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Melmore Oasis - Cromwell Holiday Home, Melmore Terrace, Cromwell (2026)

11/06/2026

Cromwell Getaway — Day One

We flew down from Auckland this afternoon with the wives and our best mates, full of optimism that we’d be kicking off the ski season at The Remarkables this weekend.

Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other ideas. Not enough snow, not enough cold weather, and opening day has been pushed back.

A little disappointing, sure, but there are worse places to be stranded than Central Otago.

After landing in Queenstown, we made our way to the Melmore Oasis in Cromwell and got settled in. We’ve stayed here before and it’s exactly what we needed, a warm, cosy base for a few days away. Bags were barely unpacked before we headed out and find out what was happening around town.

We wandered down to the Cromwell Heritage Precinct for a drink and quickly discovered we’d stumbled upon 70s Night at The Penny Black. Suddenly our quiet evening became a lot more entertaining.

The costumes alone were worth the trip. There were enough flared trousers, platform shoes, sequins, and questionable moustaches to fill an entire decade. The place was buzzing with locals and visitors, and before long we were chatting with everyone, laughing at the outfits, and enjoying a few drinks.

It’s funny how the best holiday memories are often the ones you never plan.

By the time we finally made it back to the Oasis, it was much later than intended. We gathered around the table, discussed our options for tomorrow, and tried to come up with a backup plan now that skiing was off the cards.

Luckily, Cromwell seems to have plenty of alternatives.

Not the weekend we expected, but so far it’s shaping up to be a pretty good one.

10/06/2026

Central Otago Wine Adventure — Day Four

Today was our last full day in Cromwell, and I think all four of us felt a little melancholy over breakfast.

We sat around the table at the Oasis, coffee cups warming our hands as we reminisced about the adventures we’d packed into the past few days. Outside, winter had finally arrived in Central Otago. The lawns sparkled with frost, and the hills beyond the lake looked crisp and cold beneath a cloudless sky.

It was the perfect excuse to bundle ourselves into our warmest jackets and head off exploring.

Rather than order a taxi, we took the shuttle into Queenstown. The journey took less than an hour, and soon we were wandering through the town centre, admiring the lake views, the mountains, and the lively atmosphere. After several days amongst vineyards, it was fun to spend time somewhere a little busier.

For lunch, we made our way to The Winery, where we spent a wonderfully indulgent couple of hours sampling wines from all over New Zealand. It felt like the perfect activity for our last day in the South Island’s wine country. We compared regions, debated favourites, and added several new bottles to our ever-growing list of wines we’d like to find once we return home.

After lunch, we caught the shuttle over to Arrowtown.

The little town was every bit as charming as everyone had promised. We wandered slowly through the historic streets, exploring boutiques and gift shops while the men quickly discovered a cosy bar where they claimed they would “wait patiently” for us.

I suspect they enjoyed themselves just as much as we did.

The afternoon disappeared far too quickly.

Our original plan had been to return to the Oasis before dinner, but while exploring we discovered there was a Cyndi Lauper tribute night at the Blue Door. One look at each other and the decision was made.

Plans could wait.

For a few hours, we sang along to familiar songs, laughed, and enjoyed one final, unexpected adventure together. Hearing True Colours performed while surrounded by good friends on the other side of the world felt strangely perfect.

Eventually, we called a taxi and made our way back to the Oasis.

The house felt especially cosy when we arrived, but there was no escaping the fact that tomorrow we leave Cromwell behind. We spent the evening finishing the last of our wine, packing our bags, and talking about the next stage of our journey.

Tomorrow we fly north to Wellington and then on to Martinborough.

We’re sad to leave Central Otago.

But if the wines are half as good as the ones we’ve discovered here, the adventure is far from over.

10/06/2026

Central Otago Wine Adventure — Day Three

This morning we gathered around the table at the Oasis for what has become one of my favourite parts of the trip: breakfast together while discussing the day’s plans. Between fresh coffee, toast, and plenty of excitement, we agreed that today’s adventure might be our best yet.

Cycling through vineyards and tasting wine.

What could be more perfect?

