Exploring the pristine beauty of Queenstown, New Zealand's paradise during a radiant summer day.

During a business trip to the capital, Wellington, I seized the opportunity to fly down to the South Island and explore the enchanting Queenstown during the last two days of the weekend. These were truly splendid summer days, as I wandered through the paradise of Queenstown with its deep blue Lake Wakatipu, crystal-clear Lake Hayes, the lively Kawarau River, the ancient town of Arrowtown, and the gently sloping vineyards. Let's delve into some Queenstown travel experiences.

Queenstown: Heaven on Earth

Queenstown is a resort town nestled on New Zealand's South Island. New Zealand consists of two main islands: the North Island, with the capital Wellington and the bustling city of Auckland, and the South Island, renowned for its stunning mountain landscapes and beautiful lakes and rivers. Queenstown is nestled beside the deep blue Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by majestic mountain ranges. Visitors often come here to relax, admire the scenery, indulge in wine tasting, and participate in adventurous sports.

Aerial View of Queenstown

Queenstown is a paradise in all four seasons. In spring, the valleys are lush green while snow still blankets the high mountain peaks, making it perfect for all sorts of activities and exploration. Summer brings long sunny days, providing ample time for leisurely adventures. As autumn arrives, Queenstown is adorned with the golden hues of leaves, while the waters of lakes and rivers turn deep green, ideal for photography enthusiasts. In winter, the town is blanketed in pristine white snow, attracting visitors for skiing and enjoying hearty meals by crackling fires.

I arrived in Queenstown during the late summer days, with temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius, ideal for Vietnamese visitors. From Wellington, I booked a flight with Air New Zealand, taking about 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Queenstown Airport.

With 2 days in Queenstown, what places can you explore?

Two days seem too brief to explore every corner of Queenstown, yet I meticulously arranged my schedule to make the most of my holiday.

As soon as I landed at Queenstown Airport, I felt incredibly fortunate: the air was exceptionally pure, the sky was a vivid blue, and the sun shone brilliantly. I hopped on the airport shuttle bus heading to Black Sheep Backpackers on Frankton Road. The 20-minute journey along the shores of the deep blue lake heightened my anticipation for this land.

Lake Wakatipu

After completing the check-in process and enjoying lunch, I immediately embarked on my Queenstown exploration. Right in front of the accommodation I rented was a plot of land filled with blooming lupins. These tall-stemmed, colorful flowers bloom along the lakeshores of New Zealand in summer. Along the road leading to Lake Wakatipu were quaint brick or wooden houses of the town nestled closely together, each with a small, charming backyard.

Lupins bloom in summer along the shores of New Zealand's lakes.

The full name of Lake Wakatipu in the native Maori language is Wakatipu wai-māori. Stretching 80km in length, Wakatipu is the longest freshwater lake in New Zealand. The lake is fed by the Kawarau River, with depths exceeding sea level in some areas. The scenery of Lake Wakatipu has appeared in several scenes of the famous movie The Lord of the Rings.

Lake Wakatipu

Skyline Gondola

Queenstown viewed from the Gondola cable car

Note: Skyline Queenstown will be closed from 23/4 to 1/7/2023 for upgrades.

From the viewpoint or restaurant windows on Bob’s Peak, the stunning panorama of Queenstown unfolds before your eyes: the azure sky and lake waters, the deep green patches of forests, and the gray mountain ranges. Colorful paragliders of thrill-seekers stand out against the backdrop of the sky.

Scenic view from Bob’s Peak overlooking Lake Wakatipu

Paragliding over the skies of Queenstown

Queenstown Bay Beach

The statue of explorer William Gilbert Rees

Afternoon at Queenstown Harbor

I bought some snacks and drinks, sat by the lake watching the seagulls fluttering up and down. Around me were happy couples, families enjoying the serene summer evening. During this season, the sun sets very late in Queenstown, my watch showed nearly 10 o'clock when the sun just dipped below the horizon.

Sunset at 10 p.m. in Queenstown

Lake Hayes and the Kawarau River

Pathway from Black Sheep Backpackers accommodation to downtown Queenstown

The driver was narrating about Queenstown while driving. Leaving the town center, I began to see the greenery of trees, fields, and low hills. The second day here was also sunny, with extremely cool air.

