Queenstown, New Zealand- it’s famous for being the extreme adventure capital of the world. Bungee jumping as an organised activity started in Queenstown, and now the region attracts adventure-seekers and backpackers from all over, keen to bungee, skydive, paraglide, or take on the giant swings that can be found throughout the region’s canyons and mountains. If you’re in search of an adventure, maybe ziplining is for you- here’s everything you need to know about Ziptrek Ecotours in Queenstown.
Well, if you know me, you’ll know there’s no way I’d be first (or last) in line for bungee jumping- even the mildest of roller coasters are enough of a huge thrill for me. If you’re someone (also like me) who loves adventure and the outdoors, but perhaps on a less extreme scale, I’d definitely recommend ziplining. If you’re looking for an adventure activity while you’re in Queenstown, I’d definitely suggest checking out ziplining- here’s what’s it like and what you need to know before setting off.
Ziplining with Ziptrek Ecotours Queenstown is a really fun way to see the town from above, learn about the ecosystem and Maori culture, oh- and to go flying down on the world’s steepest tree zipline.
Ziptrek Ecotours Queenstown, Bob’s Peak
Ziptrek Ecotours is situated on top of Bob’s Peak, in a cute little treehouse. If you’re in Queenstown, you’ve probably seen Bob’s Peak, even if you haven’t been up yet- it’s where you disembark the Skyline Gondola, and the views from the top, looking down over the city, are one of the best things to do in Queenstown.
To find Ziptrek Ecotours Queenstown, you can either take the Gondola to the top of the mountain or hike up to the top. I’ve actually done both, and the hike is gorgeous, albeit steep. If you’re hiking, allow about an hour to an hour and a half. While the hike is free, there is a charge for the Gondola, and it isn’t included in your zipline tour, so check out the current Gondola rates before booking. Otherwise, the hike is a great way to save money.
Since you do have to pay to access the Gondola, consider planning all of the activities you want to do here on the same day, to avoid paying to go up twice. The Skyline Luge is another amazing thing to try out while you’re there, along with the Stratosfare Restaurant, at the summit.
If you’re heading to Queenstown, check out our guide to planning the best-ever South Island road trip.
Ziptrek Ecotours Kea Tour – a review
I was invited to try the Kea Tour. It’s a longer tour that takes in six ziplines, including the steepest tree to tree zipline, along with a guided walk through the forest, over a span of 2 ½ hours.
Arriving at the treehouse, I was quickly fitted with a harness and our guides for the day gave us a thorough overview and safety briefing before we set off.
As with any adventure activity, safety is paramount and, as a participant, I felt very confident that the guides and the company have safety as their priority as well.
As we set off on the adventure, which begins at the top of the mountain and ends at the base of the Skyline Gondola, I was eager, but slightly nervous, to try out ziplining. Winding your way down tree platform to tree platform, each zipline slightly increases with length and steepness as you progress through the forest. Was I up for the challenge? It was too late to back out, so I suppose I had to be…
Looking for something else fun to try in Queenstown? Go for a cruise on the TSS Earnslaw steamship.
What it feels like to zipline
What is it like to actually go soaring down a zipline, you might be asking yourself? Here’s my experience:
Once you are securely harnessed and attached to the zipline, you make your way to the edge of the wooden platform where the zipline begins. Set in a forest of sky-high conifer trees, each platform is substantially high above the forest floor below- in one case, eight stories above the ground!
To take off, you simply walk to the edge of the tree platform and step off in the abyss. Easy. Until you remember you’re eight stories up, and you’re about to step off a platform with nothing underneath you. Pretty unnatural, and I’d imagine particularly so if you’re not a fan of heights. Honestly, this was one of the scariest parts of ziplining, and it took a few tries of this before I got used to it. If you ever can get used to something like that.
Once you’ve stepped off, the zipline and gravity do the rest. There’s no ‘brake’, meaning you can’t control your speed. Rather, the angle of the zipline determines how fast you go down, with the steepest zipline being, of course, the quickest. It’s hard to describe the feeling, but once you’re in the air, you’re literally soaring above the forest floor below, with views of the city and Lake Wakatipu just beyond. My zipline kept spinning, adding a strange bit of dizziness to my rides, but the fun of sailing above the trees quickly overrode the uneasiness of spinning around.
It was unbelievably fun and surreal- as humans, this is about as close to flying as we are going to get, and the rush of soaring down the mountain in one of the most beautiful places in the world is a spectacular sensation. I loved it and definitely want to try more ziplining in the future.
However, enjoy it while it lasts, because even the longer ziplines are seemingly over before you know it. As you’re coming in, the second of the two guides will be there waiting to collect you, unhook, and get you safely onto the next treehouse platform.
Ready to go? Book your ziplining adventure before you get to Queenstown to ensure you don’t miss out.
Sustainable Tourism
Although the adrenaline rush is what brings you to ziplining, one of the things I really loved about this tour was their commitment to sustainable tourism and education. All throughout the tour, educational stops were included, providing insight into the local environment, the sustainable and environmentally-friendly way the treehouses and ziplines were installed, and their native gardens and sponsorship of earth-friendly initiatives in the local community. It’s a great feeling to know that the company you’ve chosen is investing profits in helping the community, something especially important to the small and biodiverse islands of New Zealand.
Once I’d completed the final zipline, my legs were shaky, I was tired, hungry, and ready to call it a day. Ziplining is a rush for both your body and mind and is something I can’t wait to try again.
What tour is for me?
As mentioned, the Kea Tour lasts just under three hours and is one of the more expensive tours- check out current Ziptrek tours and pricing here. However, there are shorter tours available, such as the 4-line Moa tour. Consider a shorter tour if you don’t have much time in Queenstown or on a tight budget.
Looking for more adrenaline rushes in Australia or NZ? Why not try the Sydney BridgeClimb, go abseiling in the Blue Mountains of NSW, or look for ghosts on Cockatoo Island or Manly.
What to know before you go
- The weather can be a lot colder and windier up in the trees than you might find in town, so dress warmer than you think you’ll need. Wear closed-toe shoes year-round and do add layers, especially in the cooler months
- Try to travel light, as any personal bags will be carried down in a sack by one of the guides
- You can bring your own GoPro, as long as it’s fastened to your body in some way. I had purchased a wrist strap to use, which worked really well. Although photos are taken throughout the tour, they are an additional purchase. Plus, it’s more fun to take your own from a unique perspective of sailing down the ziplines!
- Children over the age of 6 can zipline if accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Reservations should be made in advance since only a set amount of tours run per day.
The author visited as a guest of Zipline Ecotours, but all opinions are her own.