Southern Lakes

New Zealand’s winter wonderland

Nestled alongside the pristine waters of Lakes Whakatipu and Wanaka and surrounded by majestic, snow-capped mountains, sit Queenstown and Wanaka - the perfect winter holiday destinations.

It remains very true, that whether you have an appetite for adventure, mountains and fresh air or are more at home enjoying a delicious meal and fine wine next to a roaring fire, a getaway from the everyday and an escape to the Queenstown Lakes District in winter, is the perfect way to recharge and invigorate. Our cosmopolitan towns have a welcoming, vibrant energy that resonates across the resort to provide unique holiday destinations— and at no time is this more obvious than in winter, when skiers and boarders, or those just curious about snow, gather here to lap up the fun. Big enough to offer a wide range of accommodation, activities, four ski areas, events, eateries and bars—yet small enough to be welcoming and easy to navigate. From either Queenstown or Wanaka, you have the perfect winter base to hit the slopes of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona and Treble Cone, each located with 20-90 minutes drive. Winter here is just as much about après ski as it is about skiing and snowboarding. Our compact and vibrant town centres come alive after dark. Stylish bars, sophisticated clubs, Kiwi pubs and late night hot spots make Queenstown and Wanaka’s après ski atmosphere second to none. The resort has a vibrant social scene and is full of stylish bars, sophisticated clubs, Kiwi pubs and late-night hot spots with DJs and bands entertaining the crowds. There are also several intimate bars that cater for those seeking a quieter experience. You’ll find quirks such as a bar selling cocktails in tea pots and another where you can enjoy your drink under the stars when they open the roof. There are also two casinos and a top-quality performance scene featuring local and visiting singers and musicians. When it comes to eating out, the district’s innovative and award-winning cafés and restaurants offer cuisine to suit every palate. Along with nearby Arrowtown, Queenstown is home to more than 150 eateries ranging from fine dining to fun dining, and our ‘little sister’ Wanaka too boasts a number of award-winning establishment where great service and a relaxed atmosphere are par for the course. For fun well beyond the mountains, Queenstown’s renowned wineries are just a short drive away. Central Otago produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the world thanks to the region’s combination of shale soil and sharply defined seasons. And with around 200 vineyards within 1½ hours’ drive of Queenstown or Wanaka, wine tours are a great way to explore the area. Queenstown Lakes District is an exciting and fun-filled family holiday destination with lots of things to do with kids, especially in winter. If your family is new to snow sports, don’t be afraid to start them young! There are many options for gear hire, children’s lift passes and lessons that cater for practically every age. CT

Tower Lodge Motel

Book direct with us and quote this advert to get a 10%

DISCOUNT

Invercargill accommodation for the discerning business or holiday traveller.

Available

Four star accommodation

Tower Lodge is opposite Invercargill’s famous landmark, the Water Tower, from which we get our name. Invercargill is a city which is situated on level terrain, this makes walking about the town very easy. As we are centrally located, we are within walking distance of the:

• Invercargill City Centre • Southern Cross Hospital • Queens Park Gardens & Golf Course • Splash Palace Swimming Complex • Southland Rugby • Invercargill Working Mens Club • Stadium Southland and Velodrome • Transport World • Motorcycle Mecca • E Hayes & Sons, the home of The

World’s Fastest Indian motorcycle and memorabilia

Made To Celebrate

The Urban Kitchen is located at 7 Centre Street, Invercargill. Providing sweet treats, coffee + tea and our own garden inspired celebration cakes. We use both indulgent + back to basic ingredients with a special touch from our own urban garden.

• Birthdays • Weddings • Takeaway • Events • Collaborations

Staff shortages begin to bite

One of New Zealand’s final Covid related restrictions has been dropped earlier than expected – pre-departure testing.

