Only one week to go now before The Chinese New Year, otherwise known as Spring Festival, is well and truly upon us! Queenstown will be turning red overnight with lanterns and dragons appearing in all corners and shop windows. But – when is the Chinese New Year and how is it celebrated? Here’s some interesting info full of fun facts to keep you in the know!

When is the Chinese New Year?

The New Year celebrations span 15 days from the date of the first full moon in a calendar year, and because it follows the lunar cycle, the New Year date is always changing. This year, the 12 year Chinese zodiac falls on the Year of the Dog. And the Chinese New Year starts from February 16.

The Year of the Dog is said to be refreshed and regenerated, the Dog will accelerate the initiation of all things, but this will bring at the same time, pressure and stress in everyday life.

How is the Chinese New Year celebrated?

Just like special days in the Western calendar, the Chinese New Year is celebrated with traditional decorations, food, costumes and rituals. Many of these traditions stem from the Chinese legend about a man-eating beast.

In the weeks leading up to the New Year, Chinese families give their homes a thorough clean and believe the process sweeps away any bad luck from the previous year. Referred to as the ‘Spring Clean’, decorations are hung throughout the house and doors and window frames are often given a fresh coat of red paint to ward off evil spirits.

Check out this video from Panda Express to learn more about the traditions and legends that make Chinese New Year such an exciting time of year!

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Kick-start this year’s staff party with an adrenaline-fuelled 60 minute jet boat adventure down the stunning Kawarau river!  From there, get dropped at the jetty of one of Queenstown’s best lakeside dining locations, Stacks Pub at Kawarau Village. 

Enjoy a delicious Summer BBQ complemented by a two hour beverage package. Queenstown Water Taxi’s will then safely transport you back into Queenstown Bay at your leisure.

Only $154 per person!

Contact Emily on [email protected] to make your booking today!

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Ski season is finally here – and we can’t wait!!

What’s available?

Four commercial ski resorts make up the Queenstown and Wanaka offerings for snow lovers. Choose from The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, Cardrona and Treble Cone with something for everyone including Olympic sized super pipes, state of the art chairlifts, cruising groomed runs, big mountain style and spectacular views. Ski season is usually from mid June to late September, and the best times for skiing are typically in July and August. All ski fields are accessible by ski shuttles that depart from your chosen hotel or central Queenstown and lifts are open from 9am till 4pm.

Continually ranked as one of the world’s leading destinations, Queenstown is an unforgettable experience. The four international-standard ski fields (all within a 90 minute drive) will impress the most discerning visitors, and the scenery will knock your socks off! Throw in an abundance of off-mountain attractions and you have the recipe for a getaway that ticks all the boxes.

Don’t quite fancy hitting the slopes yet?

Don’t worry! Queenstown has New Zealand’s first very own indoor snow park suitable for all levels. Learning to ski or snowboard at Queenstown Indoor Snow Park is the perfect option if you want to try out the sport before spending money on expensive gear and passes. Plus one hour of tuition will be provided along with quality rental equipment and then followed by one hour of supervised skiing to perfect your technique!

Something more advanced…

Now – if you’re an avid skier or snowboarder, experience the slopes in a completely new way! A Heli-skiing adventure will take you deep into the heart of New Zealand’s Southern Alps, an isolated region that’s been left virtually untouched. Standing smack in the middle of swathes and swathes of pristine white powder, fasten your bindings, inhale the crisp mountain air and admire for a moment your spectacular surroundings before pushing off and gliding forward! As the powder flies and your adrenalin levels rise, you soon realise the incredible scale of this vast mountain range. It really is a once in a lifetime experience.

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WINTER STARTS HERE !  

Thursday 22 – Sunday 25 June 2017

It’s a four day extravaganza of Queenstown’s unique culture and community with street parties, fireworks, international and local acts, comedy, family fun, and plenty of Mountain Mayhem.

Town will be a-buzz with people celebrating the arrival of winter in true Queenstown style.

