Queenstown is considered to be the adventure capital of the world. Whitewater rafting. Canyoning. Bungee jumping. Heliskiing. River surfing. All activities that pique my interest. However, traveling with my grandmother meant that the adventure had to come with some limitations. But, this definitely did not mean that we were about to spend the next two half and two full days lounging around.
Queenstown
After spending the past two days exploring the South Island’s Canterbury Region and taking a day trip to Arthur’s Pass [see post: The South Island: Arthur’s Pass from Christchurch], we left Christchurch early morning on Monday, August 28, 2017, and began the full-day journey through the Otago countryside towards Lake Tekapo, into the Southern Alps to the base of New Zealand’s tallest mountain, and then onward to our destination: Queenstown.
Just when I did not think New Zealand could be any more beautiful, we arrived in Queenstown. Located at the foothills of the Southern Alps on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is the ideal resort town. And, it is definitely one of the most beautiful towns that I have visited thus far. The town itself is rather small, but I wanted us to be within walking distance to the town center and lake. I booked a three-night stay at the Crowne Plaza Queenstown hotel, which overlooks Lake Wakatipu and is located just steps away from all of the action.
Heli Wine Tour
Queenstown is not only renowned for adventure sports, it also serves as a base for exploring the region’s vineyards, historic mining towns, lakes and sounds.
For our first full day in Queenstown, I planned an afternoon of wine tasting. From visiting wineries in Napa Valley by Wine Trolley to vineyards in Maipo Valley by private escort with the owners themselves, I have been on many wine tours, but never by helicopter! Prior to arriving in New Zealand, I booked the “Heli Wine Tour” through The Helicopter Line, which is partnered with Queenstown Wine Trail.
Late that morning, we were picked up from our hotel and taken to the airport. The tour began with a scenic heli-flight and an alpine landing on a nearby mountain range for the perfect opportunity to capture Queenstown from above.
After spending some time on top of the mountain, we were dropped off at the Gibbston Valley Winery where Queenstown Wine Trail was waiting for us to begin the wine portion of the tour.
Here, we joined an underground wine cave tour before indulging in a wine and food paired lunch, which included a formal cheese presentation and the first of many wine tastings.
Following, we visited three other wineries for tastings in picturesque surroundings.
After basically day drinking the entire day, the last thing that we wanted to do was eat or drink some more. However, I had prepaid for dinner reservations at the Stratosfare Restaurant. Located at the top of the Skyline Queenstown gondola, the restaurant offers a sumptuous buffet inspired by New Zealand cuisine, in addition to other options such as fresh seafood, vegetarian options, and an array of desserts. Unfortunately, being rather hungover, we could not stomach any foods or even look at the drinks that we were served.
Milford Sound
These are the trips that I live for – the ones that make you feel like you are traveling for the first time. The ones that bring back the butterflies. That relight the excitement of it all. The ones that keep your eyes glued to the scenery. That make you want more. The ones that make you fall in love with the world over and over again. That remind you of why you travel.
A trip to New Zealand’s South Island is not complete without a stop at the famous Milford Sound. Prior to arriving in New Zealand, I booked the “Milford Sound Nature Cruise from Queenstown” tour through Viator for our second full-day in Queenstown.
The day began with an early morning pick-up from Queenstown by coach. The long four to five hour journey to Milford Sound was mitigated by the striking scenery along the mountaintop Milford Road – one of New Zealand’s most spectacular roads. With plenty of stops and photo opportunities along the way, time flew by rather quickly.
On arrival at Milford Sound, we hopped abroad a boat for a scenic two-and-a-half-hour cruise around the UNESCO-listed fjord.
En route, we passed the 162 meter (or approximately 531-foot) high Bowen Falls, the striking hanging valley of Sinbad Gully, and the snow-capped peak of Mount Pembroke. As we continued towards the Tasman Sea coast, we passed beneath the 1,692 meter (or approximately 5,551-foot) mountain of Mitre Peak.
We spent the entire time on the boat’s viewing platform admiring the natural wonders and searching for colonies of fur seals, pods of dusky dolphins, and the rare Fiordland crested penguins.
After returning to Queenstown late that evening, we enjoyed our last night on New Zealand’s South Island before departing to Auckland in the country’s North Island early the following morning [see post: The North Island: In and Around Auckland].
