If you hit a patch of turbulence while on your cheap flights to Queenstown it may just get you in the mood for the adventure capital of the world. Superlatives come thick and fast when describing this resort town in the Southern Lakes Region of New Zealand's South Island.
It's described as adrenaline-filled, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants and so-fast-it'll-make-your-hair-turn-white, and New Zealand's No. 1 holiday destination for international visitors. You'll need plenty of superlatives for the town itself. Queenstown is jaw-droppingly beautiful. It sits beside Lake Wakatipu - clear, turquoise and calm. Above the town and lake rise the Remarkables, the majestic, snow-capped moutains.
It's the hub for adventure tourism - the first commercial bungy jump was based at the Kawarau Bridge - from aerobatic flight to parapenting via jet boating, whitewater rafting, mountain biking and fly fishing among many, many, many others.
It's also a major centre for skiing and snowboarding. Its four main mountain skifields are Cardrona Alpine Resort, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Treble Cone. Cross-country is available at the Waiorau Snow Farm, near Cardrona village. And after a day in the snow, the apres ski is hot. There are more than 200 bars and eateries, one for every 75 people, it is said.
An hour west of Queenstown is Fiordland, New Zealand's largest national park. Milford Sound is the best known of all of the fiords, unspeakably gorgeous.
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Queenstown has an Alpine climate. Summer temperatures range between 10 and 22 degrees, winter temps between zero and eight degrees. The average number of rainy days per month is eight.
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Queenstown is a four-season destination. There really is no bad time to take cheap flights to Queenstown.
June to October is ski season. December to March is summer time, when New Zealanders take their holidays. Summer is peak season for walking and hiking.
The low-lying river fishing season starts on October 1, and the alpine-river fishing season opens on November 2.
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There are lots of rental-car companies at the airport such as Hertz, Budget and Avis. The Kiwi Shuttle will deliver you to any address in Queenstown. The office is near the Baggage Claim area and fares start at $10 per person (minimum of two). There's also Super Shuttle, a door-to-door shared ride service.
Taxis and limousines are readily available. The taxi fare downtown is about $30 and the journey takes 15 minutes.
Public transport - the Connectabus runs between 6am and 11pm, every 20 minutes. The fare downtown is $5.
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The Central Business District is compact and ideal for walking. Connectabus offers an extensive route network around the area, up to Sunshine Bay and down to Arrowtown.
Several activity providers offer free shuttles to/from the town centre.
During ski season, several shuttle buses run to Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Cardrona Alpine Resort.
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The Winter Festival takes place at the end of June/start of July each year. It's a week of music and fun, fireworks and a Big Air Invitational.
You may be able to visit Two Paddocks, Sam Neill's vineyard, provided you get in touch far enough in advance. The vineyard is about 3km from Clyde and 12km from Alexandra. Pinot Noir is the specialty.
There are several world-class golf courses within 40km of each other including Kelvin Heights, Millbrook and Jacks Point.
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