There are special places in the world of whom the mere mention sets the heart pumping and desire soaring.

Queenstown, New Zealand, is one of those places.

Mountain peaks and pure mountain air, adrenaline-fuelled adventure activities, skiing to rank amongst the best in the world, nightlife to rival cities of millions, New Zealand's premier resort town is a superb venue for any reason.

Queenstown, stretched around the shores of Lake Wakatipu (pr: 'Wah-kah-tee-poo'), is a jewel, set within the Remarkables, Eyre, Harris, Thomson and Richardson mountains. It truly is a remarkable piece of the world.

Rise effortlessly by Gondola to where your dreams can be achieved at Skyline Gondola Restaurant & Luge, offering spectacular panoramic views of lake and mountain.

White water rafting down Queenstown's Shotover River is a superb way to see the sights and have a huge dose of fun at the same time.

Jetboats scream alongside narrow riverbanks, rocks passing inches from faces aching with smiles a mile wide. Smiles that only get wider after bungying from hundreds of feet above mountain rivers.

Parapente from precipices or hang-glide off mountainsides for the ride of a lifetime. Riversledge - swimming rapids with modified boogie-boards - or take 4-wheel tours alongside sheer cliffs. The list isn't endless, but it takes a very long time to get through it all.

Queenstown is known as New Zealand's adventure capital with an abundance of activities to thrill and challenge and sights to amaze. But the resort has an equally seductive, relaxing side.

It is home to luxurious lodges and five star hotels - some of the best in the country.

And the area makes some of the best pinot noir wines in the world - challenging even the home of this grape - Burgundy.

Steam engine train rides along the lakeshore, cruises on the lake in the TSS Earnslaw and world-class golf courses that play host to American Presidents and movie stars.

Sumptuous moonlit dinners or simply sitting in a lakefront café in between bouts of shopping at exclusive world-brand fashion boutiques - Queenstown can cater to every need.

A popular winter playground for skiing (there are four world-renowned fields at its doorstep and heli-skiing is absolutely unbeatable), the resort is just as magical in the summer months.

Clear, warm days make for perfect helicopter sightseeing, adventuring, picnics, walking, mountain biking - or catch a light plane to Milford Sound and take a boat ride through the fiords to witness sights that astound.

The nearby historic gold mining town of Arrowtown is well worth a visit, and visitors can still try their luck at panning for gold. Step back in time and visit the museum, see artists and craftsmen at work in galleries.

Queenstown can host conventions for up to 1,000 delegates in a wide and interesting range of venues. The resort has a number of international standard hotels, luxury resorts and purpose-built venues available.

Most hotels look across the lake to the Remarkables and are well equipped with conference facilities.

Queenstown is easily accessible with regular flights from the country's main centres and direct flights from Australia.

The Southern Lakes District takes in lakes Wanaka (pr: 'Wah-nah-kah'), Hawea (pr: 'Hah-weh-ah'), Wakatipu, Te Anau (pr: 'Teh Ah-now') and Manapouri (pr: 'Mah-nah-paw-oo-rey'), along with the expansive one million hectare World Heritage Park, Fiordland National Park.

Wanaka, set on the lake of the same name, is the quieter companion to Queenstown.

An hour's scenic drive through vineyards, along rivers and through farmland, it boasts its own resort and brand new conference centre.

Short of the shopping and sheer number of bars and restaurants, all the activities Queenstown boasts can be found here with the bonus of fewer people and less demand for the tables in the restaurants.

Te Anau, also perched lakeside, some three hours coach drive from Queenstown, is known as the walking capital of the world. It is the gateway to the Milford, Routeburn, Hollyford and Kepler tracks and has a number of well-equipped smaller venues of its own.