Along Frankton Arm

East of Queenstown, Highway 6 skirts Frankton Arm, outlet of the Kawarau River into Lake Wakatipu. A small zoological garden borders the river near its outlet. The Kelvin Peninsula marks the arm's southern shore.

Located 3 km/2 miles east of town on the Frankton road, Goldfields Town seeks to re create life in a mid 19th century mining village. Typical gold rush buildings are furnished in period style. Outside displays feature mining equipment and old vehicles.

One of the best views of the lake district comes from a private game reserve atop Deer Park Heights on the peninsula. Plan ahead to enter the reserve you'll need to purchase a token at the Queenstown Public Relations Office or at small grocery stores in Frankton.

From Frankton, the road to Deer Park Heights climbs to a viewpoint high above Frankton Arm. On the drive you'll see several kinds of deer, as well as thar, chamois, mountain goats, and wapiti (elk), roaming the grassy park. From the summit you look down on Queenstown, nestling in its own bay, and mountains rising steeply around the rim of Wakatipu's waters. Coronet Peak looms high over pastoral valleys and seve ral small lakes.