1 00:00:07,133 --> 00:00:10,453 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Saturday Morning with Jack Team podcast 2 00:00:10,573 --> 00:00:11,733 Speaker 1: from News Talks at be. 3 00:00:12,933 --> 00:00:14,533 Speaker 2: Mike Yardley is with us to talk travel. 4 00:00:14,533 --> 00:00:17,213 Speaker 3: Good morning, Francisco, Good morning. 5 00:00:17,333 --> 00:00:23,493 Speaker 2: What a life you live? No, I mean you, I 6 00:00:23,533 --> 00:00:26,253 Speaker 2: mean I would never tire of wining, dining and biking 7 00:00:26,253 --> 00:00:34,813 Speaker 2: my way around Arrowtown and Gibston. It is You're very tiring, No, 8 00:00:34,933 --> 00:00:37,093 Speaker 2: because it just the trail network in the region. It 9 00:00:37,173 --> 00:00:39,413 Speaker 2: just continues to withstand. It kind of doesn't matter how 10 00:00:39,493 --> 00:00:42,333 Speaker 2: often you've been. There's always somewhere new explore, isn't there. 11 00:00:43,613 --> 00:00:44,933 Speaker 3: So true? Yeah, it's amazing. 12 00:00:44,973 --> 00:00:47,893 Speaker 4: Over the last twenty years that Queenstown Trails Trust, they 13 00:00:47,973 --> 00:00:51,813 Speaker 4: have developed over two hundred kilometers of tracks, which is 14 00:00:51,933 --> 00:00:55,533 Speaker 4: just insane. And just a few weeks ago adding to 15 00:00:55,573 --> 00:01:01,293 Speaker 4: the arsenal the Shotover Gorge Trail, which essentially laces up 16 00:01:01,333 --> 00:01:04,173 Speaker 4: the northern edge of the Waker Tapoo Basin with the 17 00:01:04,213 --> 00:01:08,413 Speaker 4: wider trails network. So there are some really cool features 18 00:01:08,453 --> 00:01:11,773 Speaker 4: on this trail, Francesca. But I've got the Hugo Tunnel, 19 00:01:12,093 --> 00:01:14,853 Speaker 4: which is about as long as a rugby field, and 20 00:01:14,893 --> 00:01:17,933 Speaker 4: this tunnel was actually constructed over a century ago to 21 00:01:18,013 --> 00:01:22,413 Speaker 4: divert the river for gold mining. So long story short, 22 00:01:22,453 --> 00:01:27,053 Speaker 4: they've now repurposed this old tunnel as part of the trail, 23 00:01:27,253 --> 00:01:30,373 Speaker 4: So you're ripped through this tunnel. Then you've got this 24 00:01:30,533 --> 00:01:34,933 Speaker 4: brand new Kimmi Ako bridge strung across the shot Over Gorge. 25 00:01:35,093 --> 00:01:38,493 Speaker 4: So as you're on fought on bike heading over that bridge, 26 00:01:38,493 --> 00:01:42,293 Speaker 4: you've got jet boats thundering beneath you. So a cracking 27 00:01:42,333 --> 00:01:44,493 Speaker 4: new trail to check out down in the area. 28 00:01:44,733 --> 00:01:48,213 Speaker 2: They seem to do this very quickly or or have 29 00:01:48,293 --> 00:01:51,133 Speaker 2: these things been taking you know, I have no idea. 30 00:01:51,253 --> 00:01:53,133 Speaker 2: Is it just my perception that they're able to kind 31 00:01:53,133 --> 00:01:56,413 Speaker 2: of keep creating trees things relatively swiftly? 32 00:01:56,573 --> 00:01:58,693 Speaker 3: Yeah, I agree, absolutely. 33 00:01:58,733 --> 00:02:01,413 Speaker 4: It must be that Southern can do grit I think 34 00:02:01,453 --> 00:02:06,293 Speaker 4: Francesca and they've got some other like really big trails. 