Blogs from Queenstown, Otago, South Island, New Zealand, Oceania

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Queenstown June 16th 2018

Cardona opening day. 2000 people on mountain, although it didn't seem like it at all, and the first time in ten years that all lifts have been open for the very first day. The locals have been quite excitable about this, and the best start to a season in many years, not to mention the early opening of some local hills. All skifields here are around 12-14km from the main valley road; while some are tarmacked others are gravel tracks, in part at least. Unsure how far up we would realistically be wise to travel in a motorhome, we aimed for a car park with free shuttle bus at the 6km mark and took the opportunity to pick the brains of the Aussie driver who was kind enough to point out spots that remain icy throughout. ... read more

Apr 25, 2017

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Queenstown April 25th 2017

PhilandSusie

Geo: -45.0311, 168.663... read more

Back to Queenstown

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Queenstown February 19th 2017

Previous evening at anchor in Milford Sound

John M

Geo: -45.0311, 168.663We woke aboard the Milford Wanderer around 6:00 am. It was a little overcast but steadily clearing. We rose anchor around 7:00 am and headed out of Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea. Along the way we were joined by dozens of bottlenose dolphin surfing our bow wave. It was incredible.On the way back into the sound, we found the fur seals sunning on the rocks along shore. We arrived back to the dock around 9:15 am, and made the 3-1/2 hour trip back via motor coach, back to Queenstown. Once we we got back to Queenstown, we got a call from Sean and Mandy to let us know that Sean proposed and Mandy said "yes". We couldn't be happier. And, we are glad that we were back in Queenstown because they probably could ... read more

The Land of the Hobbits

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Queenstown February 15th 2017

Flying from Christchurch to Queenstown

John M

Geo: -45.0311, 168.663We arrived in Queenstown after a 45 minute flight from Christchurch, and took a 4WD excursion to the filming location for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.Queenstown is an incredible place....very cool! In the evening, we just happened to walk by one of the many bars in town, and they had a replay of the VT/Pitt game on (from the previous day). So, we had to hang out and watch it.... read more

Gondola, luge and relaxing

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Queenstown November 20th 2016

Heading up in the Gondola

thehayses

Geo: -45.0311, 168.663Went out for a yummy breakfast at the Bespoke Kitchen.Then the boys, caught the Gondola up to the Luge track for some downhill fun.A quiet relaxing afternoon, then out to a Vietnamese restaurant for dinner.Back up the hill to the camper, and another Voice episode before bed.... read more

Lake cruise and Marathon

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Queenstown November 19th 2016

Out on the lake

thehayses

Geo: -45.0311, 168.663Rob went off early via bus to run his marathon.We slept in and cruised around the lake by boat, then had pizza for lunch and watched him finish the run.Did a load of washing and went out for dinner at Pier 19 to celebrate Rob's run. ... read more

End of the scenic road

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Queenstown November 18th 2016

The Chasm at Milford

thehayses

Geo: -45.0311, 168.663Last night was COLD, put the heater on at 4am.Sunny drive back to Te Anua, then on to Queenstown via the scenic route again, stopping on the way for lunch, camping style.Queenstown is crazy busy, with 10,000 people running 2moro.Wandered around town, then met up with Jen at her hotel.Back to the camper to get dressed for dinner, then out to the Captain's Restaurant for a seafood platter.Up the hill to the camper, to walk off dinner.A bit of Fixer Upper before bed.... read more

Wrapping up with beautiful wrapping paper

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Queenstown September 19th 2016

davidjean1971

Geo: -45.0311, 168.663We left beautiful Te Anau and drove about 3 hours to Queenstown.Because we have to drop off the car so early - and can't find the contract !!! - we stopped by the rental place at the airport before coming to the B&B. Q''town a/p is like Pgh in 1983 - compact! And they said (something that we've heard lots) "no worries." In fact, David extended the contract one day for about $24 US - a good deal - which means we don't have to pay for buses, shuttles or taxis from and back to the a/p in Auckland. And it means we won't be stranded at the hotel alll day tomorrow. We THINK we are all packed ok for tomorrow - with the big suitcase 50#, and one of the carry ons inside ... read more

Discovering the beauty of the South Island... and learning to travel with an infant!

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Queenstown March 2nd 2016

In Kaikoura

AnnaW travels

Our first trip as a family... As much as I was looking forward to it, all sorts of doubts and worries were flying through my head as well... Wouldn’t it be too much for Millie? Would she actually enjoy any of it? Would she cope with the travelling well? After all she was only 4 months old... We have been doing little trips with her around Brisbane for quite a few weeks already and she always seemed to have ‘enjoyed’ it – I guess smiles and little mousy sounds might pass as signs of enjoyment. ;) In the end if we were to go ahead with the plans for a bigger trip and going to Poland later on that year, a trip to New Zealand seemed like a perfect opportunity to test the ‘new way of ... read more

At the Hilltop Tavern, on the way to Akaroa

Eventual Engagement

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Queenstown November 8th 2014

Engaged Milford 8/11/14

Tofor85

Geo: -45.0311, 168.663It all turned out to be more difficult and painful than I had hoped. Eventually, I found a nice place to drop to one knee and ask the question. After laughing at me in shock for 30 seconds, she eventually said yes. Our cabin at Milford was so picturesque, comfortable and beautiful I opted to keep the window above our bed open for sunrise to greet us. When light shone in around 5am, I opened the stream side curtains to enjoy the view and sound of the stream while I snoozed. It looked overcast, but dry.When I woke again proper around 7.30 it had started to rain. Thick cloud and mist had rolled in, hardly ideal for a helicopter ride. Looks like more trouble for my engagement plans. The initial objective was to propose ... read more

Brief history of New Zealand

The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year...more history

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