NZ2008 - Southern Swirl: Day 5

For our second day of free-and-easy, we decided to try jet boating with Shotover Jet, claimed to be the world’s most exciting jet boat ride.

 

The Shotover Jet in action

 

Shotover Jet is the only company permitted to operate in the spectacular Shotover River Canyons since 1970.  It's a thrilling ride where the jet boat skimmed past rocky outcrops at close range, while twisting and turning through the narrow canyons at breath taking speeds. The major highlight of the jet boating experience is its full 360º spins!

 

The jetty for us to get on the boat

Views from the ride (when not going through the canyons!!)

 

The jets were custom built in Queenstown for maximum strength, speed and manoeuvrability. The highly specialised craft and the combination of the hull design as well as the engine and jet unit configuration allows a fully loaded jet boat carrying up to 14 passengers and the driver (approx 3,500 kg) to travel at speeds of up to 85kmph in as little as 10 cm of water.

 

Shotover Jet Commercial (to give you a feel on how close we got to the canyons)

 

After having the “Thrill Therapy” from the Shotover Jet, we then head over to the Skyline complex passing by the Kiwi and Birdlife Park at the base.

 

 

We didn’t enter the park as we have seen the kiwi birds in North Island last year. However, we still walk down to the entrance taking pictures of its surroundings.

 

Kiwis everywhere

 

Nice views on the way down to the entrance

The entrance

 

As a bonus, here’s a Kiwi picture.

 

Kiwi picture taken from posters at the entrance

 

Continuing with our journey, we took the gondola up to the Skyline complex.

 

The views from the gondola

 

Our next activity for the day.. luging, a fast-paced 800 metres track down the hill!!

 

The luge cart

 

Situated behind the Skyline complex, we need to take the two-seater chairlift that takes both riders and the luge carts to the top of the track. Up we go…

 

Nice views from the chair-lift

 

Once we arrived at the top of the track, we proceed to the Luge zone to luge down the hill.

 

Luge track and us luging

 

While luging, you also get a panoramic view of the region.

 

Spectacular panoramic views

 

Skyline Luge Commercial

 

And lastly for our final activity in Queenstown, a slow stroll by the lake walking from Queenstown CBD back to the Lodge that took us about 40 minutes.

 

Sceneries along the walk

Back to Queenstown Lodge