December 12 2016
Environmentally conscious Queenstown businesses join forces for the ultimate air and water package
Experience breathtaking scenery and exciting jet boating on Dart River’s Wilderness Jet
Two of Queenstown’s most environmentally-conscious businesses have joined forces to offer the ultimate air and
water-based tourism experience.
Conservation, eco-tourism and sustainability are thriving in New Zealand, and Queenstown’s Ziptrek Ecotours and Dart
River Wilderness Jet are equally committed to ensuring their eco-credentials translate to positive experiences for
locals and tourists alike.
Ziptrek Sales and Marketing Manager Nicky Busst said Dart River was a “natural fit” for Ziptrek to approach when looking
for a company to ‘combo’ with for the upcoming summer season and beyond.
The result is a new ‘Zip & Wilderness’ combo which neatly packages up a Ziptrek Adventure, soaring to new heights ‘zipping’ through the trees
above Queenstown, with a Dart River Wilderness Jet journey from Glenorchy at the head of Lake Wakatipu deep into Te
Waipounamu World Heritage area of Mt Aspiring National Park.
“Both experiences offer a unique combination of breathtaking scenery and exhilaration, but one of the main reasons we’re
delighted to be working with Dart River is because they share our passion for environmental sustainability and
protection,” said Nicky.
“It’s also a lovely fit with our product offering, so even if they’re only here for a day, visitors can experience some
of the best air and water-based activities in Queenstown.
“Both activities attract like-minded visitors, so we were delighted when they agreed to work with us.”
Ziptrek’s reservations team recently spent the day on a Dart River Wilderness Jet familiarisation visit to experience
the Dart River ‘wow’ factor, and are hoping to host the Dart River team soon on a reciprocal visit.
“They absolutely loved their day out at the head of the lake and came back buzzing after the trip, saying it was one of
the best things you can experience in Queenstown,” said Nicky.
“We’re positive this will prove a very popular combo activity in light of feedback we’ve had from agents we’ve told
about the package, and based on how busy bookings are already for this upcoming summer season.”
Ngai Tahu Tourism Southern Region Marketing Manager Nigel Kerr is also delighted to be working alongside Ziptrek.
“Both experiences have a natural affinity with nature and our environment that makes a combo both logical and in our
customers’ best interests,” he said.
Ziptrek Ecotours already has two other hugely successful combos on its books – a Zip & Ride package with Around The Basin bike tours, and Zip & Kiwi in conjunction with Queenstown’s Kiwi Birdlife Park.
The new Zip & Wilderness package includes travel on a Dart River Wilderness Jet journey, experiencing a unique combination of
breathtaking scenery, great Māori legends and exciting jet boating on braided, glacier fed rivers. The trip includes a
walk in ancient beech forest, unchanged for millions of years, passing by locations used in the Lord of the Rings movies
to illustrate Middle Earth.
The Ziptrek Tour consists of up to six ziplines, starting at the top of the Skyline gondola above Queenstown. All ages
love the interaction this guided aerial tour has to offer, including informative talks in aerial treetop platforms and
zipping through the trees at speeds of up to 70kph.
The multi-award-winning Ziptrek Ecotours prides itself on its environmental sustainability. It previously won the
Environmental Tourism Award at the national Tourism Industry Awards, where judges described it as a “wonderful example”
of a highly successful tourism business embracing and promoting sustainability in everything it does.
Ngāi Tahu Tourism is one of the largest tourism operators in Aotearoa and owns 11 iconic businesses around the country,
including Dart River.
The new Zip & Wilderness package is priced from $369 (adult) and early bookings are highly recommended.
To watch a short video clip on Ziptrek Ecotours’ new zipline video, click here or for Dart River go here
ENDS