Travelers are no longer required to return a negative Covid test prior entry to New Zealand, reducing a lot of the barriers for visitors intending to come visit. The hospitality and tourism sector welcome this change, a step in the right direction for one of the industries most affected from the events of the last two years. Queenstown, New Zealand’s most popular, picturesque winter wonderland is a hub for Kiwis and international travelers, especially during the winter season. However, as it seems, the industry simply cannot catch a break; if it’s not one thing it’s another. Now that the tourists are streaming back in, a critical worker shortage in the region means that the financial reprieve of having tourists back into New Zealand simply cannot be taken advantage off. The stress of having minimal staff and running businesses on mid capacity is a massive loss of opportunity for restaurateurs and others in the hospitality sector who have been desperately waiting for a reprieve. Currently, there’s estimated to be a staggering 1,000 job vacancies, that equals out to be nearly 10 percent of Queenstown’s entire population. The impact of rising interest rates, food and beverage costs as well as staff costs are heightening this issue, the seemingly ongoing uphill battle to getting operations back at 100 percent. With costs mounting, paying unsustainable hourly wages to retain staff and keep customers rotating through the door is an unfeasible bandage that some have no choice but to take. New Zealand’s minimum wage sits at $21.20, entry level hospitality roles such as dishwashers in Queenstown are being advertised with an hourly rate of $28. The constant pressure and unruly costs are really starting to erode on business operations and hindering substantial growth opportunity within the hospitably community. Fergburger Group general manager, Stephen Bradley, says they couldn’t cash in with so many staff shortages. “A lot of operators around Queenstown in the hospitality sector would be running at 60 to 70 percent of the staff they need and that’s before staff are sick and with the Covid stand-down. So, we don’t have the staff to be open.” According to Bradley, operators should expect another 18-24 months of hardship before they could secure enough staff in order to bring relief and some stability. These in-between months are going to be a long slew of nothing but blood, sweat and tears for the sector that has taken faced relentless blows. But if there’s an industry that can rise in the face of adversity, it certainly is the hospitality industry. The people that manage and infiltrate this industry have developed a staunch sense of resilience and in combination with their overwhelming passion for what they do drives their ability to never stop and solider on. With such well known restaurants’, bars, hotels and entertainment scattered in Queenstown and surrounding areas, the pressure is always on to keep standards up at a certain level. A good reputation is notoriously hard to earn, and super easy to lose. Especially with the popularity of online review platforms such as trip advisor and peoples own social media accounts. A slow customer service experience lived by one family, can now be broadcast to an entire circle of people. Some in the industry feel some government support would do well in recruiting workers to the area, surging employment but with little chance of that happening, it seems they just have to keep trucking on as best they can through the winter season. CT

Aden Motel, Te Anau; Your Fiordland Gateway to both Milford and Doubtful Sounds.

Your hosts, Irene Benfell & David Herron, welcome you to Aden Motel, situated in the beautiful Te Anau township.

Aden Motel is a 12-unit, ground-floor complex consisting of 7 studio units, 3 x 1-bedroom units and 2 x 2-bedroom units. All units are spacious, smokefree and offer cooking facilities. Plus we now offer a 3 Bedroom Cottage (sleeps up to 8 People) next to the Motel called Heron’s Cottage. Our rooms have a Kiwiana theme.

Most units have full cooking facilities. Ample parking, guest laundry, playground, car and luggage storage and a BBQ for those lovely summer nights is available. Free wireless internet in rooms. Pets by arrangement, please ask.

Let us help you to organise day trips to Milford/Doubtful Sounds, glowworm caves, horse trekking, jet-boating and many more activities Te Anau offers.

Nestled beside one of New Zealand’s largest lakes and surrounded by magnificent scenery, Te Anau is the one true gateway to the Fiordland National Park. Whether you have come to enjoy the spectacular Milford or Doubtful Sounds or to hike the Milford, Kepler, Routeburn or Hollyford tracks, we know you will leave with fond memories. Aden Motel is the ideal place to stay while you’re experiencing this magical part of New Zealand. Experience Te Anau With

Aden Motel

FREE WIFI FREE BBQ PETS BY ARRANGEMENT BREAKFAST AVAILABLE LAUNDRY FACILITIES PLAYGROUND COOKING FACILITIES TV IN UNITS STUDIO, 1, 2 & 3 BEDROOM APARTMENTS OFF STREET BOAT PARKING

Phone 0800 11 66 44 www.adenmotel.co.nz

Winter Wonderland 3 day tours & Stay 3 Nights Stay Doubtful Sound, Milford Sound & Glow Worm Caves Free Continental Breakfast provided Price $850.00 for 2 people Book Directly with Motel via email or phone mention “Winter Wonderland”

Available from May 2022 – 31 August 2022