Archive for the 'Queenstown' Category
Adventure is Personal with Nomad Safaris
Posted by Ruth Atherley on May 12, 2012 at 12:15 pm
Several years ago I took a tour with Nomad Safaris that showed me many Lord of the Rings locations – and I loved it. So it was interesting to hear what they have been up to when I connected with them at TRENZ.
With over 20 years of expertise operating small, personalized tours in Queenstown, Nomad Safaris uncovers the New Zealand of your imagination. Experience true off-roading by quad bike or 4WD vehicle, or get up-close to the real New Zealand on foot on a guided walk, including the famous Routeburn Track – voted amongst the “World’s Ten Best Hikes.” These are authentic adventures rich in Lord of the Rings filming locations, stunning scenery, local history and amazing stories.
At TRENZ, Nomad Safaris announced the latest additions to their fleet: three Toyota Land Cruisers. The introduction of the Land Cruisers is part of a rolling program with customer comfort as its focus. The new vehicles will have forward-facing seats, skylights and leather trim. This new generation of off-road safari vehicles is also quieter and more environmentally friendly, underlining their commitment to the environment in which they operate.
Development is also underway for a heli-scenic trip to the Earnslaw Burn, an area recently featured in a production video for The Hobbit.
This year marks Nomad Safaris’ 10th anniversary of operating Lord of the Rings tours in the Queenstown area. This coincides with the making of The Hobbit, and its release later in the year. Interest in the Lord of the Rings movies is still strong 10 years later, as is evident in the numbers of customers enjoying their trips to this day.
At the start of the year, Nomad Safaris introduced a Mavora Lakes tour, in collaboration with Real Journeys, as part of their portfolio of Lord of the Rings tours. This full-day adventure begins with a voyage across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak on vintage steamship the TSS Earnslaw. From here, the knowledgeable guide transports you over land into the heart of the remote and stunning Mavora Lakes. Learn about the many legends of the area, marvel at the views and visit movie locations from the Lord of the Rings trilogy. After a picnic lunch beside the lake, return to Walter Peak for a classic Kiwi Farm Show followed by afternoon tea at the Colonel’s Homestead, before catching the steamship back to Queenstown.
Nomad Safaris offers small group, personalized tours: no coaches, no crowds, and no microphones. With decades of experience and knowledgeable guides, this is the ideal way to experience the unique New Zealand backcountry. They are committed to maximizing customer enjoyment in their discovery of “Middle-earth Aotearoa,” as well as preserving the environment in which they operate.
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Millbrook Resort – the Ultimate 5-Star Experience
Posted by Ruth Atherley on May 12, 2012 at 11:34 am
It was wonderful to hear all about the latest news at Millbrook Resort. They had lots to share with me at TRENZ
Recently voted the Best Golf Resort in Australasia and the Best Golf Resort in New Zealand, at the World Travel Awards, Millbrook Resort encompasses a 175 room boutique hotel, a 27-hole golf course, covered driving range, an award-winning day spa, four restaurants, health and fitness centre with gymnasium, 25m lap swimming pool, hot pools and a 200 seat conference facility. Boasting 500 acres of lush green fairways, rolling hills, walking and biking trails and gentle babbling streams, Millbrook Resort is located close to the old gold mining town of Arrowtown and less than 20 minutes from Queenstown.
At TRENZ, they showcased their award-winning spa – their best kept secret. The spa, Queenstown’s only stand-alone day spa, now uses the world-renowned Comfort Zone beauty products in all their treatments, offering the ultimate emotional and sensory spa experience. Their exclusive Comfort Zone signature treatments include the Sacred Nature Face and Body Ritual and the Aromasoul Thermal Back Mask and Massage – both of which are unique to the spa at Millbrook, in Queenstown.
Also featured at TRENZ, are their luxurious cottages, which will be undergoing refurbishment in June 2012. Their Village Inn rooms, Hotel Villas and Villa Suite Rooms have already undergone a refurbishment program in the last 18 months and the Cottages form the final part of this.
The Millhouse restaurant always strives to keep ahead of the latest developments in food, constantly ensuring they provide their guests and diners with the ultimate dining experience. New to the Millhouse in 2012 is the addition of the exclusive Wagyu Beef to the menu. Their 100% pure Wagyu Beef (imported from Australia) is 400-day grain-fed bms grade 7 (9 is the highest grade) and is extremely rare – and The Millhouse is the only restaurant in the South Island to use this exclusive product. In addition, they have just introduced fully-certified organic lamb to the Millhouse menu. The Millhouse Restaurant is only one of a few places in New Zealand to showcase this rare product.
