(Photo above – a view to the lake, Queenstown.)
Highlights of our 2025 family trip to New Zealand by Indi Noon.
As Harper and I have now entered what I call “Chapter 2” of our lives, “Chapter 1” being our schooling years, mustering all four family members under one roof has become a little bit difficult. Things like family outings, family celebrations and family holidays are harder to coordinate as they sometimes have to take a backseat to the demands of the workforce. But when my parents organised a 10-day trip to the South Island of New Zealand, I was positive my schedule would allow for it.
New Zealand is everything you see on postcards and more. Just flying into Queenstown is an experience worth having. As you start your descent, frosted mountains rise up to meet you and the (hopefully) experienced pilot has to navigate the narrow valley. Looking out the window you almost expect to see Smaug the dragon come gliding over the steep peaks. The voice on the intercom informs passengers that landing in Queenstown is one of the more exciting arrivals in the world, due to its fast descent and short runway. We were advised to remain seated and hold on. Nothing brings out the true colours of a person quite like frantically wrestling the stranger next to you for the armrest.
From the moment we stepped off the plane, Queenstown took our breath away at each turn. First the sheer sawtooth mountains that tower the airport and promise to astound you every time, followed by the glacial-blue water that hurtles down the riverways. The picturesque township featured small wooden bridges, stone roadways, lively pubs and most spectacularly, direct access to the pristine Lake Wakatipu. Not even the bustling of thousands of tourists could detract from its captivating magnificence.
We spent a few days exploring the attractions and gems of Queenstown. Dad found us a wonderful place to eat called Gantley’s Tavern. It looked like a cottage from a children’s fairytale book. We ate breakfast there every morning it was so good and there’s something about the scones in New Zealand that keep you wanting to order them every time you see them on the chalk board menu. Harper and I went bungy jumping in the Nevis Valley, him a little more enthusiastically than me, and mum found herself being dragged along to white-water rafting. If you’re ever in the area I highly recommend you wander the enchanting streets of nearby Arrowtown, it’s unlikely to disappoint.
As with all good things, our time in Queenstown was over before we knew it, but there was much more to come. After a final breakfast at Gantley’s, we crammed into our hired Corolla and turned north for Christchurch.
The drive was a scenic, almost six-hour journey. By the time we arrived at our accommodation the kind of irritation that comes when you haven’t been fed for a few hours was threatening to rear its head. We needed food, fast. Dad, known for being the most rational of our quartet, conducted a quick Google search and led us in the direction of a local restaurant/wine bar he’d found. As we started to walk away from the town centre, mum and I felt sure we were going the wrong way. As it was getting dark fast and we were moving further away from any signs of activity, I was just about ready to roll my eyes and offer an alternative solution: Uber Eats. But I would have owed dad an apology for my impatience because glowing in the shadows of the surrounding South Quad of Christchurch’s Art Centre was a hidden gem that became our favorite dining place of the entire holiday. Cellar Door Wine Bar is a cosy, stylish place situated opposite the botanic gardens in Christchurch. They served fresh, elegant dishes that were enormously satisfying alongside colourful wine tasting flights that did not disappoint. We indulged in an array of dishes with hopes to try a bit of everything and we each selected a tasting flight. Out of both enjoyment and interest, we created a bit of a game where one person would pass a glass around the table so everyone got a taste. Then we would compare notes and give the wine a number out of 10, but Harper and I had to give our ratings first so we would not be influenced by mum and dad… we didn’t always agree! This pattern continued for each of the 16 glasses on the table, ending with a surprisingly delicious vermouth flight chosen by Harper. And of course, the night wasn’t complete without a sticky Apple Tarte Tatin, hot from the oven.
Our time at Cellar Door is easily one of the most memorable meals I’ve ever been treated to in my life. Was that because of the well perfected dishes? The generous and delectable wine selection? The warm and inviting lure of the venue? The miracle and blessing of having the people I love most in the world at one table smiling, laughing and telling stories? … I don’t know. Like a great cheese platter, I guess it’s a little bit of everything!
