Queenstown

The premier lake and alpine resort town, Queenstown is located 480 kilometres south west of Christchurch. Built around an inlet called Queenstown Bay, sitting on the shores of crystal-clear Lake Wakatipu and bordered by imposing alpine mountains, the scenery that greets you will take your breath away.

Queenstown has a resident population of around 18,000, but its attractions and natural beauty draws over 1.8 million visitors per year amounting to more than 100 times its population. Once an old gold mining town, it now attracts tourists from around the world and was made even more attractive during the making of the trilogy “Lord of the Rings” - fans will recognize many of the locations of Middle-earth in the region.

The town is the adventure capital of New Zealand and here you’ll find an activity for everyone, at any time of the year. You can try your hand at skiing or snowboarding, enjoy an exhilarating Shotover jetboat ride, bungy jumping, white water rafting and much more.

For those who would prefer to stay flat on their feet, it is one of the most spectacular cities to just take in the fresh air and the stunning scenery. The marvellous view of Lake Wakatipu can be enjoyed from many parts of town and one of the best views is from the top of Bob's Peak which can be reached by the Skyline Gondola, an awe-inspiring and unforgettable view. You might also prefer to relax and enjoy luxury experiences such as gourmet food and wine, spa treatments or even a leisurely game of golf.

Queenstown is also a gateway to the World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park. A three hour drive west will take you to this amazing 1.2-million-hectare National Park, one of the world’s largest National Parks renowned for its exceptional scenic beauty.

The picturesque town of Te Anau is the hub of the Park, known as the gateway to the fiords. From here it’s a scenic 2 hour drive to the famous Milford Sound and just 20 mins to Lake Manapouri, where you can jump aboard the scenic cruise into Doubtful Sound.

Choose from a variety of AAT Kings tours in and around Queenstown. Choose the most suitable trip for you, tours range from 9 day Guided Holidays of the South Island to a full experience of New Zealand of up to 21 days.