The Adventure Queen

Dart River Safaris offer three different day trips near Glenorchy. You can do the Jet boat option, the funyaks or the Wilderness Safari. Out of the tree we did the Wilderness. If you are looking for Jet boating adventure I would recommend heading to Queenstown's Shotover Jet.
However the Wilderness offers a good combination of a 4WD coach, meaning you are on a bus for about an hour and half with a tour guide telling you stories and giving you history of the area. You will stop at any area just inside the park and your guide will point out different film interest sites. Lord of the Rings, Narnia, car commercials, etc. "Look over towards those trees that is where "X" scene was filmed in LOTR. Notice that lone tree there? Not really a tree. Was used for Narnia and now something lives in there so they can't remove it." And so on...
Your "bus tour" ends at the start of a walking track. Here you don your black rain coats (90% of the time it will be raining) and set out into the rainforest for a short 20-30 min walk. The guide will point out native names for fauna and give you a history of the area.
At this point my partner and I hung back, took pictures and just wanted to experience it all on our own. (And take a few hobbit with the ring in the forest shots).
Post forest (ah, please note there are HEAPS of sandflies in this part!) you walk across a large field to your jet boat.
Best part of the experience - the jet boat has a heated hand rail. This is a huge bonus when you are racing down the river with the chilly wind in your face. The shallow flat bottomed boat goes pretty quick and close to banks logs, etc, giving the passengers a small thrill as they think their might a possibility of crashing. Jet boating accounts for an hour of your total trip time. By far it was the best part for us. 360 spins, sharp turns and fast paced = good fun.
Value for money this experience is not bad. Definitely if you are staying in QT it's a good day excursion.
An adult is considered 16yrs and older and a Wilderness Safari will cost $199 (6hrs return from QT or 3 hrs from Glenorchy). Jet boating is $299 and funyaks are $279.
Children 5-15 are $100 less and they have family options for 2 adults and 2 children.

If you are staying at The Glebe you are treating yourself. Or you are gathering 8 of your closest friends and are still treating yourself. The Glebe apartments and penthouse suites are flash. Two minutes from the centre of Queenstown, views of the lake, views of the mountains, flat screen plasma TV, fireplace, fully equipped kitchen and your choice of four different bedrooms.
The weekend we stayed my partner and I lucked into an apartment all to ourselves. It was huge. Four separate bedrooms, two bathrooms (one was an ensuite to the master bedroom), balcony (with door connecting to the master bedroom), two TV's (one located in the master bedroom), fireplace inside and outdoor fireplace. As you just read you can pretty much hole up in the master bed room and not come out. The bed is large (king size) and has the most comfy cushiony duvet.
The carpet and decor is tasteful with lots of whites. However the owners do have a thing about dogs and you'll find a few stuffed ones placed on beds around the apartments. (I found them a bit creepy and put them in an unused bedroom).
Now we didn't get to see the Penthouse, but from the online description I can guess they are fantastic. Besides everything you get standard with the apartments (DVD player, CD player, access to drying room, under cover parking) you also get under floor heating AND a spa pool on your balcony.
The four bedroom prices at $650 p/night. However split this 8 ways and you are looking at $81 per night. That's about $400 for a 5 nights stay. Not too bad for a ski holiday.
The penthouse is $1500/1700 a night. So that IS a bit pricey at around the $190p/night mark.
I would recommend The Glebe if you are headed to QT and want a bit of luxury on your ski holiday. They can also split the apartments you can rent just a room. You can check availability and book online. Also check for seasonal rates and specials.

