The following day delivered another highlight, even for someone with a mild fear of heights.

Strapping into an Over The Top Helicopters chopper, Louisa “Choppy” Patterson’s operation - running since 1986 – lifted us toward Milford Sound. Soaring over the Southern Alps was breathtaking, a spectacle of pure, emphatic beauty.

Forty minutes after a Fiordland stopover, we traced Lake Wakatipu before landing on the “Altitude Green” atop Cecil Peak. Over The Top Helicopters call it “possibly the world’s most picturesque heli golf location”, and it’s hard to argue.

We banked over the lake, the Remarkables looming, before settling into tee boxes carved into the mountainside. If the view didn’t shake your knees, the tiny distant green certainly did.

Steve from Luxury Adventures and GA's Callum Hill in Milford Sound after a chopper ride over the Southern Alps. PHOTO: Luxury Adventures.

The entire Over The Top experience was the standout of the itinerary. For any golf lover, it’s worth its weight in gold. After celebratory high-fives, the helicopter whisked us back toward Queenstown.

That afternoon, we returned to RŌKI Collection, a new waterfront urban lodge. Coined as "the luxury of tranquillity”, it lives up to the billing. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed The Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu, while interiors featured cream leathers, sculptural fireplaces, and a soaking tub big enough for two.

Service was exceptional – a butler unpacked our golf bags and even set our clubs out on a mat the next morning.

RIGHT: RŌKI Collection is phenomenal and oozes excellence. PHOTO: Supplied by Luxury Adventures.

Dining at RŌKI is a two-step affair. Lunch at The Terrace offered a more relaxed setting under the direction of Paul Froggatt, a Michelin-trained chef. The menu leaned into local seafood and beef, supported by a superb Central Otago Pinot list. It balanced refinement with warmth - linen napkins paired with a relaxed, almost pub-like bar atmosphere.

The view from Eichardt's. PHOTO: Supplied.

That evening, we experienced RŌKI’s Essence tasting menu. The four-course journey was theatrical, with dishes revealed under cloches and presented with flair. Froggatt himself greeted us, while the sommelier expertly paired each course. It felt as though New Zealand was being told through food - and it did not disappoint.

Our final major golf stop was Queenstown Golf Club at Kelvin Heights. This classic par-72 layout (6102m) sits on a peninsula with 270-degree lake views and is often labelled New Zealand’s most scenic course. Fairways roll alongside the water, framed by The Remarkables.

ROKI, the gold standard in luxury living and dining. PHOTO: Supplied by Luxury Adventures.

This is quintessential Kiwi golf – a top-tier layout with a welcoming, country-club feel. Solid holes, genuine challenge, and unforgettable views combine to make it something special.

Arrowtown Golf Club is another standout on the Ultra Luxe itinerary. We didn’t play it this time, but it can easily be included. Personally, it sits in this scribe’s top three in the country - a course that reconnects you with why you fell in love with golf in the first place.

Queenstown Golf Club. PHOTO: Supplied.

Carved through rugged schist terrain, it rewards creativity, imagination, and shot-making. Tight lines, tricky greens, and elevation changes certainly give it immense character.

The Queenstown Ultra Luxe itinerary is a tour de force of sight, sound, taste and adrenaline.

Exiting each fairway glowing, Queenstown proves itself as more than just mountains and adventure – it is a destination that indulges every sense. From the brilliance of Jack’s Point to the lakeside elegance of Eichardt’s, every stop is memorable.

A final note – and an important one. Experiencing both North and South Island itineraries with Steve and Dee from Luxury Adventures was a genuine privilege and a career highlight.

Having now experienced both, it is difficult to put into words the excellence and attention to detail delivered by the team. Each itinerary is thoughtfully curated, blending world-class golf with memorable off-course experiences, outstanding food and exceptional accommodation.

Jacks Point. PHOTO: Supplied by Luxury Adventures.

What stands out most is the ease of it all – every request met with warmth and an instinctive understanding of what makes a great golf trip truly special. Luxury Adventures doesn’t just show you New Zealand at its best, it allows you to experience it in a way that feels personal, seamless, and deeply rewarding.

I would recommend the Ultra-Luxe to anybody wanting to experience some of the best golf on the planet, delivered first-class by true professionals who genuinely care about making your journey unforgettable.

FOR MORE, VISIT: https://www.luxuryadventures.co.nz/listing/the-ultra-luxe-new-zealand-golf-tour/

 

LIVE FOREVER

Live Forever Golf is making golf a little smoother, a little looser, and injecting the game with a touch more personality. On a trip defined by detail, luxury and some of the finest golf experiences in the world, the threads felt like a natural fit.

Founded in 2020 by a group of mates in northeast Florida, including PGA Tour winner Matt Every, Live Forever Golf has quickly carved out a place in the modern apparel landscape. What began in a garage during the pandemic has grown into a globally recognised lifestyle brand, built on friendship, creativity and a desire to challenge traditional golf fashion.

The identity is clear: gear designed for the player, not the perception of the game. Relaxed fits, clean designs and a versatility that moves seamlessly from tee boxes to town centres to long-table dinners. It is golf apparel without the stiffness that once defined the category.

That ethos translated perfectly across the South Island leg of the Ultra-Luxe itinerary. Early mornings at Millbrook demanded warmth and flexibility. Afternoon sessions at Jack’s Point and Queenstown Golf Club called for comfort without compromising on style. Evenings at the bar required something that could hold its own in a five-star setting without ever feeling out of place. Live Forever Golf handled it all with ease.

There is a broader shift happening in golf fashion, and Live Forever sits firmly at the centre of it - a move away from rigid dress codes and toward something that better reflects how golfers actually live.