Queenstown

Just spent a few days in Queenstown and it was a pleasant surprise from the hedonistic town of young revellers - I found Cairns lived up to its raucous reputation - I was expecting. Although often rated as one of NZ’s biggest party spots, its nightlife was just one facet, which is also famed for winter skiing, fishing, extreme sports and dining out. Over my week there I counted a large number of older people as well as the expected younger set. It’s small, cosy and very photogenic; if anything more boutique and expensive than you‘d think, like a ski resort town. It’s really very lovely, and I can see why most of the Kiwis I’ve met have a fondness for it.

Here are some fun things I did: visited upmarket ice cream parlour Lick for some expensive but tasty choc ‘n’ caramel.

Tried one of the town’s legendary Ferg Burgers. Busy any time of day but the wait was worth it for one of these giant burgers. My only niggle was the small number of veggie eats compared to the huge choice of carnivorous ones.

Hell Pizza. OK, more of a NZ than a Queenstown special, but this create-your-own pizza chain is notable for the sheer number of options -i.e. just about anything- you can add to your 12”. I love cheese, and opted for four different varieties, peppers and garlic. Maybe not something you’d order in a restaurant but I can never get enough cheese.

Edit: Since I returned to the UK I discovered that Hell has opened a few branches in London in the last few years. Good times.

The air is crisp and, apologies for the cliché, alpine fresh, so being outside in the sun is a great way to spend a day. Walks around the environs take in a small, lakeside wood and public garden. Or you can eat chips and sit and read on the edge of Lake Wakitipu, a deep lake with a free underwater observatory. They also have scaup ducks, and it’s amusing to watch them dive metres under water to the same level as three-feet long fish.