While I didn’t want to fill my every waking moment on my recent trip to New Zealand, I also didn’t want to miss out on anything and I started to wonder about what other fun activities were on offer in the Queenstown area.
After going down a million internet research rabbit holes, I stumbled across a link to ziplining – right on Queenstown’s doorstep.
Flying through the air at great heights and speed? How could I resist? 😊
Ziplining is one of those activities I have only ever seen on television. Most of that coverage featured young, fit, beautiful people, not almost-60yr old, grey-haired women who should know better. But, I thought, “Bugger it! You only live once!” and proceeded to book the longest zipline adventure on offer.
Here are some details:
- Location: The Ziptrek office is located adjacent to the top of the Tiki Trail and a short 2-minute walk from the Gondola station at Bob’s Peak. Ziptrek also has an office at 49 Camp Street in Queenstown.
- Zipline Options: Kereru Tour – two ziplines, Moa Tour – four ziplines, Kea Tour – six ziplines.
- Time: There are set times for each tour and you need to book your chosen time online. Allow around 2.5hrs for the longest zipline tour.
- Cost: Kereru Tour – $NZ119, Moa Tour – $NZ159, Kea Tour – $NZ209.
- Photography: You can buy action photos of yourself flying through the air for an additional cost. I didn’t bother purchasing any as they weren’t all that clear/good quality. If I was going to purchase a photo it needed to be of such clarity to show the very real hysteria on my face! 😊
- Getting There: To get to the Ziptrek office, catch a gondola up to the top of Bob’s Peak or walk up the Tiki Trail.
- What Else Is There To Do: There are plenty of other adrenalin activities to sign up for at this altitude. You can ride a luge, saddle up on a mountain bike, go parachuting, or stroll the Ben Lomond Trail. Or, simply sit at one of the cafes in the gondola building and enjoy the expansive views.
General Comments:
- Maybe by signing on with Ziptrek part of me was trying to convince myself that I’m not really as old as the date showing on my driver’s licence. An even larger part of me didn’t want to die wondering what ziplining was like and Queenstown seemed to be as good a place as any to discover whether it was as fun as it looked on TV.
- As I checked in at the Ziptrek office at the top of Bob’s Peak, I was pleased to see that of the nine people in my group at least six of them saw their 50th birthday in the rearview mirror quite some time ago. Yay, for the oldies!
- The first task for us all was to complete the check-in process, fill out the waiver forms (Gulp!), and get weighed (Ugh!). The guides then led us to a small platform area where we stepped into our harnesses and donned our helmets.
- While there were a few nervous smiles and giggles amongst us recruits, it all felt very safe. The guides, although very young, were super-professional, appeared to be very experienced and had good systems, and procedures in place. What could possibly go wrong?
- What are we waiting for? Let’s get zipping! 😊
- I had booked the longest zipline, after all, I’m not here to lick stamps! 😊 My zipline involved five zips from platform to platform and then a short walk down the Tiki Trail for the final fastest, and steepest zip. All the ziplines varied in length and speed between the linking platforms.
- It was the perfect day for adventure. The sky was a beautiful blue and it was warmish, and dry. I suspect that this activity would not be half as much fun in the wet, but what can you do? As much as we would like to, we cannot choose or change the weather.
- With one great step off the platform, I was airborne!
- I’m not going to lie, that first big step was a little disconcerting, but then all thoughts were wiped out by the thrill of flying through the tree tops.
- And sadly, it was all over before I knew it. I hardly got to look around or register what I was seeing and doing before I was braking, and slowing down to arrive at the next platform.
- We had two guides attached to our group. One made sure that we were safely connected to the zipline before sending us on our way. The other was at the platform ahead, monitoring our progress and then applying the brake so we didn’t slam into the platform at full speed! 😊 Both very important roles!
- The guides set us various challenges on the different lines – flip upside down, fall backwards off the platform, cannon ball etc – and we all had a crack at it. My form was incredibly inelegant and ‘freestyle”, but I was having a ball and didn’t care the slightest.
- Most of us, for whatever reason, tended to flip around and fly backwards. Maybe it’s a centre-of-balance, aerodynamic thing? Regardless, it was a helluvalot of fun and even the few people in our group who were not that keen on heights, managed to smile and laugh through gritted teeth.
- I had had grand plans of taking photos as I flew through the air, but you are moving so fast, often backwards, that it is virtually impossible to focus on anything let alone take a photo. It’s all over before you know it.
