Queenstown – Tāhuna

This has been our home for the past two and a half years. Nestled on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is surrounded by stunning scenery. This is a hub for mountain biking, skiing, rock climbing, and tramping. The Remarkables chain towers 2000m above town. Single Cone, the parent peak of the range, offers an amazing mix of skiing, rock climbing, mixed climbing, ice climbing, and scrambling. The Remarkables Ski field offers a quick access to alpine terrain and makes climbing even after work possible.

Queenstown itself has a reputation for being incredibly busy. It’s the primary tourism hub for the south island of New Zealand. Here you’ll find a wide range of restaurants, bars, shops, and activities. Jet boating, bungee jumping, the gondola, and sky diving provide the less actively driven with their dose of adventure.

There are endless hiking trails in the valley, with options for all fitness levels and experience. Ben Lomond is a very popular option directly behind town. The easy access and option of using a gondola make it a popular decision for tourists. Queenstown Hill offers great views for beginners and people looking for a shorter option. The Mt Crichton Loop takes hikers into lush Beech forests and wraps up at a well-preserved hut.

Rock Climbers are treated to hundreds of rock climbs. Wye Creek is the main climbing hub in Queenstown. This crag has some of the best rock quality in the valley and offers dozens of walls with a wide range of climbing grades. The Mission is a 30m classic climb that should be on any climbers list. For more experienced climbers, Dream Thing is a classic grade 21 with a punishing roof and some of the best scenery in town. If you’re shorter on time, Gorge Road Crag offers quality climbs with a very short approach.

Other recommendations for town are:

• Altitude Brewing – Fantastic beers in a great setting. Friendly staff.
• Basecamp Climbing Gym – This gym offers both bouldering and full roped climbing. The staff are friendly and very helpful.
• Coronet and Skyline Gondola offer great mountain biking.
• Drift Bay is a great location for climbing right off the lake. Good for soaking in the scorching New Zealand Sun.