The scenic setting and the many pristine landscapes offer visitors some of the best opportunities in the world for responsible travel to natural areas and ways to contribute toward conserving the environment. The area around Queenstown is full of well managed remote natural destinations that are inspirational to visit and experience.
A good way to get introduced to the flora and fauna of the area is maybe to take a journey along one of New Zealand’s most scenic highways to Mt. Aspiring World Heritage Park where along the way visitors can picnic among ancient beech forests, view glacier carved valleys and clear unpolluted rivers, get close to endemic animal and bird life and enjoy the undisturbed pristine beauty of the area.
A specially tailored guided nature walk or hike in Queenstown backcountry is a very environment friendly way of enjoying the bracing air and getting close to mosses, ferns, beeches, Alpine flora and bird life.
If a closer look at the region’s bird life is needed take a break at the beautifully landscaped Kiwi Birdlife Park and enjoy kiwi viewing, kiwi feedings, conservation shows and informative talks on these reclusive birds and other endemic New Zealand and regional species.
While there are many cruises on deep blue glacier carved lakes chugging along Lake Wakatipu on the vintage steam ship TSS Earnslaw and taking in the 360 degree views of the surrounding mountain rimmed landscape is one of a kind experience. This can be combined with a visit to a 15,000 acre sheep and cattle ranch in Paradise Valley to learn about the advantages and pitfalls of running a livestock farm. Visitors can pitch in to help with some farming chores like sheep shearing. Low impact boat trips on the many local waterways, is also a beautiful way to discover the land.
Ride on horseback among wild flowers so tall that getting lost amongst them is a serious reality and experience the quietness of the surrounding country side on a horse trek that wends its way across the Rees River and up into a large willow forest before coming to a plateau with breathtaking views of the valley below.
Savour Kiwi hospitality and culture at its best through a garden tour just outside Queenstown, where intrepid gardeners can exchange views with their ilk while admiring the handiwork. Enjoy a walk over the old river bridge, have tea in a restored farm house in a fabulous garden setting and round off the day with a tour through historic Arrowtown a gold mining village.
Pitching a tent in the wilderness is one of the best ways to get close to nature. The area around Queens town provides many beautiful locations to do so. However leaving the place as it was is one of the guiding principles for campers.
There are many ways to enjoy the serenity and pristine landscape that nature bequeathed in Queenstown without leaving too large a carbon footprint.
With one of the most advantageous locations on the main highway to the city Millennium Hotel Queenstown is close to all the action the city is famous for. Equipped with a selection of accommodation exuding an air of warmth and comfort this luxury hotel Queenstown offers a range of facilities and amenities that include a restaurant serving modern New Zealand cuisine, the Club Bar a perfect place to end an action filled day and a spa and fitness centre featuring relaxing treatments and massages, in fact a whole host of guest services befitting an up market hotel in Queenstown.
