Matakauri Lodge | moody waters

moody waters at Matakauri (c) 2019 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Did I ever say that Queenstown was beautiful? Obviously a rhetorical question, Queenstown is indeed beautiful, both when it's bright and sunny ... and when it's dark and cloudy. As many a landscape photographer will attest, clouds like those in the picture above make for dramatic photographs. I captured this image at dawn. The thick clouds meant no rosy sunrise colors, but the texture of these cumulous clouds hanging low over the water was a special early-morning treat.

bathtub view at Matakauri (c) 2019 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

Our first night in Queenstown found us at Matakauri Lodge. About 7 minutes outside of town, the lodge is located in a beautifully secluded location right on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. If you love a bathtub-with-a-view, this is a hallmark of Virginia Fischer interiors.

There are two secluded Virtuoso lakeside resorts in the Queenstown area — Matakauri and the equally beautiful Blanket Bay. Matakauri is close to town while Blanket Bay is about 45 minutes away at the northern end of the same lake. The lodges are quite distinct; Matakauri's elegant feminine decor contrasts with Blanket Bay's elegant hunting lodge ambience. I've spent one evening at both lodges and loved each one ... for different reasons.

You can't make a wrong choice in Queenstown. No matter where you stay, you'll enjoy the gorgeous views, luxurious accommodations, and incredible food.

copyright (c) 2019 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.

Queenstown | for scenery and adrenaline rushes

Taking the Plunge (c) 2019 by David Ourisman, all right reserved

Queenstown is my favorite place in New Zealand... and I say that having never made it to Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound. Inclement weather during two separate visits caused the cancelations of our helicopter flights through these breath-taking fjords. But even so, I love Queenstown.

Queenstown Harbor (c) 2019 by David Ourisman, all rights reserved

If you want gorgeous scenery, nothing beats this town set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. A small resort town, it has everything a nature lover could want. I've always enjoyed the beautiful setting — the lake and the snow-capped restaurants — and Queenstown has great restaurants and many opportunities for productive retail therapy. Shop for possum wool sweaters (warm and so soft), and do drop into Waka Jewelers to browse the hand made carvings and jewelry. Walk upstairs to visit the small gallery and see the owner/artist at work.

Or if you're after an adrenaline rush, nothing is quite so exciting/terrifying than taking the plunge off the Kawarau Bridge. 43 meters above the water (141 feet), I've visited the bridge twice to take in the experience. No, I've never jumped — nor has has any of my fellow travelers, though one of our group was tempted to give it a try — but I was quite satisfied to experience vicariously the sheer terror of the experience. Or for more conventional thrills, there's downhill skiing during the winter months (summer in the Northern hemisphere).

Coming up in my next blogs, three fabulous (and so different) luxury lodges in and near Queenstown.

copyright (c) 2019 by Ourisman Travel LLC. All rights reserved. We provide Virtuoso and other Preferred Partner amenities as an affiliate of Brownell, a Virtuoso® Member. If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.