Baby, it’s cold outside
An escape to Queenstown is the perfect way to put the sizzle back in your relationship during the cooler months, as Siobhan Downes discovers.
Let’s be honest – there is nothing particularly sexy about winter. It’s the season of puffer jackets and flannel pyjamas. Thermal underwear and hairy legs.
But when the cold came creeping in, my boyfriend and I decided to embrace Jack Frost, and see what New Zealand’s ultimate winter destination had to offer.
Whether you’re after luxury and indulgence, or wanting to get the adrenaline pumping, here’s why Queenstown is the best place to warm up your relationship.
Breathtaking views
It would take the most icy of hearts to not feel a little flutter when presented with the soaring snow-capped Remarkables, reflected on Lake Wakatipu’s glassy surface. Rug up warm and go for a stroll along the lakeside – it beats a long walk on the beach, any day. Or you can ride up Bob’s Peak on the iconic Skyline Gondola, for a panoramic vista over the town.
Share an adventure . . .
An intrepid journey along the Dart River will put any couple’s communication skills to the test. After an exhilarating jetboat ride from Glenorchy to the river’s upper reaches, our guides have us clambering into ‘‘Funyaks’’ – inflatable kayaks designed for adventurers with little or no whitewater experience.
They do, however, require a lot of teamwork. There’s a reason why they’ve also been dubbed ‘‘divorce boats’’.
Miraculously, the BF and I manage to remain on speaking terms throughout the experience, despite a few minor breakdowns along the way (‘‘paddle forward . . . NO, I mean make the boat go forward, don’t actually paddle forward!’’).
We are rewarded with a wilderness feast on the bank of the river, where we nibble on sandwiches, fruit and cakes in what must be one of the most pristine spots on Earth.
After lunch, we go for a daring paddle into a secret spot called the Rockburn Chasm, pushing ourselves through a narrow fissure in the ancient rock until we end up in a pool of pure aquamarine water.
Then it’s back out onto the river, where a bit more frantic paddling gets us to our destination: Paradise (yes, that really is its name).
Exhausted but in good spirits, we hop on a four-wheel-drive and get taken back to Glenorchy, for some hard-earned hot chips at the pub.
. . . or relax in a hot pool
One of the best ways to warm up on a chilly Queenstown evening is by heading to the Onsen Hot Pools, perched high on the cliffside overlooking the Shotover River canyon. You’re given a private bathing room, complete with its own shower, changing area, and hot tub with a retractable window.
Then you’re left to soak in steamy bliss, feeling as though you’ve stepped inside a painting.
Date night options galore
Queenstown is a world-class dining destination, so don’t even think about taking your date to McDonald’s. We go to Botswana Butchery, housed in a beautiful old villa overlooking Lake Wakatipu. It was one of those meals that you dream about long after it’s over. For the starter, we choose Peking duck and Nelson scallops, followed by a build-yourown-plate of mouth-watering fillet mignon wrapped in bacon, with sides of duck fat roasted potatoes, cauliflower cheese, and summer carrots.
The sommelier, Grace, is on hand to match every single one of our plates with the perfect wine. We fall in love with a Wooing Tree blanc de noir (a white wine made with pinot grapes) called Blondie, and she offers to go and get the bottle so we can take a photo of it for reference. It’s a busy Saturday night, and Grace gets sidetracked. But she hasn’t forgotten about us – and at the end of the night, we’re amazed to find she has emailed through the details of the wine and where we can find it. How’s that for service?
Wine is all around
You don’t have to stray far from Queenstown to find yourself in New Zealand’s most scenic wine region, Central Otago. After our phenomenal dinner at Botswana Butchery, we decide to rent a car and drive to Cromwell, just under an hour away, to get our hands on some of that delicious wine.
Wooing Tree is named after the landmark at the centre of the vineyard, which has long been a popular place for locals to meet up to ‘‘woo’’ their lovers. Even today it’s a sought-after spot for marriage proposals and weddings.
Unfortunately, we’re out of luck with our quest – the 2015 Blondie vintage was so popular it sold out in six months. But we put our names down on the pre-order list for the 2016 Blondie, and settle for a bottle of Pinot Gris to take home.
And chocolate, too
If you’re in need of a sugar fix, head to Patagonia Chocolates on the Wakatipu lakefront. Here you’ll find everything from handcrafted chocolates, to velvety-rich icecream, to delectable desserts. Warm yourselves up on a chilly morning with a coffee and some hot churros, and make sure to nab a window seat so you can watch the world go by.
A little healthy competition
When’s the last time you went on the infamous Skyline Queenstown Luge? Turns out, it’s just as much fun for grown-ups.
We don our helmets, grit our teeth, and embark on a tournament of fast and furious races against each other – once down the scenic track, then several times down the more thrilling advanced track. A word of advice – you’ll want at least three rides.
Take a leap of faith
On our last day, we’re booked in for a tandem paragliding flight with G Force. After a rainy patch, the weather has cleared and conditions are apparently perfect for throwing ourselves off the side of a mountain attached to nothing but a colourful sheet.
We meet our pilots at the top of the Gondola, who walk us up a steep hill to our takeoff point. I’m paired with Richard from Venezuela, who has a wicked sense of humour.
‘‘So, err, where did you learn to do this, Richard?’’ ‘‘Just last night in the pub.’’ Before I know it, I’m being clicked into a harness with Richard, and running down the hill and over the edge like a lemming. But as we float down to Earth, I’m too mesmerised by the crystal-clear views to remember to be scared. In fact, the whole thing is surprisingly relaxing.
So, there you have it. Our romantic weekend away to Queenstown ended with us both being strapped to handsome strangers.