A Historical Tour of Queenstown, New Zealand

New Zealand is one of those vacation destinations that is, quite simply, full of majesty, mystery and wonder, with the smaller province of Queenstown being one of its most popular launching pads for tourists bent on sightseeing, wine tasting, or outdoor adventure. Home to some of the most famous ski peaks in New Zealand, Queensland also claims a rich history, dating all the way back to the days when European adventurers first “discovered” the country of New Zealand and the town of Queenstown (which was as yet unnamed at that time) and began developing several industries in the area, including sheep shearing and gold mining, and later, the tourist trade.

If you are considering embarking on a journey through one of the many exciting Queenstown holiday packages that are available today, whether you will be traveling there for your honeymoon, a family adventure or as a solo trekker, you may want to learn more about the area before you arrive so you can choose what you want most to see and do in Queenstown.

Before You Go…

One thing that many travelers don’t know when they arrive in Queenstown is that long before the “Pakeha” or white people – in this case, European explorers Nicholas von Tunzelmann and William Gilbert Rees- arrived, the Maori tribes are thought to have previously inhabited the region. The area was uninhabited when Rees and Tunzelmann arrived and set up their establishments, but much evidence was found of previous tribal presence. The story of Queenstown itself is not unlike that of the California Gold Rush towns, which were nearly deserted when gold was first discovered and then this news brought literal floods of eager prospectors, who established trades, lodging houses, casinos  and whole communities around the hope of “striking it rich.” Some of these western gold rush towns grew and grew and became today’s established major cities, while others disappeared into ghost towns.

Queenstown straddled the balance and continues to do so to this day. The population has ebbed and flowed over the years, dwindling to less than 200 residents when the gold veins ran out, but then steadily increasing again as other more reliable industries took over and established the town as a permanent fixture. However, Queenstown itself has never grown very large and to this day, it still numbers a resident population of less than 30,000 full-time inhabitants. This, of course, is enhanced by a thriving tourist trade, which increases the transient population seasonally.

The tourist trade itself did not really start to unfold until the 1950s, when the popularity of the region for snow sports and water sports began to attract athletes and sports enthusiasts from around the country and the world. The most famous skiing areas of Coronet Peak, Cadrona Alpine, Treble Cone and The Remarkables are all located near to Queenstown; the town has also developed a vibrant nightlife to keep tourists entertained morning, noon and night.

Where Did That Name Come From?

There are plenty of stories and legends about how Queenstown got its name. The most famous (and widely believed) story revolves around a declaration by the government of New Zealand that the town was “fit for a queen” or, alternately, the phrase is said to have been “fit for Queen Victoria.” So the town was officially named “Queenstown” thereafter. However, Queenstown has not been exempt from challenges in maintaining its seasonal tourist traffic, with the most notable being a more recent battle against rising waters from its most prominent waterway, Lake Wakatipu, which put more than a third of the town under water in 1999. The town’s permanent residents and business owners have continued efforts to shore up their establishments by initiating flood-retardant measures, including raising the town itself and its structures farther above the water line. To date, these efforts have been successful, proving once again that Queenstown is here to stay for the long-term.

Things To Do Once You’re There

As you prepare to visit Queenstown, you may want to mark your calendar to arrive during some of its most popular festivities, including an annual Jazz Festival that brings in prominent performers and the advent of wine season, when the region’s many vintners kick into high gear, offering tastings, tours, lectures and wine-centric feasts.

Of course, you will also want to experience why Queenstown is often called the “adventure capital of the world” by partaking in its many seasonal snow and water sports. You can also visit some of the locations where the famous “Lord of the Rings” trilogy was filmed.

About the Author:  Eric Streyght is a dive instructor and guide by trade, and a beach lover at heart.

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