What to do in Queenstown?

This was the question I asked when I found out I had the chance to go to Queenstown for 2 days with all flights and hotels paid for. Andrew had to go to a conference and the wife/girlfriend/partner/significant other was invited too. A rare opportunity indeed, I jumped at it. I asked if the grandparents would mind taking the kids for 4 days (3 nights) in a row and after the initial shock wore off, they kindly agreed to take on the challenge.

Of course when asking "What to do in Queenstown?" on mountain biking forums, one should expect only two answers: ride, and eat! There was way more riding on offer than I could squeeze into 2 days (or 1.5 days if you count the required appearances at the conference dinners and functions), but the two places that came up most often were the newly opened Gondola on Skyline Hill (Ben Lomond Forest) and the trails out at 7-Mile Scenic Reserve. For eating, the must-do's were; Fergburger, Patagonia Chocolate, and Pizza at Whinnies.

With this information in hand, I set off...

I can see my house from up here! Hamilton from the air.

Queenstown, from atop the hill (and through the tinted window of the shuttle van).

First beer, Emerson's IPA on the Waterfront while the sun went down. Holiday mode: check.

My first real taste of the southern climes came with my early morning ride around the waterfront and along the Frankton Walkway. It was pretty chilly - enough to require a merino baselayer, armwarmers, kneewarmers, and a wind breaker jacket. Autumn? Hardly!

On the 'peninsula bit' looking back towards Queenstown. Does it look cold and windy?

At Frankton looking further around the lake edge - I turned around at this point, the call of singletrack was pulling me back.

The Queenstown end of the "Frankton Walkway" a nice leisurely cruise. And a good warm up prior to heading to the Gondola. At the other end of this street is a skatepark and ice skating rink. I'm pretty sure it's the rink we ice skated at on my Brown family holiday about 25 years ago! Ah, memories. :D

Finally onto the Gondola. $40 for a half-day ticket and $5 for a trail map. See that? It's a bloody long way up/down. Who the hell ever looked at this almost sheer sided mountain and thought, "Hey, we should build a gondola here!". They're a bloody genius!!

A lookout, part way down Hammy's Trail. I rode this trail almost the entire time I was on the hill. It wasn't particularly difficult (it's the easiest), but it still contained plenty of fun stuff to keep me entertained - loose drifty corners, big berms, jumps, big views (except I was looking at the trail, not the scenery), and fast open sections. It was so easy to pick up speed, that at first I was hardly off the brakes at all. Eventually I got my flow on a little more and could let things go a bit. Fun to the power of ten.

Me, on the way up for another downhill ride. I skipped lunch at Fergburger in preference for carrying on riding, eating whatever I had stashed in my backpack.

Note: it is important to rest and refuel on the return journey to the top to maximise your ride time. I managed 7 runs between 11:30am and 3pm. That's pretty leisurely, but I still felt pretty worked over by the end. (Dear Santa, one full suspension 5" travel 29er, please!). I'd go back tomorrow though! Also note: brand new and still bright white shoes!

A beautiful groomed section of Hammy's Trail, with awesome flow and a few structures to try out. Me? I chickened out! I was pretty conservative all day with it forefront in my mind I was there on my own and number one priority was to enjoy myself. Mission accomplished.

Piano man can... tow his piano around on a trolley and make good music anywhere. Cool. I gave him a few coins to help him live the dream.

Our evening fun. "Gold Rush" themed dinner in Arrowtown Hall. We went as bankers and Andrew even printed our own money. The photo is us with Jean Todt (President of the FIA, and ex CEO of Ferrari F1 Team), and our funny money.

Never thought I'd have my face printed on money. Andrew's funny money proved very popular and people were collecting and bartering with it all night!

Strangely, we had a slightly late start the next morning... and due to time constraints and trying to book a rental car, I didn't get out for a ride. I drove out to 7-Mile for a quick tiki-tour and to check out the 7x7-Mile race and catch up with Emma. I have no photos because it was cold and dark in the trees!

Our afternoon drive took us through Cromwell, to Cardrona (past the "Closed for refurbishment" Warbirds Museum), and to a wonky Cadrona Hotel that was "closed for a private function". Pity, because I was thirsty!

We then drove over the Crown Range and down the Valley back to Queenstown. The photo above is taken about halfway up the Crown Range, looking down the Valley towards Queenstown/Frankton.

Us. See we were there!

That was about the end of our mini-break holiday. We had another evening of fun and fine dining in Queenstown and the following morning packed ourselves up and hopped on the plane. Well, truth be told I had some minor stress at the check-in counter with my bike bag being "overweight" and supposed to incur a $50 charge. AirNZ need to sort that out. I had researched baggage charges prior to leaving and had not seen anything about a $50 charge (there was reference to a $20 charge, somewhere). Luckily for me, I had thought to ring AirNZ before I left home to ask about baggage limits and charges, and ended up with the very helpful customer service person advising me that my bag could be up to 32kgs in weight. I also convinced her to add a note to this effect to my flight booking. My bag was 28kg, 5kg more than the standard 23kg limit. That's something I'll have to be careful of next time I fly with my bike. I wonder what everyone else does?

Bye bye South Island. Homeward bound.

Thankfully, I have unfinished business in Queenstown. There's so much to do and see - and ride - there, that I really hope to go back someday soon.