The town of Queensland has emerged as one of the leading tourist destinations in New Zealand. The town is blessed with stunning natural beauties which have attracted tourists from all over the world. Lake Wakatipu itself is a treat to the eyes of the onlookers. It is one of the most beautiful of all the lakes in New Zealand. The city of Queenstown is situated along the shores of Lake Wakatipu with the majestic Southern Alps standing as the backdrop.
Spectacular Queenstown is one of the most popular holiday destinations in New Zealand for international visitors. It offers an incredible range of things to do in all seasons and is justifiably known as New Zealand's action and adventure capital. Queenstown also provides an ideal family holiday, and gives visitors a good insight into the country as a whole. If you are thinking of visiting only one city while in the country, Queenstown makes for an obvious choice.
The city of Queenstown is rich with rugged hills and mountains and wonderful lakes. Tourism is Queenstown is quite exciting and promises tourists with many things to do. There are numerous activities which you can indulge in while your stay in Queenstown. Tourists like to enjoy tramping (walking), skiing, bungee jumping, jet boating, shopping, dining out or going out on a wine trail. The city of Queenstown is ideal for a family tour. The summer is usually the best time to go and visit this fantastic town.History of Queenstown
Queenstown is a scenic city in New Zealand. The history of Queenstown started way back in the last ice age. It is believed that about 15,000 years ago, glaciers stretched the entire region. However after the ice age was over, glaciers melted and thus how the land was formed.
Queenstown was first inhabited around a thousand years before by the Maoris. These people came in search of food, fiber and stone resources. It is believed the Maoris entered into the land which everyone now knows by the name Queenstown through the valley systems of Southland and Otago. These people discovered sources of pounamo (green stone). Found at the head of Lake Wakatipu, green stone was highly valued by the Maoris. They believed the stone to have spiritual powers. However history of Queenstown shows that Maoris were not permanent settlers; rather their occupation of Queenstown was more or less a seasonal affair.
The first permanent settlers in Queenstown were farmers who arrived here in the 1860's. Queenstown's history documents William Rees as the first settler. Then known as camp, William thus lived in “The Camp” on Queenstown bay.
Queenstown till 1862 was a land nowhere on map. This however changed with two local Maoris named Rangiora Ellison and Hakaria Haeroa found gold. It is however also argued that two local sheep shearers namely Thomas Arthur and Harry Redfern had found first gold. Though there is controversy regarding who found gold first, it is undeniable that discovery of gold resulted in gold rush. Thousands of people from all over assembled in Queenstown to mine gold from the river bed of the Shotover River. In its hey days, this river used to give 12 oz of gold for every yard of gravel.
All this mad frenzy resulted in government sitting up and taking “the camp” under control. Since then, the camp started being called Queenstown. The city was finally developed in 1936 with roads linking it to all parts of New Zealand.Festivals and Events in Queenstown
Queenstown is a beautiful city characterized by hills and seas all around. The landscape beauty of this city attracts tourists from different parts of the world round the year. The Queenstown terrain is mostly hilly. The unique combination of sea and mountain makes Queenstown a truly mind blowing place. Queenstown hosts two very important events. One is a sporting extravaganza while the other is a cultural meet.
Lindauer Queenstown Winter Festival- Lindauer Queenstown Winter Festival is one of the biggest sporting winter extravaganzas. Over the last 33 years, the Lindauer Queenstown Winter Festival has emerged as a big event on New Zealand's special event calendar and is termed as "The Southern Hemisphere's Ultimate Winter Party". In an effort to involve the Queenstowners in winter sports, an initiative was taken to hold an event based on such sports. Now the event is an international fixture. Exciting events like jet boating, mountain biking, multi-sporting and snow-man making are all part of the ethos of this extravaganza. Artists painting, birdmen flying, splash for cash, ice hockey madness, drag racing, pet parading, big air jumping and dogs downhill racing are all lined up in the event's calendar. This year the Lindauer Queenstown Winter Festival is commencing on Friday the 22nd of June and will end on the 1st of July.
The southern Lakes Festival of Color- Set against the backdrop of the mind blowing Lake Wanaka of New Zealand, the southern Lakes Festival of Color is a celebration of arts and culture of the world. The southern lakes festival of color is an international event of high repute.The theme of color and environment is evident in the visual arts and literary programmes. You can check out on the performances on theatres, dance, music and cuisine. They are sure to give you a wonderful time.This year the event is scheduled to happen in the month of April. Tuesday, the 24th of April will be the opening day.How to Get In
Queenstown is characterized by warm tropical weather. The city is endowed with beaches that are simply mind blowing. One can bask under the sunshine on these beautiful beaches. The numerous islands spreading across the city of Queenstown enhances the beauty of this city. If you love adventures, then you can also make a trip to the wilderness that is so much a part of this beautiful city. One can also trek in the ancient rainforest or do snorkel diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Queenstown is well connected with the cities of New Zealand as well as the major cities of the world.
Getting to Queenstown is easy as it has good connectivity via air, rail and road transport. Queenstown is located in the south west of the South Island of New Zealand. The city of Queenstown being surrounded by the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean leaves international travelers with no other option than to fly into Queenstown.
The picturesque Queenstown airport located at Frankton about 8 km from Queenstown operates both domestic and international flights. Several international carriers fly in and fly out people to and from Queenstown. Major international airlines like the Quantas Airways and the Air New Zealand operates flights connecting Queenstown to major cities like Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne thus giving easy access into Queenstown.
Air New Zealand and Quantas New Zealand operates domestic flights as well. Air New Zealand offers connecting services throughout the country to Queenstown via Auckland or Christchurch.
People who have time in hand can drive in to Queenstown. One could enjoy the beautiful landscape as one drives down. It is a joy and pleasure to drive through the hilly landscape with trees all around. The scintillating beauty of the Alps is sure to enchant you as you approach the Southern Lakes District of Queenstown. It may take you 5.5 hrs from Christchurch, 3.5 hrs from Dunedin, 2.5 hrs from Invercargill and 5 hrs from the West Coast Glacier region.
Different bus companies offer round trips with stops in Queenstown.
Hotels in Queenstown