Way back in 1975 a bunch of locals decided that the start of winter was a great excuse to have a party. They organised races on the mountain and in town, lollies for the kids, beers for the grown-ups, a concert or two and a town-wide ball, all of which made the Festival a great success. News spread quickly and the next year people came from further afield to join the festivities.

Since then the Festival has evolved into New Zealand’s – and perhaps the southern Hemisphere’s – biggest celebration of winter.

When does the Queenstown Winter Festival take place?

The 2017 Winter Festival starts on Thursday 22 until Sunday 25 June.

What’s on?

The programme of events have been released and tickets are on sale!  

Get Involved

There are plenty events to enter if you wish to take part.  Plenty of fantastic prizes up for grabs, so get your mates together and join in the fun!

What to Wear?

Generally the weather is settled and a crisp +7-8 degree Celsius to 0 degree Celsius.  However, in the mountains the weather can change dramatically in a few moments so it is best to be prepared for all situations. Average daily max temperature is 7.7 degree Celsius.

Winter is a fantastic time to visit Queenstown, with crisp clean air and often clear blue skies with sunshine. So dress warm, pack your beanie and toss in your dancing shoes and something a little flash just in case you feel like glamming it up. Get prepared to brave the elements and embrace the buzz of winter, just one of the many reasons people come here!

For more information on upcoming events, check out the link below!

 https://www.winterfestival.co.nz/festival-events/

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Queenstown has an abundant assortment of exciting and fun things to do during your visit that you can fit in around your adrenalin activities. Check out our list of 7 Queenstown Must Do Festivals and Events for 2017.

Queenstown Night Noodle Market

When: 19th – 23rd April 

The Night Noodle Market came to Queenstown for its debut last year and due to its popularity, this delicious and highly enjoyable event will be back for Round Two in 2017!

The Queenstown Night Noodle Market unearths the locals, brings in tourists, and also food fanatics from far and wide. We promise there will be more than just noodles at the Night Noodle Market. Last year, the array of Asian cuisine styles was abundant!

Akaroa Arrowtown Autumn Festival

When: 20th – 25th April

The South Island and Arrowtown, in particular, is struck with incredible autumnal bursts of red and gold during autumn and what better way to celebrate than with a festival! Join the following and take part in the many competitions, workshops, exhibitions, markets, and guided tours.

As the Autumn Festival falls over ANZAC Day, there is a free RSA service incorporated into the schedule of events.

Luma Southern Light Project

When: 2nd – 5th June

Luma Queenstown is an arts and culture festival right here in our very own Queenstown Gardens! As this event comes alive at night, it’s perfect for an activity to do after work or to end a day of adrenaline activities. Best of all, it’s free!

Queenstown Winterfestival

When: 22nd – 25th June

Queenstown Winter Festival has been claimed ‘biggest winter party in the Southern Hemisphere’ and we firmly agree! Winterfest kicks off winter in Queenstown like no other party ever before. With an action-packed and colourful lineup of activities over four days, there’s always something going on to keep you interested.

Gay Ski Week

When: 2nd – 9th September

If you love to party, dance, board or ski, you definitely can’t afford to miss Queenstown’s most colourful event of the year. 

 Fancy dress is a must for both on and off the slopes, getting involved in foam parties, pool parties,  or karaoke before venturing off for more after-dark revelry within the streets of Queenstown.

Queenstown International Marathon

When: 18th November

The Air New Zealand Queenstown International Marathon is a huge drawcard on the event calendar. It’s not just about the running either. The after entertainment schedule is one to not be missed!

Let us know when you’re here to do some adrenalin activities. We’ve got the jet boating sorted!

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Last year was the year we made our biggest resolution yet…

We aimed so high that it seemed impossible; simply unachievable. The numbers were showing their worth and creeping slowly to maximum capacity. We were closing in on capacity. What a fantastic problem to have, but not sustainable and how do we overcome it for the future?

New year, new jet boat.

