QUEENSTOWN Queenstown is the tourist capitol of New Zealand. Summer and more particularly winter are the seasons that make this place jump. Only October and April are considered the quiet months. This report is being written in late January and the place is all but booked out. With the high level of tourism comes cost. Queenstown is an expensive place to party. The term the locality was fit for a Queen, is the colloquial reason for the name. I.e. fit for Queen Victoria. Queenstown is an international resort town in New Zealand. It is built around an inlet called Queenstown Bay on Lake Wakatipu, a long thin lake formed by glacial processes that is shaped like a staggered lightning bolt, and has spectacular views of nearby mountains. The first Europeans to settle the area. Rees was in search of pastoral land, and after an initial visit returned in 1860 to establish a high country farm then in 1862 gold was discovered in the Arrow River a short distance from Queenstown. Although an ‘old’ town most of Queenstown growth has been in the last 30 years. Most of the cbd area has been rebuilt. The Catholic and Anglican churches have survived and are heritage buildings. The hotels photographed are renovations. The War Memorial is located at the botany gardens at Queenstown Cove Queenstown is also known for its commerce-oriented tourism, especially adventure and ski tourism. It is popular with young international and New Zealand travelers. A coal fired steamship that is nearly 100 years old, called the TSS Earnslaw, provides tourist trips on the lake and is confirmed as a great way to spend a few relaxing hours. The TSS Ernslaw is a contradicting when the place is built on adventure adrenalin activities. Queenstown has a reputation as one of New Zealand's wine and cuisine centres and  lies close to the centre of a small wine producing region, reputed to be the world's southernmost. Pinot noir produced in this area fetches premium prices. Queenstown and the surrounding area contain many locations used in the filming of the Lord of the Rings film trilogy. To really enjoy allow a week and plenty of money. Don’t let the latter drive your thinking. This is holiday paradise.