February 2012

SUMMER MOUNTAIN HIGHS

Queenstown, the "adventure capital of the world", is not just a winter skiing destination. It offers fuel-injected fun all summer long

WORDS KIP BROOK

9am After arriving at Queenstown Airport, the Limousine South coach bus (tel: +64 (3) 442 9299) whisks us past panoramic peaks to St Moritz, the hotel with the best five-star view in town (10-18 Brunswick St, tel: +64 (3) 442 4990). The suite overlooking the lake has spectacular views.

9.30am For the best and biggest breakfast in town, head to Fergburger (42 Shotover St, tel: +64 (3) 441 1232). Ask for the "Fluffer".

11am: A thrilling Kawarau jet boat ride, which hits speeds over 90km/h and does 360 degree spins, produces squeals of fun from passengers (Main Town Pier, Marine Pde, tel: +64 (3) 409 0000).

12.30pm Head on a You vs Wild survival experience, based on the Bear Grylls' TV program (tel: +64 (3) 442 7126). On the Sam Summers' Hut track, guide Peter teaches you how to make an aspirin from a tree, which plants can be safely eaten, what plant to use as an antiseptic and how to filter water.

3pm Back in town, sip a latte outside at Vudu Café (23 Beach St, tel: +64 (3) 442 5357) and watch a stream of paragliders float off "gondola hill" before landing safely in a park.

3.30pm Grab a hire bike and take it up the gondola to hit more than 30km of forest tracks in the new Queenstown Mountain Bike Park (tel: +64 (3) 441 0074).

4.30pm Enjoy a long soak in a hot tub at St Moritz.

6pm: Head to Wai restaurant (Beach St, Steamer Wharf, tel: +64 (3) 442 5969) for yummy whitebait and salmon, washed down with a tasty Spy Valley chardonnay. Superb hostess Katie suggests going to Below Zero Ice Bar (Searle Ln, tel +64 (3) 409 0040) for a drink, or possibly a Lake Wakatipu trip on the steamship Earnslaw which is celebrating its 100th anniversary later this year.

7.30pm Around the waterfront, girls in bikinis and guys in baggy shorts get the last of the sun on the lakeside beach. It's a rush and I haven't even tried skydiving, rafting, bungy jumping, the world's highest canyon swing or river surfing yet.

8pm Around dusk, unwind with a spa at Sofitel (8 Duke St, tel: +64 (3) 450 0045). Their spa was named Travel + Leisure magazine's best spa in the world this year.