When we walked into queenstown, it felt like we had walked into another world.

“Where am I?” These were the first words that enter my head as Maggie and I walk down Main Street. This did not feel like New Zealand.

Dylan du Ross, from Hawke’s Bay, is sharing his travel experiences around New Zealand.

The amount of tourists and tourist-steered businesses was overwhelming. The only resemblance of a Kiwi were stereotypes being used as advertising ploys such as “fush & chups” or "sweet as".

Listening to the streets created a linguistic pastiche, all affixed together by an appetite of spending money. In one way it’s beautiful, hundreds of languages unifying, a global community of such. But in another way it was unsettling, it opens your eyes to the potential negative exploitation that can occur as a result of tourism.

In Queenstown it seems fairly under control. The natural environment is not threatened, and despite the 3 million visitors per year, it is sustainable. But to shake the feeling that this is morally no longer New Zealand, will take a lot more than that.

I think tourism is very important for countries but as my first impression at least, this was too much. However, three days here may change my mind.

Immense demand for accommodation increased prices tenfold. Luckily, a campground located 3km from the city offered $15pp to sleep in your car. This was by far the best price you’d ever get.

On arrival we saw the whole place had been built on a side of a hill using concrete and gravel. Crowds of weeds littered the border and the place was packed like sardines in a tin. A staff member said  to us “find a park and you can stay”.

Stories quickly circulated about how the owners use the place as a playground for their motorbikes. Free entertainment I guess. Although it was evident that no one cared for the place we paid our $30 and left back into town for a beer. If you’re in Queenstown, you shouldn’t be spending your time at a campground anyway.

Lucky for us, the competition between businesses was huge, opening the opportunity for our own kind of exploitation. We quickly googled the happy hours and ended up settling for a $5 jug.

It was amazing how a few beers can change your perception on things. Queenstown went from an overwhelming tourist frenzing, to an adults’ playground with a backdrop that make you question if you’re alive.

The opportunity for fun was endless and, despite being there on a Tuesday, the nature of tourism in Queenstown meant that every day was a Saturday.

With my newly found optimism we explored the streets further, passing a one-hour queue for the famous “Fergburger” pouring into the street. Despite world recognition, and 13555 reviews on tripadvisor, I had my doubts that the taste would justify the wait. We were left to wonder. After utilising one of the many dinner deals available, we went back to the parking lot to sleep

After getting changed our first mission was to go to a huge shopping centre that had a Pak'n'Save as its crown jewel. With the whole area looking completely brand new it seemed it wasn't only tourists that were enjoying themselves.

I'd never seen a Pak'nSave like it – million dollar views and modern sleek design to go with them. The supermarket isn't far from being another contemporary house, and with a furnished food pantry as extensive as Pak'nSaves, I'm sure it'd be hot property in today's market.

I find it crazy how somewhere can have so much money that their supermarkets look better than at least 50 percent of Hawkes’ Bay’s accommodation. That also didn’t sit well with me.

Photo: IntentionalTravelers.com

An afternoon in the beautiful and calm Glenorchy subsequently led to a night where Maggie and I were willing to let our hair down Due to our budget it’s been a while, but with so many deals around and a thrilling nightlife even for a Wednesday, it seemed like the perfect opportunity.

A pub crawl on a budget commenced – only going to those with a happy hour on. At 11pm we noticed something peculiar. There was no hour-long line at Fergburger. This was our chance to try the apparent best burger in the world. Granted we weren’t in the best taste-testing mindset but we had to strike. We quickly rushed in and ordered our two burgers.

Despite the short queue the fast food restaurant was working as hard as ever. You could see sweat running down employees’ faces. The lady in charge of handing out the burgers should be opting for a career in boxing as she throws the burgers across the counter, at least 20 a minute.

The first bite was filled with so much expectation I think it ruined it for me. Afterall, how good can a burger that’s made in minutes really taste? It was tasty – don’t get me wrong – but the fact that I had hyped it up so much, meant it was sadly anticlimactic. Despite the rather critical review, everyone should definitely try one for themselves.

All in all, I think Queenstown is a very interesting place. It has a culture that is unlike anywhere in New Zealand. Granted it is a lot of fun. But it’s a shame 99 percent of the people having fun are not Kiwi, which maybe puts us at fault, and it's a shame for the locals that have had to watch their city turn into a tourist haven.

Obviously the city brings in copious amounts of revenue for New Zealand each year which is a really good thing, but it is at a sacrifice of losing part of New Zealand. Is it worth it? You decide.

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• Lifestyle