Ziptrek Ecotours 2025: A Year of Adventure, Conservation, and Community

2025 has been an extraordinary year at Ziptrek Ecotours Queenstown - a year filled with adrenaline, inspiration, and unforgettable experiences. From sustainable adventures high in the treetops to giving back to our local community, this year has showcased the very best of what Queenstown and Ziptrek have to offer.

Twilight Magic on the Moa

Winter brought the allure of the Moa Twilight Tour, a late afternoon adventure that gave guests the chance to zip through forests as the sun set over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables. With glowing head torches and illuminated platforms, zipliners experienced Queenstown like never before - quiet, magical, and unforgettable. These tours were designed for all ages and confidence levels, offering a perfect blend of excitement and serenity to round out any day on the slopes.

Conservation, Restoration, and Accessibility

Conservation remained a cornerstone of 2025. During Conservation Week, we invited guests to fly through the canopy while learning about native birds, trees, and the restoration of Queenstown’s beech forests. Our ongoing reforestation efforts saw the planting of Red Beech, Pittosporum, Tī Kōuka, Tree Fuchsia, and more - each species contributing to biodiversity, sheltering wildlife, and reconnecting the land with its natural heritage.

October also saw Ziptrek joining Love Queenstown at Jardine Park to plant native trees, as well as attending the Te Kararo Queenstown Gardens planting site blessing on November 24th - further reinforcing our commitment to conservation and community stewardship.

In 2025, we also made a big step forward in accessibility. In partnership with MakingTrax, we created an accessibility guide for our tours, complete with 360-degree images and videos. This guide is set to launch on our website in the new year, ensuring that more visitors can confidently plan and enjoy Ziptrek experiences.

Community Connections and Locals’ Day

Our community spirit shone brightest during Locals’ Day 2025 on November 1st. Over 150 locals came together for zipline adventures, music, and a BBQ, all while supporting OneBike, Queenstown’s local bike charity. Thanks to the generosity of our guests, we raised $5,162.50, kickstarting a campaign to give local children safe, secure access to bikes. The event captured the joy of giving back, with the world’s steepest tree-to-tree zipline open for donations, and a celebration of connection, adventure, and community pride.

Industry Engagement and Recognition

Ziptrek also strengthened its industry connections this year. In May 2025, we attended TRENZ, New Zealand’s premier tourism trade event, showcasing our tours to domestic and international partners. In October, we participated in the TIA Tourism Summit, gaining insights and networking with industry leaders.

Our efforts were recognised through multiple award norminations:

• Finalist, Tourism Excellence - Small/Medium Business, TIA Awards

• Finalist, Excellence in Customer Experience - Chamber of Commerce 2Degrees Business Awards

These accolades reflect our unwavering commitment to providing guests with exceptional experiences, while maintaining high standards of sustainability and service.

Milestones and A Record-Breaking MONTH

December 2025 marked a historic milestone as our busiest month on record, a testament to the continued love and support from locals, visitors, and the Queenstown community.

Looking Back and Moving Forward

2025 has been a year of growth, adventure, and impact. From the thrill of zipping through forest canopies to planting native trees, from twilight tours under starlit skies to giving back through Locals’ Day and OneBike, Ziptrek has proven that adventure, conservation, and community can thrive together.

As we look to 2026, we carry forward the lessons, stories, and connections of this incredible year, continuing to offer experiences that thrill, inspire, and foster a deeper connection to Aotearoa’s natural beauty.

Here’s to another year of adventure, fun, and making a difference - one zipline, one tree, and one community connection at a time.