Queenstown: The Birthplace of Adventure Tourism
Are you the type of tourist who likes relaxing by a pool, or would you rather be swinging from a 134-meter bungee line in the mountains?
If it's the latter, then adventure tourism might just be your next holiday. And the place? Queenstown, New Zealand.
For those looking for a more exciting holiday, adventure tourism mixes travel with challenging outdoor activities. From white-water rafting to skydiving, there are many ways to adventure, and there's no better place to do so than Queenstown, the birthplace of adventure tourism.
Visitors have been traveling to Queenstown to enjoy its natural beauty since the early 1900s, when walking trails through the area's national parks became popular in the summer months.
Now, over 100 years on, Queenstown welcomes up to a million visitors a year.
From canyons and fjords to national parks and snowy mountains, it's the perfect place for adventure all year round.
To experience the excitement of Queenstown from the water, hop on a jet ski, kayak, canoe, raft or speedboat and cruise the beautiful lake Wakatipu or the surrounding waters.
You might even want to try one of the area's world-first activities, such as commercial jet boating — riding on a high-speed boat that can travel in as little as 3 centimeters of water — invented in 1960 by a New Zealand farmer.
For those who want to stay a little dryer — and go a little higher — there are plenty of air adventures to satisfy even the bravest of adventure tourists. Take a ride on the world's biggest swing or free-fall through the air for 8 seconds on the Nevis Bungee Jump.
Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Why not walk through nature via one of many hiking trails or even ride horseback through river crossings. And ski resorts at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables offer some of the best runs on the planet — all with spectacular views, of course.
1. Have you been to New Zealand? If so, did you visit Queenstown? If not, would you like to?
2. Which of the activities in the article sound the most fun to you?
3. What are the most adventurous things you've done on vacation?
4. What activities would you recommend to thrill-seekers visiting your country?
5. What tourist spots in your country have the most spectacular views?
6. What are the most exciting vacations you've had?
7. What are some of your country's most unique tourist attractions?