Explore Queenstown in Spring: A Perfect Blend of City Life and Enchanting Fairyland

[Day 1 in Queenstown, after a delightful ride on the TSS steamship at noon, we embarked on a city walk and Skyline adventures in the afternoon. Queenstown buzzes with energy; it was the first time during our journey from Fox Glacier along the West Coast of the South Island that we struggled to find a parking spot.

[Goodnight] We decided to park our car at the homestay in Fernhill and catch the bus into the city center. I must mention the current bus fares in New Zealand; it costs NZD 4 per person in cash, which feels quite steep given the local prices [gossip]. Of course, you can buy a card from the driver, but it still sets you back NZD 2 per ride, which is double the previous price.

[Fairy] For activities in Queenstown, beyond the adrenaline-pumping extreme sports, I covered the TSS steamship experience in my previous post. This time, I’ll focus on the Skyline 🚡. We purchased a package that included a round-trip cable car, 5 luge rides 🛴, and dinner, all for ¥671 per person via Flying Pig, which was a pretty good deal.

The cable car ride is brief, and you swiftly reach the hilltop, where you can pick up and wear your helmet. Important ⚠️: Don’t return the helmet right away, as you need the QR code on it for the second cable car ride and for photo opportunities 📸 during the luge. If you want to keep the photos, make sure to hold onto the helmet.

[Longboard] The luge experience was fantastic overall. For beginners, there’s a teaching track where staff will guide you on how to control the luge, and then you can move on to the regular tracks. During our first two rounds, there were quite a few people, and the teenagers were particularly daring [crescent moon], not minding their speed at all, making it easy to get bumped.

So, stay alert and be safe [hug]. You can snap some great photos at high points (P1-3) during the ride. After finishing the luge, head to the restaurant and wait for your meal. The 5 luge rides take about 1.5 hours, so if you go up the mountain around 5 PM, it’s best to book a dinner slot between 6:45 PM and 7:15 PM.

When we checked in at the bottom, we tried to pay extra for a VIP window seat, but they were fully booked. To our surprise, we were offered a free window seat during the meal, which was a delightful bonus [beer]. The dinner received unanimous praise from our friends.

[Exploring] Outside the restaurant, there’s a gift shop selling souvenirs and a dedicated viewing platform where you can witness the breathtaking sunset over the snow-capped mountains 🌇 (P4-5). It’s a popular spot for photos. In spring, the wind at the top of Queenstown can be quite strong, so make sure to bundle up and stay warm.]