There’s more to Queenstown than skiing and bungy jumping. Think walking.

One of the ways to discover what really makes New Zealand different is to walk around Queenstown. Rainbow Tourism’s advice is to head outdoors with New Zealand Guided Walks “where every step is a story.”

The ‘Lakeshore Forest & Bird’ half-day walk is popular with people interested in birds and photography. The track is good but uneven (with private access by NZ Walks) and winds around the lake shore with the option of a steeper climb to a lookout with magnificent views in all directions. It combines the best of native flora and fauna with picture postcard views. Native birds are readily seen and heard, in and around the edges of the forest.

During the last ice age, a huge glacier carved out what is now Lake Wakatipu. The mountains run straight into the lake, forming a deep canyon (84 KM long, 400 M deep).

Whichever half or full-day walk you select – from high country access with helicopter transport to the leisurely “Forest & Bird” walk around the Wakapitu lakeshore – you can count on expert commentary on the history and geology of the area, on the flora and fauna, even bird calling with a secret whistle.

So magical, one has to use the new video cam to capture the moment in the rainforest.

Makes you wonder whatever happened to the Lost Tribe.