Queenstown 1-day itinerary

Start your day at the Kawarau Bridge — the birthplace of commercial bungee jumping and the most iconic AJ Hackett site in the world. The 43-metre jump from the historic 1880s suspension bridge over the turquoise Kawarau River gorge is a rite of passage for adventure travellers in New Zealand. Watch a few jumpers go before you to settle your nerves, then take the plunge. The water-touch option lets you dip your head in the river at the bottom of the arc. The free spectator viewing platform is worth visiting even if you don't jump.

Ride the Skyline Gondola 450 metres up Bob's Peak for sweeping views over Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables mountain range, Cecil Peak, and Walter Peak. At the top, ride the gravity-fuelled luge — a wheeled cart on a purpose-built downhill track with banked corners and tunnels. There are scenic and advanced tracks. The viewing deck at the top is the best easily accessible viewpoint in Queenstown. The Stratosfare restaurant at the summit serves a buffet dinner with panoramic windows, but the views are free from the observation deck.

No visit to Queenstown is complete without Fergburger — the legendary burger joint on Shotover Street that has had queues out the door since 2001. The Big Al (chicken), the Codfather (blue cod), and the classic Ferg are all excellent. After dinner, Queenstown's compact nightlife precinct centres on Searle Lane and Cow Lane — Atlas Beer Cafe for craft beers, The World Bar for cocktails and a ski-lodge vibe, or Lava Bar for late-night dancing.