Queenstown will host a top international event - the Orion Health GODZone Adventure race - at Easter.
The multi-day, non-stop, expedition-style adventure race has been developed to take in the region's scenery and will be held from April 7 to 14, 2012.
Teams will be expected to trek, mountain-bike and kayak over a wide range of terrain.
Directors Adam Fairmaid and Warren Bates got a positive response last month when they talked to the country's top adventure racers about the event.
"We have seen a steady stream of teams showing their intention to race next year and the profile of the event has outstripped anything we could have imagined," Mr Fairmaid said.
"I think the dream of racing through New Zealand's wilderness and mountains is something many of these teams have held for a while and some will be competing for the first time, but others who have been here before are desperate to come back and experience more.
"There is going to be some outstanding competition."
The aim of the race is to get from start to finish (450km) using a map and compass to navigate through a series of checkpoints and transition areas.
Competitors can travel during the day or night, with the decision of when to rest left to each team.
The winning team is expected to take between three and a-half and four days to reach the finish line.
The course will remain a secret until the race briefing.
"Navigation is going to be an important part of this race and teams will need to have at least one person who understands how to read a map and compass properly to find success on the course.
"It's going to be a real adventure."
•Entries for the Orion Health GODZone Adventure cost $4800 per team and are available from www.godzoneadventure.com. Teams must be made up of four athletes.