35 00:02:06,493 --> 00:02:09,573 Speaker 4: The works are one of them that the Covereau Gorge trail. 36 00:02:09,933 --> 00:02:13,413 Speaker 4: You know that Lake Dunstan trail just out of Cromwell, 37 00:02:13,453 --> 00:02:16,853 Speaker 4: which yah sort of wraps around the cliffs. Yeah, so 38 00:02:16,933 --> 00:02:18,773 Speaker 4: that is going to be very very similar to this 39 00:02:18,813 --> 00:02:22,333 Speaker 4: Coverdeau Gorge trail which is currently been constructed that will 40 00:02:22,333 --> 00:02:25,653 Speaker 4: be open later in the year, which will actually link 41 00:02:25,773 --> 00:02:27,973 Speaker 4: up with the Lake Dunston trail. So you can sort 42 00:02:27,973 --> 00:02:32,653 Speaker 4: of like cantilibra above the water for Yeah, two of 43 00:02:32,693 --> 00:02:33,973 Speaker 4: these trails in due course. 44 00:02:34,653 --> 00:02:36,533 Speaker 2: What's so good about the Lake Hayes Loop. 45 00:02:38,133 --> 00:02:40,893 Speaker 4: This is a really good starter, like for people who 46 00:02:40,973 --> 00:02:45,293 Speaker 4: aren't really into adventure biking as such. I love the 47 00:02:45,373 --> 00:02:48,573 Speaker 4: Lake Hayes Loop because it's only eight k and it 48 00:02:48,693 --> 00:02:51,373 Speaker 4: is such a scenic medley. You've got all of those 49 00:02:51,413 --> 00:02:55,053 Speaker 4: soulful mountain and lake vistas. Then you've got all the 50 00:02:55,093 --> 00:03:00,253 Speaker 4: intimate snatches of those swanky, gazillion dollar trophy homes popping 51 00:03:00,373 --> 00:03:03,013 Speaker 4: up around the lake, and then history there is this 52 00:03:03,093 --> 00:03:07,093 Speaker 4: really cool little schist cottage that feature in the mainland 53 00:03:07,173 --> 00:03:10,973 Speaker 4: cheese aad just back up from the lake on the terrace. 54 00:03:11,053 --> 00:03:16,893 Speaker 4: So just a beautiful loop trail, and it also connects 55 00:03:16,933 --> 00:03:18,933 Speaker 4: with a lot of other trails, so like you can 56 00:03:18,973 --> 00:03:22,453 Speaker 4: tootle through the Millbrook area and then onto the glam 57 00:03:22,533 --> 00:03:24,893 Speaker 4: New Hospo Meccha of Airburn. 58 00:03:25,133 --> 00:03:27,213 Speaker 2: Yes, I've heard a lot about this. What did you 59 00:03:27,253 --> 00:03:29,493 Speaker 2: make of this resort style playground? 60 00:03:29,733 --> 00:03:35,613 Speaker 4: Been at home, I could have pulled up a chair 61 00:03:35,733 --> 00:03:39,533 Speaker 4: and quite happily been contented there for quite some time. Yes, 62 00:03:40,213 --> 00:03:43,813 Speaker 4: it really is like a resort, so Chris Meehan is 63 00:03:43,853 --> 00:03:47,653 Speaker 4: the guy behind this, and it's this massive family friendly 64 00:03:47,773 --> 00:03:51,413 Speaker 4: precinct that opened about eighteen months ago. And the amazing 65 00:03:51,453 --> 00:03:56,493 Speaker 4: thing is he basically repurposed an historic farm estate, restored 66 00:03:56,533 --> 00:03:59,613 Speaker 4: a lot of these old properties on the estate, like 67 00:03:59,653 --> 00:04:05,093 Speaker 4: the woolshed which is now the showpiece restaurant, the manure room, 68 00:04:05,493 --> 00:04:09,533 Speaker 4: a discerning door where you can just tipple away happily 69 00:04:09,573 --> 00:04:11,733 Speaker 4: on exceptional Airburn wines. 