The Wakatipu Basin Key

1. Lake Wakatipu – Being the third largest lake in New Zealand, Lake Wakatipu is somewhat interesting. Because of the mountains which rise hastily from the shore of this glacier lake, Lake Wakatipu has an unusual rhythmic rise and fall in water level, roughly about 12 cm every five minutes. The lakes deepest point is 378 metres with the average depth being around 230 metres and is 291 sq km or 84km in length. Lake Wakatipu is 310 metres above sea level.
2. Crown Range – The Crown Range Mountains separates Queenstown with the Cardrona Valley and then Wanaka with the Crown Range Road linking these areas. The bronze plaque at the Crown Range Road Summit confirms that this historic pass, at 1076 metres (3530 ft) is one of the highest sealed (paved) roads in all of New Zealand
3. The Remarkables – The Remarkables Mountain Range dominates the skyline around Queenstown, its highest point is Double Cone which is 2319 metres (7608 ft) The mountains were allegedly named The Remarkables by early Surveyor, Alexander Garvie because they are one of only two mountain ranges in the world which run directly north to south.
4. Walter Peak Station – Walter Peak is a 65,000 acre working high country sheep station that was founded in 1860, it is 13 kilometres across Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown, 40 minutes steaming time on the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship.
5. Kelvin Heights & Golf Course – Kelvin Heights is a small settlement that can be reached via Frankton, at its tip it is also home to Kelvin Heights golf course.
6. Frankton – Frankton is the entry port for many tourists travelling to Queenstown. This is where the international airport is situated and the main shopping centre of Queenstown.
7. Peninsula Hill (Deer Park) – Deer Park is 800 hectare park and was once home to many types of animals, the park reaches 550 metres (1,804 ft above Queenstown). Deer Park was used a filming location for a number of movies including – Lord Of The Rings – The Two Towers and Wolverine. Deer Park was one of Queenstown’s best attractions but is sadly no longer open.
8. Cecil Peak – Cecil Peak was named by Queenstown Pioneer William Rees after his son and is 1974 metres (6,479 ft) high
9. Earnslaw Steam Ship – Launched in 1912, the TSS Earnslaw is the grandest vessel ever to ply Lake Wakatipu and is believed to be the only coal-fired passenger-carrying vessel still operating in the southern hemisphere. The TSS Earnslaw was named after Mount Earnslaw, a 2889 metre peak at the head of Lake Wakatipu. The TSS Earnslaw makes several trips daily across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm on the western shores.