When most people think of New Zealand, they think of beautiful landscapes, stunning views, lots of nature, and crazy adventure sports. And that’s because those are the things people most often write and post photos about. But I would imagine that very few people, upon hearing “New Zealand,” would think of the Beehive in Wellington, the harbor in Auckland, or the cobbled streets of Queenstown.
People know OF New Zealand’s cities. But I would hazard a guess that not many people have any idea what they actually look like.
So for the next couple of Fridays, I’ll be highlighting a different aspect of New Zealand for you, doing my best to show you what this beautiful country’s cities and towns look like beyond the rolling green hills and snow-capped mountains.
This week, the spotlight falls on Queenstown.
You can't hate a town with this kind of setting, can you?
Queenstown is usually associated with New Zealand’s thriving adventure sport scene. Things like bungy jumping and jet boating were invented in this small southern town (yes, literally invented), and it fills up during the winter months with skiers and snowboarders eager to tackle the slopes of the nearby Southern Alps. But Queenstown is more than just pretty views and endless fun activities. This town of 30,000 has a unique character all its own that many people aren’t aware of until they arrive there. Why? Because most photos of this resort town focus on the thrillseekers and the awe-inspiring landscapes. Very rarely do you see the streets of Queenstown.
Until now, that is! Here’s a quick photo tour of downtown Queenstown:
A street in downtown Queenstown
One of the main roads through town
Another downtown street
View from the stairs that lead towards the Skyline Gondola
Neighborhood near the Skyline Gondola, with the Remarkables in the background
The infamous Fergburger!
Walking near the lakefront
St. Peter's Anglican Church
A roundabout in downtown Queenstown
The town's WWI memorial
I love the streets here
The view from a Nomads (hostel) balcony down Church Street toward Lake Wakatipu
Homes, apartments, and hotels along the Lake Wakatipu shore
The view out over Lake Wakatipu from the Queenstown Gardens
I know this photo essay wasn’t nearly as long as my last one on Wellington, but you have to be aware that Queenstown is relatively tiny in comparison to New Zealand’s capital. While Wellington has traffic lights and highways and lots of traffic, Queenstown has roundabouts and alleyways and lots of tourists. There’s a completely different vibe in Queenstown, but it’s one that can easily be infectious.
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