| The queen bee of South Island,
Queenstown is situated in the most beautiful locale anywhere in the world. It lies
in the lee, on the shores of beautiful Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by the majestic
Remarkables Mountains of the Southern Alps. |
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Parked on the steep
hills on the banks of Lake Wakatipu, this township with a small population of 7500 is on
the itinerary of every visitor to NZ. With the snow-capped Remarkables and The Eyre
Mountains for a view and an ethereal lake by the steep hills on which the town rests, it
is indeed a remarkable place - an outdoor paradise with a garden of Eden of its own. You
haven't seen NZ if you don't stop by Queenstown.
Originally a gold mining town, the
Parekhas first settled Queenstown in the 1850s. The Maoris found their way here by way of
the valleys and across mountain passes - they lived off the land, hunting and fishing and
built their pa on the promontory jutting into the Lake Wakatipu. The European settlers
first realised the potential of the region for farming and bred sheep as
well. Rich seams of gold was yet another of nature's many gifts to this spellbinding land.
Once the gold ran out in the early 20th century, the population plummetted as people left
in search of new prospects. Those who stayed back discovered it in the region's tremendous
potential for tourism and its enchanting natural beauty which lures in tourists
galore.
To optimally utilise this paradise
and to spend the maximum time in the open, infrastructure for many exciting action packed
activities have been developed. It prides itself on being the adventure capital of the
world and crowds of young adventurrs and outdoor enthusiasts flock here. Add to the list
of things that must be done while in Queenstown, include a visit to the nearby other
attractions on the South Island.
Queenstown climate is near perfect for visitors all year round with
each season offering something special. Summers (December-March) are hot and dry with
temperatures between 19°-24°C, with long long evenings. Autumn (April-May) puts on
brilliant displays of colours with warm balmy days and temperatures of 15°-25°C. Winter
(May-August) temperatures are around 5°-10°C and early spring (September-October) with
average temperatures between 9°-15°C provide perfect conditions for skiing and
snowboarding in the crisp, cold and clear alpine air. But the snake in this garden of Eden
is the quicksilver weather changes in winters - so do go well equipped against low
temperatures and wet weather.
For detailed country information, see New Zealand. |
