Postcard perfect Queenstown

Rotorua and Queenstown share the honours for being New Zealand's true international resort destinations. They are two places that I like travelling to for the sheer novelty of feeling like a tourist without leaving home.
As the southern skifields start opening up, Queenstown is primed and ready for the peak visitor season. The thrills and spills of the adventure-tourism capital need no introduction. The ever-increasing smorgasbord of high-octane, eye-popping pursuits shows no sign of running out of fresh ideas.
But beyond the adrenalin-pumping activities, Queenstown has a bucketload of landmark sights and experiences that won't leave you panting, sweaty or soaked.
And the tourist mecca is loaded with ideas if you're travelling with children. One of my all-time favourite New Zealand excursions is to ride the Skyline Gondola, transporting you high above the lakeside resort town and serving up the most sublime panorama imaginable.
In addition to the gondola ride (which is New Zealand's longest-running operation), the adjacent Skyline Luge is wildly popular with families. Hop on the chairlift and you then have the choice of traversing the fast track or the scenic track for the 800m descent. Kids absolutely love it.
At the base of the gondola entrance, the Kiwi Birdlife Park is a well-presented sanctuary, showcasing our national bird along with a menagerie of feathered friends. It's also a great place to get up close with our oldest indigenous creature, the tuatara.
Located down on the pier, Queenstown's Underwater Observatory is the only subterranean freshwater facility in the country. The observatory plays host to some huge species of fish, some very slimy eels and New Zealand's deep diving duck - the scaup. Take some $1 coins with you, deposit them in the fish-feeding machine, and you'll create quite a frenzy. Great fun.
A deliciously languid pursuit is to board the legendary lady of Lake Wakatipu, the TSS Earnslaw steamship. There is something special about hearing the rumble of her steam engines and watching the stokers fuelling the fireboxes.
There are a variety of cruises to choose from. I opted for the Walter Peak High County excursion, which features a tremendous blend of awe-inspiring scenery, farm demonstrations, heritage insights and hearty, country-style cuisine.
You could not wish for a more outstanding lakeside location than the Crowne Plaza Queenstown. The resort town's premier hotel offers contemporary, stylish accommodation, superb amenities - including a ski-drying room - and all rooms boast a private balcony.
The aptly named Threesixty Restaurant showcases award-winning New Zealand cuisine using the freshest local ingredients, overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables. You may want to indulge in a pre- or post-dinner cocktail at the chic, velvety Martini Room, adjacent to the restaurant.
TOP TIPS
* Soaking up the resort town's splendour from the comfort of the Crowne Plaza is the icing on top of a Queenstown escape. Check out their current specials at www.crowneplaza.co.nz
* The TSS Earnslaw operates a variety of cruises on Lake Wakatipu. If you're travelling with children, take advantage of the "Kids Go Free" deals during the school holidays. www.realjourneys.co.nz

* With such a bewildering array of attractions and tours on-tap, it does pay to do plenty of holiday planning before heading to Queenstown. The official tourism website is loaded with great ideas. www.queenstown-nz.co.nz