On my second visit to New Zealand, my initial plan was to trek the stunning Milford Sound – the eighth wonder of the world. However, New Zealand's weather is considered "unpredictable," meaning nothing can be predicted, and I only found out the trek was cancelled due to bad weather just days before departure. Disappointed, I decided to change my itinerary to Queenstown, and unexpectedly, just a few days later, I was completely captivated by Queenstown!
The Queen's Residence
It is said that, in the late 19th century, the first British immigrants to settle on New Zealand's South Island exclaimed, "This place should be the Queen's residence!" The name Queenstown originates from this, not from the presence of ancient castles like those seen in movies or in imagination.
From Wanaka to Queenstown, I chose the Crown Range – an elevated route with breathtaking views. The perspective from the pass offers a panoramic view of picturesque Queenstown, while I was mesmerized, like a fool secretly admiring his first love. It was the time when the weather was gradually transitioning from autumn to winter, and nature was adorned with its most vibrant colors.
Along the mountain slopes, covered with coniferous forests and golden meadows, I sighed, thinking that only Mother Nature could possess such masterful artistic talent, wielding countless colors—yellow, green, red, and orange—in a way that was both spontaneous and harmonious.
The car meandered down the valley towards the helicopter landing pad, and I was incredibly excited about my first experience here: a panoramic view of Queenstown from the snow-capped mountain peak by helicopter. The tour lasted about 30 minutes, with 20 minutes of ascent and descent and 10 minutes for visitors to enjoy the magnificent scenery from the mountaintop. Only from the top could I truly appreciate the sheer size of Lake Wakatipu – the longest lake in New Zealand. I remember it was a beautiful sunny day; Wakatipu gently curved around the snow-capped mountains like a silken ribbon of turquoise, and the sun danced on my shoulders.
Cuisine of the elite
After my aerial sightseeing, I returned to the city center and headed to Fergburger to refuel. The shop is quite modest, located on Shotover Street, but it was voted the best hamburger shop in the world by CNNGo.
It took me 20 minutes of queuing and another 10 minutes of waiting before I could enjoy this enormous burger. The crispy, charcoal-grilled bun, the glistening cheese, the flavorful beef, and the rich, signature sauce all blended together in my mouth, making me feel like I was melting. The best place to enjoy this burger is perched on the shore of Lake Wakatipu at sunset, as the city lights come on and street performers begin their joyful tunes.
When mentioning Queenstown, one must mention the vineyards with their time-honored winemaking recipes. I can suggest Amisfield Winery & Bistro, which owns one of the largest vineyards in the region and was also the place where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge enjoyed fine wines during their visit in April 2014. The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating; if the weather isn't too cold, choose a wooden table under the trees and admire the stunning scenery. Besides the superb wines, each dish here is prepared with locally sourced ingredients and refined aesthetics, requiring patience from diners to savor. Therefore, don't be surprised if a meal lasts around two hours.
Queenstown - a place to challenge your senses.
If Queenstown were merely charmingly beautiful, I wouldn't be so captivated. Nature has bestowed upon Queenstown many unique landscapes, with towering cliffs, deep gorges, and winding rivers. It's known as a world adventure paradise, offering a multitude of thrilling and heart-pounding adventure activities. As an adventure enthusiast, I couldn't resist experiencing as many of the challenges here as possible.
The experience begins with the seemingly mild Shotover Jetboat: a speed challenge on the Shotover River. Visitors board in groups, equipped with waterproof jackets and safety vests. After a brief introduction to the calm waters, the jetboat accelerates and speeds into rocky areas. Occasionally, it spins 360 degrees or seemingly crashes into a cliff before making a spectacular turn into the next section of the river in just 5 seconds. It all happened in a split second, but my heart stopped beating, and I didn't dare let go of the railing. However, it's undeniable that once you dare to try this thrilling yet exhilarating activity, you'll understand the feeling of fear mixed with excitement. You'll feel completely drained after about 20 minutes of screaming your heart out on the Shotover River.
Even now, when I recall the feeling of standing on the Kawarau Bridge that morning preparing for bungee jumping, my heart still races. Imagine yourself standing on the edge of a bridge without railings, with a bottomless abyss below, your heart pounding and your mind seemingly drifting to some other world – that's the feeling of being immersed in the world of bungee jumping. Many people come here and participate in this activity as a way to challenge themselves. The most nerve-wracking moment is the decision: jump – or – not jump. Just one step and you feel like you're soaring from the bottom of the abyss to the top. As you step into the void, your heart, which seemed to have stopped beating, suddenly fills with energy, as if liberated. You leap down, then bounce up repeatedly. You'll feel "I can fly!" freely and effortlessly amidst the breathtaking scenery of nature.
On my last night in Queenstown, I treated myself to a cruise on the lake aboard the legendary Earnslaw. This 105-year-old steamship, built in the same year as the Titanic, is affectionately nicknamed "Lady of Lake Wakatipu" by the locals. After a whistle, the ship glided smoothly across the water, with the shimmering cityscape in the distance. Inside, passengers bustled about with music and revelry, like a scene from a 1900s American film. I walked towards the bow, through the wheelhouse where the sailors busily loaded coal into the furnace, and enjoyed the gentle breeze, feeling a sudden pang of sadness, as if I were about to part ways with a loved one.
I've always believed that every place I've been, every person I've met, is a matter of fate, and that fate brought me here. On the day I left New Zealand, Queenstown welcomed the first snowflakes, signaling the arrival of winter, and I knew that I would return to this place to visit the "queen" of my heart.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ButTrip:Air travel is the only way to travel from Vietnam to New Zealand. Currently, many airlines in Vietnam offer connecting flights to New Zealand, such as Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar, Qantas, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, etc. Notably, from June 28th to October 28th, 2018, travelers can fly directly from Saigon to Auckland with Air New Zealand on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
ButVisa:Visitors can access the New Zealand Embassy website for more details: www.nzembassy.com.
- Vehicle:
Transportation in New Zealand is very convenient and well-organized. You can travel by any means of transport such as cars, motorbikes, bicycles, buses, trains, etc. However, you should choose a car or motorbike because New Zealand has many beautiful roads and traffic laws are not too strict.
If you want to rent a self-drive car, you can contact Gorental (http://www.gorentals.co.nz/), a company specializing in renting tourist vehicles from 4 to 9 seats. Rental prices range from approximately 20 to 90 USD per day.
- Accommodation:In New Zealand, there are many types of accommodation to choose from: hostels, farmstays, hotels, homestays, camping, etc. You can stay in whichever type of accommodation you prefer.
- CuisineNew Zealand has many signature dishes you shouldn't miss, including tender meats, dairy products, seafood desserts, ripe fruits and vegetables, especially kiwi, white wine, natural sea salt, chocolate, chutney, and various sauces…
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