Nothing in particular started happening until October came rolling around and the whisperings started – we’re getting a new boat for Christmas!

Things fast tracked immensely and it was all go, go, go! Getting a new jet boat was now all anyone could focus on as the excitement was certainly stirring amongst the team.

She was, by far, the best Christmas present we’ve ever had (in a world of jet boats, of course)! Just before Christmas, there she was, all new and shiny being backed into the workshop which was to be her new home.

We decided that such a special addition to our fleet, our family, deserved a dramatic introduction. She needed to get some hours under her belt before we could bring her out to show her off to the world. This is why we’ve chosen to shout it to the rooftops in 2017!

Thunder 4 Specs.

• Largest boat ever built by Mackraft
• A New Zealand first in design and execution
• Capacity: 34 passengers
• Twin Ford Raptor 440hp engines
• Fusion Marine Sound System

Introducing, our newest member of the Thunder Jet Family, Thunder 4! We are proud as punch.

For further information please refer to the professional media stuff at the below link:

https://www.thunderjetqueenstown.co.nz/thunder-jet-raised-bar/

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New generation jet boat launches in Queenstown.

An innovative new generation of jet boat has launched onto the Queenstown scene, able to carry almost double the number of passengers than an average river jet boat.

Joining the ranks of Queenstown’s fast-growing Thunder Jet fleet, the jet boat was designed and built by McKenzie Marine in Bluff and is the first of its kind to use the powerful Ford Raptor engine. Thunder Jet 4 can carry 34 passengers at a time, dwarfing the standard 20 passengers, but uses the same amount of fuel as a standard jet boat.

Jet boat pioneer and Thunder Jet owner Neville Kelly came up with the concept in 2015 when planning how best to manage the current increase in demand and future-proof the company, given expected tourism growth.

“We’ve operated Thunder 4 since Christmas Eve and have been blown away by its performance. It handles as well, if not better than our smaller boats,” says Neville.

 The boat is already proving a hit with large groups and families.

“One of the things we hear from groups and families is they don’t want to split up to do the trip, and families don’t want one of the parents to have to stay back with the smallest child. In our boats the whole family can go together from toddlers up. They just have to fit our life jackets!”

Thunder Jet 4’s unique interior hull design means it is unsinkable. With an impeccable safety record, all of the company’s drivers also hold higher maritime safety qualifications than the standard required for jet boat drivers. Each of the drivers has a Skippers’ restricted licence, their commercial jet boat licence, and a wealth of knowledge and experience.

“While safety is obviously our number one priority, our customers come away from their experience sporting huge grins,” says Neville. “Our ride takes people skimming across the lake and then weaves between the cliffs and along the braids of the Kawarau river, with a few famous Hamilton spins thrown in for good measure. Thunder Jet 4 also boasts a 600W sound system which massively adds to the whole adventure.”

The addition of Thunder 4 will allow the company to meet current and future demand. While Queenstown tourism is booming, Thunder Jet’s extraordinary success in its five years of operation has also been recognised with its award as a Deloitte top 50 fastest-growing company in 2013.

Tech specs of Thunder 4

• Next generation 6.2L Ford Raptor engines
• CAD designed and laser cut
• Eight metre length
• 600w Fusion touchscreen sound system with built-in subwoofers

About Thunder Jet

Thunder Jet offers an unforgettable 47km jet boat ride across Lake Wakatipu and along the Kawarau River. Get up close and personal with the dramatic alpine scenery surrounds as you power past towering cliffs, hugging the water’s edge from the comfort of the state-of-the-art jet boats.

For more information about Thunder Jet go to www.thunderjet.co.nz.

ENDS

For more information contact:

Haley Kelly

P: 021 863 628

E: [email protected]

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Here’s to a very merry Christmas in Queenstown!

