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Queenstown New Zealand is an amazing place. Not only is the scenery stunning, but Queenstown has been unofficially declared the “Adventure Capital” of New Zealand. If you like a bit of action in your holiday, then Queenstown is the place to go.

We thought that we might share three exciting Queenstown activities with you. These are things that we have tried and recommend.

No trip to Queenstown would be complete without a bungy jump. And Queenstown has a variety of options. Bungy was developed commercially by AJ Hackett, and was based on the “Land-diving” practiced by the natives of Pentecost Island in Vanuatu, where they jump from towers with vines around their legs. Thankfully, AJ Hackett has refined the process to the point where they can accurately adjust the length of the bungy cord to suit your exact weight. When we did our jump, it was from the old Kawarau Bridge, which passes over the Kawarau George, about 20 minutes out of Queenstown. The drop is 43 metres, and I can honestly say that it is the most exhilarating thing that I have ever done. If you can overcome your nerves, you have to try it. There are actually four other bungy options in Queenstown, all operated by AJ Hackett. The Nevis Bungy, the Nevis Arc, The Ledge Bungy, and The Ledge Sky Swing. The Nevis Bungy falls 134 metres and you jump from a cable car suspended over the gorge!

Queenstown also has several jet boat operators, and the best known are probably the Shotover Jet and the Kawarau Jet. The Shotover jet is probably the most recognized and operates on the Shotover River and through the Shotover Gorge. The Kawarau Jet operates on the Kawarau River and the Shotover River, and covers 43 kilometres on the hour long journey. During this time you will be amazed by how little water depth the boat requires. Sometimes as the driver heads towards what seems like a trickle of water you think “no, he’s not going to go through there!” but that’s exactly what he does. Amazing thrills.

The Shotover Jet is a different experience. The waters are deeper, but you have the added thrill of blasting through the Shotover Gorge between huge boulders and rock faces, which seem at times to be only a few inches away. I was amazed at the skill of the driver as he maneuvered the boat through the gorge, and yelled with excitement (I wasn’t the only one) as we raced through the gorge. It was in winter and it was freezing, but the heated hand rail was an unexpected find.

Do yourself a favour, and try a jet boat ride. Great fun.

The last adventure that I want to share is probably a little less full on, but is thrilling in it’s own way. The Skyline Gondola, which operates from premises within a short walk from the town centre, takes visitors on what is reputed to be the steepest lift in the Southern Hemisphere, to Bob’s Peak, some 450 metres above your starting point. The incline angle is about 37 degrees! The ride up (and down) is slow, but exciting, and you will be amazed by the views of Queenstown as they unfold below you. The trip up takes about 5-10 minutes. Once at the top, you will find a snack bar, restaurant, gift shop, and ample viewing decks from which to gaze at the amazing vista of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. If you feel like a lazy few hours, grab a coffee and stare at the view. However, if you want a bit more excitement, try the optional luge ride (highly recommended) where you take another chairlift even further up the mountain. From there you hop on your individual cart, and race down one of two concrete tracks, which snake their way 800 metres back to the base of the chair lift. My son and I have spent many an hour on the luge. It’s addictive. The gondola trip and the views combine to make this a must-do if you are in Queenstown.

And a final tip. Make sure that you have a high capacity memory card in your digital camera, because the photo opportunities in Queenstown are never ending.

Enjoy.