It’s easy to see why Queenstown in New Zealand is nicknamed the adventure capital of the world; its mountains, rivers, lakes and forests have carved out the perfect landscape for a myriad of adventure activities.
If you’re wondering what to do in Queenstown during your visit, the options are endless, and for adrenaline junkies there is no better place to be. This lakeside town has something to offer everyone; you’ll find land, air and water activities and adventures in Queenstown.
An aquatic adventure aboard the Shotover Jet
Experience the ultimate adrenaline rush on the Shotover Jet, where you’ll zoom along the Shotover River, the jet boat expertly navigating its way amongst the canyons and crags as you travel at immense speed. The Shotover Jet offers the ride of a lifetime, reaching speeds of up to 85kph as the canyons and rock faces pass you by in a blur.
Whizz down a series of amazing ziplines, including the world’s steepest
Taking place in the forest canopies high above Queenstown on Skyline Gondola Hill, Ziptrek Ecotours is home to six exhilarating ziplines. One of the best things to do in Queenstown, this series of ziplines includes the world’s steepest, where you will descend the height of 30 storeys at the speed of 70kph. You can do the complete package of six ziplines, or do taster courses with two or four ziplines.
Paraglide over Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and more
Another of the several Queenstown activities that can be enjoyed from atop the Skyline Gondola, the Gforce Paragliding experience gives you the chance to soar like a bird over Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the surrounding mountains and forests. Enjoy a gentle glide over the surrounding scenery, or take the plunge and enjoy a heart-stoppingly fast flight: the choice is completely yours, with an expert pilot guiding you the entire way.
Try riverboarding on the Kawarau River
Ever tried surfing on a river? In Queenstown it’s totally possible, with the Riverboarding experience on the Kawarau River giving you the chance to ride on standing waves, grade 2 and 3 rapids, whirlpools and rock jumps. A truly unique Queenstown adventure!
Bungee jump in the place where it all began
Bungee jumping is one of the ultimate things to do in Queenstown, an absolute must-do. It’s where the activity originated, with AJ Hackett opening the world’s first bungee jumping site at Kawarau Bridge, where you still jump from today. AJ Hackett Bungy also operates two other bungee jumps in Queenstown: The Ledge, a freefall from atop Bob’s Peak, and the 134m-high The Nevis, which also offers one of the world’s most epic swings.
There is also the option to launch yourself over the waters of the Shotover River with the Shotover River Swing, where you’ll freefall 60 metres before swinging over 200 metres over the river and canyon.
Start your New Zealand adventure
All of these incredible activities and so much more are waiting for you in Queenstown and New Zealand. You’ll find much more than just heart-stopping adventure; the wonderful Maori culture, beautiful scenery and delightful towns and cities are also waiting to be discovered.
Take a look at our tours of New Zealand to start planning the absolute adventure of a lifetime.
Images by 2990108 via Pixabay Pablo Heimplatz via Unsplash and Katika Bele via Unsplash.