Although only one person in our group had rafted before we opted for the more exciting option of the Shotover River. While the day we went in November was sunny and warm it had rained for two solid days before hand. Rafting officals had just reopened the Shotover that day. The day before the river had been too high and too fast.
We caught the mini bus out to the Shotover river from the downtown Queenstown business location. This was a short 5min ride.
At the Shotover building we were given a short brief on what to expect though out the day and then formed a line to get wetsuit, booties, helmet, waterproof jacket and lifejacket. Down the stairs to change into swimsuites and wetsuits. I'd recommend going with a friend, cause it's gonna take two of you to get the suits on.
Once kitted out we felt a bit overdressed and it was a bit stiff and bulky to walk in. Not to worry, we were glad to have on that much kit once we were in the raft. We were then loaded onto one of two mini buses that went up and out towards the road leading to Cornet Peak. However we diverted and headed round the back of the hill down towards Skippers Canyon. Here we went along the grade 2 "Highway" (pretty much one lane and you cross your fingers no one is coming from the other way). Our guide on the bus gave us a bit of the local history to do with the gold mining.
45 minutes later we came to the start of the rafting area. Here one of the guides went through more safety issues and we were split into groups of 6-7.
This is when the reality of what we were about to it hit me. The river was still running fast and it was still high. These were the conditions each guide prayed for at night. We each grabbed a paddle and posed for a parting picture. Once on the raft our guide went over a few basic instructions, the main one being "you do what I say when I say and we all stay on just fine." Luckily she made it easy to learn and by the first mini rapid we passed with flying colours.
The trip went by pretty fast, however I didn't feel cheated for time. The water is cold, even being summer time and I was grateful they took the time to kit me out in a wetsuite and was cursing myself for not bringing gloves.
Most of the rapids were navagated easily. Depending on how many people are signed up for the day you could be in one of seven or so other rafts. But again, I didn't feel jipped. This is your experience and the other rafts don't interfer in your enjoyment. Even pulling to the side to wait for the other rafts just allowed us a moment to look around and take in the canyon sights.
Our biggest moment of excitement came on the last rapid. It was called Mother in Law - because she is a b$^ch. Usually the guides take you through a small cave with a grade 5 rapid on the otherside. However because of how high the river was running this wasn't possible. All the guides pullled their raft over to the side and tied up to the rocks. They all got out and confered. Then the first two rafts went for it. They both flipped over and all passengers went for a swim. Luckily safety is a high priority and the guides were prepared.
We were the 4th raft to go. Commands came loud and fast. Paddle hard! Harder! Get in! Get in! GET IN!!! Lean left! Lean right! The raft folded in half, someone fell out, we slid from side to side and then, it was over. We were through the 5+ rapid. We had lost one person, when the raft folded one of our passengers took an oar to the mouth. However she was pulled out by a guide and luckily only sustained a bloody lip.
We cheered. Blood pumping we paddled the short distance to the end of the rafting where the rafts were loaded onto traylers, ready to be transported back to the start.
One very exciting experience not to be forgotten.

You have a choice of two rivers to raft down near Queenstown. The tamer Kawarau River or the wilder Shotover River. The Kawarau is aimed at first time rafters or those who might be a bit unsure about the whole rafting experience. The river grade for the rapids is a 2-3. The shotover boasts rapids at grades 4-5. They both cost the same at $169 per person for a half a day (about 4.5hrs).
A mini bus takes you out to the Shotover river from the downtown Queenstown business location. You can opt to meet them at the Shotover location if you have your own transport. This was a short 5min ride.
At the Shotover building you are given a short brief on what to expect though-out the day and then given a wetsuit, booties, helmet, waterproof jacket and lifejacket.
You are then loaded onto one of two mini buses that carry you up round the back of the hill down towards Skippers Canyon. Here they take you along the grade 2 "Highway" and a bit of history to do with the gold mining. This trip is about 45 minutes.
Once at the start one of the guides goes through more safety issues and you are split into groups of 6-7.
You pose for a picture before you get in your raft and while you are paddling away. These are then packaged and sold back at the Queentown location.
Your guide will over a few basic instructions and most of the rapids are navagated easily. Depending on how many people are signed up for the day you could be in one of seven or so other rafts.
Safety is a high priority and the guides are prepared.
At the end of the rafting you help load the rafts onto traylers, ready to be transported back to the start.
One very exciting experience not to be forgotten.
Trips run twice a day in summer, except for Christmas. Heli-rafting only in winter. No children under 13 and everyone should be swimmer confident.

I haven't really eaten at the Dux de Lux. My culinary experience here consists of a bowl of chips and a bowl of wedges. However everytime I've been in the food has looked good, if that's any consolation.
What I want to review are the beers. The specially made micro-brewed beers for Dux de Lux. There are a range of beers on tap made especially by the establishment. The menu takes you through each one describing how you will find the flavor and body and what awards that beers has won. And they have won a few. There are 7 beers on tap. You can get a tasting tray or just dive right in.
My favorite is the GingerTom. This cheeky gingerbeer is a 4% alcoholic beverage. Very fresh and crisp on a summer's day. There is also a stout, lager, two ales, a bitter and a wheat. Every one of them has won an award or several in NZ and abroad. All the beers are brewed onsite with no preservatives.
The resturant has two buildings next to eachother. Both have indoor and outdoor seating and both have TVs for viewing sporting events. You can tell one is more the resturante side and one is the live music venue. While the menu boasts a lot of seafood they can cater for vegatarians and vegans and try to use gluten free when possible.
There is a sister resturante in Christchurch.