Paul had the chance to play nine holes of golf at Millbrook during a TRENZ activity afternoon. He said that the course was beautiful with amazing views, and very challenging. He also got the opportunity to view a few rooms and said that it looked like the ultimate 5-star experience.
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Feel Like Someone Special at Heritage Hotels
Posted by Ruth Atherley on May 8, 2012 at 3:29 pm
It was great to hear all the news from Heritage Hotel Management. They have some exciting new developments happening which they are talking about at TRENZ.
Heritage Hotel Management offers a preeminent range of luxury hotels that are unique to New Zealand and located in Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Hanmer Springs, Christchurch and Queenstown. Heritage Hotels are often based in unique or iconic sites, while CityLife Hotels are conveniently located in prime central business districts.
They offer stylish self-contained suites, award-winning cuisine, fully equipped health clubs, swimming pools – and even tennis courts and a golf course at some locations. Conference facilities are available to seat up to 500 guests for an event.
Opening in late 2012 is a new purpose-built 700-person capacity conference centre, adjoining the Rutherford Hotel Nelson, which will be the largest conference development in the South Island this year.
The Heritage Boutique Collection is another exciting innovation by Heritage Hotels. The new collection includes properties in the Bay of Islands, Auckland’s Waitakere Ranges, Rotorua and Akaroa. The latest addition is the prestigious Wellesley Boutique Hotel of Wellington. More boutique properties will be announced very soon.
Heritage Auckland has been a fore-runner in vegetarian haute cuisine and has established itself as a specialist in vegan and vegetarian dining. The hotel has created a world first – being the first international hotel to offer a solely vegan menu in its lobby café and an extensive selection in the hotel’s signature restaurant Hectors and on its conference banquet menus.
Heritage Hotels promise their guests they will feel like someone special staying somewhere special.
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Wine and Dine at Gibbston Valley Winery
Posted by Ruth Atherley on May 7, 2012 at 9:29 pm
I had the chance to connect with the people at Gibbston Valley Winery and have an update on what they are talking about at TRENZ.
I had the good fortune to visit the Gibbston Valley Winery last year (2011) during TRENZ. Let me tell you, it is fabulous. Home to the only wine cave in the South Island, going 75 metres into the Central Otago hillside, and housing 400 barrels of their famous Pinot Noir, the winery tours and winemaker tours at Gibbston Valley Winery are exceptionally popular.
At TRENZ, they are promoting their new venue, The Barrel Hall, which can seat up to 250 for dinner or 350 for cocktails. Their unique and memorable setting, lined with wine barrels and overlooking the vineyard, is the perfect venue to create a truly unique event.
The Chef’s Pantry is home to an array of treats & spices of their long-standing Chef, Mark Sage, ready and available for guests to take home and enjoy. From free-range eggs to the chef’s secret recipes, it is a home chef’s paradise!
Their winery restaurant is home to a Mediterranean inspired menu, matched with their award-winning wines, and is open from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. daily.
The cellar door is open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. for wine tasting and sales. The restaurant, Cellar Door and Courtyard area are available from 5 p.m. for exclusive hire for private events.
A visit to the Gibbston Valley Winery is a great trip for anyone who likes wine.
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Fergburger & Queenstown – They Just Belong Together
Posted by Ruth Atherley on May 7, 2012 at 8:51 pm
I spent the entire last year trying to replicate the burgers we had at Fergburger – at home. And while I have made some good burgers, they are nothing like the ones at Fergburger. If I thought I could get a franchise in Canada for Fergburger, I would do it! And then I would sit back and wait to get rich because no one can resist coming back to Fergburger. They are that good. (Paul had his first gastronomical experience with a Fergburger last year. After one bite, he said: “This is the best burger I have ever had.”)
Fergburger is a must-do in Queenstown. The burgers (beef, chicken, lamb, venison, fish or veggie) are arguably the best in New Zealand (and I would argue with anyone who says they aren’t!) and burger connoisseurs come from far and wide to enjoy them. There’s also a great selection of beer, wine and premium-roasted coffee.
Fergburger was started in 2001 as a “hole in the wall” on Cow Lane to provide decent fare for partygoers to enjoy after a late night out at pubs and clubs. “Ferg” literally filled the spot and is now so popular that it’s open 21 hours a day and has a worldwide following.
Well – I don’t think that words can possibly describe these burgers. So photos will have to do. Just check out how happy Paul looks with his Fergburger in hand.