We had booked a winery bike tour, so after getting ourselves organised, a shuttle collected us from the Oasis and drove us to Arrow Junction. From there we began our ride at the Southern Discoveries Suspension Bridge, following the Arrow River Bridges Trail through the gorge towards the famous wineries of Gibbston Valley.

The scenery was absolutely stunning. The trail wound alongside the river, crossed beautiful suspension bridges, and passed through dramatic rocky landscapes before opening into rows and rows of vineyards. Every turn seemed to reveal another postcard-worthy view.

Our first winery was Chard Farm, perched dramatically above the gorge. It was a spectacular start to the day. From there we continued to Gibbston Valley Winery, followed by Mt Edward, each offering its own character and wonderful wines.

By lunchtime, we arrived at Gibbston Tavern, where we settled in for a leisurely meal. Sitting in the sunshine with good food, excellent wine, and old friends, it felt like exactly what this holiday was meant to be.

The afternoon was a delicious blur of vineyards and tastings. We visited Peregrine Wines, Kinross, The Church, and finally Mt Rosa Wines. By this point, our tasting notes had become much less detailed and our laughter much more frequent.

The beauty of travelling by bicycle was that we could drift through the valley, enjoying the landscapes between wineries and appreciating just how special this region is.

Eventually our shuttle met us and returned us to the Oasis. The ride home gave us time to sober up a little and reflect on what had been an unforgettable day.

Not that we were finished.

After a brief rest, we called a taxi and headed out to Panners Restaurant for dinner. It was the perfect way to end the evening. We enjoyed a leisurely meal, shared stories from the day, and reminisced about our favourite wines so far.

By the time we returned to the Oasis, I felt completely content.

Full.

Happy.

Surrounded by good friends.

And very grateful that this trip is not quite over yet.

09/06/2026

Central Otago Wine Adventure — Day Two

I woke up this morning to another beautiful Central Otago day. The house was still quiet, so I made coffee and enjoyed a small breakfast at the Oasis while looking out at the hills. We knew we would taste plenty of wine today, so it seemed sensible to start with a full stomach.

We had booked a tour with Cromwell Wine Tasting Tours, travelling between wineries in classic cars. It felt wonderfully indulgent from the moment we climbed aboard. The cars were beautiful, the scenery spectacular, and it was such a relaxing way to explore the region without worrying about driving.

Our first stop was Terra Sancta, where we enjoyed our first tasting of the day overlooking the vines and the lake. From there, we continued to Felton Road Winery, which had been on our must-visit list for months. Every stop seemed to reveal another stunning vineyard and another memorable wine.

By lunchtime, we arrived at Mt. Difficulty. The views alone were worth the visit, but the tasting and leisurely lunch made it the highlight of the day. We lingered far longer than planned, enjoying the sunshine, the food, and, of course, the wine.

The afternoon passed at a wonderfully relaxed pace. We visited Domaine Thomson and later River Rock Estate, taking our time at each cellar door. The conversations became more animated as the day went on, and our tasting notes became slightly less scientific.

By the time we returned to the Oasis, all four of us were feeling happy and, if we’re being honest, rather pickled.

Unfortunately, all that wine tasting had left us starving.

Thankfully, we had planned ahead and picked up some excellent cuts from the local butcher. The boys fired up the barbecue while we prepared salads and organised the table outside. It was a chilly evening, but with jackets, blankets, and a glass of wine in hand, we were perfectly comfortable.

The meal was wonderful. Good food, good company, and stories from the day shared under the Central Otago sky.

Eventually, the cold chased us back indoors, where we settled by the fire and discussed tomorrow’s plans.

Tomorrow is our bike winery tour.

As if today wasn’t enough wine.

I absolutely cannot wait.

08/06/2026

Central Otago Wine Adventure — Day One

Today felt like the true beginning of our New Zealand adventure.

After a long journey from France, we arrived in Queenstown in the late afternoon and took a taxi through the stunning Central Otago countryside to the Melmore Oasis in Cromwell. The landscape was unlike anything we have at home: wide-open skies, rugged hills, vineyards stretching across valleys, and beautiful lakes reflecting the fading evening light.

