I found this ride to be good value for money. An hours jet boating starting and finishing in central Queenstown for under $100 is good value. It can at times be quite exciting as you travel at upto 85km per hour in what seems like on only a trickle of water at times – the jet boat can travel up a river that is only 10cm deep! The drivers know how to get your heart beating as they steer the boat excitingly close to the cliffs and beaches on the sides of the rivers and what I enjoyed the most is when the driver moves his hand in a circular motion in the air – this means a spin is about to happen so hold on tight, an adrenalin pumping 360 degrees spin. Its amazing the drivers haven’t gone deaf after enduring the screams that come from the passengers during this maneuver. Its easy to see why this company which pioneered the Jet Boat experience with the worlds first commercial jet boat operation has lasted more then 50 years, It ticks all the boxes.

I would recommend this trip, especially for the ‘young at heart’ and families with children as the kids get a real thrill out of the experience, great value for money. Kawarau Jet trips depart the Main Town Pier on the hour, every hour, every day. If you would like to book a ride or find out more about this trip visit Kawarau Jet Bookings

Also check out our review on Shotover Jet

Development began in Queenstown around the 1800’s and it has since grown to be one of the premier international holiday spots. The city is friendly, charming and can accommodate people with various holiday budgets.

Queenstown is also very well known primarily for its excellent ski resort and it does get quite a number of international skiers on a yearly basis. Some of the best ski locations in the town happen to be near Queenstown lodge. The lodge staff are well trained and certainly add to the holiday spirit as they cater to your every need. Skiing activities cater not just for those entering the sport of skiing but also intermediate and advanced skiers as well. The best ski spots are conveniently located within a short drive from the main town itself.

While some resorts and activities in Queenstown can certainly put a strain on your wallet, you will be glad to know that there a variety of lodges that accommodate those with a strained budget. Accommodation Wanaka provides an excellent service for holiday goers with a variety of budgets as they have a range of lodges, houses and rooms for rent during your stay.

Wanaka is a small town about an hours drive from Queenstown that has a myriad of activities for the avid outdoorsmen. It is in close proximity to the Mount Aspiring National Park, which has some of the best trekking and breathtaking environments anywhere in New Zealand. Guides are available for hire should you feel adventurous enough for a quick trek through the national park. Serious trekkers can generally hike throughout the entire day.

Accommodation in Queenstown is typically done through an agent. Everything goes on a rental basis and there are a wide variety of accommodation types available all year round. Anything from a house to a room is available for rent depending tastes of those that visit this lovely place.

Outside of renting apartments and houses, the visitor can also choose from a variety of motels that line Queenstown. Again, the motels in the area cater to a wide budget range. If you haven’t already booked a place for your stay upon arriving in Queenstown, it would be a good idea to take a quick drive through area just to get a feel for the types of motels on offer to get a feel for the prices. Besides being known as one of the world’s premier ski towns, Queenstown also offers numerous activities including boating rides, trekking, white water rafting and for those that live on the wild side, there is always the popular bungee jumping. For those seeking the thrill of adventure or for those that want to take in the beautiful landscapes within this area, it is hard to find fault with Queenstown, New Zealand.

Top Notch Advice for Tourists to Queenstown

By: Sarah Boyle

Queenstown truly is a unique place, whether it’s extreme adventure that you are searching for, or pure leisure in a fantastic environment. And you do not have to worry too much about where your accommodation is located…Queenstown is a tiny but perfectly formed village with nearly all things a short stroll away!

Take a look at that lake!

Lake Wakatipu and its marvelous shoreline should be one of the very first things on your agenda, and you can see them in style from the steamship, Earnslaw – it’s been part of Queenstown’s heritage since 1912! Launch, kayak and sailing trips are also recommended, and there are shoreline walkways to check out on foot.

Dazzling views

Nearly all accommodations in Queenstown offer impressive views, but for the very best possible vistas, head to the hills. Be sure to take the Time Walk on Queenstown Hill (about 2-3 hrs) or pay a visit to one of the two big ski resorts. To get an airborne perspective, you’ll find chopper flights, sky-diving and even an downtown bungy.

Insider Tips: Feeling very lazy? Arrive at the summit of Queenstown Hill by gondola – and if dizzy heights aren’t your idea of a good time, try out a moderate stroll on sunrise or sunset by Lake Wakatipu: simply breathtaking.

Enchanting winter

Queenstown is sensational throughout the winter season, when the mountain tops are snow-capped and the ski resorts are wide open for skiing (approx . June to October). Skiers and snowboarders arrive from around the world, lining up to ski and snowboard at Coronet Peak, the Remarkables, or for the younger freestylers the Snow Park which is a world class freestyle ski and snowboard area close to Wanaka. Further afield, though certainly not too far away for a days skiing, are Cardrona and Treble Cone. Then there is the genuine excitement of skiing by helicopter; check out all the choices. Various other winter activities include ice-skating and ice hockey. The outstanding Winter Festival occurs on a yearly basis in late June to early July.

