Kiwi Birdlife Park, Underwater Observatory, Golf Frisbee

Nestled next to the base of the gondola, but often overlooked by the thousands who walk by, is this tranquil birdlife park. The park opened in

1986, a fulfilment of the vision of the late Noeleen and Dick Wilson, who wanted to create a safe haven for native wildlife in Queenstown. Dick and his son Paul converted land that had been used as a dumping ground by planting over

10,000 native trees.

After those sterling efforts, the 2ha site is now alive with bird chatter, and the park also operates breed-and-release programmes for many of New Zealand's ornithological treasures including kiwi, brown teal, whio and the Otago skink.

It's always a pleasure to see our national icon burrowing around their nocturnal enclosure for food and the Birdlife Park provides the perfect escape from the higher energy of town. A quiet wander along the native trails between enclosures is also a learning experience about the fauna and flora along the way. The daily conservation show puts the educational aspirations of the park in action, including the use of trained feathered friends who interact with the audience. Rick the kereru swoops in on cue with big wings skimming over the heads of the crowd, and the loveable cheeky-eyed Molly is the only morepork in the world in a free-flight bird show.

An educational honey centre has recently been added, delivering an additional conservation message around declining bee numbers. Try to find the queen bee amongst 35,000 active bees in the indoor hive, which is linked outside for the bees to come and go. There's a variety of honey to sample, and an impressive range of bee-related products such as pollen, propolis and royal jelly on offer too. Brecon Street. (03) 442 8059, kiwibird.co.nz