Surprise, it’s December! With Christmas looming just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking of how you’re going to spend this glorious holiday. With hot weather, long evenings and never-ending activities, Queenstown is one of the best places to be in New Zealand over the festive holiday season. Let us explain why…

Christmas in Queenstown is like nowhere else. You really have to be here to see it, to believe it. CNN Travel included Queenstown last year on a list ‘15 of the Best Places to Spend Christmas’ – WOW! If CNN recommends it then it MUST be good.

If you’re from the Northern Hemisphere then you’re in for an absolute treat as the Southern Hemisphere brings with it long evenings, pot-luck BBQs, endless family time, and plenty of Backyard Cricket (BYC).

Sticking to Tradition

Even though it’s a Northern Hemisphere tradition, New Zealand still embraces the same Northern Hemisphere Christmas decorations consisting of snowmen, holly leaves, santa hats, and fake snow, just to name a few. You’ll find Santa not in a sleigh pulled by reindeer, but hanging out on the sandy beaches in his red felt shorts and floppy Santa sunhat with a cold craft beer in his hand. If you’re out and about at the right times, you may just spot him.

Home Away From Home

As a significant proportion of Queenstown’s occupants are travellers who are on working holiday visas, many of them band together to create an ‘Orphan’s Christmas’ at various locations where people can come, mingle, and spend Christmas together, sometimes with complete strangers! Many of these are situated around Queenstown’s many free gas barbeques dotted around the town’s lakeside and parks. Make sure you get in early to stake your claim to one of these!

Kiwi Christmas Food

Typical Kiwi Christmas menu options include lamb, seafood, or chicken flamed-grilled on a barbeque and many other options all shared in a ‘pot-luck’ style. This is a great option to spread out the preparing of food within a group as not any one single person has to do all the cooking! Handy tip: Make sure you grab a pack of bread buns for leftover lunches on Boxing Day and wash it down with the rest of the pavlova for dessert – YUM!

Adventure for Christmas

Queenstown doesn’t really shut down over the holiday period and you’ll find many, if not most activity operators are open on Christmas Day as this is Queenstown’s busiest times. Seeing as though it’s aptly named ‘The Adventure Tourism Capital’ then it surely must live up to its name! If you want to partake in adrenaline activities for all or part of the day then Queenstown is definitely your jam. Take your pick from jet boating, paragliding, and luging, just to name a few. 

Thunder Jet is open on Christmas Day and we’d love to have you hang with us on the water for Christmas. What a better way to spend Christmas than a spot of jet boating for the day!

Because of it’s warm summery days, Christmas is spent predominantly outside either on the lake doing activities or on the edge of the lake watching fondly as you soak up the sunshine.

Come and join us for a day of camaraderie, chuckles and cheer! At least come and hang with us in the sun by the lake.

Contact us directly for bookings on (03) 441 1116 or via our booking page  – we can’t wait to see you!

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If height, weight, or price restrictions aren’t enough to hinder the whole family from participating in activities around Queenstown then throw in the added stress of this busy holiday time and you’ve got a ‘school holiday conundrum’ on your hands!

We’ve scoured high and low, far and wide, and have compiled a list of our top findings that might just help with entertaining the kids these school holidays and maybe even the adults too!

1. Thunder Jet

If your family is of the adrenaline type, then you’d be crazy not to experience one of Queenstown’s most iconic activities – jet boating! Thunder Jet takes you on a whole hour ride across the lake and down the Kawarau River complete with commentary and the famous 360° Hamilton spins! Grab a Family Pack for $299 (2AD 2CH = 1 CH goes FREE), it’s such a great deal!

2. Real Journeys

Kids go FREE deal. As Real Journeys have such a vast array of products and experiences, it’s a fantastic option that kids go FREE on a selection on some of these products. We all know that travelling with children can be expensive so Real Journeys now offers a fantastic solution! See their website for further terms and conditions.

3. Cardrona Alpine Resort

Another epic ‘kids ski FREE’ deal these school holidays! What more do you want to hear when bringing little grommets with you to a holiday in Queenstown! Parents, treat yourself and catch the last of the spring snow up at Cardrona Alpine Resort these school holidays.