70 00:04:12,173 --> 00:04:13,853 Speaker 3: And it just continues to evolve. 71 00:04:13,893 --> 00:04:16,493 Speaker 4: I was thinking of you, Francesca, because you might have 72 00:04:16,533 --> 00:04:19,773 Speaker 4: seen a couple of weeks ago ago Chris announced that 73 00:04:20,013 --> 00:04:24,293 Speaker 4: it will soon house a major two hundred. 74 00:04:24,053 --> 00:04:26,013 Speaker 3: Million dollar film studio. 75 00:04:25,693 --> 00:04:30,093 Speaker 4: Hub, so the actors will actually stay on site. They'll 76 00:04:30,093 --> 00:04:33,573 Speaker 4: have all the production facilities there and accommodation. So yeah, 77 00:04:33,613 --> 00:04:34,893 Speaker 4: it's all happening at Airburn. 78 00:04:35,093 --> 00:04:38,013 Speaker 2: Yeah, no, amazing. Hey, what if you're heading sort of 79 00:04:38,253 --> 00:04:40,253 Speaker 2: towards ourtown, where would you recommend to eat? 80 00:04:41,693 --> 00:04:42,013 Speaker 3: Well? 81 00:04:42,093 --> 00:04:44,973 Speaker 4: I think if you want to enjoy like a dress 82 00:04:45,053 --> 00:04:48,933 Speaker 4: circle perch on the main street in Buckingham Street in Arrowtown, 83 00:04:48,973 --> 00:04:51,453 Speaker 4: I recoon one of the best places of all. It's 84 00:04:51,493 --> 00:04:54,453 Speaker 4: the Postmaster's Kitchen and bar. So it's been around a while, 85 00:04:55,293 --> 00:04:58,173 Speaker 4: but it's such a primo spot for people watching. 86 00:04:58,253 --> 00:05:00,133 Speaker 3: And the food is fabulous. 87 00:05:00,453 --> 00:05:05,813 Speaker 4: You cannot beat their knocky with napoli saw semi dried tomatoes, 88 00:05:06,373 --> 00:05:10,893 Speaker 4: palamata olives, parsley and ricotta absolutely dilish. And right across 89 00:05:10,933 --> 00:05:16,133 Speaker 4: the road the original BNZ building has just recently been 90 00:05:16,533 --> 00:05:19,493 Speaker 4: fully restored to its former glory, so that's now actually 91 00:05:19,533 --> 00:05:23,773 Speaker 4: part of the Lakes District Museum complex, so definitely worth 92 00:05:24,133 --> 00:05:25,853 Speaker 4: checking that out as well on the main street. 93 00:05:26,093 --> 00:05:28,333 Speaker 2: Now look another area downe and it's very popular is 94 00:05:28,373 --> 00:05:31,213 Speaker 2: the Gibston Valley, especially with Penanhoa fans. 95 00:05:32,333 --> 00:05:35,893 Speaker 4: Yeah, and if you have dreams of sleeping amid the 96 00:05:36,053 --> 00:05:39,333 Speaker 4: pen and Noa Bynes, have I got the place for you. 97 00:05:39,453 --> 00:05:40,453 Speaker 3: Francesca Rudkin. 98 00:05:41,373 --> 00:05:44,213 Speaker 4: You need, yes, you need to give yourself a little treat, 99 00:05:44,293 --> 00:05:47,373 Speaker 4: a serious splurge in book a luxury stay at a 100 00:05:47,413 --> 00:05:50,693 Speaker 4: place called Mount Rosa Lodge. The thing about this lodge 101 00:05:50,813 --> 00:05:54,813 Speaker 4: is it's perched on the upper slopes of the Gibston Valley, 102 00:05:54,853 --> 00:05:59,133 Speaker 4: so it is view issimo. It is just celestial the 103 00:05:59,213 --> 00:06:02,333 Speaker 4: views and the owners Michelle and Stuart, they will treat 104 00:06:02,413 --> 00:06:05,093 Speaker 4: you royally. The lodge is set around their own private 105 00:06:05,173 --> 00:06:08,853 Speaker 4: vineyard and they she's just the most delicious Pino Lobella 106 00:06:09,213 --> 00:06:13,613 Speaker 4: Rosa and the godfather of Gibston Valley's wine industry, Elan Brady. 