The Kawarau Jet Skims the Beautiful Lake and Rivers

Queenstown is the big Kahuna when it comes to New Zealand tourism. Nearly everyone who comes to the big wide open South Island spends some time here in this adrenaline filled rockin' little town. We got a chance to see some of the spectacular scenery here from the water, zipping across Lake Wakatipu on the Kawarau jet.

These monster boats, with two engines and 700 horsepower, were developed in the 1960s by a Kiwi named Hamilton, and have become synonymous with Queenstown's adventure culture. But it's not the boat, nor the 360 degree swooping turns that excited us. It was the scenery and the clear aqua water of the lake and the Shotover River.

The banks are devoid of any spec of litter, the ducks are the only movement, and there are very few other boaters to get in the way of this high speed craft. As usual, we were piloted by a handsome and friendly Kiwi, who we learned had to have 100 hours of instruction to get behind the wheel of this speedboat.

It was a perfectly clear day and the upper end of the lake was like a mirror. I can't wait to show off the video of this trip in the cafe, where patrons will wonder just where in the world these glorious images were captured. I'll be happy to tell them that's a part of my favorite travel destination.

New Zealand, it never disappoints.

There Used To Be No Sign on the Bunker's Door

The last time I was in Queenstown was back, my God, before 9/11. It was January 2000, and I passed the new year on board the Air New Zealand plane heading here for what would be only my second press trip of my career. Then I was traveling with a group of rowdy 18-35 year olds, who had signed up for a group trip with Contiki. They were all keen to go bungy jumping, skydive, do the jetboats and float down the roaring Shotover River on rafts. We did that. It tipped over, and I had the scariest moment of my life. But worse was the drive up that winding, terrifying road to get to the place where the rafting began.

Now we're back in Q-town, nine years and many trips in between. The town of about 10,000 is filled with twenty-somethings, all prowling the very clean and neat streets in search of beeer and adventure. We visited a bar I had been to back then...called The Bunker. In 2000, there was no sign, you had to know where to find it. The current owner, Cam, told us that back in the day, there were many more locals who inhabited his cool little hole in the wall bar in Cow St. so food wasn't as important, they were there for drinking.

A sign at the bar said 'we serve doubles unless asked otherwise.' He explained that in NZ, a drink is 1/2 ounce, so just about every bar serves what they call 'doubles.' Cam said the town has changed a bit, it's spread out and now there isn't the big regular crowd of locals who bring him business. Many have moved out into neighboring towns, so he's more reliant on visitor business. They serve up a fabulous wild rabbit risotto today, along with other fine meats and good wines.

Queenstown has changed, but it's still one of the most stunning towns by a lake you'll ever see. The light bouncing off the foothills and behind that, the dramatic peaks of the Remarkable Mountains, makes this a perfect place for shooting beer and car commercials. Great to be back.