From now on, I will be sharing my past travels as part of my Travel Throwback Thursday #TTBT series.
Queenstown boasts on being the outdoor capitol of the world. With the infinite outdoor activities accessible in this area of New Zealand, it is hard to disagree. Unfortunately, only having two and a half weeks in New Zealand and not wanting to book any tours, we did not plan for much in the area. I hope to make it back to Queenstown in order to get a full experience.
Lake Wakatipu
We arrived the evening after touring Doubtful Sound and found a campground to park our camper van for the next couple of nights. It would be place to shower and do laundry from the past few days, along with stocking up on groceries.
Queenstown Hill Track
One activity Andy and I decided to do was to trek up the Queenstown Hill Track for views of Queenstown and the Remarkables. It was steep and longer than I expected. However, the views were worth the work. The trail had a loop section, so we went one way up and the other way down.
Views of Queenstown.
Panorama of Queenstown on Lake Wakatipu.
Hiking through the tree covered trail.
Happy New Year!
After the hike, we took a nap before heading into town to bring in the new year. In 2009, New Zealand was in the first time zone to bring in the new year, so we celebrated 18 hours before our friends and family back home. Bar hopping in Queenstown was easy, so we checked out a few before heading outside for fireworks.
Andy and I ringing in 2010.
Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park
The Holiday Park was one of the only private campgrounds we stayed at when in New Zealand. With many paved parking spots to accommodate the many camper vans touring New Zealand, it is a great place to stay within walking distance to Queenstown. Internet/ Wifi can be hard to find in New Zealand, and the holiday park had lounge with computers for use. Beware because the holiday park nickel and dimed every extra service. As mentioned before, we were excited to shower and do some laundry, but we paid for it. The kitchen was spacious and free to use, so we saved money from eating out by cooking our own meals.
Our “campsite”.
If hiking is not for you consider riding the Skyline Gondola for beautiful views of the area. Tours leave from Queenstown to Milford Sound and surrounding areas. If you are someone that likes to explore on the water, then check out the Shotover Jet boat.
What Queenstown outdoor activity would you recommend?
New Zealand Series:
- Two and a Half Weeks through New Zealand
- New Zealand: Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula
- New Zealand’s Milford Sound – A Photo Essay
- Trip Report: Kayaking the Doubtful Sound
- Queenstown – Trekking and Celebrating a New Year
- Wanaka – Tramping Rob Roy Peak and Glacier
- Touring the Fox and Franz Joseph Glaciers for Free
- South Island: Exploring New Zealand’s West Coast
- Things to Do in Nelson, New Zealand
- Mountain Biking above the Queen Charlotte Sound
- Connecting New Zealand Islands: Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferry
- Trip Report: Trekking Tongariro Alpine Crossing
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