Queenstown bills itself as the ‘Adventure Capital of the World.’ You can experience a number of heart-dropping activities here from jet-boating, to bungy jumping, to white water river sledging (yes, really). Needless to say, a trip to Queenstown, New Zealand, can very easily break your budget.
Yet it doesn’t have to. There are many budget friendly activities to keep you busy in Queenstown. While I’m basing myself in Queenstown for the winter season, I’ll run a couple options for the budget conscious traveler in Queesntown. Today, I’m featuring a photo essay from my recent hike to the summit of Queesntown Hill.
It will cost you nothing and the views from the 800 meter summit are superb. The walk leaves from town and is well sign-posted. The path is in excellent condition and takes you through a pine forrest before reaching the summit of Te Tapu-nui (Mountain of Intense Sacredness). If you’re in moderate fitness, you can expect the walk to take about two hours return – yet I’d allow more time at the summit to relax and take in the stunning 360 degree views. Enjoy.
Queenstown Hill Hike (Photo Essay)
Lake Wakatipu
Lake Wakatipu
Nearing the Summit
Lake Wakitipu
Snow covered mountains
Cairn at the Summit
The Remarkables
Sun Setting
Coronet Peak Ski Field
Lake Wakatipu From the Summit
Sun Setting
Passing Airplane
View of Queenstown
The Remarkables
Lake Wakatipu
Snow Dusted Peak
It’s an excellent hike to the summit, and well worth your time if you’re visiting Queenstown. Best part about the hike? It won’t break your budget like the rest of Queenstown will.
Twitter Updates
4 July 2010 at 10:21 pm
These are the most breathtaking photos Matt! Absolutely stunning. I am so longing to go back there. We really only used it as a base to go to other places (I was on a geology field trip). I only caught a glimpse of the beauty. The colours on the mountains and the water are amazing. It must have been a lovely day.
Verity last blog: Friday five -8211 what to eat in Tübingen
5 July 2010 at 1:49 am
Beautiful photos Matt! We have wanted to go to Queenstown ourselves and have had the same worry. It would be too expensive to really enjoy all the adventure activities. It is good to be reminded that you don’t have to spend a fortune to have a great time!
5 July 2010 at 5:27 am
What a photo essay! Really amazing pictures. I love hiking and I can’t wait to make it to New Zealand. One day!
TravelholicA last blog: 10 Must See Places in Morocco
6 July 2010 at 6:08 pm
Wow, what fantastic photos, Matt!!! It makes me sick for New Zealand in the worst way! Queenstown is gorgeous, especially with snow on the mountains like that. It looks like you had a great day for your hike.
I’m going to go state at these photos some more now…
Amanda last blog: Cruise Photo of the Week- Seattle
10 July 2010 at 1:07 pm
@Verity Thanks! It was a great day for a hike. You’ll have to come back to take in everything Queenstown has to offer.
@Dave and Deb Easy to break the budget here, but plenty to do for free. Thanks for the compliment.
@TravelholicA Thanks!
@Amanada Sorry to make you miss NZ more! You’ll be back sooner or later I know!
11 July 2010 at 3:28 am
Matt, great job on the photos. The area has a very Alaskan look to it. I never realized New Zealand got so snowy.
11 July 2010 at 12:01 pm
@Eli Thanks! Queentown is a winter resort town – so while there isn’t snow in town throughout the winter, a 45 minute bus ride gets you to two ski fields.