NZ's leading tourist resort

Press, 28 February 1986, Page 14

NZ's leading tourist resort

Queenstown is today seen as New Zealand’s leading tourist resort yet it was over 120 years ago that it first made its mark on the international map — then as a booming goldmining town. The town sported a thriving goldmining industry in the 1860’s, an industry which eventually died Out to be replaced years later with yet another major industry — tourism.

Queenstown’s development was logical. While other smaller Central Otago townships which also grew with the discovery of gold faded away without the influence of the goldminers, Queenstown continued to flourish.

Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by rivers and mountains, like the Remarkabies Range, its future as a scenic spot was assured. Queenstown has fast gained an international reputation and is said to hold its own in catering for the needs of overseas visitors with other main tourist centres throughout the world.

But it is not just a town for the overseas visitor. New Zealanders visiting the resort for the first time are constantly amazed at how much the town has to offer. Perhaps one of the best features of visiting Queenstown is that it’s nice to visit any time. It has four markedly different seasons, each with its own special attractions — not surprising therefore that it has been dubbed “a town for all seasons.” Winter and Queenstown are almost synonymous — a time when the town transforms itself into a top ski resort. But just as spectacular are the other seasons. Summer brings with it traditionally high temperatures while spring and particularly autumn are the times of rich colour changes.

Queenstown is an area for outdoor enthusiasts. It is the jumping off place for so many activities and the surrounding district provides tramping, fishing, hunting unique to the area. For skiers, Queenstown is known as the ski capital of New Zealand. Coronet Peak and the Remarkabies ski areas attract skiers from all over the world — such is the reputation of a Queenstown winter. Side trips and sight seeing attractions in Queenstown have developed hand in hand with the tourist industry. The emphasis of many of the trips is on adventure and few would dispute the thrill of whitewater rafting, helicopter flying and jetboating.

For those who prefer the more sedate approach, there are plenty of activities to suit. Scenic bus trips, launch trips to lakeside high country stations, a trip on the vintage steamer, The Earnslaw, to name but a few.

Queenstown’s shopping centre has also grown to meet the demands of tourists and one of the charms of Queenstown shopping is the varied selection of shops clustered together close to much of the main tourist accommodation. Eating out is easy too — there’s a huge variety of restaurants, each with their own specialities to choose from.

Queenstown is well worth the visit whatever time of the year. Its cosmopolitan flavour sets it off from the rest of New Zealand as a special place offering special service to its many visitors.