Insider Tips: Coronet Peak offers floodlit night snowboarding on Fridays and Saturdays, early July to mid-September. Saturday evenings are family-friendly.

A bit of heritage

Queenstown lies in the heart of the historical Otago goldmining area: go to area Arrowtown and be enchanted by its history and atmosphere (don’t overlook the Chinese camp). Feeling intrepid? A journey along the Skipper’s Road may frighten you silly and show you memorable landscapes. Further afield but really worth the drive are the paths, tunnels and ghost villages of the Goldfields Mining Centre preservation park – 25 intriguing hectares.

Experience extremes!

Bungee started out right here, so Queenstown’s Shotover Bridge will be the best place to take that 1st leap of faith. Long been there, done that? Check out the Ledge, and have fun with amazing sights as you hurtle through space. And there is plenty more to push you, for example white water river rafting, jet boating, serious eco-adventures, parapenting, canyoning, river boarding (you ought to see this), surfing on the river(!), hang gliding, the Nevis Arc, parachuting, luge, canyon-swinging – the list goes on!

A little less full on?

Want an adventure of the considerably less extreme sort? Possibilities include hill country pony rides, hot-air ballooning, canoeing, Lord of the Rings tours, wilderness hikes, 4 Wheel-Drive safaris, mtn biking, segway and quad biking.

Sporting chances

Your Queenstown resort is a perfect base for golf, fishing, riding, biking, taking walks, climbing, hunting, abseiling and more.

Insider Advice: Serious golfers must not overlook Millbrook Resort’s 27-hole tournament golf course near to Arrowtown.

Watching birds

See a kiwi and many other New Zealand birds, including the planet’s smartest creature – the kea – at Kiwi Birdlife Park, or experience the operations of a real New Zealand sheep station at historical Walter Peak (sail there on the Earnslaw).

Expert Advice: See kea flying free at The Remarkables parking area, but hang on to your personal belongings!

Fine, fine vino

Central Otago produces a number of of the planet’s highest regarded wines at a few of the earth’s most beautiful vineyards! Vineyards close to Queenstown include Chard Farm, Amisfield, Brennan, Gibbston Valley and Coal Pit. Trips are offered.

Exploring the township

Mingle with people from all over the globe as you discover Queenstown’s retailers, coffee shops , bookstores, free galleries, nightlife, pubs and dining establishments. The village is not big, but it is huge on style and ambiance.

Expert Advice: Several retail stores are open late, and most will pack and send your acquisitions for you.

Take a backpack

You will discover many amazing hiking tracks near Queenstown, however they aren’t a stroll in the park. The Milford Track and Routeburn, as an example, take a number of days and nights and involve very cautious organizing. For something less serious, there is the 6-hour Moonlight Track or 5 hr Ben Lomond hike. And there are easy hikes close to the lake, close to town.

The art of unwinding

You will need to unwind after all those adventures, so why not take a cruise, book yourself in to a spa treatment, linger with supper next to the lake, visit the Queenstown Gardens, the Underwater Observatory or a vineyard.

Insider Advice: for the ultimate in relaxation, check out the hot pools looking out over Skipper’s Canyon.

Author Resource:-> Sarah Boyle is a free-lance copywriter from Auckland, New Zealand. When she travels south she habitually books in at her favorite hotel in Queenstown.

Queenstown is simply amazing! … Your life is not complete until you visit this outstanding town located in the Southern Lakes District of Otago Province, in the South island of New Zealand.

Queenstown is a favourite holiday destination for both international and domestic visitors to New Zealand. It attracts tourists all year around as it has something to offer everyone no matter what the weather is doing. The region offers stunning natural beauty that changes with the seasons; the lake gleams and sparkles in the summer sun, whilst the snow-clad mountains tower above the township in winter. Nestled on the shores of the mysterious Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the Remarkables Mountain range, Queenstown is a cosmopolitan haven.

Queenstown is well known as New Zealand’s “Adventure Capital” It offers limitless choices for adrenalin junkies who love thrills and want to experience the extremes. There is excitement for everyone: on water, in air, or on land. Travellers can enjoy bungee jumping from the world’s first commercial bungee site, get your heart racing in an amazing jet boat ride on the Shotover River, tandem hang gliding, paragliding, skydiving, and of course water and snow skiing. In addition, the region also offers unlimited options to travellers who choose to relax in its breathtaking alpine scenery.

For the more “chilled out” the local bush walks and hiking trails are a must. Or, simply relax in one of the many restaurants, bars, or cafe, that offer the finest cuisines from all over the world. Popular relaxation activities include lunch on the majestic steamboat, wine trails, art trails, golfing, museums visits, shopping, and of course just kicking back and reading a book.

Queenstown offers a wide range of superb accommodation including; luxury lodges, charming B&B’s, private holiday homes for rent, and of course fine hotels and motels…. Whatever your choice is, make sure its accommodation to compliment one of the most amazing places to visit on earth!