Author: Pushpitha Wijesinghe

Soaring over Otago on South Island, New Zealand, The Remarkables is a colossal piece of mountainous landmass famed as one of the best skiing areas in the region. Synonymous with its name, the range rises from the shores of Lake Wakatipu creating a mesmerizing backdrop to the already spectacular body of glistening waters.

From gentle slopes for the novice to more challenging steeps for the professional, the Remarkables ski-field boasts of a fantastic combination of progressive terrain. Enjoy that rush of adrenaline pump through your veins, or feel the tempting sensation as you calm you nerves with a steaming mug of chocolate or drinks. Top the entire venture off with a weekend of live entertainment. Many instructors and ski-centres are available for help and guidance, as well as a Queenstown resort for comfortable accommodation. Snuggle into a comfy hotel bedroom at Copthorne Hotel & Resort Queenstown after a day of thrilling slope-rides, a hotel  Queenstown New Zealand where modern conveniences meet friendly hospitality.

Popularly known for some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Otago, Queenstown is a visual and visceral paradise that is as unearthly as its representation in Peter Jackson’s Hollywood blockbuster, The Lord of the Rings. The stunning geographical attributes that were immortalized in the famed trilogy which cast the area as Tolkien’s magical Middle Earth, is now open to visitors with a deep love of nature and an unwavering spirit of adventure.
   
Due to the sheer variety of Queenstown’s topographical features, the area is littered with hiking and walking trails that take walkers on a visual journey like no other. The Hollyford Track is perhaps the area’s most popular walking trail as the 3 day tour of the track offers visitors more than hurried glimpses of cloud gracing mountains, idyllic rivers, stunning coastal areas, clear lakes and native rainforests. Mount Aspiring is another well worn trail while the renowned Routeburn Track takes hikers across Fiordland National Park which is south west New Zealand’s revered World Heritage Site.

Mountaineers and other explorers can head up to Bob’s Peak to enjoy panoramic views of the hamlet while those with a flair for adventure can take a mind-blowing luge ride from the summit as well. White-water rafting enthusiasts on the other hand can traverse the challenging waters of Shotover Kawarau and Landsborough rivers. Boat rides and jet boating activities are also available on Shotover River and Lake Wakatipu.

Bungy jumpers and avid sky divers can expect jaw-dropping thrills and spills at the iconic Kawarau Bridge Bungy experience which was incidentally the first 43-metre bungy experience in New Zealand. Other adventure sporting activities in Queenstown include paragliding, biscuiting and wakeboarding while waterskiing opportunities are also available at many of the district’s lakes and beaches.

Famed as a Kiwi wine producing heartland, Queenstown is home to dozens of sprawling vineyards and ancient wineries that can be explored via wine trail tours in the area. Vintage wine lovers from across the world in fact head down to Queenstown each year to sip, search and wander along the fruit laden vineyards of this breathtaking corner of Otago.

Travellers in search of centrally located Queenstown hotel accommodation should look no further than Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview. Offering guests contemporary living spaces with modern features, this stylish rest is a Accommodation Queenstown New Zealand that caters to business and leisure guests alike.

Considered one of the most engaging water sporting activities on the planet, white water rafting is fast gaining pace as one of the world’s premier recreational pastimes. Requiring no specific skill and fitness level, this seemingly challenging sport is accessible to most individuals with an adventurous spirit and ‘can-do’ attitude! Due to its increasing popularity certain destinations across the world have been dubbed white water rafting hotspots and the hilltop hideaway of Kitulgala in Sri Lanka is no different.

Considered the best white water rafting area in this island paradise, the charming hamlet of Kitulgala is a verdant landscape littered with tropical foliage, thick jungles and its fair share of cascades and water bodies. Crisscrossed by the Kelani River at various junctures, this seemingly sleepy town is a hotbed of activity during the month of May as the area is teeming with white water rafting enthusiasts from across the world.

