Queenstown is known for exquisite mountain views, adventure/adrenaline sports, and nightlife. This was my favorite city we visited in New Zealand and it contained perhaps the highlight of the whole trip for me (well, at least in the top 3): The Skyline Luge.
So, you pay $50 and take the gondola ride up the side the Remarkables Mountain range, which is the steepest gondola ride in the Southern hemisphere. Then, you take another smaller ski lift to the very top of the mountain where the Skyline Luge awaits. The luge is a gravity-propelled go kart track that highlights fast turns, competition and stunning views that you can’t fully appreciate as you’re whizzing down the mountain side. Their tagline is ‘Once is Never Enough’ and they are so right. Included in the $50, you can go down the course 5 times. SO AWESOME!
There is also a restaurant at the top of the mountain called StratosFare, just in case the luge isn’t your thing. It can be a bit pricey for food/drinks, but worth it for the elevated views on a nice day. You can also bungy jump from the top of the mountain as well. The prominent and historic bungee company in Queenstown is A.J. Hackett. They have a huge and well-organized operation with three different sites to bungy. Their original site is located 15 minutes from downtown Queenstown at the Kawarau Bridge and transportation is included in your ticket. The bridge is 43 meters high and you can get ‘dunked’ into the Kawarau River below. Even if you don’t want bungy, it is entertaining to go check out this site as they have a ‘Liquid Courage’ Bar and it is a really well-done facility.
I had exactly zero interest in bungy jumping because I’m a wuss. BUT, for all you adrenaline junkies, there is another bungy site located a bit further out of Queenstown (still operated by A.J. Hackett) that is 134 meters high and allows you free fall for 8.5 seconds. It is called the Nevis Bungy and it is not for the feint of heart. I was freaked out just watching. Located at the same site as the Nevis Bungy is the Nevis Swing, which is the world’s highest swing at 160 meters high. This is the one I did. The freakiest part is walking out to the platform in middle of the canyon on a 150 ft suspended pathway… that is swaying in the breeze. It was all downhill from there (literally).
Since Queenstown has so many adrenaline and outdoor sports (mountain biking, hiking, skiing, etc), it also attracts a ton of young people and tourists… which leads to great restaurants and nightlife. Here are a couple places I can recommend:
- Brecon Street Merchant – Solid cocktails and good bar food. They had $1 wings one night with a wing eating competition. Believe it or not, their wings are some of the best I’ve ever had. They also have board games, a pool table upstairs, and balcony seating with a nice view.
- Steamer Warf – A number of restaurants/bars right on the water. Good place for a drink and occasional food special. The Pub on Warf was our favorite with solid beer options and really good live music.
- Ballarat Trading Co. – We had a big night here. Made friends from all over the world. Again, good live music and drink selection. Had some very interesting decor with red ceilings, a gigantic stuffed bear, and newspapers on the walls.
- Prime Restaurant – Go here for a drink during sunset on a clear day. Best view of the sun lighting up Lake Wakatipu, boats, and mountains.
- The Cow – Historical building they turned into a restaurant. Candle-lit wooden tables, stained glass windows and cool history. Their garlic bread was amazing!
I had the best time in Queenstown and I know I didn’t get to experience everything. Live music, good drinks/foods, cool people, beautiful scenery… what else could you ask for?
Port2Porter Review: Wooing Tree Vineyard
Wooing Tree Vineyard is technically in Cromwell, New Zealand (about 30 min from Queenstown proper). The vineyard gets its name from a singular, sizable tree that towers over the rows of vines nicknamed ‘The Wooing Tree‘. Locals had long brought their lovers to this tree to woo them and it was rumored that half the town was conceived under its massive branches. The current owners of the vineyard bought the land while living in another country and their intent was to level all the trees on the property. However, there was a public outcry from the locals to save the tree because of the nostalgic history that surrounded it. It was an obvious choice for them to keep the wistful tree and now it is the cornerstone of their brand. Read the famous Wooing Tree poem.
The story behind the vineyard makes it unique but the wine stands on its own as well. They have won countless medals in international competition all over the world. The grapes were originally planted in 2002 (mostly of the Pinot Noir variety) and they released their first vintage in 2005. They haven’t looked back since!
The tasting room is clean and cozy with spectacular vista views of the surrounding Central Otago valley landscape. They have an outdoor seating area which is complete with picnic tables nestled around a manicured lawn. One of my favorite parts of this vineyard, besides the story behind the Wooing Tree and the wine, was a wine barrel that they made into a place to park your bike (pictured below). Great atmosphere with inventive wines embracing local culture and history incorporated into every bottle.
Beetle Juice 2015: Pinot Noir that is named after the local indigenous (and endangered) Cromwell Chafer Beetle. This is the only place in the world where you can find this type of beetle. The wine itself smells like dark cherries and plumbs and finishes smooth on the palate. Will get better with age.
Blondie 2016: Blanc de Noir. I’ve never had a wine like this. It is light champagne color made from Pinor Noir grapes. On the nose, it is pears and peaches and tastes like sweet grapefruit. It finishes light and airy. Tastes best when chilled.
Tickled Pink 2015: Classic Rose. Light pink in color. Smells like fresh cut strawberries and has an upfront yet balanced flow. Floral and refreshing.
The Drinking Tourist 
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