I've always said New Zealand is a lot like Canada Jr., but when you step into Queenstown, it's like seeing Banff's big sister. I've come to this South Island resort town twice over the past three years, and it never disappoints. Queenstown, is a little bigger than Banff, and it's booming tourism has really grown over time between my two visits. Accommodation is expensive and often booked up, and pedestrian friendly town centre is always hustling, filled with visitors from all over the world. I remember researching Queenstown for my first visit, and reading that the average tourist can usually survive about 3-4 days, purely just based on the cost of activities, accommodation and food in the city.
This is the adventure capital of the South Island, and you can expect to spend between 50-250$+ per adventure. I'm personally, not into bungee jumping, but if that's what you fancy, this is the place to be! There are Hobbit/Lord of Rings tours, horse back riding, white water rafting, kayaking, speed boats, hiking adventures, and several day trips you can arrange - there is literally something for everyone. Not to be missed on any trip here, is riding the gondola up the mountain to Bob's Peak, and enjoying a few luge rides at the top while soaking in the majestic view of the Remarkables Mountain range and Lake Wakatipu.
Here's a summary of the few places I've been to outside of Queenstown:
Arrowtown
About 30 minutes from Queenstown, is a quaint spot, known as Arrowtown. Staying in this place might be a little cheaper on the wallet, compared to finding accommodation in Queenstown. Though, I didn't have a lot of time to explore, Arrowtown has a really cute main street to wonder filled with boutique shops, and amazing cafes.
Fjordland
Not to be missed, is a day trip to Fjordland National Park, a nature lovers delight! Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound are the two popular trips you can book from Queenstown. Having previously visited Milford Sound, this year I decided to visit Doubtful Sound, which contrary to it's name is not a disappointing experience. The small tour of approximately 40 people picked me up near my hotel, and was a perfect way to spend the day. We sailed the fjord on a beautiful day out to the Tasman Sea, and were joined by dolphins alongside the boat for some of the trip. If you have more time, you can arrange to hike through the park or do a kayaking trip through the fjords. Fun Fact: Doubtful Sound was originally one of the filming locations of Jurassic Park, but because it rained much, they moved the set location to Hawaii.
Wanaka
Wanaka always has a special place in my heart, as does the iconic lonely tree in the middle of the lake. Approximately 1.5-2 hours away from Queenstown is Wanaka. This is another popular spot for tourists and backpackers, and while it too has grown over the years, it's still not as busy as Queenstown. My favourite things to do here have been hiking up Mount Iron for a view of Lake Wanaka, visiting wineries, and hanging out around Lake Wanaka and the town.
