Queenstown had been on my radar for a long time and I almost had my chance on my 40th birthday nearly 8 years ago. Sheira made a surprise booking at a hotel in the centre of town called Eichardt’s, right on the water. Although the imagery looked postcard-perfect, in the end we caved in and defaulted to our usual first love: a summer destination.

Now, returning to New Zealand’s North Island on the earlier part of the journey, I was glad to have the opportunity to discover the South as well - and felt I had unfinished business at Eichardt’s. I still loved the look of the old, partially redeveloped sandstone building and its fantastic position.

With famous “Blanket Bay” accommodation less then an hour away on the water at the Humboldt mountain range, I could combine my Queenstown stay with a lodge experience - the perfect South Island experience. A lot of people stop down in both places rather than just breeze through Queenstown en route to the wilderness.

I set myself a challenge to research and enjoy the combination in 9 days, with sights and activities that most people would enjoy over a two-week itinerary. I love packing a punch when traveling by being time efficient - so I booked helicopters in between these two spots. I also knew a bird’s eye view of the countryside here, famous for being like an emerald green quilt, would be spectacular.

Flying in from Wellington, the rows and rows of jagged mountain peaks that surround Queenstown already had a huge impact. The scenery here unmistakably hits you before you even land!

I am a gentleman who opens doors for women, so I vividly remember a lady baggage handler at the airport, which made my old-school side feel uncomfortable. I can’t cope with a lady picking up my bags and loading the car while I kick back with the girls - my wife, mother and daughter! So I at least helped her pack the car and then enjoyed the stunning drive into Queenstown, snaking along the gorgeous, sapphire-blue waters off Lake Wakatipu. Even though there is a fairly built up, low-rise town this scenery is so pristine; the lake is even fed by glacier water…