Queenstown, New Zealand

Click here for print edition

WHY GO NOW?

New Zealand's spring shows Queenstown at its finest. It stands on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by the aptly named Remarkables mountain range. You can bungee-jump, jet-boat and canyon-swing to your heart's content, but this year-round destination offers much more than extreme "sports" ; walk beside the lake, go alpine hiking, wine tasting or take a cruise. Film buffs will be drawn by the Telecom International Film Festival (00 64 3 442 9990; www.nzff.telecom.co.nz), 26 October-8 November, based at Reading Cinemas at 11 The Mall (1).

TOUCH DOWN

To reach Queenstown, fly via Auckland or Christchurch. The only airline with direct flights to either city is Air New Zealand (0800 028 4149; www.airnewzealand.co.uk), which flies from Heathrow to Auckland via Los Angeles and, from next weekend, via Hong Kong. Several other airlines offer connecting services; Emirates (0870 243 2222; www.emirates.com) has the most UK departure points, with flights from Gatwick, Heathrow, Birmingham, Manchester or Glasgow via Dubai to Auckland and Christchurch. From New Zealand's biggest city you can fly to Queenstown in 100 minutes; connections from Christchurch take half as long.

GET YOUR BEARINGS

The approach by air to Queenstown airport, 8km from town, is dramatic. A taxi into town costs around NZ$25 (£8.90); Super Shuttle (00 64 3 442 3639; www.supershuttle.co.nz) charges around NZ$12 (£4.25) for one person, but just NZ$15 (£5.30) for two. Public transport comprises the Shopper Bus (00 64 3 441 4471; www.shopperbus.co.nz); NZ$5 (£1.80) between the airport and town. Better still, Higher Gear (00 64 3 441 4676; www.highergear.co.nz) will rent you a bike at the airport; the daily rate is NZ$35 (£12.50). In town, the I-Site Visitor Information Centre (2) at the Clock Tower on the corner of Shotover and Camp Streets (00 64 3 442 4100; www.queenstown-vacation.com) opens 7.30am-6pm daily. Ask for a free Wakatipu Trails map, which lists 25 walks.

CHECK IN

On the lakefront, Eichardt's Private Hotel (3) on Marine Parade (bookable through 0870 128 6000; www.eichardtshotel.co.nz) offers five opulent suites with views; doubles start at NZ$1,375 (£488) including breakfast and evening cocktails.

With the feel of an alpine mountain resort, the Grand Mercure Hotel St Moritz (4) at 10 Brunswick St (00 64 3 442 4990; www.stmoritz.co.nz) has 144 studio rooms, suites and two-bedroom apartments at very reasonable prices: from NZ$193 (£69) including breakfast.

TAKE A HIKE

For a lakeside wander, start at the Park Street entrance (5) to the Queenstown Gardens, bear left, then turn right along the waterfront. Besides wonderful lake and mountain views, you might catch a game of Frisbee golf: the discgolf ( www.discgolf.co.nz) course here is said to be one of the world's most spectacular. Follow the path along the peninsula to the Main Pier (6), which, besides being the departure point for jet-boat rides to the Kawarau River, has an underwater observatory; daily 8.30am-dusk, NZ$6 (£2.15). Or continue around the corner to Steamer Wharf (7), from where the steamship TSS Earnslaw departs every two hours from 10am-8pm.

LUNCH ON THE RUN

At Fergburger (8) at 42 Shotover Street (00 64 3 441 1232; www.fergburger.com), burger choices include lamb, chicken and even venison - as well the half-pound "Mr Big Stuff" beefburger at NZ$14 (£5).

CULTURAL AFTERNOON

The region's main historic site is 20 minutes' drive away in the gold-mining town of Arrowtown. Get there on the Arrowtown Bus (00 64 3 442 1900; www.arrowtownbus.co.nz), a combined tour and scheduled service operating three times a day in each direction; NZ$25 (£8.90) return. Look around the well-preserved wooden buildings and miners' cottages then visit the Lakes District Museum (00 64 3 442 1824; www.museumqueenstown.com) which provides a fascinating insight into the Lakes District's history. Open 8.30am-5pm daily, NZ$6 (£2.15).

