Our Adventure Begins in Queenstown
- Rediscovering New Zealand: An Expedition to the Subantarctic and South Island Adventures
- Our Adventure Begins in Queenstown
- A Day Trip to The Remarkables and Glenorchy
- Te Anu and Milford Sound
- An Overnight Cruise in Doubtful Sound with Fiordland Expeditions
- Our "Galapagos of the Southern Ocean" Expedition Officially Begins
- Embarkation Day: Setting Sail for New Zealand's Subantarctic Islands
- Navigating Rough Seas at the Snares
- A Day in the Auckland Islands
- Discovering Macquarie Island
- A Glorious Day at Sandy Bay
- Christmas at Sea and the Wonders of Campbell Island
- Exploring Enderby Island
- A Surprise Second Shot at the Snares
- From Disembarkation to Dunedin
- A Heli-hike on the Tasman Glacier in Aoraki/Mt. Cook
- Lake Tekapo Weather Woes
- Chasing Dusky Dolphins in Kaikoura
- Hiking the Abel Tasman Coast Track (well, part of it)
After flying to South America for our 2022 and 2023 extended holiday breaks, today’s short flight from Sydney to Queenstown was a breeze.
Getting to New Zealand
The flight itself was fast, clocking in at just under three hours. We booked window and window to enjoy the stunning views of the alpine landscape and the winding rivers during the final approach. It was clear why this is known as one of the most challenging approaches for pilots and also one of the most scenic airport approaches in the world.
New Zealand’s electronic declaration was a much better experience than the Australian paper form with 6 point font (IYKYK). We had to tick “yes” to a few disclosures (footwear worn in a wilderness area, equipment used in the ocean), but breezed through without a hitch. The customs officer only perked up to ask about my job (“Consultant). He asked what kind of consulting, and I replied “the kind with a lot of PowerPoint presentations.” He laughed and said, “Welcome to New Zealand.”
The Doubletree Hilton in Queenstown (well, near Queenstown)
The drive to our accommodation was short—we stayed at the Doubletree in the Hilton complex, which technically isn’t Queenstown but a mere 20-minute drive away. We were using points and the suite, complete with a sitting area and a separate bedroom, was a nice surprise.
The Most Popular Burger in Queenstown: Fergburger
We both needed a late lunch (or early dinner), so we decided to hop on the ferry to Queenstown. We waited, with a small group of other tourists, and the hourly departure time came and went. On a whim, I checked the ferry Facebook page and learned it was cancelled due to high winds. Not keen on waiting another uncertain hour, we hailed an Uber.
We decided on Fergburger, which seems to be a must-visit with over 15,000 reviews and a solid 4.5-star rating. Despite our Uber driver’s tip to order online, we queued up and the long line moved surprisingly quick. The burger lived up to its reputation, and (planning ahead for breakfast) we picked up some pastries from Fergbaker.
Despite Queenstown being two hours ahead of Sydney, the travel day wore us out more than expected. It was still light outside at 9 PM, but the windowless bedroom helped coax our tired minds to sleep.