107 00:06:13,933 --> 00:06:18,253 Speaker 4: He still oversees production of La Bella Rosa, so you 108 00:06:18,333 --> 00:06:20,293 Speaker 4: know it's going to be good. Mount Rosa Lodge and 109 00:06:20,573 --> 00:06:21,533 Speaker 4: absolute revelation. 110 00:06:21,653 --> 00:06:24,453 Speaker 2: Well, I am very familiar with Mount Rosa because I 111 00:06:24,493 --> 00:06:27,653 Speaker 2: love the rose. They make a beautiful rose as well. 112 00:06:27,973 --> 00:06:31,013 Speaker 3: They do like to enjoy very much. 113 00:06:31,413 --> 00:06:33,653 Speaker 2: Hey, But it's also a dark sky destination. 114 00:06:34,813 --> 00:06:36,853 Speaker 4: Yeah, Jack and I were chatting last week about how 115 00:06:36,893 --> 00:06:39,773 Speaker 4: more of these dark sky reserves and sanctuaries and parks 116 00:06:39,773 --> 00:06:43,133 Speaker 4: are popping up around New Zealand and it's attracting a 117 00:06:43,133 --> 00:06:46,333 Speaker 4: lot of astro tourism interest. The lodge, by the way, 118 00:06:46,533 --> 00:06:49,133 Speaker 4: is nestled in the heart of the Cowardo Gibson Dark 119 00:06:49,173 --> 00:06:51,933 Speaker 4: Sky Park, and the really cool thing is if you 120 00:06:51,973 --> 00:06:53,693 Speaker 4: want to take a tour of the sky on a 121 00:06:53,733 --> 00:06:58,013 Speaker 4: story storry night. One of the lodge's neighbors is Professor 122 00:06:58,093 --> 00:07:03,173 Speaker 4: Brian Boyle. Now he directed to Big Professional Observatories in 123 00:07:03,173 --> 00:07:05,253 Speaker 4: Australia and he was a key member of the team 124 00:07:05,333 --> 00:07:09,493 Speaker 4: responsible for the groundbreaking discovery. 125 00:07:08,933 --> 00:07:09,853 Speaker 3: Of dark energy. 126 00:07:10,853 --> 00:07:13,973 Speaker 4: So quite the guy to take a tour of the 127 00:07:14,013 --> 00:07:16,053 Speaker 4: Cosmos with above Gibston. 128 00:07:16,173 --> 00:07:18,293 Speaker 3: So that's another draw card to Mount Rosa Lodge. 129 00:07:18,293 --> 00:07:20,013 Speaker 2: Oh, I love the way it just happens to be 130 00:07:20,013 --> 00:07:22,333 Speaker 2: living next door brilliant the world. 131 00:07:22,933 --> 00:07:23,493 Speaker 3: I love it. 132 00:07:23,973 --> 00:07:26,413 Speaker 2: Hey, thank you so much, Mike. I feel like I've 133 00:07:26,453 --> 00:07:29,533 Speaker 2: been here. Quite an adventure this morning. For more tips 134 00:07:29,533 --> 00:07:33,013 Speaker 2: on whining, dining, and cycling in Aertown and Gibston, Mike's 135 00:07:33,093 --> 00:07:35,693 Speaker 2: article is on the website Newstalk, zb dot, Coto and 136 00:07:35,813 --> 00:07:39,253 Speaker 2: z Forward Slash Lifestyle, Ford Slash Travel. 137 00:07:39,973 --> 00:07:43,093 Speaker 1: For more from Saturday Morning with Jack Tame, listen live 138 00:07:43,173 --> 00:07:45,973 Speaker 1: to News Talk zed B from nine am Saturday, or 139 00:07:46,053 --> 00:07:47,973 Speaker 1: follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.