When we arrived, we were delighted with the house. It will be our home for the next four nights as we explore one of the world’s most exciting wine regions. Sharing it with our dear friends makes it feel even more special. We unpacked quickly, eager to begin the holiday we had spent months dreaming about.

After sitting for much of the day, we needed to stretch our legs. Fortunately, one winery on our list was within walking distance. We made our way to Wooing Tree Winery and officially began our New Zealand wine adventure.

What a wonderful start.

The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming; the food was excellent, and the wines were everything we had hoped for. We enjoyed a leisurely meal accompanied by a couple of beautiful bottles while discussing all the vineyards we wanted to visit during our stay.

Naturally, we couldn’t leave empty-handed.

We purchased several bottles to take back to the Oasis, and on the way home we stopped at the grocery store to stock up on supplies for the week ahead.

Back at the house, we lit the fire and settled into comfortable chairs with maps, brochures, and glasses of wine. The four of us spent the evening debating winery itineraries, comparing tasting notes, and planning our route through Central Otago’s famous vineyards.

There is something wonderfully exciting about knowing that every day ahead will bring new wines, new scenery, and new discoveries.

It has been a beautiful start to what promises to be the trip of a lifetime.

07/06/2026

Cromwell Weekend Away — Final Day

After making some fantastic memories over the past two days, we woke up knowing it was already our last day at the Oasis.

Weekends away always seem to work like that. You spend weeks looking forward to them, and then suddenly you’re packing your bags and wondering where the time went.

Before worrying about that, though, we rounded everyone up and walked down to Farage Café for brunch. It was exactly what we needed. Excellent coffee, great food, and plenty of discussion about the highlights of the weekend. We fueled up properly because we had one last activity planned.

From there we headed out to the racecourse to try our hand at gold panning.

Like most things involving a group of friends, it quickly became competitive.

We spent the afternoon wandering around the paddocks, sifting through gravel, and convincing ourselves that the next pan would contain enough gold to fund early retirement. Some of us definitely had more talent for it than others, although nobody discovered a life-changing fortune.

Still, it was hard not to get caught up in the romance of it all. Standing out there under the Central Otago sky, imagining what it must have been like during the gold rush years, we all joked about buying a claim and striking it rich.

Unfortunately, reality called.

A taxi eventually arrived to take us back to the Oasis, where we packed our bags and gathered our things, ready for the trip to the airport.

The house felt strangely quiet compared to when we had arrived.

As we loaded our luggage and took one last look around, I think all six of us felt the same thing.

We weren’t ready to leave.

Thankfully, we’d already started discussing dates for another trip before we’d even checked out.

Cromwell has a habit of doing that.

Until next time.

06/06/2026

Cromwell Weekend Away — Day Two

We woke up considerably later than planned this morning.

The combination of live music, local beer, and a very relaxed attitude toward bedtimes had clearly caught up with all six of us. The Oasis was unusually quiet as everyone slowly emerged from their rooms, looking a little worse for wear.

Eventually, we rounded everyone up and walked down to the Cromwell Heritage Precinct for breakfast at Grain & Seed.

Bacon butties were exactly what the doctor ordered.

Some of us required more than one coffee before becoming functional members of society again.

After breakfast, we took a leisurely stroll around the lake. The cool morning air did wonders for clearing the cobwebs away. By the time we’d finished our walk, everyone was feeling considerably more human.

We ordered a cab and headed out to the Luggate Hotel for a wood-chopping demonstration we’d heard about.

It turned out to be surprisingly entertaining. The competitors made it look effortless, although after a few minutes it became very clear that none of us would last long with an axe in our hands. The skill, speed, and sheer strength on display were seriously impressive.

We ended up staying far longer than intended, spending most of the morning and afternoon there. A few pints accompanied lunch, and before we knew it, half the day had disappeared.

Back at the Oasis, the group split up.

The ladies headed back to the Heritage Precinct for what they called “a quick look around the shops.”

The boys and I knew exactly what that meant.

Several hours.

Fortunately, we had rugby to keep us occupied.

