The good, bad and ugly sides to visiting Queenstown, New Zealand
Arguably the world’s top adventure destination, this compact city is being overwhelmed by tourism – and by the international ultra-rich on the run from the apocalypse
The good
To get a feel for what Queenstown does best, try a few online searches. Combine the New Zealand resort town with “adventure capital of the world” and you will be confronted with 62,200 results. Restrict your search to “Queenstown” and “adrenaline” and you are up to an impressive 255,000 hits. Pair “Queenstown” with “never sleeps” to throw up another 33,300 references. By now, thrill-seeking insomniacs are likely to be typing “Queenstown” and “cheap flight”.
The scenic South Island holiday spot is the most popular destination in New Zealand among international visitors, which is no mean feat when you consider the competition. Queenstown was once a gold mining town, but today’s wealth is derived from a roll-call of high-octane outdoor activities (and others more relaxing), some dating back a generation. In 1988, the world’s first commercial bungee jump put Queenstown on the extreme-sports map. Thirty years later, Kawarau Bridge remains one of the more iconic places to take an elasticated leap of faith.
When it comes to getting the blood flowing, one would expect mountain biking in the awe-inspiring Remarkables range to be among alpha attractions. Not in Queenstown. Popular though two-wheeled expeditions into the foothills are, they are overshadowed by white-water rafting, jet-boating, zip-line rides and the 134-metre Nevis Bungy Jump, with its 8.5 seconds of free fall.