planning a trip to southern new zealand

Try here?

Blanket Bay, acclaimed as New Zealand's best Luxury Lodge - A Small Luxury Hotel - Queenstown New Zealand

 

Had the owners cottage at Matakauri Lodge which is on the lake a couple of km outside Queenstown - really stunning and it has 4 bedrooms. There's also an excellent golf course called The Hills outside Arrowtown near Queenstown which has great sculptures spread throughout the course. Didn't do any walking but did a fair amount of cycling.

 

If in Arrowtown make sure you have a meal at Saffron. I can highly recommend it.

http://www.saffronrestaurant.co.nz/

 

Make sure you have a rain coat. Beautiful place but it loves to rain.
Pete

 

it starts on 1st January and ends on 31st December.

 

This is good but quite a drive from Queenstown - so you wouldn't nip in for lunch or dinner. If you want beauty and serenity in a peaceful setting you won't go wrong as it's extremely well done. I like Matakauri because it's right on the lake in a wood settin with stunning views out over the lake. Another writer mentions rain but for some reason Queenstown gets less than you might expect. Never found it to be a problem. If you like some pictures etc. when I get back home tomorrow I'll email you some pictures.

 

Please pm me your email if you'd like pictures.

 

Correct. Or whenever I go down there
Pete

 

And is shaken every now and then

 

Wrong town

 

Late Feb early March is a lovely time to be in NZ. Weather settled, apart from the West Coast where the prevailing wind and mountainous landscape contribute to a healthy rainfall. That however, is a good thing as the rainforests and ruggedness make up the attraction in that area. Inland temperatures can be hot and dry.

Ps there are no people in the South Island.You may go for some time on the best roads in the world, with the best and varied scenery, without seeing a sole.

There is a variety of accommodation, but that period is the high season, so be careful. The biggest choice is what vehicle. If you are flush, buy a Ferrari (whatever and drive it around.
Ferrari | Used Cars | Trade Me. This is the standard site for cars in NZ. Not a liquid market for Ferrari's but there is a nice 430 spider in there at $100k USD. Step down from your 458, but will enable you to take nice pictures.

You will end up with the most memorable trip of your life in a place you will not believe still exists - utopia.

 

why not? we all do it!

 

Roads are beyond incredible.

No one on them except 3 shepherds and their wives, errr, I mean sheep.

 

I was wondering when the Kiwi jokes would start...

 

What about when you're overtaking ??

 

2 Kiwi farmers talking.

Q: "when are you going to shear your sheep?"

A: "I'm not sharing my sheep with anyone"

 

I never overtake. That's why I have a licence. You?

 

Ouch.

 

Ask me on the 29th July

 

Sorry,we'll all be tuckered out from having a terrific driving holiday..

 

Thanks for the invite.