Lessons in life and business

I've just returned from a business networking and professional development retreat in Queenstown, New Zealand. The forum group I travelled with is part of the Sydney chapter of the Entrepreneurs Organisation (EO). Once again I was roped into organising the event after delivering memorable outings to the Gold Coast last year, and to Wellington in 2023. Earlier in the year I’d unsuccessfully tried to lobby the group to visit Far North Queensland. This struck me as a far warmer location than Queenstown in June.

However, despite the time of year, we enjoyed partly sunny, albeit, cold conditions most days. We also based ourselves at a luxurious homestead near Arrowtown, a holiday home owned by a forum member’s relatives. Our first evening kicked off with night luge rides at Skyline, a tourism complex overlooking Queenstown. We then retired to a private dining room inside the complex. Jim Boult, a guest speaker I’d secured via an old business contact, joined us for dinner.

Jim is the former mayor of Queenstown. He’s also the former CEO of Christchurch Airport and the iconic Shotover Jet Group. He was the first of three extraordinary speakers we met over the next few days. The following day we spent several hours with Olivier Ravel (former owner of PDL, a regional shipping company), before Jo Eddington, an incredibly talented serial entrepreneur, joined us for dinner on our final night in town. 

We based ourselves at the spectacular Kamana Lakehouse on our second day. I’d secured a meeting room for the day with floor to ceiling windows and an open deck offering stunning views of Lake Wakatipu. We later dined at The Nest, the venue’s onsite restaurant. I can honestly say the venison I ordered was one of the best game meals I’ve ever eaten.

As a group we took time out to enjoy a few of Queenstown's classic tourist attractions. Highlights included a rather tame Zipline ride in the Kawarau Gorge and a phenomenal indoor skydiving session. These activities were a last minute addition after a scheduled day flight to Mt Cook was cancelled thanks to inclement alpine weather. Let’s just say indoor skydiving is a lot harder than it looks. Although the “high flight” I took with an instructor was truly awesome. Enjoy the video!

On Saturday we enjoyed a leisurely lakefront lunch at the Boatshed Cafe, before boarding a delayed flight home. We eventually departed shortly before sunset. The delay was well worth the wait. The snow clad peaks of the Southern Alps were simply glowing in the late afternoon sun. It was a spectacular end to a superb event. It would be fair to say I’ve been permanently appointed as the forum’s annual retreat organiser. I’m not sure how I’ll top this week’s effort.

One final story. One member of our group, Daniel (that’s him on the Zipline above) recently became a Platinum One frequent flyer with Qantas. His status was recognised on our flight in spectacular style, as was my own Platinum status. Our group was presented with snacks upon boarding, logo emblazoned key rings mid-flight and a bottle of wine each as we left the aircraft. The youngest member of our group was simply blown way by the experience. After decades of top status flying it was fun seeing everything afresh through the eyes of a newbie.

Rivers, rain and rope

Here's the second of three retrospective posts about the road trip Chris Ogg and I took around New Zealand's South Island in January 1995. Our first full day in Queenstown was spent ticking off its popular sights. This was my first time in Queenstown, so I was determined to experience as much as possible. As a result, we took time out to ride the Skyline Gondola, visit the historic township of Arrowtown and cruise Lake Wakatipu on the SS Earnslaw.

We also spent half a day jetboating up the Dart River. It was a truly magnificent experience. Our boat threaded its way from Glenorchy along sinuous river channels, weaving through the river’s gravel beds before stopping for a brief scenic walk. We then raced up an increasingly narrow channel framed by truck-sized boulders into the rainforest below Mount Earnslaw. Here we stopped for a second photo opportunity.

I vividly recall how stunning the Southern Alps looked with the last of their winter snow under a vivid blue sky. It’s also the first time I can recall marvelling at the vivid turquoise blue water of New Zealand’s alluvial rivers. Their unique colour comes from fine granite silt particles, or glacial flour, suspended in the water.

The following day, Saturday 7 January, we drove to Milford Sound for the day. Along the way, we stopped to admire Lake Te Anau and the Cleddau Valley that leads into the Homer Tunnel. The forecast for the day was for heavy rain. While we were hoping for better weather, the experience was nevertheless spectacular.

As we exited the Homer Tunnel, we were greeted by a sight I’ve never seen before or since. The tunnel opens out into an ancient bowl-shaped glacial valley framed by soaring granite cliffs. The rain was pelting down. All around us the cliff face had been transformed into an endless parade of waterfalls cascading into the valley below. Years later, Garry and I drove through the same location on a sunny day. Not a single fall was visible.

We took a sightseeing cruise through the sound, stopped just short of the heads as a heavy swell was rolling in from the Tasman Sea. Again, everywhere we looked, the soaring mountainsides were alive with waterfalls. Sadly, we didn’t see many of the Sound’s stunning mountain peaks. However, the experience of being immersed in a misty and watery landscape was genuinely breathtaking. Incredibly, the weather was dry and warm in Queenstown upon our return.

