Third day of my New Zealand trip. I woke up since 5AM to take shower, pack my belonging and checkout from the hotel to catch the Sky Drive Bus at 6AM from Sky City Bus Terminal to Auckland Airport. Today, I planned to fly across to South Island, to Queenstown with Jetstar, flight JQ295 at 8.15AM. The flight time was only 2 hours.
I arrived Auckland Airport, Domestic Terminal at 6.30AM to check-in, drop my baggage at check-in counter and get the boarding pass. The flight was departed and landed at Queenstown Airport (ZQN) on-time at 10.10AM. Once I debarked the aircraft, the first impression of this city was welcoming me with the stunning view of the snow capped mounts at the airport !
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After I claimed by checked-in baggage, I went to the convenient store in the airport to buy BEE CARD. This card is for boarding the bus inside queenstown and neighbourhood cities which is saver than paying by cash up to 60%. The cost of BEE CARD is 5 NZD (3.20 USD) and minimum top-up is 5 NZD. So, I just paid 10 NZD (6.40 USD) to get it. Then, I waited for the Bus number – 1 in front of arrival terminal to get in the city center (Stanley Street Bus Stop). The bus schedule is available in this link : https://www.orc.govt.nz/orbus/queenstown-buses/check-your-timetables/1-sunshine-bay-to-remarkables-shops. It took only 25 minutes to reach the city center. The bus fare from the airport by BEE CARD is 1.50 NZD/person (1 USD). Please remember to tap-in and tap-out BEE CARD every time when you get-in and get-off the bus.
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The bus was arrived Stanley Street Bus Stop at 10.50AM, exactly to the schedule. I booked Nomad Queenstown Hostel in advance already as this hotel is affordable for solo-traveling and located in the heart of the city. The check-in time is 3PM, I walked to hostel which is 350 meters from the bus stop to leave my baggage before coming back to check-in later. At 11.30AM, I started to explore Queenstown by walking to the first place of the day to see the panoramic view of The Adventure Capital of the World, Bob’s Peak. It is the hill in Queenstown city with 1,100 meters above sea level. To get to the top, it has Gondola service by Skyline Queenstown. The gondola station is just 750 meters away from the hotel. The gondola ticket can be purchased by online or walk-in (I recommend to purchase in advance by online to avoid the long queue). The gondola ticket price for round trip (up and down) is 64 NZD/person (40 USD). Furthermore, it has additional ticket for Adventurous visitor to purchase and play at Bob’s Peak such as Luge ride too.
I arrived the gondola station at noon as I strolled slowly through the city center and enjoyed the peaceful and breathtaking landscape of lakeside community. It was Tuesday but it still had many tourist queuing to buy the ticket by walk-in. As I had e-ticket already, I could use QR code to board the gondola directly. The gondola took about 15 minutes from lower station to Skyline Viewing Gallery. At here, the first view I saw from here make me stare with the remarkable scenery. The harmony lakeside town with the snow capped mount in the background made me feel “I am at the edge of the world !“
In front of Skyline Queenstown
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The Gondola Station
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I spent the time to capture the breathtaking photos at Bob’s peak and admired the panoramic view of Queenstown as if I am on the heaven until 1.30PM before riding the gondola back to lower station. The next thing what is the one of a MUST think to do in Queenstown is Tasting The Legend Burger at Fergberger. This is the gourmet burger restaurant what was found since 2000. The taste and identity of the burger at this restaurant is unique and delicious. It makes this restaurant always has long queue throughout the day and night. The location of this restaurant is just 450 m away from gondola station. It is open daily 8AM – 4.30AM (almost 24/7 🤣). I arrived there at 2PM to order “Original Fergburger” and waited almost 20 minutes to get my order. Then, I walked to the public area next to Lake Wakatipu to enjoy my legendary lunch. 🍔
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At 3PM, after my stomach is satisfied, I continued my first day in Queenstown by strolling along with Lake Wakatipu to Queenstown Garden. It is a 14.75 hectares botanical garden which contains a variety of exotic and native trees and plants. I took a walk at the walking track around the garden (Harbour View Walk) which has length of 2 km. It was like I am walking in tranquil lakeside sanctuary. The view of lake with snow capped mountain range in the background made me feel calm during walking. I could stop at plenty of spots to capture the magnificent photos. Furthermore, in the middle of the garden, it also has the lawn with beautiful landscape to relax. I spent an hour to walk around the garden and back to the beginning point.
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About 4PM, I walked back to the hotel to check-in and keep my belonging as well as take a rest and wait for sunset time. Because I was planning to go out again at night to see the vibrant of the heaven town. At 6.45PM, sunset time, I started the nighttime in Queenstown by walking to Queenstown bay beach and walked along with the lakeside to immerse myself to the dusk atmosphere. the cold weather with warm light in the street and lively people makes Queenstown is looked alike paradise city. As the city is small, I could finished my walk by an hour.
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Before I walked back to hotel, I did not forget to buy some snack for my tomorrow breakfast. Because, next morning, I had to wake-up in early morning as I planned to take a day trip from Queenstown to visit the interesting places. For today, it was one of my unforgettable day in my life as the new chapter has been written. Queenstown made me feel I am on the edge of the earth as this city is the southernmost city I ever visited. Above of all, Queenstown has unique aspect and charm what taught me what the real relaxation is ! ☺️
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Written by : Shipy Siwarit Tiasuwattiseth
Shipy-Ship 