Spoilt for choice in the Wakatipu (Thu, 29th Mar 2012)

With major sporting events scheduled to take us through to Easter, the Wakatipu is a busy place this Autumn. The resort is buzzing with athletes as the Arrowtown-based NZPGA Pro-Am Championship gets underway at The Hills golf course today (Thursday) and bike enthusiasts of all disciplines arrive in the resort to tackle some of the events on the 11 day long Queenstown Bike Festival programme which starts tomorrow (Friday). Autumn is the perfect time to make the most of the recreational offerings of the Wakatipu and organisers of both events expect to attract large numbers to the resort. Hollywood actor Don Cheadle will line up against New Zealand Prime Minister John Key to play in a preliminary event at Jack's Point golf course tomorrow and there will be plenty of action on the main course at The Hills near Arrowtown through until Sunday. The second annual Queenstown Bike Festival runs through until April 9 and amongst the events will be New Zealand's first bike slopestyle event offering competitors an attractive $10,000 prize purse. There are always a lot of things to do in Queenstown. Don't miss out on the action.

By: Team Thunder Jet @ 11:44:11 - View comments (0)   Add a comment   |   Share on Facebook   |   Tweet this

On ya bike! (Thu, 22nd Mar 2012)

Pedal power dominating resort

Biking is a boom industry in Queenstown - the resort's expansive network of trails and tracks offers suitable rides for all ages and abilities and mountainbike riders and cyclists around the world are cottoning on. In recent years a lot of work has been done to build and maintain cycle ways, jump parks and downhill tracks and word is getting out with thousands of visitors coming to utilise the world class facilities. Not a month goes by without a biking event of some description being held in the resort during the long summer season and the number of businesses springing up to service the ever growing industry suggest it will continue to expand in the future. To showcase the region's extensive bike facilities, organisers of the ten-day long Queenstown Bike Festival held from March 30, have made use of as many trails and jump parks as possible. The festival includes everything from leisurely family rides to extreme downhill action - and if you would rather sit on the sideline and watch - the new Slopestyle event in central Queenstown will be worth a look. Thunder Jet will be operating throughout the festival, so if you fancy a little fun on the water check out our rides here.

By: Team Thunder Jet @ 16:02:05 - View comments (0)   Add a comment   |   Share on Facebook   |   Tweet this

It's Business Time (Thu, 15th Mar 2012)

The wait is finally over for kiwi fans of the highly successful comedy act The Flight of the Conchords. Grammy award winning duo Bret McKenzie (who recently won an Oscar for his work on The Muppets film) and Jemaine Clement have announced a ten-date nationwide tour of New Zealand this winter and Queenstown has made the cut. The pair are expected to perform in front of a sell-out crowd of about 1500 during the opening weekend of Queenstown's annual Winter Festival. Following the success of their HBO hit television series, the kiwi duo have sold out tours across the United States and Europe, been nominated for an Emmy Award and been on The Simpsons. Tickets for the June 24 concert at the Queenstown Events Centre go on sale on March 23.

By: Team Thunder Jet @ 14:03:22 - View comments (0)   Add a comment   |   Share on Facebook   |   Tweet this

Win the ultimate Queenstown getaway this Autumn (Wed, 7th Mar 2012)

Fancy indulging in a $NZ5000 Queenstown holiday this Autumn? Of course you do. To be in with a chance to win the ultimate getaway all you ave to do is describe how you would spend $5000 in the resort in less than 50 words. There are so many things to do in Queenstown that keeping your answer within the word limit could prove to be challenging.Entrants are talking about renewing vows, treating their family to a well deserved break, getting away from the Christchurch shakes and living it up like a rock star.

We've compiled a list of five suggestions to get you started - good luck!

1. Exhilarating jetboat experience with Thunder Jet (of course)

2. Skyline Gondola ride to the top of Bob's Peak to check out the stunning birds eye views of Queenstown

3. Tour of the Wakatipu Basin's fine wineries

4. Bungy jump

5. Enjoy Queenstown's fine dining establishments and lively nightlife

To enter Destination Queenstown's autumn holiday giveaway on Facebook go to http://on.fb.me/yPDonB. Ten entries will be drawn at random and voted on. Entries close March 21 (Only persons residing in Australia and New Zealand who are at least 18 years of age can enter).

By: Team Thunder Jet @ 10:24:56 - View comments (0)   Add a comment   |   Share on Facebook   |   Tweet this

Bathe in the river (Fri, 2nd Mar 2012)

Kiwi soul singer/guitarist Hollie Smith is Queenstown-bound this weekend to play the fourth concert in the Winehouse Summer Concert Series at Gibbston. Smith exploded onto the kiwi music scene with her rendition of Bathe in the River in 2006 and went on to win four Tuis at the New Zealand Music Awards for her debut album Long Player. The crew at Thunderjet know a bit about bathing in the river too and would love to take you for a spin on the fine waterways of the Wakatipu. See our rates here. Smith's performance will be followed by Anika Moa on March 18 and Julia Deans and Seth Haapu who will round out the series on April 1. Smith plays at the Winehouse on March 4 - tickets to all gigs are $45.

By: Team Thunder Jet @ 14:36:21 - View comments (0)   Add a comment   |   Share on Facebook   |   Tweet this