Hot Air Ballooning in Queenstown

From my experience, hot air balloon flights very depend on the weather. Even if booking is made in advance, yet the authority has the right to cancel the flights for safety reason, if the weather is not allowed such as raining or windy day.


The next early morning after the rafting, I called to the sunrise balloons and checked if the weather of the day is appropriate for the adventure. It's fine, the person told. Later, my friend Gavin and I were picked up in front of our hostel to the launch field. Before the trip, I had no idea whatsoever about how the hot air balloon works. It’s funny that I thought we could simply jump on the ready balloon basket and the air journey will be started immediately. Hmmm…no no! At least it’s not that simple. In reality, there're some preparations need to be done before everyone could jump on the basket.

Some of the passengers especially men were readily to assist the crew to fill the balloon with air patiently. When the balloon was fully filled, every passenger got on the attached basket. At that point, the basket slowly departed from the field and we’re up up away. Looking down from 7900 feet height, most of the panoramic sceneries of Queenstown were captured into my eyes and I couldn’t help myself from shooting them. On the other hand, a climb at such height made me freezing in the air.

After less than an hour, the basket of the hot air balloon was slowly landed on the field again and then we cooperated to pack the air-released balloon away when the flight was complete.

Pleasingly, we’re handed a certificate each while enjoying the champagne breakfast with everybody in the field.

I eventually did what I longing for, so I would say 28th Sept 2008 was a memorable day and it’s an enjoyable trip for me in Queenstown!

White Water Rafting in Queenstown

The first morning in Queenstown, my friend Gavin and I went to book the rafting at Queenstown Rafting retail centre. We’re given 2 selections to pick, either do it in Shotover River or Kawarau River. The differences are mainly the grade of excitement and the duration. For Kawarau River rafting, it is 2-3 grade rafting and it’ll take 4 hours to complete. As for the Shotover, it is 3-5 grade rafting and it’ll spend about half day. Of course, we choose the rafting in Shotover River since I failed to experience it on my previous visit. We paid $165 each and booked the 1.15 pm route. Yes! This time we eventually got it!


We returned to the retail centre in the afternoon and ready to be picked up by a coach leaving from the downtown. Together with others, we boarded the coach and on an awesome trip traverse the rocky Skippers Canyon. But before we came to the river, we’re sent to a hub to equip ourselves with wetsuit, booties, helmet, both spray and life jackets.


Now we’re at the riverside. All of us were arranged into 4 boats and there's a guide on each boat. After a full safety briefing and instruction were given, we all together put in the boats to the river and our rafting journey started.


Woo…hoo...holding the paddles, we’re excited to raft the river according to the command given by the guide. The water was cold but we had fun. We seemed relaxed and enjoyed the natural surroundings traverse the Red Rocks and Rock Garden section. Conversely, we’re shocked when reached the nerve-wracking rapids of rafting, expressly passed through the Oxenbridge Tunnel! Wow! Extremely excited. Lastly we truly had an adventurous day!

Discovering Queenstown, A Real Queens Town (Day 7)

Before I came to New Zealand, I had ever heard my friend told that Queenstown is the most beautiful town in New Zealand. I’m not going to comment about it but one thing for sure, I couldn't help myself from taking photos like crazy while I was there :D

In Queenstown, I stayed with Yen in the Alpine Lodge Backpackers. Alpine Lodge Backpackers is one of the BBH hostels in New Zealand and it provided a Very cozy and comfortable accommodation with clean and friendly environment. Furthermore, the hostel was a good value to us as it's located almost opposite the Skyline Gondola cable car station.

Living room(upstair)

Kitchen(upstair)

Alpine Lodge Backpackers

Add: 13, Gorge Rd, Queenstown.

Tel: (03) 442 7220

It’s end of autumn. Outside of the hostel, I could see the hills were topped with snows.

On Saturday 24^th May, with Yen, I did ride the Skyline Gondola and went to the Bob's Peak. Along the ride, we enjoyed the views although it’s raining slightly.

View from the window of the cable car

When we reached the peak...OMG! It's so stunning looking from 450m high above the Queenstown township!

It's really the beauty of nature!

We’re extremely thrilled to spend time taking the most beautiful pictures of Queenstown and playing the snows at the peak.

Frankly speaking, perhaps this was nothing to you but this is the very first time both of us saw the real snows in our life. Of course, we wanted to make the most of it and therefore we only willing to leave when it's almost sunset :P

The dessert I had at the Skyline Cafe before leaving

Unlike other places, Queenstown is still happening at night. You may have a walk in the hub and shop for food or souvenirs during night. Queenstown has quite a few souvenir shops, boutique, cafes and restaurants well worth your visit. I actually did a well shopping and tried the good foods there like ice cream, big burger...

Queenstown centre at night

Queenstown is well known for adventurous activities, for example bungy jumping, rafting, skydiving and mountain biking. I was unlucky as failed to participate the white water rafting as intended. The failing was due to the season closed to winter, the snows had blocked the access for road trip to the river. Well, I promised that I’ll definitely come back for the game on spring as long as I’m still in South Island.

All in all, a suitable word to describe this lovely town is... beau-ti-ful! It’s a town that queens will love to live forever. Thus, not to miss a visit to Queenstown!