03/23/2026
I had the pleasure to visit Queenstown, New Zealand and some surrounding areas. Now it isn’t fair to the North Island, since I was only in Auckland for two days. But if you’re headed to this part of the world, you must make time for this region (South Island). Let me first say, I was only in NZ for just over a week, so this was not a relaxing vacation. It’s one of those trips I mentally prepared myself to be on the go most days. Queenstown is good for multi generations. Gardens, boat tours, the gondola, shopping and an array of restaurants. There is something for everyone. Every where I turned looked like a post card. From the many views along Lake Wakatipu (I saw from one end to the other), the old mining village of Arrowtown, that solitary tree in Lake Wanaka and being by the quiet stream in Glenorchy. I had rented a car which made all of this accessible and surprisingly, it didn’t take more than an hour to go to some of these places. Make sure the gas tank is full, because between these towns, there is absolutely nothing around. Not a house, gas station or farm animals. Nothing, it’s quite remote at times. Peaceful. That’s how I felt. When you take a ride out of Queenstown, there is silence. We don’t get to experience this often in life. It was wonderful. I normally wouldn’t cram so much into a vacation, nor would I recommend it. There was still so much more to see. But I had an amazing time and if I never have the chance to go again, I will always cherish the time I had. I consider myself so fortunate to have seen this beautiful part of the world.