Top Tips:
- It Can Be Cold: Take a jacket. Even though it was a Summer’s day, it was cold in amongst the trees. I wish I had brought gloves too.
- Wear Sunscreen: You are not allowed to wear hats or caps under your helmet and, in certain places, the sun does stream down through the trees.
- Gear: Leave all large backpacks etc at your accommodation. You can’t carry them on the zipline and the guides will collect, and transport any smaller bags in one large duffle bag. Note: you cannot access this duffle bag during the tour, so keep important things with you.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely – it wasn’t as scary as I was expecting.
Would I do it again? Definitely! And I am now on the hunt for longer and faster ziplines in the future.
Fly high, everyone!
And it might be pushing the friendship, but does this count as a Monday walk, Jo?
#travelinspo #Queenstown #adventurebeforedementia #shortwalks #NewZealand #LandoftheLongWhiteCloud #TikiTrail #epicadventures #viewsfromthetop #greatoutdoors #adrenalinadventures #exploreonfoot #daywalks #heartstarters #BenLomondTrail #gondolarides #paragliding #lugerides #ziplining #Ziptrek
Life...one big adventure 
I haven’t been to Queenstown since 1989! Back then, there wasn’t any ziplining, but it looks like so much fun! Queenstown is stunning as ever!
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Yes, it’s a gorgeous spot, but a tad too commercial and touristy for me. It was a lovely means to an end though… Have a good day.
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It wasn’t like that in 1989 and I’m lucky I visited when I did. I find this happens quite a lot when revisiting countries a second or third time.
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Agreed. Sometimes the changes are for the better, but not always…
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Something I’ve always wanted to do (along with skydiving) but I fear both are out of my reach now. Glad you enjoyed it – sounds like that adrenaline rush could be addictive!
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Nah, you could do ziplining easily. It’s an absolute hoot. Sounds like we need to make an adrenalin plan! 🙂
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😁
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Looks like a lot of fun with great views!! 🤩
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It was all of that. Can’t wait to do more of this high flying act! 😉
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You were just born to attack life full on, Mel! 5 seems a little excessive, but I enjoyed whizzing along with you. There seemed to be quite a lot of steps involved so I’m happy to count it as a flying walk (and thanks for the link).
True confessions time- we do have a zipline not too far from here. It crosses the River Guadiana, and no, I’ve never done it. Shame on me!
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Phew! I am glad is passes muster for a link. 🙂
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Sounds like a hoot. Reclaiming Queenstown from the beautiful young people 😀
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I did my best the fly the flag for oldies. 🙂
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Good on you! You only get old once! Is that photo of the zipper flying upside down you?
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No, no photos of me in this post, but I did do my best to hang upside down. 🙂
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You definitely have courage. 👍
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A completely nuts. 🙂
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It’s so much fun isn’t it! We did a three day zipline hike in Laos and we loved every minute of it. Maggie
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Oh wow! I am going to have to look into that one. I have always wanted to go to Laos. Thanks for the heads-up, Maggie.
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We used Gibbon Adventure. It was awesome!
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Unreal. Ta.
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There is one at the Eden Project, not very long and you would never get me on it! My daughter did this in north Wales for her 40th birthday and loved it, but then she’s a bit of an adrenaline junkie – off to the Paris marathon soon followed two weeks later by her 3rd London marathon.
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Now, I just do not understand running marathons. It just seems to be long distance agony. 🙂 More power to your daughter! I hope she runs well.
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Me neither! She usually gets best for her age.
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Amazing! I am currently training for a 10k distance…and should be followed by an ambulance as I jog along!! 🙂
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Genna doesn’t even train for 10k runs any more 🤣
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OMG! Now I feel completely pathetic! 🙂
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You shouldn’t do after all your amazing long hikes!
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Yes, they are long, but they also slow. I am not about to break any records! 🙂 And I am OK with that. Have a happy day, Jude.
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I love it! Zip lining is so much fun!
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I thought you might… 🙂
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What an adventure! I’ve never been ziplining and don’t think I’d ever dare – so I’ve lived it vicariously through you 🙂
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Similarly, me revelling in your gorgeous 5-star hotels…it is unlikely I will ever do that. 🙂
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Another way to enjoy the beauty of nature! Love it!! And even though I’m the girl scared of heights, I would love to do this … some day!
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Don’t miss it. It’s an absolute ball!
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