What started out as a hole in the wall take-away burger joint has turned into a local cult classic. Fergburger started out with modest roots, a small kitchen servering burgers until late in the night from a window bench down a small laneway. The quality of the product is what gave Fergburger is well earned reputation for arguably the best burgers in Queenstown.
The new location is open all day and all night long. You can sit inside and outside. There are a range of burgers, beef, chicken and veggie you can order from. There are breakfast burgers. You can get yours with chips or onion rings or with a beer.
They are made the old fashion way, taking ground beef, making them into balls and flatting those out into patties with one's fist. They are made to order and the establishment uses fresh buns and other ingredients.
The regular plain old Fergburger will set you back $9.50 and lettus, tomato, red onion, aioli and tomato relish. You can upgrade that to a cheeseburger with Edam, Swiss, Blue or Brie for .50cents to a dollar more.
If you are really hungry, and I'm talking the hunger to beat all hungers you can get a Mr Big Stuff. This is 1/2lb of beef along with cheese and american streaky bacon (and the rest of toppings found on a regular burger).
For those meat shy persons you can get a tofu burger or a falafel sandwhich.
Most of the gormet burgers are priced around $11.
I would say a trip to Queenstown wouldn't be complete without a trip to Fergburger, especially if it is a late night, post bar run.

The Nevis Highwire Bungy is 134 metres (440 feet) above the Nevis River. You free fall for about 8 seconds. It is the longest jump you can do in New Zealand. This is not for the those with a fear of heart.
But I say if you are going to do it, then do it big. You won't get dipped in the water here, you won't come anywhere near the water.
You meet at the office in Queenstown. They call your name and you file into a small bus with several other nervous passengers. It's a 40 minute ride through high country surrounded by sheep. Once you get up the bumpy road to the station you are weighed and kitted out in your jumpsuit. You then go in groups into the cable car and are transfered halfway across the gorge the the "bungy pod". This is where you will jump from. If you weren't nervous enough already the bottom of the pod is glass, so you can see the river far below. One by one they call your name and you shuffle forward.
Faces peer gingerly down into the canyon and eveyone holds their breath as the first jumper goes. The staff counts backwards from 3. On 1, you jump. Or dive really. Put your hands above your head and dive off into the abyss.
The sension is unreal. One moment you are on solid ground, the next you are hurling towards the ground at an unimageable speed. Then the bungy hooked round your feet catches. You bounce back up, then down again, and back up. This repeats for a while and you swing until it settles and they lower another rope down for you to upright yourself. They haul you back up to the pod, help you out of the ropes as they tie in someone else.
You heart hasn't gone back down to the normal beats yet. You doubt it will all day.
Photos are for sale of your jump. If you are out there with a friend they can take a few snaps, however the quality won't be the best, you'll be a tiny spec against the river below. But at least you can say you are that tiny spec and you've done it.
The Nevis experience costs around $230 NZD.

To even get up to the luge you have two options. You walk up the steep hill in front of you or you travel up the gondola. While the walk is free the gondola ride is factored into your luge package price. Seating for 4 and the view, on a good day, is spectular. You get sweeping views of the city the lake and the surrounding mountains. I would suggest going up in early afternoon (depending on the season) to see it in the light and coming back down in early evening to see it with all the lights on.
Once at the top building you walk through and up a few steps to collect your helmet. These may look absolutely ridiculous and once you spot the luge carts you may begin to wonder why you need them. It doesn't look so hard core. A two seater lift takes you even further up the hill to the beginning of the luge track.
There you swipe your ticket through and chose your track. There are two to chose from: scenic or advanced. However on your first run you are forced to chose scenic. The experienced staff mark your hand to show you've done the scenic track as practice and explain how to work the carts. Mainly, how to stop. Once they are satisfied you have mastered this skill they send you down 1 or 2 at a time. Then it's everyone for themselves. 800 meters of fast paced downhill luging. While you might be squeeling like a child you realize this isn't childs play. You navagate yourself through sharp corners and tunnels while to pass or keep from being passed yourself. And that was the scenic track! At the bottom you come to a stop before the track feeds you into a narrow tyre lined path back to the chairlift. Take care around this area as pileups have been known to happen.
Once is almost never enough and soon you are placing your cart back on conveyerbelt and you are back in line for the next run. The advanced track runs even faster and you are glad to have your helmet firmly on your head.
The company takes pictures of you while in the chairlift if you want to shell out $20 for a picture if you've forgotten your camera. Otherwise there are spots that onlookers (and those with the faint of heart) can stand and watch or take happy snaps.
The package deals are well worth the money for the enjoyment they bring. And after you can enjoy a beer or soda or even dinner in the resturante bar area and take in the views.
Prices: Gondola & Luge packages range from $29 - $42 NZD.