Located a mere 80 kms from the commercial capital Colombo, Kitulgala is perhaps best known as the shooting location for David Lean’s 1957 Oscar winning film “Bridge on the River Kwai”. But this idyllic setting flanked by towering green hills is also ideal for white water rafting as the Kelani River is obstructed by several imposing boulders in the area, creating perfectly thrilling conditions for a challenging but secure rafting experience. Bordered by lush tropical beauty, the rapids available at Kitulgala are suitable for novice rafters and seasoned experts alike.

Composed of 90 minute runs which stretch across 6.5 kms, the white water rafting excursions at Kitulgala will pass through at least five grade two or three rapids. Curiously named Butter Crunch, Head Chopper, Rib Cage and Killer Fall, the rapids along the Kelani River are sufficiently safe for even children to navigate. The rafts will pick up speed as they approach Head Chopper on a channel in the right hand shores of the river as tree branches and other obstacles threaten to obstruct the path of the raft’s decent.

The period between May and December are deemed ideal for rafting activities while aptly named ‘black water rafting excursions’ consisting of night time rafting with headlights takes place on full moon nights for adrenalin junkies who dare to sign up for this unique nocturnal adventure!

Travellers in need of a premier Sri Lanka car rental service will find no finer alterative to the Malkey Rent A Car company. Offering tourists a wide range of self driving and chauffer driven vehicle options, this top-notch Sri Lanka car hire company pulls out all the stops when it comes to providing clients with premium vehicles.

Located on the enchanting shores of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown, New Zealand is a breath-taking heaven on earth. This picturesque city surrounded by majestic mountains is a popular tourist destination in the southern hemisphere. Queenstown is well known for adventure sports and is also known as the ‘adventure capital of the world’. You can engage in bungee jumping, sky diving, skiing, white water rafting and many more adrenaline pumping activities while visiting this fascinating town full of excitement. Queenstown is also renowned for winter sports. Ski enthusiasts from New Zealand and abroad flock to this city as it offers some of the best ski locations in the world.

Skippers Canyon is a scenic gorge which is more than 20 kilometres in length and is located to the north of Queenstown. It is where the beautiful Shotover River flows. You can go on an exciting white water rafting adventure in the Shotover River. Most of the resorts in the area provide a host of activities which include rafting as well as exploring the surrounding area. Skippers Canyon was once known as a gold town during the gold rush in the 19th century. During this time the Shotover River was referred to as the ‘richest river in the world’. You can easily visit Skippers Canyon as a day trip from Queenstown.

Queenstown is home to more than 75 wineries which produce some of the finest wines in the region. You can go on a tour of a vineyard while sipping some excellent wine and enjoy the alluring scenery. Queenstown has a host of cafes, pubs, bars and restaurants to choose from. You can go for a cafe to have a quick breakfast or step into a fine dining restaurant to indulge in international cuisine. The city has a vibrant nightlife as well so you can dance the night away after an adventurous day.

If you are looking for accommodation Queenstown New Zealand has a myriad of options to choose from. When it comes to hotel accommodation Queenstown offers you world class service and options ranging from boutique hotels to international resorts. Kingsgate Hotel Terraces Queenstown is one such option where you can relax and enjoy the breath-taking scenery while being attended to with excellent service.

Located just 20 minutes from scenic Queenstown, Cornet Peak is New Zealand’s most popular Ski area. Offering diverse terrain, glorious panoramic views and a cosmopolitan atmosphere, it is no surprise that this mountain terrain has elevated to true international status, a standard that was easily achieved with the multi-million dollar makeover that took place there in the summer of 2010. Today, the peak is home to world renowned events such as the Queenstown Winter Festival and the 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games. Seasoned skiers can now enjoy the rolling trails or night skiing while armatures can easily discover their snow feet. And when the day is done, visitors can relax with a pizza and beer or a thick hot chocolate at an array of restaurants and cafés located in the base area. Skiing enthusiasts on the lookout for a luxury hotel Queenstown need not look any further than Millennium Hotel Queenstown, a 4 star Queenstown hotel that offers a luxurious spa and sauna to rejuvenate after a long day on the slopes.