Scenic skylines and legendary luges

Perched 450m above the city is the iconic Skyline Queenstown which is easily accessed from the centre of Queenstown via the steepest cable car in the Southern Hemisphere. Take in sweeping views of the incredible Remarkables Mountain range, Coronet Peak and the glistening waters of Lake Wakatipu before embarking on a fast-paced luge ride back down. This gravity fuelled activity won’t break the bank and will see you navigate winding roads, tunnels and gentle dips as you race your companions to be the quickest down the mountain.

Conquering the canyon

If you’re not afraid of heights, then it’s time to head up to Nevis Canyon in a 4WD. At the summit you can admire the panoramic views of the canyon before strapping in for the adrenaline rush of a lifetime. Being a backpacker is sometimes about throwing caution to the wind, so take a leap of faith from the AJ Hackett Nevis Bungee which is the highest bungee platform in New Zealand and truly gets you up close and personal with the surrounding valley. For those not quite ready to take the plunge, instead soar through Nevis Canyon like Tarzan on the AJ Hackett Nevis Swing which is the largest of its kind. Go solo or with a friend, upside down, backwards or the good old-fashioned way, there’s no better vantage point to take in this scenery.

Jaw-dropping Jetboats

It’s not all swings and roundabouts (pardon the pun), if you prefer to stay closer to the ground and you’re okay with being in the splash zone, then the waterways of Queenstown are the place to be. Power through the Shotover River Canyon at speeds of up to 90km/h in a high performance jetboat on a Shotover Jet tour, which will see you weave through narrow gorges and shallow waters with a few 360 degree spins added in to get the heart racing.

If one jetboat ride wasn’t enough, then why not head out onto a Dart River Wilderness Jet Safari? Swap gorges for gorgeous views as you whizz across the iconic landscape of the Dart River which can be combined with the Dart River Funyak Canoe & Jetboat Tour if you want to change the pace. This will see you hopping into an inflatable kayak to properly admire this beautiful region of Mt Aspiring National Park and is a fantastic option if you want to explore this remote wilderness as much as possible all in one day.

Following the Fellowship

For movie buffs, landscape lovers and generally anyone who would prefer to stay dry, get yourself on the small group Safari of the Scenes Queenstown tour. Jump in a 4WD vehicle and tread in the footsteps of the fellowship as you take in the Misty Mountains, the road to Mordor and many other Lord of the Rings filming locations. Cross fast flowing streams and explore old mining trails before revelling in the scenery of Middle Earth, this trip really does take you there and back again. This is a popular option for those backpacking as all the hassle of driving is taken out of your hands, letting you sit back and take it all in!

Queenstown surrounds - Fantastic Fiordland

Queenstown is also a perfect base to explore the further afield regions of the Fiordlands. If you can spare a day and the dollar, then head out to the breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage sites of Milford or Doubtful Sounds in comfort before you cruise these stunning natural wonders. Now the real adventure begins, step off the boat and take to the skies on a scenic flight or helicopter ride back to Queenstown, giving you a bird’s eye view of this pristine area and really leaves you understanding why this magnificent country is nicknamed ‘the Land of the Long White Cloud’.