Queenstown in review
In the Otago region of New Zealand's South Island, the magnificent Lake Wakatipu lies in the shape of a lightning bolt, like some geographical gesture to the world's thrill-seekers.
On the lake's shores is the resort town of Queenstown, where the popular pastimes include such adrenalin-charged activities as bungy-jumping, paragliding, skydiving, white-water rafting and, of course, skiing on four of New Zealand's most popular mountain snowfields.
Taking it down a notch, visitors can trek in the otherworldly beauty of the forests, mountains and lakes of the surrounding area where it becomes obvious why this landscape was chosen to feature in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films.
After your exertions, kick back in a Queenstown hotel with a glass of the local pinot noir, said to be the fruit of the world's southernmost wine region.
- From our editor T. Ireland – Sydney