Review: Terra Mia

  We smelt this place before we could see it, and it was pretty hard to go past once we had got that whiff. We opened the door for a peek, and were greeted by a series of ‘Ciaos!’ and a wonderful cabinet display of sweet and savoury pastries and cakes. There is a wide…

Kobe (Millbrook Resort)

Kobe (Millbrook Resort, Malaghans Road) Millbrook Resort is such a perfect getaway. With everything from golf courses (yes, plural), tennis courts, cafes and restaurants, a gym and pool, function facilities – it really is a one-stop shop. Although I haven’t spent much time there other than at the gym, tennis court and driving range, I can…

The Fork & Tap

The Fork and Tap (51 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown) A cosy little pub in the corner of Arrowtown, how could you go wrong? Everywhere needs somewhere warm to go after a day on the slopes and The Fork and Tap has a pretty good name for itself. Live music each Wednesday night, a massive blackboard with…

Akarua Wines & Kitchen

Akarua Wines & Kitchen (265 Arrowtown – Lake Hayes Road, Arrowtown)   Previously known as Walnut Cottage, Akarua is a cutesy little cottage located just out of Arrowtown, not much further than Millbrook. After pulling into the gravel carpark, we made our way to the entrance across the sun-streamed patio and outdoor tables. We were welcomed…

Arrowtown Bakery

Arrowtown Bakery (1 Buckingham Street) A visit to Arrowtown is never complete without a visit to the Arrowtown Bakery. Famed for its pies (and venison in particular), th e Arrowtown Bakery also does a good coffee and some delicious scrumptious pastries. Conveniently located on the very edge of town, there is a parking lot across…

Amisfield Vineyard & Bistro

Amisfield Vineyard & Bistro (10 Lake Hayes Road) All I knew about Amisfield is that Princess Kate and Will had eaten here when they came for their visit to New Zealand. Based on that, my expectations were high – and they were certainly exceeded by the absolutely fantastic experience that we had. It was a…

The Chop Shop

The Chop Shop Food Merchants (44 Buckingham Street) Another one of Arrowtown’s hidden gems, The Chop Shop sits as the second story at the top of an alleyway. It’s interior is super funky, quite rustic feeling, with a balcony that overlooks the alley. I had a special appreciation of the lights (pictured below) where the…

Vudu Café & Larder

Vudu Café (16 Rees Street) Vudu Café is one of those funky places that people talk about and you want to visit so that you are up with the know. There are two branches of it (both in Queenstown) and on this particular day we visited Rees Street. It sells itself as soon as you…

Agave

Agave (18 Buckingham Street) *now rebranded as Fan-Tan Sister to the infamous Saffron Restaurant, Agave offers Mexican food (/verging on Italian, with its pizza menu) in a family friendly environment, with booth-style seating and sombrero hats for those who are keen. Located just at the foot of Dorothy Browns boutique cinema, it has both take-away and…

Arrowtown

Somewhere my family has previously only visited as a day trip from Queenstown or Wanaka, I was really looking forward to spending some extended time in Arrowtown. It plays neighbour to both of these massive populated tourist towns, but this historic mining town remains charming, authentic and a spot well worth visiting. Arrowtown itself is nestled…