Yesterday morning we knew that the weather was going to be cold and miserable so had planned for a slow morning at home – what a joy to wake up to fresh snow on all the mountains, low flying cloud and fresh conditions – all from the comfort of this gorgeous home. Hot coffee, sleep-ins (or if you are like me staring out the windows).
The weather cleared mid morning so we headed out for some wholesome family fun and a little outdoor mini golf. My poor deprived children had never played before and loved it – although Mags was a little tricky as she got bored as it was a bit hard for her. Beautiful spot though – right up under the gondola to the luge.
We then planned to drive up to Glenorchy for lunch – Harps got a little unstuck with car sickness on the long, windy road up Lake Wakitpu but it’s always worth it in the end for that view. It was FRESH though, and I must say we were all a little cranky with each other – nothing a nap in the car on the way home couldn’t fix.
We closed the day out in much the same way: some cards (and wine for Mum and Dad) as we watched the sun set – some takeaway and baths and bed which turned the cranks around for all of us.
This morning we were up and at it as we had booked in to do the Shotover Jet which the girls were SO excited about – actually, we all were. I had wanted to do this my whole life! Oh man we had fun doing that together. It was cold and oh so beautiful and we all loved it – Mags giggling and squealing was a highlight for me for sure as we were all wedged together in the back row. Kids just have to be over 1 metre to be able to ride it.
We all needed a little coffee, hot chocs and warming up so we headed out to Arrowtown to a great cafe we stopped in on a few days back that had superior coffee and buns (Provisions of Arrowtown) and a great garden to sit in and enjoy the sunshine and spring blossoms. I even convinced the kids to walk around the Chinese settlement down by the river afterwards.
Rob then wanted to take me to a winery not far from there: Chard Farm just across from the bungee jumping (where we stopped and watched for a while) which is on a small goat track around the mountain to the most gorgeous spot ever! Free tastings (if you buy wine) there’s no restaurant but my goodness the wine was delicious, the kids were not near us and we had a lovely time. What a spot!
We then drove around to Jacks Point for lunch at the Jacks Point golf clubhouse – an amazing spot with fabulous food (I was particularly impressed with the kids menu: a lunchbox for Mags with a cheese toastie, fruit, yoghurt and a brownie for $12 why is it SO hard for places to do this for kids) and I had the meal of the trip with some corned beef and a Amisfield rose – I was a very happy girl. Highly recommend this place for a spot to lunch in the sunshine: filled with locals enjoying themselves which is always a good sign.
We are home now for a quiet night in: the days have been jam packed and my fridge is filled with wine that we have to get through! Tomorrow is our last full day here..I have a very heavy heart about that but it is filled to the BRIM with some wonderful memories, we have truly had the best time ever. This place has something for everyone.
What an awesome trip you have! So much family fun 🙂
North Island next time with Rotorua sure to be a highlight for the girls 🙂
Sounds like you all had alot of fun.Being an ex Kiwi from the Land of the Long white Cloud i can appreciate what you are talking about.New Zealand is an exquisite part of the world and i would call it so many wirlds in one.I visit NZ every year to see family and friends…Very nostalgic i am.To those wonderful people out there you have to visit.Many happy memoies. Diane.😊🍷🤗
Definitely!