QUEENSTOWN 

The first people to discover Queenstown's rare beauty were Maori pounamu (jade) hunters. Then came the gold miners, in search of another kind of treasure. Today Queenstown is treasured for its magnificent scenery, adventure opportunities and luxury lifestyle.

Long summer days blonde the tussocks, throwing the hills open to mountain bikers and hikers. The brilliant reds and golds of autumn colour the trees, inspiring photographers and golfers alike. In winter, snow transforms the region into a remarkable alpine playground for skiers and snowboarders. Spring brings the spark of fresh green to the landscape – a time to celebrate life with a cruise on the lake or an invigorating bungy jump.

In any season, you can count on stylish accommodation, designer shopping and marvellous cuisine experiences. Queenstown's compact downtown area is a cosmopolitan hub that's relaxed during the day and huge fun at night.

TRANSPORT

Whether you arrive in Queenstown by road or air, the journey will be memorable. Flying into Queenstown airport is a rare experience - the sheep on the hillsides are uncannily close. The road approaches from north, east or south are all famously scenic.

By Air

Queenstown international airport is well served by Air New Zealand and Qantas. Air New Zealand flies direct from Sydney and Melbourne year round and extends this service to encompass Brisbane in winter. Qantas also offers winter services out of Sydney and Brisbane.

Domestically, there are several connections each day from New Zealand's main centres.

By Road

State Highway 6 runs through Queenstown, bringing traffic from the south, north and east. Hire a rental car or campervan, catch a scenic coach tour or hop aboard a shuttle bus. There are several shuttle options daily from Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill and Wanaka.

Getting around Queenstown

Once in Queenstown, getting around is easy. If you've arrived at the airport you can catch a bus or minivan to town for just a few dollars. Tell the minivan driver where you're headed and he's likely to obligingly drop you at the door. The bus has prescribed stops throughout the town. A taxi is slightly quicker but more expensive.

Out-of-town accommodation properties generally offer courtesy transport, as do adventure operators.

The town is compact. If your accommodation is close, you can generally walk anywhere you want to go.

If independence is important and you plan to visit outlying towns such as Glenorchy or Arrowtown, a rental vehicle is the best option. Every major car rental company is represented in Queenstown.

The town's bus service operates regular shuttles to and from the airport, between the shopping precincts of Queenstown and Frankton and into suburban areas. There are also bus services linking Arrowtown, Glenorchy and Wanaka with Queenstown.

ACCOMODATION IN QUEENSTOWN

With more than a century of hospitality experience, Queenstown has an accommodation infrastructure that looks after everybody. From a tent site with a view to intimate and luxurious lodges, anything's possible.

QUEENSTOWN INFORMATION SITE

When you arrive at any New Zealand destination, look for the i-SITE Visitor Centre and find friendly, up-to-date information about local attractions, transport and accommodation. i-SITE visitor centres can also help you with bookings or reservations.

i-SITE Visitor Centres are the officially recognised provider of reliable New Zealand information, with centres in many locations throughout New Zealand. Accreditation to the network ensures that staff are knowledgeable and provide objective, quality information.

QUEENSTOWN AREA

From the moment you wake up until the moment the sun slips behind the mountains, Queenstown delivers full strength alpine scenery. Your camera is going to be exhausted by the end of this holiday.