Queenstown

The city of Queenstown is located on the South Island, on a promontory in Lake Wakatipu, an elongated lake with spectacular views from the surrounding mountains. Its name, according to the most popular story, comes from a local gold prospector who exclaimed that the city was “fit for Queen Victoria.” The city is known as a tourist destination and as the adventure capital of the world, due to the variety of activities it offers, from adventure sports to skiing. Bungy jumping, rafting, jet boating, and river surfing are popular activities on the river. It is one of the top winter sports destinations in New Zealand, with many people coming to enjoy the snow at one of its four ski resorts: Cardrona Alpine Resort, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, and Treble Cone. It also enjoys a strong reputation as one of the country's major centers for food and wine.