Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Queenstown




Billed as the Adventure Capital of the World!, Queenstown is a strange mix. The townsite itself is rather small (4 streets by 3 streets, with sprawl up mountains) but teaming with activity. It is filled with things to do: gondola, luge, mountain biking, jet boat rides, bungee jumping, sky diving, lake cruises, trail rides etc, plus a night life to go with it (bars apparently close at 4am, we certainly heard music late). All this is set in gorgeous scenery with lake and mountain views.

  

All the activities were quite expensive (easily $100pp starting, often multiples of this). Property was similarly pricey (>$1mil for a house) as was lodging. Accommodation seems to be hostel or luxury hotel (nothing mid range). We spent 3 nights in a private en suite at a hostel feeling far too old for it….

Our choice of the Queenstown mix was a cruise on the TSS Earnslaw, an original steam freighter, plus taking our bikes for a ride around the area unloaded. The Earslaw was super fun to be on as the engine room was open and we could watch the steam engine in action. We took the Earnslaw across the lake where we disembarked for a few hours and had a tour of a working farm by electric bike. After a tea, it was then back to Queenstown via the Earnslaw.

The next day was raining but we took advantage of the fantastic Queenstown bike trails and went for a lovely unloaded ride.

Us + the Earnslaw

Karen and her Snazzy Electric Bike

 
Our routes, regular bikes and ebikes

No comments:

Post a Comment