If "adventure" is your second name, Queenstown is the place to be.

I'll make the distinction now between self-propelled adventure activities and adrenaline-soaked adventures that require little more experience than the price of admission. While I'm a fan of adrenaline activities, the providers do a good enough job of advertising themselves in town without me having to do the same.

While jetboating, bungy-jumping, canyon swinging, tandem paragliding and skydiving have that undeniable exhilaration factor, they can leave you with an empty wallet and not much of a sense of what this magnificent land is all about. It's all over pretty quickly, too.

Backcountry walking

For those wanting to get out into the backcountry, you must be prepared to sweat a little — this is steep, mountainous country for the most part. The best way to learn about the natural environments you're visiting is to get out into them. The added benefit is that with the steepness of the surrounding hills, you'll come away fitter than when you arrived! My advice is to get familiar with the local DoC office (Department of Conservation, for the uninitiated), which is tucked away on the first level of Queenstown figurehead outdoor store, Outside Sports on Shotover Street.

DoC, interestingly though not surprisingly, is this region's biggest tourism experience provider. Along with the Wakatipu Trails Trust, DoC manages a huge network of high-quality trails, from easy double-width strolls (such as the serene Frankton Walkway) to multi-day adventures such as the Great Walks — backcountry routes that cater for the more experienced (winter skills and ability to navigate with a compass essential). There is something for everyone and the DoC staff is well informed and helpful. The jewel in DoC's crown is the extensive backcountry hut network, second to none in the world.

If you're after more than a day walk, there are many bushwalking outfits (they call it "tramping" in NZ) that will charge handsomely for private huts and catered meals — but the price can be the difference from slogging away for miles totally out your comfort zone. One benefit of a guided tramping experience (Ultimate Hikes is the best known outfit in town) is the greater ease in becoming attuned to the natural environment around you with the interpretation of well-trained guides and the removal of so much weight from your back. A light pack = a light mind!

Biking

If biking floats your boat, Queenstown has seen a huge amount of trail developments in the past few years, mainly targeting the ever-growing mountain bike scene. The Queenstown Mountain Bike Club produces a $4 mountain biking map of the region, available from outdoor stores. It is active in trail building and maintenance. Many great tracks are within short riding distance from town regardless of whether you're into downhill, cross-country or single tracks.

Cycle touring is a great way to see this beautiful country. The Otago Rail Trail is a world famous route that starts less than an hour's drive from Queenstown and traverses classic Central Otago landscape for 150km.

Rock climbing

Although the schist rock around Queenstown is not the highest quality, there are a number of excellent and easily accessible sports crags less than 30 minutes from the centre of town. If I were to pick one, Wye Creek stands out for its diversity of routes, sunny north-facing aspect and stunning lake views. You are just far enough away from town to feel like you're in wilderness and the approach is worth the visit alone, with a super-fun traverse for hundreds of metres along the hydropower pipes.

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