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Maps are an essential tool in trip planning. Sometimes the best discoveries are obvious because there are not a lot of options in an area. Our itinerary included a fjord tour the next day.
Imagine our surprise when after a quick trip from Queenstown we happened upon a botanical garden and accommodation that warned of a “peacock crossing”. This was obviously not a corporate cookie cutter resort. We booked a stay at the Little Paradise Guesthouse.
The natural location is gorgeous [air view] as it offers panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu. The stargazing at night is spectacular and untainted by light pollution. Little Paradise reflects the vision of its Swiss proprietor, Thomas.
The rooms were comfortable, clean and oriented for the best views. This is not a place to order room service or expect anonymity. The kitchen and bathrooms are communal. We had a very comfortable stay but not everyone might appreciate being made to feel ‘at home’. The bathroom included a fish tank above the commode that recirculated water. Our bedroom had a large aquarium that Thomas called “the television”. We enjoyed good StarLink coverage but you don’t come here for the internet or traditional TV.
The gardens are in their third decade of maturity and are packed with delightful surprises around every lush corner. Pathways wind through a story that reflects Thomas’s artistry, engineering and ecological perspective. The peacocks are prolific and included several babies. Anyone who has ever tended a garden can only marvel at what he has created.
Visitors enjoy vignettes as diverse as the Māori origin story to the planting of a family placenta as a nod to future generations. Clearly this place is a labor of love.
We visited in the fall and there were still many rose and other blooming plants. It must be even more gorgeous in the spring and summer.
We travel to meet people and experience different perspectives. Thomas and his wife, Christy, could not have been kinder to us.
They should be very proud of what they have built and cultivated through the decades. The property is presently for sale which is a nod to the march of time. We were sent on our way with a bag full of freshly picked pears. A very hospitable and kind parting gift. -- Nancy Zellmer
The gardens, personality and vibe at Little Paradise [link] - just west of Queenstown, New Zealand [map] - is one of those places that make exploring so delightful.
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A snapshot video (above) of Little Paradise in amuz on Apple Vision Pro (also iOS and Android).
