Lake Wakatipu is renowned for its scenic beauty, being surrounded by mountains. The Remarkables mountain range lies along its south eastern edge. With the world famous town of Queenstown at the base of the river, it is a popular place for adventure tourism.
You can bungy jump off a 43 metre high suspension bridge and descend into the Kawarau River, one of the tributaries of the Lake. You can also paraglide and hanglide over it. The uninterrupted view makes the anxiety worth it. The Remarkables ski area is not too far away and tramping tracks abound. And of course there is the white knuckle jet boat rides!
Nobody came to Lake Wakatipu and said "I'm bored!".
For something slightly more relaxing the vintage steamboat, the TSS Earnslaw regularly cruises its waters. 'The Lady of the Lake' has been plying its trade for about a century. It was originally designed to carry sheep, cattle, and passengers to high country stations around the lake, today the Earnslaw runs tourist cruises to the Walter Peak high country station.
If you want to be more of a participator you can help sail a former America’s Cup Yacht around the lake. There is no engine noise, just the sound of wind and the water and the grunt from the grinders who haul in the sail.
There is an old Māori legend that the lake has a taniwha sleeping in it and when the taniwha breathes in the water level drops and when the taniwha breathes out the water level rises. The best way to experience this story for yourself is in Bob's cave where the water will rise and fall quite rapidly.
Queenstown, Otago
