Queenstown’s Ziptrek Ecotours will officially open the world’s steepest tree-to tree flying fox adventure on November 14 as part of its new Kea 6-Line Tour.
The 6-line, high velocity tour guarantees an eco-adventure like no other, taking thrill-seekers to speeds of up to 70 km ph on a extended ‘zip into town’ experience that builds on the company’s original Moa 4-Line Tour.
The 3-hour Kea Tour begins in the Ziptrek Guest Services Tree-house where guests are harnessed up for the Moa 4-line Tour. Following 2 hours high in the forest canopy, feet next touch the ground for a stunning 20 minute trek through ancient native beech forest along the Tiki Trail extension, a track created by Ziptrek and gifted to the community.
Guests then embark on the final “hair-raising” line of the Kea 6-Line Tour before being unclipped from their harnesses just a short stroll from the resort’s town centre.
Company General Manager Trent Yeo said he was ‘just delighted’ to open the new flying fox after years of careful planning.
“It was always our intention to finish the tour at the base of the hill and we are so excited to finally reach that goal. Ziptrek Ecotours now offers two great choices for people including a massively exciting adventure and a more accessible tour, all in the forest canopy high above Queenstown. The Kea 6-Line Tour takes zipping to the next level.”
Mr Yeo says the company now welcomes all Queenstown adrenaline seekers to come and test the ‘fear factor’ of the Kea 6-Line Tour.
“Zippers on the Kea Tour fly down the hill for about a kilometre, the equivalent length of 10 rugby pitches,” said Mr Yeo. “The lines are simply breathtaking and take zipping to a seriously new level. It makes sense to us that you get up the hill by gondola and travel down just using gravity.”
Ziptrek Ecotours launched in December 2009 with the original Moa 4-lineTour. The new 6-line doubles the actual zipping distance and has offered the opportunity for the company to expand on its strong ecological ethos.
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.
“The Kea 6-Line Tour brings many aspects of eco-adventure together. Throughout most of the tour, people’s feet never touch the ground; they’re literally hanging out in the high forest canopy. When not in the trees, guests are meandering through some amazing forest which is rarely accessed by the public, and throughout, guests can learn about environmental responsibility and The Natural Step decision making framework.”
The aerial-tree platforms linking the two new lines were built by a specialist team from Ziptrek Ecotour’s sister company in Whistler, Canada. The highest platform is approximately eight storeys high.
The original classic Moa 4-Line Tour will continue to offer family friendly zipping, while the Kea 6-Line Tour is considerably steeper and reserved for those over the age of 10 with a reasonably high adventure capacity.