We settled in front of the television, offered some occasional commentary on the match, and enjoyed a very peaceful afternoon.

The girls eventually returned and informed us they’d made dinner reservations at The Stoaker Room.

Thankfully, it was within walking distance.

The meal was excellent, the atmosphere relaxed, and once again a few too many bottles of wine found their way to our table. The conversation flowed easily, and the evening seemed to disappear far too quickly.

As we walked back through the cool evening air toward the Oasis, it struck me how quickly the weekend was passing.

One minute we’d just arrived.

Now we’re already talking about when we can come back.

05/06/2026

Cromwell Weekend Away — Day One

I knocked off work early today and headed to the airport for what we’d been looking forward to for months: a weekend away in Cromwell with the Browns and the Millers.

The six of us met at the airport and immediately got into holiday mode with a couple of rounds before boarding. By the time we were in the air, everyone was relaxed and ready for the weekend. Flying into Central Otago never gets old. The views of the Remarkables and the surrounding mountains are spectacular, and even though I’ve seen them before, I still find myself glued to the window.

Once we landed, none of us was particularly interested in being the designated driver, so we grabbed a taxi and headed straight for the Melmore Oasis. We’ve stayed there before and were looking forward to returning. It’s one of those places that immediately feels comfortable when you walk through the door.

After unpacking, we took a stroll down to the Cromwell Mall to pick up a few essentials for the pantry. Naturally, shopping quickly turned into lunch plans, and we found ourselves at The Flaming Onion food truck.

The burgers were outstanding.

Exactly the sort of food you want after travelling all afternoon.

A couple of bottles of local wine somehow found their way onto the picnic table as well. Plastic cups, takeaway burgers, good company, and plenty of laughter; sometimes the simple things are the best.

By the time we wandered back to the Oasis, everyone was in very good spirits.

The rest of the afternoon disappeared in front of the fire. We grazed on snacks, played cards, argued over the rules of various games, and generally enjoyed being away from work and normal responsibilities for a few days.

As evening rolled around, nobody felt like staying in, so we booked a taxi and headed over to Station Brewery for live music.

It turned out to be one of those great nights that wasn’t really planned. Good music, excellent beer, plenty of laughs, and enough stories to keep us entertained for the rest of the weekend.

By the time we finally made it back to the Oasis, it was in the early hours of the morning.

A fantastic start to the weekend.

04/06/2026

South Island Honeymoon Diary — Cromwell Day Three

We woke early again today for another big ride. It was cold enough to make getting out from under the blankets a challenge, but one look outside was all the motivation we needed. Another beautiful Central Otago morning, with clear skies and sunshine lighting up the hills around Cromwell.

After packing our bags with snacks, water, and extra layers, we set off on what would easily be our most ambitious ride yet.

Our destination was Queenstown.

The first section was a little nerve-wracking as we joined Highway 6, but the scenery more than made up for it. We followed the river out of Cromwell, cycling through incredible landscapes with mountains rising on all sides. The route took us past Arrowtown and steadily onward toward Queenstown. Every turn seemed to reveal another postcard-worthy view.

By the time we arrived, we were absolutely starving.

We headed straight to Blue Kanu, having heard great things from other travellers. It did not disappoint. We both ordered the set menu and demolished every bite. After a morning on the bikes, it felt like the best meal we’d ever eaten.

Refuelled and happy, we spent the afternoon exploring Queenstown. One thing we loved most was how easy the town was to navigate by bike. We cruised around the lakefront, explored side streets, and stopped constantly for photos. I think our camera rolls doubled in size today.

Before long, we realised we needed to head back towards Cromwell. Fortunately, neither of us required much convincing to stop in Arrowtown along the way.

Our “quick stop” became a leisurely gin tasting at The Winery. I had no idea New Zealand had so many distilleries. Every shelf seemed packed with something new to try. We sampled a couple of local gins and left feeling very pleased with ourselves.

The ride home was full of laughter, sunshine, and perhaps a little less urgency than the ride out.

Back at the Oasis, I thought the day was winding down when my husband surprised me yet again.

He had booked us into Contours and Cocktails at The Penny Black.

