It feels so fitting, that as I’m flying into Queenstown, a.k.a the adventure capital of New Zealand, the plane’s descent feels like I’m on a theme park ride. It twists and turns, manoeuvring between the mountains and giving us the most amazing views. We haven’t even landed, and I already feel a rush.
Queenstown
As soon as my feet touch the ground, it’s straight up the Skyline Gondola Hill to the top of Bob’s Peak to start my Ziptrek Ecotour Adventure, an obstacle course of flying foxes or gravity-fed zip lines that take you from tree to tree. The views of the Remarkables and down to Lake Wakatipu from up here are just breathtaking – there’s no other word for it.
Hot Tip – leave some time in your itinerary to enjoy the spectacular views while you’re here, wear comfortable clothes and make sure you have a big breakfast for energy- it’s going to be a big day!
On arrival, we meet our friendly guides Jess and Jags, who are our guardian angels for the next three hours. The tour I’ve chosen is the Kea 6-Line Tour – a.k.a, the full monty.
Jess, me and Jags, our guardian angels.
We head down into a treehouse (a platform hanging out over the treetops- eek!) and get harnessed and helmeted up with all the necessary equipment (safety first for these guys).
One of the amazing tree platforms that we swing between.
Jess and Jags chat to each of us as they tighten our harnesses, asking where each of us is from, cracking a few jokes, and making everyone feel at ease. On tour, we have a French couple, an Englishman, a Dutch family, and a couple of token kiwis.
Our group just before the fun!
We head down to the first zip line, and as no one else is offering to go first, I bravely volunteer. After my equipment is fastened and checked, I launch myself off the platform, let out a bit of a squeal and go flying down the first line, relaxing when the next tree house comes into view.
Zooming down the zip line
Weeee!!
The first couple of lines are a breeze, so on the second and third we’re encouraged to try going upside down, and from then on it’s just free styling, seeing who can do the best tricks – the splits, upside down, the cannonball, and the ‘trust zip’ – where you fall backwards off the platform with your hands behind your back!
The ‘upside down!’
I’d recommend the Kea 6-Line Tour for the fact you get to experience the world’s steepest tree to tree zipline. It is SO exhilarating- can I do it again?
During the tour, we learn about sustainability, and how passionate Ziptrek Ecotours are about minimizing impact on the environment. Jags recites a few Maori legends about the local area which are interesting and amusing. It’s so peaceful up in the trees with just the sounds of birds tweeting and leaves rustling in the wind. An afternoon well spent, and a definite must-do in Queenstown.
Zipline Ecotours run every day of the year. Book your own Zip Trek Eco Tour here.