11/03/2018 - 'Once Queenstown with everything, please!'

When the traveler thinks of 'Queenstown' in New Zealand, the words tourism, adrenaline, and Fergburger might come to mind.

After traveling for almost four months, we took a week-long 'break' in Queenstown. During this time, we got an impression of what is happening in the city on a daily basis. Our campsite was only five minutes away from the city center, so we walked into town almost every day - in the morning, at noon, and in the evening.

On the first evening, Queenstown presented us with one of its beautiful sunsets. It's no wonder they are among the most beautiful in the region. The view over Lake Wakatipu and the mountains behind which the sun sets is unique.
We were amazed when, towards the end of the sunset, we could take our eyes off the view and noticed that there was a lot going on at the beach. It felt like the entire city had gathered here to watch the sunset.
But we must also admit: This was probably our most beautiful sunset in New Zealand - so far. :)

As soon as the first rays of sun hit the city, everything goes back to normal. Mountain bikers race down the mountains, skydivers fly through the air, and tourist offices try to sell activities. The 'Luge' is an absolute classic. We took the cable car up to 'Ben Lomond'. In addition to a great view of the relatively small city center of Queenstown and the lake, you can find some attractions here. The adventurous ones went bungee jumping, others hiked to the summit of the mountain, and we did five rounds on the Luge.
The Luge is a kind of soapbox. With the help of a lever, like on a summer toboggan run, you brake and accelerate the vehicle. However, there is no fixed track for the Luge to ride on, instead, you race down an asphalted track. You can decide for yourself how tight you want to cut the corner. Because every rider is able to steer the Luge to the left or right. Overtaking maneuvers are possible and make the descent a real adventure.
Before you can ride the Luge for the first time, you have to go through a short briefing. If you have successfully mastered the briefing and received the 'Luge seal' (= stamp on the hand), nothing stands in the way of the ride. Wheee - and after each ride, you go back up with the chairlift.
We had a lot of fun and had a hard time deciding which of the two tracks we liked better. The blue track was much wider, making overtaking much easier. The red track, on the other hand, was steeper and therefore more challenging.

After the adrenaline rush, most people probably get hungry. Therefore, in Queenstown, the most famous burger joint in New Zealand is located. 'Fergburger' is an institution that every visitor to Queenstown must visit at least once. However, be prepared for longer waiting times, as the demand is high and the line outside the door is long.
Of course, we didn't miss the spectacle and lined up at the back of the line. We were provided with a menu so we had enough time to decide which burger we wanted today. After 30 minutes, we could place our order at the counter. After another 20 minutes, we had the food bag in our hands. We quickly walked to the lake and looked for a cozy spot on the wall or on the beach. We didn't hesitate for long and enjoyed the delicious food. And truly, it was the best burger we have ever had in our lives. The bun was fluffy and crispy at the same time, the sauces tasty, the vegetables crunchy, and the main components were perfect! Tobi chose a tofu burger and I chose the classic Ferg. Yummyy!
But be careful! While enjoying your meal, you need to watch out. Because local ducks and seagulls know exactly which bag you're holding. So not only once did we observe the sneaky behavior of the birds. Quietly and slowly, they approach from behind. It is not uncommon for the animals to snatch a bite even though the burger is in your hand. ;)
In addition to the burger joint, there are two other shops that belong to the company. 'Fergbakery' and 'Mrs. Ferg Gelateria' are also highly recommended.

After filling our stomachs with delicious treats, a digestive stroll through 'Queentown Gardens' is a good idea. It includes a small ice rink, a frisbee golf course, and a skate park. Furthermore, from the circular path, you have a beautiful view of the city's bay. So you can watch the hustle and bustle on the water and in the sky for hours. Whether it's paragliders floating through the air or 'mini-submarines' in the shape of a shark body shooting along above and below the water's surface. You will never get bored watching. Occasionally, a historic, fancy steamboat also cruises across the lake.

But it's not only during the day that there is something for the curious onlooker, there is also entertainment in the evenings. Either you listen to the street musicians or let yourself be entertained by one of the artists.
When we visited the city in the late evening, there was a lot going on. During our evening stroll, we discovered a French street artist who caught everyone's attention with his show. We also joined in and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. Pleasant outdoor temperatures, cozy get-togethers, good entertainment, and relaxed people - what more could you want on a late summer day?
The restaurants and bars were also well-attended. The city comes to life - day and night.

If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle for a while, 'Arrowtown' is a good place to go. The town is not far from Queenstown and is an old gold mining site. Former cottages have been rebuilt, giving you a small insight into how people lived in the 19th century. If you want to try gold panning yourself, you can either take a gold panning course or rent a kit at a nearby café to search for gold in the Arrow River.
In addition, the main street with its little shops and cafés invites you to linger.

On March 10th, Nadine's birthday, we were greeted with a bright blue sky. It started with a delicious breakfast. We specially got a baguette and croissants from Fergbakery. Then we went into town to do some shopping. After sending a postcard to my grandma, we went to the lakeshore. There we saw that live music was being played and a weekly market was set up. So we walked past the stands - in addition to traditional handicrafts, there were various jewelry traders and photographers showcasing their best works. We then took a seat on the nearby lawn and spent a while listening to the two Irish musicians. The atmosphere was relaxed and carefree - everyone enjoyed the sunshine, mild temperatures, and beautiful music.
In the afternoon, we returned to the campsite and used the car wash to clean the car from the outside. As a reward and to celebrate the day, we made a chocolate mug cake. :)
In the evening, we had arranged to Skype with the family before enjoying a delicious dinner. At 11:00 PM, a long and beautiful day came to an end.

To conclude our visit to Queenstown, the 'capital of adrenaline' bid us farewell with an adrenaline rush. We couldn't leave the city without experiencing some thrills. So we booked a ride on the jet boat for our last day.
During our trip through New Zealand, we have seen several offers of this kind, but here is where the wild ride originated.
The adventure began at 2:00 PM. We were provided with rain capes and life jackets, and soon after, we boarded the boat. Luckily, it was not fully booked, so everyone had enough space.
The first part of the route took us across Lake Wakatipu to a river mouth. We zoomed past various obstacles, such as buoys or bridge piers, only a few centimeters away. During this section, we had a nice view of the different districts of Queenstown. The next section, over the 'Kawarau River,' became significantly faster. It led close to thickets and the riverbank. The driver spun the entire boat around 360° - within the fraction of a second. After the already much faster passage, we continued on the 'Shotover River.' This section was much shallower and more unpredictable. Depending on the water level, there are always new routes to choose from, which the driver has to decide between in no time. Since the jet boat only needs a water depth of a mere 5cm while driving, you could see the riverbed very well. This created a queasy feeling and added to the thrill.
In addition to the many spins and the low water levels, we also regularly got splashed in the face with water. This provided refreshment and added to the fun throughout the ride.
On the way back, the wind created high waves, which forced us to slow down a bit. After an hour and one last spin before reaching the gates of Queenstown, the wild ride ended way too soon. We would have loved to zoom across the water's surface for even longer.
Since we were able to save on the tickets, we treated ourselves to a small photo folder as a souvenir. :)
Before we continued, we got another Fergburger for the second time.

And so, our one-week stay in this beautiful city came to an end. Despite the many tourists, Queenstown showed itself from its most beautiful side and left a great, lasting impression.