Trees, grasslands, and rolling hills

Our first stop was Lake Hayes, a small lake in the Wakatipu basin. Lake Hayes' surface is calm, reflecting the lush greenery of summer. Around the lake are trails for locals and tourists to walk or cycle.

Lake Hydes

Next, we headed to Kawarau Bridge to witness bungee jumping. Spanning the narrow stretch of the Kawarau River, AJ Hackett Bungy Bridge is the world's first bungee jumping site. The bus stops long enough for you to have time for a jump, if there's space available. A jump is performed every 5 minutes. For 200 to 220 NZD, you'll have a once-in-a-lifetime experience jumping from a height of 43 meters above the blue waters of the Kawarau River. For photos and videos, an additional 65 NZD is required. If you only want to bungee jump at Kawarau Bridge without visiting other sites, you can book your jump and transportation on the AJ Hackett website.

Kawarau River

A person bungee jumping from the bridge over Kawarau River

Gibbston Vineyard

Vineyard in Gibbston

Vineyard in Gibbston

Arrowtown

Approaching noon, we moved on to Arrowtown for lunch. This historic town boasts buildings dating back to the time of European and Chinese gold miners. Arrowtown offers numerous cafes, small shops selling sweets or souvenirs, restaurants, local museums, libraries, churches... If you visit in autumn, you'll witness the charming golden-leaved streets, a characteristic scene of Arrowtown. Annually, the Arrowtown Autumn Festival is usually held in April. In 2023, the 37th festival will take place from 20/4 to 25/4. After strolling through several streets, I opted for a small restaurant, enjoying my lunch in the shade while admiring the lush green lawn in front.

Arrowtown

A place for lunch in Arrowtown

Edith Cavell Bridge

Our journey came to an end after over 3 hours of travel. On the way back to town center, we passed over the Edith Cavell Bridge spanning the Kawarau River. From the bridge, tourists can see the Shotover Jet, adventurous jet boats taking thrill-seekers through the narrow gorges and white-water rapids of the Shotover River at speeds over 80km/h. The Shotover River as it flows through Queenstown has sections with fast-flowing water, as well as times when the river forms vast white sandbars.

View of Shotover Jet from Edith Cavell Bridge

White sandbars of the Kawarau River

The shuttle took us back to the town center in the early afternoon. The duration of the trip was short, so tourists couldn't fully explore each location. However, thanks to that, I got to see quite a few famous spots in Queenstown.

Boating on Lake Wakatipu

Million Dollar Cruise ship docked at Queenstown Wharf

I strolled back to the wharf and purchased a ticket for a cruise on Lake Wakatipu. The boat named Million Dollar Cruise departs from the wharf at 2 PM and takes you past famous landmarks on a 90-minute journey. First, as you leave Queenstown Bay, you'll see Queenstown Gardens and the town center. Next, you'll catch sight of the stunning golf course on Kelvin Heights Peninsula. Then, the boat takes you to a tranquil area, where million-dollar lakefront villas sit. You'll also pass by the Kawarau Dam, where the Kawarau River meets Lake Wakatipu, and admire the Remarkables mountain range up close.

View of the Remarkables from the boat

After concluding the boat excursion, I wandered around the wharf before strolling along the Harbour View Walk back to the accommodation under the last rays of the day. This lakeside path is one of my favorite walks in Queenstown, with the forested mountains on one side and the serene Lake Wakatipu on the other as the evening sets in. Occasionally, benches are placed along the path for you to pause, rest, and unwind.

Harbour View Walk trail

Rest bench along Harbour View Walk

I returned to the accommodation and spent another night, then the next morning caught the bus to the airport back to Wellington, concluding a fantastic adventure in Queenstown.

Among the myriad beautiful destinations in New Zealand, I feel I made the best choice possible. To me, Queenstown is like a paradise, where words cannot fully describe the beauty of nature. The tourism services here are excellent, with every detail focused on preserving the natural landscapes and ensuring convenience and comfort for travelers. If you ever have the chance to visit New Zealand, be sure to try Queenstown.

Author: Hà Thị Thi Ân
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