4. Queenstown Water Taxis

What a novelty to travel across Lake Wakatipu by the water taxi! Take the family across to Stacks Pub at the Kawarau Village for lunch or morning tea and a laze in the sun and catch the water taxi back! It makes for a great spare day filler that isn’t so hectic jam-packed full of activities. Kids $5 and under 5s are FREE (we love that word).

5. Kiwi Birdlife Park

Located on Brecon Street under the Skyline gondola lies a tranquil home of kiwi and other birdlife. Not visible from the road, it’s like unwrapping a present as you wind your way through the peaceful park. Such a great option for families as $98 gets you 2 adults and 3 children. Also, every ticket purchased goes to helping the kiwi birds so it’s a win win!

6. Skyline Luge

The Skyline Queenstown Luge is a thrilling experience for all ages and abilities! We’ve chosen this as our number 6 because visiting Skyline Queenstown can be as short or long as you want it to be – there’s something here for everyone! More importantly, families won’t need to split up as everyone can all ride together. Even better still, you can finish off with a delicious ice cream or yummy hot chocolate from the café after your downhill adventure! Skyline offers a Family Pass (2AD+3CH) for $129 which includes gondola and 8 luge rides to share…yes, share.

The post You Will Thank Us – 6 Tips About School Holiday Deals in Queenstown You Need To Know appeared first on Thunder Jet Queenstown.

Gay Ski Week 2016 is almost here!

When? Saturday, August 27th – Friday, September 2nd.

Welcome, all you Queens to Queenstown, the birthplace and home of Gay Ski Week NZ! If you love to party, dance, board or ski, you definitely can’t afford to miss Queenstown’s most colourful event of the year.

The numero uno obvious activity happening here will be skiing! Cardrona, The Remarkables, and Coronet Peak are set to deliver the gorgeous gay goods this week when it comes to anything snow! Better yet, hit the slopes and arrive in style on the Pink Bus exclusive to Gay Ski Week – now that’s fabulous, darling!

Even if you’re not into the cold, there’s still plenty to do from hitting the shops to enjoying the sensational views while you soak in a relaxing spa getting mentally ready for the parties that await.

Here’s a comprehensive guide of a few of the things going on this week other than skiing:

Saturday, 27^th

• See it all begin at the ‘Break the Ice’ Welcome Party! Queenstown’s Barmuda has it’s own pop-up gay bar for the week. Head on down and see what it’s all about. Oh, and did we mention it’s FREE!

Sunday, 28^th

• Fluffy Hoedown at Cowboys Bar. Fluffy’s bags are packed and she’s ready to blast you out the door for the second year in a row!

Monday, 29^th

• Luge & lunching with Skyline Queenstown. Who doesn’t love a good ice skating party with colourful lights, sparkling disco balls, and quirky mayhem going down at Queenstown Ice Arena.

Tuesday, 30^th

• Jet boat Queenstown with Thunder Jet! Special promo deal for Gay Ski Week NZ customers – SAVE $30! After you’ve had your adrenaline fix, your VIP dinner at Botswana Butchery awaits! Prepare to be dining in absolute style.

Wednesday 31^st

• Queenstown Wine Trails will be your hosts for the afternoon winning you over with vino throughout the day. Then Bingo with Balls kicks off at Brecon St Merchants for some old-fashioned fun from 7pm.

Thursday 1^st

• Cocktails and hot tubs, need we say more? The Lux Pool Party is back again at The Hilton Resort and Spa Queenstown! Be transferred via Water Taxi to your destination and spend the afternoon being wooed by DJ Dan Murphy and Jim Jam.

Friday 2^nd

• Whiteout: The Finale. Prepare yourself for one big final party that’ll blow your socks back to Sunday. All dressed in white, you’ll be sure to see out Gay Ski Week NZ with a bang.

See Gay Ski Week NZ for more details and to book tickets.

Share this with your friends if you’re already going to some of these events!

See you all on Thunder Jet on Tuesday!

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