On Sunday, we departed Queenstown and made our way to the West Coast via Haast Pass. Again, another experience that had been on my bucket list for years. As we drove out of town we passed the AJ Hackett Bungy Centre. This is the world’s original bungy jump site. It operates from an old suspension bridge over the Kawarau Gorge. On a whim, I decided to give it a go. Nothing would convince Chris to do the same.

I recently converted the video of this jump from VHS to MPEG. You can watch it below. My most vivid memory of the entire experience was simply the shock I felt upon hearing the wind whistling in my ears. I’d anticipated silence. Until that moment, I'd only heard that sound while travelling at speed on skis or riding a motorbike. The jump itself was fine; it was just the unexpected sound which did my head in.

 

Lakeside R&R

Garry and I have just enjoyed five superb days in Queenstown. It’s been an awesome holiday. The weather also played its part with many fine conditions. We’ve based ourselves in a serviced apartment overlooking Lake Wakatipu. We’ve also enjoyed the company of my brother Matt, sister-in-law Shelley and their children. By sheer chance, we’d all booked a vacation in Queenstown for the same week.

While in town we’ve entertained ourselves with some of the region’s classic highlights including a ride up the Gondola to enjoy the stunning view on offer at the Skyline lounge. However, I couldn’t talk Garry into giving the luge run a try. The views from our apartment balcony proved equally spectacular. Twice a day we watched the SS Earnslaw steamer set sail. We were also entertained by an impromptu jazz concert on the foreshore one afternoon.

The penultimate day of the year proved particularly eventful. I started the day with an exhilarating jet boat ride along the Shotover River – something I’ve always wanted to do. I then got distracted buying new hiking boots in the post-Christmas sales (my last pair fell apart during our hike to Kim’s Lookout on Lord Howe Island in October). Garry and I then joined Matt and Shelley for a fun afternoon sampling wines and boutique beers on a small group wine tour.

We finished our day with dinner followed by sunset drinks at Perky’s Floating Bar. This quirky bar is located on a permanently moored boat docked on the town foreshore. However, the day also turned to tragedy when we realized I’d left my wine tour purchases at the restaurant after dinner. Fortunately, the staff spotted my errant goods and put them safely behind the bar.

On the final day of the year, we made our way to Milford Sound where we’ll base ourselves for the first two days of 2023. Once again, the weather played its part. We stopped several times to soak up the view as we drove along the shores of Lake Wakatipu before making a series of scenic stops along the road to Milford Sound. Today’s National Park highlights included a boardwalk at Mirror Lake, stunning views of the Eglinton Valley, the spectacular entrance to the Homer Tunnel, and Pop’s View Lookout.

We’ve now based at The Milford Sound Lodge. It’s a genuinely impressive facility in the heart of Milford Sound. Our room looks out over a tributary of the picturesque Cleddau River. While Garry relaxed, this evening I took a quick drive down to the foreshore to soak in my first view of the Mitre Peak. I’ve finally seen Milford Sound in picture-perfect weather. Without a doubt, it was worth the wait. This evening we'll see in the new year with a dinner featuring local produce at the Lodge's Pio Pio restaurant.

Skippers Road

In 1861 alluvial gold was discovered along the Shotover River valley in heart of New Zealand’s Otago province. Within months the remote hinterland’s population grew from 12,000 to 27,000 as men flocked to the goldfields in the desperate hope of finding their fortune. Throughout the region temporary canvas towns (tent cities), hair-raising roads, and ramshackle wooden buildings sprang up across the landscape. None was more famous than Skippers and its deep, narrow canyon with vertigo-inducing rock walls.

One and half centuries later all that remains of this pioneering era is a rugged gravel road and a handful of lovingly restored buildings. While staying in Queenstown, Garry and I booked a half-day 4WD tour of Skippers Canyon. We spent four hours in dazzling sunshine, winding our way along this infamous New Zealand road soaking in its dramatic scenery. I’ve always wanted to drive the Skippers Road, so yesterday’s excursion was another bucket list moment.

Our group consisted of five people. We were also on our own rather than part of a larger convoy. As a result, we made good time, arriving at Skippers restored stone schoolhouse before the afternoon crowd. We ultimately had the entire location to ourselves for almost 45 minutes. As we drive away, a dust cloud clad convey of at least ten 4WD SUVs came roaring into view. Our guide later told us that our private experience was almost unheard of at this time of year i.e. peak Summer tourist season.

Our small group also meant we had time to squeeze in a few extra activities. Highlights included a solo walk along the length of the famous Skipper’s Canyon suspension bridge and a brief river-bashing drive along the nearby Arrow River (which marks the start of the even more remote and rugged Macetown road).