“Queenstown - an experience I will never forget”

“Awesome! I gaze in wonder at the view; mountain peaks speckled with snow, against a backdrop of clear blue sky. Below are lush green valleys and the permeable blue of the lake. A lake that stretches out as far as my eyes can see.

Flying into Queenstown is spectacular.

Such a thrill before you even touch down. No wonder people are inspired to throw themselves off bridges with this scenery. Stepping out of the plane we walk across to the newly renovated terminal. The cool, crisp air hits you in the face and fills my lungs. The Remarkables mountain range looms down over us, giving me a sense they are watching over me.

We are greeted by our Queenstown DMC, with Kia Ora – the traditional Maori word for hello, and a suggestive smile that hides the truth behind our afternoon activities. We are assured it will be worth the wait. We collect our luggage and assemble out the front. Two big old Chevrolet buses are waiting; our cheerful driver welcomes us and says it is a beautiful day for a drive with the top down.

We are no longer on the main road, but bouncing down a dirt track, seemingly towards the lake. I glance nervously around the bus, but everyone is gaping open-mouthed and wide-eyed at the scenery. We are greeted at the lakeside by a lady who tell us to “Grab a warm top, leave your luggage”.

Excitedly we follow and each don a lifejacket. Our driver greets us and reminds us to hold on! Throttle to the floor we speed across Lake Wakatipu, that fresh cool air shaking out any cobwebs from our flight. We do a 360 spin, and are showered with a smattering of spray; making me laugh. Slowing down, we take in the landmarks along the peninsulas on either side before we stop in a bushy location upriver.

Excited whispers pass between us; what surprise is awaiting us this time? There is a flutter from above, it sounds like a helicopter. Blimey! I’m right. A helicopter sets down and we are greeted by our pilot, Steve. Seven of us fit in the helicopter, but not to worry says Steve, more are on their way. It is an amazing feeling as we gracefully lift up into the sky; we wave to our friends below. Climbing up, we can see down to the road that leads from the town and meanders further around the lake, down to Glenorchy. “A little slice of paradise”, Steve assures us. We wind our way over mountains and down into valleys, including Skippers Canyon; a trickle of a river and steep mountain terrain, where a small township of miners once battled in harsh conditions in search of gold.

The pilot sets the chopper down effortlessly at the top of this peak, and we step out onto snow. Delegates emerge from close by, as helicopters set down to shrieks of joy, for many of us snow is a novelty, and some have never experienced it before.

Queenstown is a four season resort town, with a range of activities, accommodation, restaurants, and as we will soon discover, an ideal place for a conference. Taking a look around, I can see why our company chose Queenstown as the destination to provide an inspirational conference. Champagne is passed around, and we toast to ourselves, the conference, and to Queenstown, already an experience I will never forget.”