Thrill seeker? Adrenaline junkie? Queenstown can satisfy your every whim, whether it be bungee jumping, heli-skiing, jet boat riding, paragliding, or white water rafting, the list is endless. 25 years ago this all seemed very exciting, and in fact I had my first ever helicopter flight here and jet boating experience on my last visit in 1989. Not much has changed. The town has got bigger, there are more attractions, but the scenery is just as stunning.
We are staying with our friends, Joan and PJ, who I first met at Cranfield Business School in 1988 where we were all studying for our MBA's. They now have a lovely home a few miles out of Queenstown with views to die for across Lake Wakatipu. It's great to catch up as we haven't seen each other for 6 years.
This visit we have opted for the more sedate activities! We took the steamship, TSS Earnslaw, across the Lake to Walter Peak High Country Farm and sheep shearing station. The ship was built in 1912 and for many years was used to carry goods to remote settlements. It is still fuelled by coal and passengers are encouraged to view the impressive engine room and it's four boilers.
The coal must be of the non-smokeless variety judging by the black smoke that belches from the steamer's funnel from time to time! Walter Peak is still very much a working farm with over 20,000
sheep, but is also impressively set up for tourism. Anni fell in love with the litter of eleven 5 week old short-haired border collies. I think the day we become dog owners may have moved significantly closer! We were treated to a demonstration of the sheep dogs skills, followed by perhaps the most impressive example of sheep shearing I have ever seen.
We are staying with our friends, Joan and PJ, who I first met at Cranfield Business School in 1988 where we were all studying for our MBA's. They now have a lovely home a few miles out of Queenstown with views to die for across Lake Wakatipu. It's great to catch up as we haven't seen each other for 6 years.
This visit we have opted for the more sedate activities! We took the steamship, TSS Earnslaw, across the Lake to Walter Peak High Country Farm and sheep shearing station. The ship was built in 1912 and for many years was used to carry goods to remote settlements. It is still fuelled by coal and passengers are encouraged to view the impressive engine room and it's four boilers.
The coal must be of the non-smokeless variety judging by the black smoke that belches from the steamer's funnel from time to time! Walter Peak is still very much a working farm with over 20,000
In perfect weather we drove the full length of the lake to Glenorchy, an area of exceptional beauty where exceptional beauty seems to be the norm. At each turn of the road the views became more impressive and I could easily have snapped off several hundred photos.
We enjoyed superb food and wine in great company. After 2 days it was hard to leave and we felt very envious of our friends with a beautiful home in a stunning location with glorious weather.
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