Australasia > New Zealand > South Island > Queenstown > Articles > On Top of the World

Whoa, hold on there! But we were up and away. Moments later we were looking down from the helicopter, with Lake Wakatipu beneath us.

There were ten of us so we had two choppers from The Helicopter Line. One followed the other across the lake and up over the ridges, and as part of the Grand Circle Tour we landed on the spur of the Remarkables, the mountain range overlooking Queenstown in New Zealand.

Time for throwing snowballs, time for being photographed on top of the world.

The views from the ridge were spectacular. Queenstown seemed so far away. Lake Wakatipu sprawled beneath us. Mountains rose again in the distance. Remarkable indeed!

Coming down we flew through canyons and followed the Shotover River Gorge before returning to the airport and a courtesy bus to our motel.

Hard to imagine we were really only up there half an hour. It was exhilarating.

Some people may have thought this was only a winter ski resort, but it's much more. This place is adventure plus.

Those famous New Zealand designed jetboats speed along the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers past towering cliffs and through water that at times is only ankle deep. Thrill-seekers scream with delight during the high speed 360 degree spins as they watch the spray fly. White knuckles from gripping that safety rail? Adrenalin pumping? Definitely.

Then of course there's the ultimate adventure, bungy jumping. Now I've got to be honest. There's absolutely no chance of me jumping off a bridge into a gorge, but jump they do.

Since 1988 when the Kawarau Suspension Bridge became the world's first full time bungy site, adventure seekers have been making the 43 meter leap towards the river. Now they even take people on cable car rides to a jump pod hanging from the cables for New Zealand's highest jump of 134m above the Nevis River.

There's also white water rafting and tandem hang-gliding.

And for excitement in winter there are the ski fields for which this place is renowned. The two main ski areas near Queenstown are The Remarkables, with its three sunny sheltered bowls framed by towering peaks, and Coronet Peak, with open slopes and wide rolling terrain. Both offer a range of slopes from beginners' to seriously challenging.

Though it's labeled the adventure capital, there is more to Queenstown than adrenalin.

Readers of influential US publication Travel and Leisure voted Queenstown the world's third best value destination in 1999. It was also voted Friendliest Foreign City in Conde Naste Traveller in 1996 and 1998.

Former US president Bill Clinton stayed at Millbrook Resort, played their golf course (one of four in Queenstown) and declared that he'd be back next week if he could. Maybe now he will be!

Touring the area's scenic highlights is one way to relax while you're here. Making Queenstown your base, you can take a day trip to Mount Cook, a 2 1/2 hour drive. At the Glentanner park activity center there are horses or mountain bikes for hire, as well as boat trips or scenic flights.

From Queenstown you can take a coach trip via Te Anau, or a twin-engine aircraft flight or helicopter across Fiordland. The air options allow you to see the breath-taking scope of this region, most of which cannot be accessed by road.

Once at Milford Sound there are cruises which pass by cascading waterfalls, glaciers, sheer cliffs and rainforests. You may even see fur seals, dolphins and penguins.

Cruises take about 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours on boats with names like the "Milford Wanderer" and "Milford Mariner" the latter built along the lines of a traditional trading scow with all the romance of sails.

There are overnight options on these vessels, which go out to the open sea before settling in Harrison Cove for a good night's sleep. Kayaks are available to go exploring ashore.

Even if you're not leaving Queenstown the steamship TSS Earnslaw does regular runs around the lake and can provide a quieter time away from all those wild adventures. It is still much as it was when launched in 1912, the same year as the Titanic, but there definitely are no icebergs in sight on Lake Wakatipu.

You can combine a relaxing cruise with a farm tour at Walter Peak High Country Farm, a taste of the Kiwi high country farming lifestyle complete with sheep dog demonstration and shearing.

Nearby is the historic mining town of Arrowtown, scene of the 1860's goldrushes. There are many buildings preserved from those times, a museum and a restored Chinese settlement which stands as a reminder and tribute to the contribution made by the Chinese goldminers to the region’s goldmining, cultural and business history.

Back in Queenstown the Skyline Gondola gives another perspective for your photographs.

Or you can do some leisurely shopping where they stay open late seven days a week, taste award-winning wines from the world's most southern vineyards, lunch in an Irish-themed pub or dine in one of the hundred eateries with cuisine from all over the world. At night there are nightclubs, taverns, bars and a cinema. This is one place where there's no shortage of things to do.

But if these activities are all too tame once you've turned into an adrenalin junkie? Then get out there and go for it again!

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