel after your day skiing at Cardrona. It’s historic, quaint, warm and has great food. See if you can find the cat!

8. After you ski at Coronet Peak, book in for a hot spa at Onsen Hot Pools. We all jumped in the tub, hit the button and the glass ceiling rolled back, revealing beautiful views over the river. Great for soothing sore legs!

9. Drive over the Crown Range if the road is open and you are going to Cardrona. Always take chains with you in this part of the world.

10. Visit Arrowtown, charming old town with plenty of history and brilliant for photography.

Stay: The Rees in Queenstown – luxurious apartments with all the mod cons and those views.
Edgewater Resort in Wanaka – fantastic fun for families. The outdoor trampoline was first stop for the kids after a day’s skiing, even though it was freezing outside. The restaurant was brilliant.

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