In this bulletin we'd like to inform you about:

LH opening times | Dining with Host | Excursion Specials |
Home-stays | NZ in profile | What to See and Do En-route

Larch Hill Homestay's opening times;
Check-in time is normally from 2pm, but we try to work in with guests as much as possible.  If you arrive in Queenstown early, just let us know and we'll try to check you in early if we can.
 

Spring is here and the flowers are beginning to bloom.  Another season to enjoy in this magnificent region.  We're still ski-ing - spring ski-ing is just delightful, with blue skies and warmth.

Daylight savings has begun and we're now enjoying an extra hour of daylight in the evenings.

An evening Dining with your host!

Sorry, we no longer provide this option as there are so many excellent restaurants in Queenstown.  With over 100 of them, you will be spoilt for choice!

Excursion specials;
Real Journeys:
Please enquire about these when you book with us.  We can make all your bookings for you and can advise you about current specials, particularly in the low season.

TSS Earnslaw Vintage Steamship
- Scenic cruise on Lake Wakatipu aboard the vintage steamship - a 45 minute cruise in each direction over to Walter Peak Station. 
- Scenic cruise and morning or afternoon tea and farmyard tour including animal viewing and demonstration of sheep shearing - a 3 1/2 hour excursion which allows you time to explore the superb gardens at Walter Peak Station and to take tea in the homestead.
- Scenic cruise on Lake Wakatipu aboard the vintage steamship with evening dining at 'The Colonel's Homestead' or a delicious barbeque lunch.

About Home-stays:
Types of accommodation:
The traditional Bed & Breakfast is that of a small owner occupied home accommodation usually with private guest living and dining areas.
A Homestay is a B&B where you share the family's living areas.

The difference between a Hotel and a B&B is,
that you don't hug the hotel staff when you leave!
Quoted from the NZ Bed & Breakfast Book.

Common phrases used in home-stay, farm-stay and bed and breakfast accommodations:
Ensuite bathroom: 
Your bathroom is within the room and is for your use exclusively.
In our home-stay we have two en-suite bathrooms.
 Private bathroom:
Your bathroom is for your use exclusively but outside your room.
In our home-stay it is next door in the hall. Bathrobes are provided.
Guests share bathroom: 
This means you will be sharing the bathroom with other guests.
Not available at Larch Hill b&b.
Host share bathroom:
Here you will share the bathroom with your host.
Not available at Larch Hill b&b.


Should you not know about Queenstown and the Lake District and what you can See and Do in the area, but would like to know more, please check our web page 'What to do'. Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.


Bed & Breakfast in New Zealand has a fine reputation for its standard of services. Guests can expect cleanliness, comfortable beds, a good substantial breakfast and warm, generous hospitality. In addition, your hosts can provide you with first-hand in-depth information about their area. They take pleasure in helping you with your pursuits and travel plans. Their invaluable knowledge can enrich your stay immensely. Your hosts will do everything in their power to make your stay an enjoyable and memorable one. However, it is important to remember that in most cases you are a guest in a private home. So please consider the little things, like arranging to have a house-key if returning late at night, or asking about the tariffs for toll calls prior to using the telephone. Please let your hosts know in time if you will be late. Thoughtfulness on your part will contribute to a satisfying experience for both host and guest.
Excerpt from the 'Charming Bed & Breakfast' book.

NZ In Profile:
NZ In Profile is provided by Statistics NZ and can be accessed at www.stats.govt.nz
Following is some of the most important information:

Queenstown & Lake District (45'S-169'E)
Climate:
Warmest month; Jan.+ Feb. Mean daily max. 22.5'C
Coldest month; July + Aug. Mean daily max. 11'C
Rainfall; The mean annual average varies from 400mm in Central Otago to
12000mm in the Southern Alps.

For daily weather updates throughout NZ go to www.nzherald.co.nz/weather

New Zealand is the first country in the world to
welcome in the new day!
NZ Time is 0.00hrs at 12.00 Noon Greenwich Time and
4 hrs behind Los Angeles
6 hrs behind Mexico City
7 hrs behind New York
2 hrs ahead Australia's East coast
4 hrs ahead Australia's West coast
4 hrs ahead Singapore
11 hrs ahead Western Europe
10 hrs ahead Eastern Europe

What to See and Do On-route
Greymouth to Queenstown
Christchurch to Queenstown (via Mackenzie Highlands)

Greymouth to Queenstown

Greymouth
Visit the Jade Boulder Gallery for interesting information on
Greenstone (Pounamu) (Jade)
Arts & Crafts at the Left Bank Gallery, near the clocktower.
Monteith's Brewery tour Crn. Turumaha & Herbert Sts.

Shantytown
An old gold-miners town ‘Old world decor and charm!’
Vintage steam train, gaol working sawmill, Gold panning, and more!
Rutherglen Rd. Off SH6 ca. 10km past intersection SH73

Hokitika
Arts & Crafts Galleries. (Paintings, Glass blowing,
Wood turning, Green stone factory)
Westland’s Waterworld (live display)
West Coast Historical museum.

Ross
Open cast working Gold Mine. Go right at left bend in SH6.
Past buildings Turn left into car park and view from fence.

Pukekura
Check-out the Bushmans Centre. View the Giant Matai tree
look for the signs (just before the Bushmans centre) on the right.

Hari Hari
Interesting Craft shop on left driving out of the town.

Whataroa
White Heron Sanctuary. Tour departs from here at 9+11am 1+3pm.
Check out the Carver for Jade Bone and Wood carvings.

Christchurch to Queenstown via Makenzie Highlands
From the Christchurch Airport you take HW1 south. Turn right at the first round-about direction Yaldhurst HW73 Continue on HW73 until Darfield.
Take a left turn onto HW77.
At Homebush take a left turn onto HW72. Stop across the first bridge over the Rakaia river at the memorial plaque and walk down the path and onto the structure to have a great view to the bridges and down river. Cross the road to have a look into the Rakaia gorge.
The next 70km will take you pass Mt. Hutt and Mt. Somers
If you have time to spare and there is no objection to drive the ca.45km unsealed road, drive through the village of Mt. Somers to Ashburton Gorge and Haketere where you take the left fork to Erewhon Park. In front of you on the left of the road to Erewhon you'll find Mt.Sunday the place that was used to create Edoras, and King Theoden's hall 'Meduseld'  In the film 'The Lord of the Rings'. The Cloudy Peak Range creates the back drop.
After crossing the bridge over the Rangitata river you will come to HW 79 where you turn right to Geraldine and Fairly. When you come to HW8, turn right to Burkes Pass and then onto Lake Tekapo.

Taste some wines at the Gibbston valley Winery and the Chard Farm Winery. If you have been drinking let someone else who didn't, take over the wheel.
Watch bungy jumping off the old Kawarau bridge - it's free to go into the Bungy Centre and out onto the platform to watch people jumping.
Next stop, probably Larch Hill, but when you have time you can make a detour to Arrowtown an old gold miners town well worth a visit. Don't miss the museum in Arrowtown and the reconstructed huts in the Chinese Miners Village.  If you can't make it now, you may be able to do it at a later date.

Back to What to See & Do En-route

Larch Hill

Home-stay Bed & Breakfast
 16 Panners Way, Queenstown, Otago, 9300, New Zealand.
Telephone: +64-3-442-4811      Fax: +64-3-441-8882                  
Website: www.larchhill.com     E-mail: info@larchhill.com or LarchHillNZ@gmail.com

Larch Hill 1999 - 2009. All rights Reserved
Last updated 1 October 2009