Introduction
Queenstown bustles with activity and overlooks Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand's longest lake, and the Remarkables Mountains. It has the buzz of a city though it's a relatively small town. Here in ‘Adrenaline Central', as it's affectionately known, you can bungee jump, skydive, hang glide, white-water raft, jet boat and ski.
But the town doesn't only cater to thrill-seekers. Those looking for a quieter and more relaxed time can enjoy any number of things, not least the local wine. Queenstown and the nearby Gibbston Valley are home to more than 75 wineries producing a wide range of wines, particularly pinot noir.
The Remarkables Mountains
The Remarkables Mountains rise sharply from the flat plains that surround the south- eastern shores of Lake Wakatipu. They are snow-capped in winter but barren and rocky in summer, and coax up the adventurous souls of Queenstown throughout the year - for skiing in winter and hiking or hang gliding in summer. The range has some impressive peaks, with its own Ben Nevis dwarfing its Scottish namesake by almost 1,000 metres.