AN APERITIF

Minibar at 11 The Mall (00 64 3 441 3212) (1) is a new boutique beer bar, one of several upmarket watering holes - many without signs - on and around Searle Lane. Upstairs on the corner of Searle Lane and the Eureka arcade is Barup (9) (00 64 3 442 7707; www.barup.co.nz). Try a Passionate Kiss (a peach and raspberry cocktail) for NZ$16 (£5.60).

DINING WITH THE LOCALS

For superb pizza, Winnie's at 7-9 The Mall (00 64 3 442 8635; www.winnies.co.nz) is hard to beat; try a Zucha or Montonara, each NZ$19.50 (£7) for an eight-slice pizza. Seafood lovers should head for Boardwalk (10) on Steamer Wharf (00 64 3 442 5630; www.boardwalk.net.nz), where the views are as classy as the food. For fine dining, Gantley's (11), 7km from town along Arthur's Point Road (00 64 3 442 8999; www.gantleys.co.nz ), is one of several good choices; make sure you book in advance.

SUNDAY MORNING: GO TO CHURCH

St Peter's Church (12) on Church Street (00 64 3 442 8391; www.stpeters.co.nz) was established in 1863 during the early days of the area's gold rush. The original wooden version was replaced with the present stone structure in 1932. Holy Communion is at 7.30am and 10.30am on Sundays.

TAKE A RIDE

Hop on the Skyline Gondola (00 64 3 441 0101; www.skyline.co.nz) from its base station (13) to Bob's Peak, from where you'll have amazing views over Queenstown, the lake and the Remarkables Range. For thrill-seekers, the ride can continue at the top on the Luge: hop on to a three-wheeled plastic cart and let gravity race you down either the "scenic" or the steeper "advanced" 800m track. Take the chairlift back up to the start line and try again. The Gondola opens 9am until "late" and the Luge from 9.30 until dusk. The Gondola costs NZ$20 (£7); add NZ$6 (£2.15) for a Luge ride.

OUT TO BRUNCH

Book ahead for Saturday or Sunday brunch at Rex Morgan's restaurant at the Spire Hotel (14) on Church Lane (00 64 3 441 0004; www.thespirehotels.com). Between 9am and 1pm you can expect a gastronomic treat; try buttermilk waffles with caramelised banana and macadamia nut butter at NZ$16 (£5.60).

WINDOW SHOPPING

For the right gear for all the area's adventurous pursuits, head for Outside Sports (8) on Shotover Street between Camp and Rees (00 64 3 441 0074; www.outsidesports.co.nz) - any time between 9am and 9pm daily. The Otago region is known for its high-quality wines, particularly pinot noir, and there are six wineries within 20 minutes of Queenstown. In town, try before you buy at Wine Tastes (15) at 14 Beach Street (00 64 3 409 2226; www.winetastes.com); 10am-10pm daily. Every Saturday in Earnslaw Park (16), there is an arts and crafts market.

A WALK IN THE PARK

Next to the Skyline Gondola ticket office (16), the Kiwi Birdlife Park (00 64 3 442 8059; www.kiwibird.co.nz) is on the site of a former rubbish dump. Several trails take you past the highlights of the country's flora and fauna, and fact sheets are available if you want to learn more. There's a " conservation show" three times daily, plus a replica Maori village; entry is NZ$25 (£8.90), 9am-6pm daily.

ICING ON THE CAKE

Queenstown was the birthplace of commercial bungee-jumping. AJ Hackett (00 64 3 442 4007; www.ajhackett.com) introduced the world's first elasticated jump to the region in 1988 and has continued to enhance the activity since. Visitors can now choose from a veritable plethora of daredevil activities in and around town, but stepping or leaping off a platform hundreds of metres up in the air with the belief that an elastic cord will save you from certain death is still a huge attraction. Most convenient of the company's three sites in the area is The Ledge, accessed from the top of the Skyline Gondola. The price - NZ$150 (£53) - includes Gondola fare, a jump and official T-shirt.

Compare Travel Insurance - 5 day Euro cover from £4.33 and Annual worldwide policies from just £43.08