The gem of Wakatipu’s shores

Press, 22 July 1986, Page 31

The gem of Wakatipu’s shores

Queenstown over the years has become widely acknowledged as a holiday resort of incredible beauty. It is a town for all seasons, but in the winter it sparkles as a ski resort with two superb fields close by — on Coronet Peak and The Remarkables. Queenstown, however, also has much more to offer its visitors.

For those in search of water thrills, jet boating is a year-round attraction. Six exciting rides are available on the Shotover

and Kawarau Rivers as well as .U-drive boats on Lake Wakatipu and rafting down the rapids. A variety of lake cruises can also be taken to the isolated stations of Cecil Peak, Walter Peak, and Mount Nicholas. The Mount Cook Line runs a busy schedule of scenic and charter flights from Queenstown to Milford and other areas, as well as regular services to Christchurch, Dunedin and Te Anau/Manapouri. Smaller airlines and two helicopter companies

also provide sightseeing trips around the region. Coach trips, half or full day, visit many beautiful and historic spots within the Queenstown area. One of the most popular excursions is to the head of the lake— to Glenorchy, Kinloch, Greenstone Valley. There is also the famous trip into Skippers Canyon, through the “gates” of heaven and hell to the site of the old goldfields on the upper Shotover River. Longer tours from Queenstown

take in Te Anau and Milford.

Visitors with their own transport should not miss the opportunity to visit the well-stocked deer park on Kelvin Heighls. Tokens to open the automatic gates can be bought from the caretaker, a few metres from the main gates.

Queenstown has a good variety of interesting shops and boutiques offering a big selection of New Zealand handcrafts and a growing number of excellent restaurants.