'Zip into town' with Ziptrek Ecotours

Ziptrek Ecotours will launch the world’s steepest tree to tree flying fox adventure as part of its new and thrilling Kea Tour.

The Queenstown company is installing two new flying foxes to take ‘zippers’ on a spectacular and exhilarating eco adventure through the forest canopy high above Queenstown, on Skyline Gondola hill.

The final two flying foxes will be the culmination of years of planning. The company launched in December 2009 with the original Moa 4-line tour. The additional two ziplines will enable guests to go all the way from the top of the hill to the bottom, unclipping their harnesses just a short stroll from the resort’s CBD (Central Business District).

Company General Manager Trent Yeo said the new development was always part of the Ziptrek plan and he was “absolutely delighted” to announce two fantastic adventure options for guests to choose from.

“The original Moa Tour has been hugely successful over the past 10 months, but the new Kea Tour will more than double Ziptrek’s flying fox distance and gives those with an appetite for adrenaline the chance to take zip-lining to a hair-raising level.

“Zippers on the Kea Tour will fly down the hill for about a kilometre, the equivalent length of 10 rugby pitches,” said Mr Yeo. “It makes sense to me, you get up the hill by gondola and travel down just using gravity.”

“They’ll also experience our four brand new and very beautiful aerial tree-platforms which were built by a specialist team from Ziptrek Ecotour’s sister company in Whistler, Canada.

“Designers, mechanical and structural engineers collaborated from Canada, Christchurch's University of Canterbury and Queenstown to create stunning tree-based architecture and systems unlike anything ever produced in the world.”

The Kea Tour will be a three-hour high-velocity 6-line adventure that includes a stunning 20-minute guided trek along a new extension of the local ‘Tiki Trail’. The extended trail was developed by Ziptrek with the blessing of the Queenstown Lakes District Council and meanders through ancient native beech forest.

Mr Yeo said the original classic Moa Tour offered four lines of varying pitch and was completely family-friendly, while the two new Kea Tour lines were considerably steeper, taking the zipper at speeds of up to 70 kph.

“Throughout most of the tour, people’s feet never touch the ground; they’re literally hanging out in the high forest canopy. The Tiki Trail then gets your feet on the ground and into some amazing forest rarely accessed by the public.”

QLDC General Manager Community Services Paul Wilson said the council was pleased to be able to accommodate Ziptrek’s request for the construction of a further walking track in the Ben Lomond Forest.

The Kea Tour will open in November, and the launch will be celebrated in the Ziptrek guest services tree at the top of the Skyline Gondola hill. The Kea Tour is recommended only for thrill-seekers over the age of 10 (maximum weight 125kg).

About Ziptrek Ecotours

Ziptrek Ecotours is a spectacular and exhilarating flying fox eco-adventure through the forest canopy situated atop Skyline Gondola hill, high above Queenstown. ‘Zippers’ either ride the Skyline Gondola or walk up the “Tiki Trail” to check in at the Ziptrek Guest Services Treehouse. From the moment guests check in and harness up they experience an unforgettable adventure as they “Zziippp” through the forest canopy on flying foxes, soaking up stunning panoramic lake and mountain views of Queenstown and its surroundings. Thrill seekers can choose from two Ziptrek Ecotours courses; the classic 4-line ‘Moa’ Tour - designed as a great starter for beginners and young zippers - returning to the top of the Skyline Gondola hill, or the new and advanced 6-line ‘Kea’ Tour – which includes a guided ‘Tiki Trail’ forest trek and finishes with the world’s steepest flying fox landing at the base of the Skyline Gondola. Between flying foxes, zippers step on and off a series of architecturally designed, beautifully constructed aerial launch platforms where Ziptrek guides deliver an interpretive talk with a strong ecological focus before “Zzipping” to the next tree platform. Zippers can enhance their thrill factor by zipping in different positions – frontwards, backwards, sideways, upside down and ‘Spiderman-style’!. Ziptrek Ecotours is an all-weather, all-abilities that activity operating all year round and is perfect for families (Moa min age 7, Kea min age 10), individuals and groups.