Newsletter - Issue 7, Summer 2008

Summer in Queenstown means long leisurely days ideal for adventurous holidays and fantastic outdoor living. Daytime temperatures hover between 20° - 30°C (mid 70°s - 90°F) and the 45° south latitude means dawn is as early as 5am and dusk doesn't settle until around 10pm. Perfect for enjoying the many festivals, wineries, walks and other outdoor activities on offer!

 
Queenstown update…

Leadership change at Destination Queenstown
Destination Queenstown CEO David Kennedy has left the Regional Tourism Organisation to take up a position with Ngai Tahu Tourism as the Regional General Manager for Southern Lakes. A new DQ CEO has yet to be announced.

Central Otago wines continue to shine
Wild Earth Wines, a Central Otago winemaker, has been awarded the Trophy for Top International Pinot Noir at the International Wine Challenge (the world’s largest wine competition) in London. The trophy winning 2006 pinot noir was only the third vintage for the young winery.

Good news for Queenstown and international visitors
Queenstown Airport looks set to remain an international airport after being given the green light by planning commissioners to extend the runway by 90m. The new runway is required by 2011 to meet Civil Aviation Authority rules for international flights.

 
Staff & fleet update…

Our director, Ross Marett, is soon to assist us at LSQ on a daily basis.  Although we have had the benefit of Ross's wisdom as and when required, we are looking forward to him being 'hands on' as from next week. Ross will also continue with Villas Queenstown on a casual basis.

Plans are afoot to upgrade our fleet with a brand new Mercedes van before Christmas, plus some other vehicle changes are in the wind as well. Watch this space for more details soon.

 
Behind the scenes with Damian McDonald…

Working diligently behind the scenes of Limousine Services Queenstown for the past three years, Damian McDonald is an integral part of this family business. A “jack of all trades”, Damian has applied his many and varied skills to help the business become the success it is today.

Damian’s working career began as publican of a Melbourne pub in his home country Australia. A yearning to see more of the world saw him train as a raft guide in Cairns before working for several rafting operations in Queenstown, Canada and Africa. Damian’s favourite river is the Nile in Uganda because “it offers so many exciting challenges and you never know what’s around the corner!”

Not one to back away from challenges, circumstances then saw Damian train and work as a paramedic for several years in Queenstown, Dunedin and Rotorua. “I’d always aspired to be a paramedic and a neck operation meant that rafting was no longer an option so it was a natural progression for me. It was an exciting job because every day was different and it could be very rewarding at times.”

Damian’s current challenge is managing the day to day operations of Limousine Services Queenstown – “I really enjoy growing the business and we’re constantly reassessing where and how we can provide the best possible service for our clients.”

When not answering business calls, Damian likes to keep active by making the most of Queenstown’s rugged outdoors.

 
Our services - focus on Dunedin…

Only a 3.5 hr scenic drive away from Queenstown, Dunedin offers a wide range of attractions for visitors. New Zealand’s oldest city possesses a unique combination of cultural riches, fine architecture, and world-famous wildlife reserves on the Otago Peninsula. Here are two new attractions to include on your client’s Dunedin itineraries.

Discovery World Tropical Forest
The Tropical Forest at the Otago Museum brings visitors face to face with some of nature’s most beautiful butterflies. Featuring around 1,000 imported tropical butterflies, the Tropical Forest is also home to live tarantulas, turtles, finches and other hot-weather-happy inhabitants. A gardener’s paradise, the rainforest includes a wide variety of lush tropical plants including orchids, bromeliads, bananas, coffee, cardamom, passionfruit and more. Already a three time national Tourism Award Winner, the Tropical Forest is the only three level live butterfly experience in Australasia, allowing visitors to experience it from above, through the centre (via an amazing glass swing bridge) and at the forest floor.

Dunedin Chinese Garden
The Dunedin Chinese Garden has quickly become a popular spot for locals and tourists since it opened in July this year. Located next to the Otago Settlers’ Museum close to the centre of the city, the Garden commemorates the contribution of Chinese people to the history and culture of Dunedin.

The Garden is an example of a late Ming, early Ching Dynasty Scholar's Garden and is surrounded by a four metre perimeter wall. The Scholar's Garden was traditionally the focal point of a family compound, which sometimes gathered several hundred family members and servants into a kind of 'gated' community. It was in the Scholar's Garden part of the compound, where guests and important visitors were received and entertained, and where the Scholar himself (a highly regarded member of Chinese society) lived and worked.

 
Eventful…

One Day International: Black Caps v West Indies
Catch international cricket in action at the Queenstown Events Centre as you build up to New Years Eve in town.
Where: Queenstown Events Centre
When: 31 Dec 2008

Summerdaze
A month full of fun activities and entertainment for the whole family including fireworks, live music, teddy bears picnics, twilight cinema, Chinese New Year celebrations and much more.
Where: Queenstown, Wanaka, Arrowtown
When: 31 Dec 2008 to 01 Feb 2009

One Day Music Festival
Don’t miss the first annul One Day Music Festival featuring the sounds of major artists from New Zealand and around the world including Salmonella Dub, Kora, Utah Saints, and a Ministry of Sound set.
Where: Queenstown Events Centre
When: 03 Jan 2009

Queenstown Auto Extravaganza
The Queenstown Auto Extravaganza is a fundraiser for Prostate Cancer Research featuring a ‘Concours d’elegance’ showcasing car collections from within Central Otago, an evening car run and a ¼ mile sprint – as well as an array of social gatherings.
Where: Queenstown Events Centre
When: 27 Feb 2009 until 01 Mar 2009.

We look forward to being of service to you over the busy summer season.  Thanks again for your ongoing support.

Kind regards from the team at...

Limousine Services Queenstown