Lively Queenstown

Queenstown - after the sleepy West Coast, the adventure capital of New Zealand can be overwhelming. From gondola rides to jet boating to bungee jumping, there are activities here for all ages and speeds. It's the main hub for adrenaline junkies and a must-do for us on our trip.

First things first: we skipped the bungee jump. Instead, we went on the luge, which is a mix of summer tobogganing and go-karting and surprisingly a lot of fun. We also treated ourselves to a 4-hour tour that included off-road elements and Lord of the Rings filming locations. This gave us not only a glimpse of the bustling city center but also a good overview of the surrounding area.

After so many adventures, we left Queenstown and headed towards Glenorchy. 'The journey is the destination' is probably the most fitting description for this route, as the road takes you through beautiful landscapes while Glenorchy itself doesn't have much to offer. So after a hike to Lake Sylvan, we immediately turned back and now we are heading to Milford Sound.

And of course, the bird of the day shouldn't be missing. Today: cheeky, greedy ducks that don't eat bread crumbs like normal ducks, but wait for fries on the grass and even bite into your burger without asking if you're not careful. What would this country be without ducks.