Highlights of the Day
We visited Little Paradise Lodge, a charming, self-built home by Thomas, a Swiss man who moved to New Zealand at 24. He crafted furniture from local trees and shared stories of his property, filled with peacocks and gardens. I took three peacock feathers as souvenirs. Next, we relaxed in a Japanese-style Onsen Hot Spring with stunning mountain views. Curious about red boats on the lake, we tried the thrilling Shotover Jet ride. For dinner, we enjoyed ribeye and pork ribs at Flame, then ended the day with a peaceful walk along the pier.
Logistics
Accommodation: HIGHVIEW APARTMENTS QUEENSTOWN (highly recommended)
Transportation: Rental Car
Paradise Lodge was on my optional list because, based on online photos, it looked like just a small house. Since I had some free time this morning, I decided to check it out. The drive from Queenstown took about 25 minutes, with stunning scenery along the way.
The sky was cloudy, and I saw patches of mist wrapping around the middle of a mountain, creating a mystical view.
Upon arrival, I spotted a small gate in the grass, which left me confused about whether I should enter. After some hesitation, I pushed open the oddly decorated door.
A sign inside warned that further entry required a ticket. We walked in, intending to pay, but there was no one selling tickets. As we wandered around, a man approached, saying he had been looking for us and that we needed to pay. I explained that we were willing to pay but couldn’t find anyone to take the money.
After paying, he gave us a tour of his home. His name was Thomas, a Swiss man who lived there with his wife. He arrived in New Zealand at 24, bought the land, and built everything himself. The floor looked like glossy tiles, but he said it was actually wood. Many of his furniture pieces were crafted from trees he cut down and polished himself, giving them a unique appearance.
He showed us a magazine with a photo of a famous tree standing in front of his house. One day, a storm broke off the upper part of the tree. He kept a cross-section, polished it, and hung it on his wall. In his kitchen sink lay a freshly caught fish from his own pond. Even his bathroom was built with stones he collected. His pride in his self-built home was evident.
He mentioned renting out guest rooms. He described the experience as magical—pitch-black nights perfect for stargazing and waking up to the first rays of light hitting the mountains. It sounded quite romantic and like a unique place to stay.
Next, we explored his garden, which was filled with various trees, flowers, and animals. A bird called the silvereye walked calmly ahead as we took photos, completely unafraid of people. Peacocks roamed the area, and Thomas said there were over 34 of them. A feeding station nearby allowed visitors to scatter food, and the peacocks immediately gathered—a great photo opportunity. We fed them briefly, took some pictures, and left to continue our journey.
Before leaving, I noticed a vase near the entrance filled with peacock feathers. I asked if I could buy one, but Thomas told me to take as many as I wanted. I took three as a souvenir—such an interesting experience.
Our next stop was a Japanese-style onsen. It wasn’t a natural hot spring but a bath infused with minerals to replicate one. The best part was the private rooms, each with a large wooden tub. The tub reminded me of those in Hakone, though the shape was round instead of oval. The view was spectacular—mountains, trees, and a lake created a peaceful atmosphere.
While soaking, I noticed red boats zipping across the lake below, sometimes making sharp turns. Curious, I asked the staff about it after our bath. They directed us to a company called Shotover Jet.
This jet boat ride took place in extremely shallow water. The boat moved at high speeds, making the ride very bumpy. The female captain frequently made sudden sharp turns and, in deeper waters, even performed 360-degree spins. People were screaming, laughing, and holding on for dear life. At one point, I almost flew out of my seat. The captain turned to me and joked, “I almost lost you!” The ride was thrilling and definitely worth it.
For dinner, we chose Flame, known for its award-winning steaks. We ordered ribeye and grilled pork ribs, one of their signature dishes. The steak was well-seasoned and tender, but the texture wasn’t quite what I expected. The pork ribs were flavorful and well-cooked.
After dinner, we took a walk along the pier to digest our meal.
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