Arrowtown & Queenstown: Adventure, Family Time, and Saying Goodbye to Nana

Our time in Arrowtown and Queenstown felt like the perfect mix of cozy charm, epic adventure, and meaningful family time. It was one of those stretches of travel where every day felt full, but never rushed — the kind of days you wish you could bottle up.

Falling in Love with Arrowtown

Arrowtown instantly stole our hearts. The historic downtown is unbelievably charming — colorful buildings, mountain views, and the kind of streets you want to wander slowly.

We checked into the most comfortable Airbnb and quickly realized the hot tub might be the best feature of the whole place. After exploring town for dinner, we ended the evening with ice cream from Patagonia Chocolates — the perfect start to our stay.

One of our favorite days was biking the Arrowtown to Gibbston River Trail. We rented bikes and rode about 40 kilometers through valleys, along rivers, and across suspension bridges. The scenery was unreal.

Our destination? Lunch at Gibbston Tavern, where we watched people take the leap from the iconic Kawarau Bridge Bungy. The whole ride felt like one big adventure.

That night we were completely exhausted in the best way possible — Thai takeout, hot tub, and early bedtime.

Our last full day in Arrowtown was slower and just as special. We wandered through the local market, spent time at the playground, grabbed lunch at Provisions of Arrowtown, and enjoyed an afternoon relaxing on the patio.

Dinner at Slow Cuts capped off the day perfectly before another peaceful soak in the hot tub.

Arrowtown was cozy, beautiful, and the perfect place to slow down before heading into adventure mode.

Queenstown: Adventure Capital of the World

When we arrived in Queenstown, the energy instantly shifted. The town sits right along Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by mountains, and there’s adventure around every corner.

One of our favorite experiences was taking the gondola up Skyline Queenstown and racing down the luge track. It was one of those activities that’s somehow even more fun than you expect.

Of course we couldn’t visit Queenstown without stopping at Fergburger. The line is long, but the burgers absolutely live up to the hype.

The adventure highlight of the trip might have been our jet boat ride on the Shotover River. The boat whipped through narrow canyon walls and shallow water, spinning and racing through the river at incredible speeds. It was thrilling and unforgettable.

Farm Life at Walter Peak

We also took a boat trip across Lake Wakatipu with RealNZ to visit Walter Peak High Country Farm.

It was such a fun experience for the whole family — sheep shearing demonstrations, farm tours, and watching the sheepdogs expertly round up the flock. The lunch overlooking the lake was incredible.

Exploring Nature

Queenstown is packed with beautiful hikes, and one of our favorites was Bob's Cove Track. The turquoise water, quiet trails, and dramatic landscapes made it feel like something out of a movie.

We also discovered one of the most amazing playgrounds we’ve ever seen at Hanley Park Playground. It’s massive, beautifully designed, and the boys could have played there all day.

Evenings were simple and perfect — dinners at Altitude Brewing, hot tubs at our holiday park, sunset walks, and star-filled skies.

A Magical Dinner at Ayrburn

One of our most memorable nights was dinner at Ayrburn.

It felt like stepping into a dream — gardens, walking paths, playgrounds, beautiful architecture, and restaurants tucked throughout the property. We had dinner at the Woodshed and wandered through the gardens afterward.

It was the perfect place for one last special evening together.

Saying Goodbye to Nana

Queenstown also marked the end of Nana’s visit with us. She flew home from here, and saying goodbye was incredibly hard.

Watching the boys spend this time with their Nana was such a gift. Seeing their relationship grow during our travels — the laughs, the adventures, the quiet moments — is something we’ll always treasure.

We already miss her, but we feel so grateful for the time we had together.

Right Where We’re Meant to Be

One of the most powerful parts of this journey has been watching our kids experience the world so freely. Seeing them interact with nature, explore new places, and grow into fiercely independent, loving little humans has inspired me in ways I didn’t expect.

It’s inspiring as a mom and as a person navigating this world.

More and more, it feels like we are exactly where we’re meant to be. 🌎✨