New Zealand

Queenstown is the Southern Hemisphere's premiere four season alpine and lake resort. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and overlooked by the majestic Remarkables Range, Queenstown is the perfect destination all year round.

Summer burns hot under blue skies before cool autumn morning's change the leaves to vivid reds and gentle golds. With crisp, clear days and acres of snow covered mountains, winter is a time for snow enthusiasts, before nature bursts into colourful life during spring.

The town follows the shores of Lake Wakatipu - a deep blue pool of pure mountain water. Framing the picture is The Remarkables range with its purple-brown peaks topped with snow. Swathes of green decorate the area between town and mountain top.

Queenstown was named because '...it was fit for Queen Victoria.' Certainly it's lived up to that expectation. Today it's an exhilarating alpine resort, perfect for both adventurers and leisure seekers.

There are year-round action-packed thrills, such as jet boating, white water rafting and parapenting. Queenstown is also the world capital and home of bungy jumping. In winter, Queenstown turns into an alpine playground - skiers and snowboarders come from all over the world to join in the fun at the annual Winter Festival. On Lake Wakatipu, the vintage TSS Earnslaw steamer has been beautifully restored to its original condition and takes visitors on daily trips.

Keen golfers shouldn't miss out on an opportunity to play some of the most scenic courses in the world, at award-winning Millbrook Resort, Kelvin Heights, Arrowtown and Frankton. The area has great rainbow trout, brown trout and quinnat salmon fishing.

Wine tasting is fast becoming one of the more popular ways to see the greater Queenstown region. Join one of the wine tours to Gibbston Valley, Chard Farm or Peregrine Winery among a number of top class boutique wineries.

Don't miss historical Arrowtown with its quaint, tree-lined streets, miners' cottages and shops preserved as they were during the 19th century gold rush era, just a 20 minute drive away.

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