Apparently, he was determined to make sure our honeymoon was memorable.

We wandered down and spent the evening enjoying a platter, a bottle of wine... and then perhaps another. The event was great fun, and I spent most of it being teased by the other attendees about bringing my husband along to what was clearly a girls’ night activity. To his credit, he took the ribbing remarkably well.

We eventually made our way back to the Oasis, where we curled up in front of the fire and reflected on three incredible days in Cromwell.

Tomorrow we leave for the next stop on our South Island adventure.

Tonight, though, we’re thrilled exactly where we are.

03/06/2026

South Island Honeymoon Diary — Cromwell Day One

We were up early this morning, excited for our first big ride. The weather could not have been more perfect. Clear blue skies, sunshine, and not a rain cloud anywhere in sight. We packed snacks, extra layers, tools, and far more equipment than we would probably need. After a quick breakfast at the Oasis, we clipped our helmets on and set off.

The ride along Lake Dunstan was even more beautiful than we had imagined. Being the off-season, we had long stretches of trail almost entirely to ourselves. We set up our GoPros before leaving, determined to capture every moment. Thankfully, the first section of the trail is also one of the most spectacular, so there was plenty worth filming.

As we rode towards Cornish Point, the trail wound through vineyards and olive groves with incredible views back across the lake towards Cromwell and the Heritage Precinct. Every few minutes one of us would stop to take another photo or simply admire the scenery. It felt impossible to rush.

The landscape became even more dramatic as we approached the bluffs. We cycled beneath the impressive stone faces of the Cairnmuir Slide and learned more about the engineering that protects the area from landslides. Along the gorge we spotted several drainage tunnels drilled into the hillsides, reminders of just how much work went into shaping this landscape.

This section of the trail demanded a little more concentration. The paths narrowed in places, and the climbs became steeper. The famous Cairnmuir Ladder looked intimidating from a distance, but the switchbacks made the ascent surprisingly manageable. The reward at the top was worth every bit of the effort. The views stretched in every direction, with the lake shining below us and the surrounding hills glowing in the morning sun.

The highlight of the ride was crossing the Hugo Suspension Bridge. I don’t mind heights, but I still felt a flutter of nerves as we rolled out over the gorge. My husband, of course, immediately stopped to take photos and video while I focused on getting across in one piece.

Close to Halfway Hut, we encountered another short switchback section with some surprisingly tight corners and a decent climb. Fortunately, there were plenty of beautiful lakeside spots to stop and catch our breath. We made the most of them, sitting for a while and simply enjoying the stillness of the water and the incredible scenery around us.

As we approached Clyde, one feature dominated the landscape: the massive Clyde Dam. It’s hard not to be impressed by its scale. Built as part of New Zealand’s famous “Think Big” projects, construction began in 1977 and the first power was generated in 1992. Standing nearby really gives you an appreciation for the engineering involved.

The trail followed sealed roads in places and crossed the Clyde road bridge before climbing gently towards the Clyde Heritage Precinct. By then we were more than ready for a proper break. We found a sunny spot, unpacked our snacks, and spent a long time relaxing in the late morning sunshine, watching visitors wander through the historic streets.

Eventually, we climbed back on our bikes and began the journey back towards Cromwell. The return trip somehow felt even better. There was no rush, and we stopped constantly to take photographs, film little clips for our travel videos, and soak in the scenery. This really felt like New Zealand at its absolute best.

On the way back, my husband surprised me with a late lunch at Mt Difficulty Winery. It was such an unexpected treat. We shared a beautiful platter overlooking the vineyards and enjoyed a bottle of wine while talking about everything we’ve seen so far on our honeymoon. The wine was so good we bought another bottle to take back to the Oasis.

The ride home afterwards felt wonderfully relaxed. We rolled back into Cromwell tired, happy, and slightly sun-kissed from a day spent outdoors.

Tonight we swapped photos and videos, reliving the day while planning tomorrow’s ride. There are already too many favourite moments to choose from.

This honeymoon just keeps getting better.

Melmore Oasis - Cromwell Holiday Home

11/06/2026

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