New Zealand South Island Part 2:Skydiving (Sort Of), Milford Sound Magic, and the End of the Earth
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Watch the video: https://youtu.be/Yl5DwBEB4wM?si=Z8HBupfFuCLT1d7A
Greetings from Queenstown, New Zealand — adventure capital of the South Island and possibly the most beautiful place we have ever parked an RV. When we left you at the end of Part 1, we had no idea what was coming next. Spoiler Alert: it involved indoor skydiving, a boat full of new adopted grandkids, and getting completely soaked at the bottom of the world. Twice.
This is Part 2 of our 12-day, 1,200-mile RV road trip through New Zealand's South Island — and honestly, we think it tops Part 1. Read on and let us know if you agree.
Indoor Skydiving at iFly Queenstown — Two Old Farts Take Flight
We will be the first to admit it — when we saw the sign for iFly Queenstown, we could not pass up a deal, especially since they were offering a discount for old farts! And so, two grandpas in their 70s found themselves suiting up for indoor skydiving.
Now, Grandpa Bobby's first few flights? Let's just say that Superman isn't in fear of his job! But here is the thing about Bobby — every single flight got better than the last. By the final flight, he was absolutely incredible. We are so proud of that man.
"And here's where I tell you all that all of my flights will be in a big old blooper reel." — Grandpa Scott
Our sincere thanks to everyone at iFly Queenstown for making Two Gay Grandpas feel like absolute champions. If you're visiting Queenstown and want to try something you'll never forget — and you're not afraid of looking a little ridiculous on camera — this is your place.
Grandpa Tip: Book iFly Queenstown in advance — it fills up fast, especially in summer. And yes, you really do look as silly as you think you will. That is the point.
Queenstown — Pizza, Gondolas, and Views That Stop You Cold
After all that flying, Grandpa Scott declared himself peckish. And when two grandpas are hungry in Queenstown, there is really only one answer: pizza. We walked past Fergburger — the most famous burger joint in town — took one look at the crowd, and decided we'd be in our 90's before we got to order. Pizza it was. We'll hit Fergburger on our next visit!
Queenstown is genuinely one of the most beautiful towns we have ever visited. After lunch we took the gondola up to the Skyline complex for views of Lake Wakatipu and the mountain range called The Remarkables — yes, that is actually its name, and yes, it earns it every time. This was also one of the settings for the Lord of the Rings, which made Grandpa Scott very happy.
One of us is afraid of heights. We will let you guess which one. The other was very busy threatening to shake the gondola car. No names.
Grandpa Tip: The gondola is worth every penny. Go late afternoon for the best light over the lake. The luge ride at the top looks like an absolute blast — Grandpa Scott's back was acting up so we skipped it, but we're already planning to come back for it next time.
Arrowtown — A Slower Pace and a Very Important Hunt
After the adventure high of Queenstown, we were ready for something a little gentler. Historic Arrowtown is only about an hour's drive away but it feels like a different world entirely — quiet streets, beautiful old buildings, and the kind of pace that reminds you why you travel.
We strolled the main street, browsed the local shops (Grandpa Scott called it "supporting the local economy"), and continued our most important mission of the entire New Zealand trip: finding the perfect Christmas ornament. We may have taken a small detour involving stocking up on some "local energy supplies" — and a flat white, of course! The ornament hunt continues.
Milford Sound — The Most Magical Place on Earth
We have traveled a lot of places. We have seen a lot of beautiful things. Nothing — and we mean nothing — prepared us for Milford Sound.
On the drive there we stopped at a waterfall so spectacular that we both just stood there with our mouths open. Then we spotted a rainbow over the road. We took it as a good omen.
Milford Sound is technically a fjord, not a sound — carved by glaciers thousands of years ago and now home to waterfalls that drop hundreds of feet straight into the dark water below. It rains here more than two out of every three days. We got sunshine and low hanging clouds and the most extraordinary light you have ever seen. We got lucky. Very lucky.
"I don't know if you can hear over the wind, but this place is magical. It's mystical. It's gorgeous." — Grandpa Bobby, Milford Sound
The boat took us the full length of the fjord all the way out to the Tasman Sea — where the water got a little choppy and the waves got a little personal. We're talking waist-down soaking wet. What we don't do for our viewers!
Then — and this is important — the boat got up close and personal with a waterfall. The crew told us the water would make us look 10 years younger. We held them to that promise. Whether it worked is for you to judge.
"This one has got to be in the top 10. I have never seen a place so dramatic and so beautiful." — Grandpa Scott, Milford Sound
Grandpa Tip: Milford Sound is one of the rainiest places in New Zealand — it rains every two days on average. Don't let that put you off. Rainy Milford Sound is still breathtaking, and the waterfalls can be even more dramatic when it's been raining. But if you get a sunny day like we did, consider yourself blessed. Bring a rain jacket either way.
A Sunset Worth Stopping For
Heading back to our campground, we stopped to watch the sun setting on the lake — one of those unplanned moments that ends up being one of your favorite memories of the whole trip.
We spotted some local fishermen on a small wharf out into the lake and felt it was okay to join them. So we did. They were New Zealanders — some of them Aboriginal folks who shared their histories and their stories with two gay grandpas from Arizona. We talked and we shared and we watched the sun go down together.
"Call us romantics, but it's just something special to share a sunset with the person you love." — Grandpa Scott
This is travel at its very best. Meeting new people. Sharing culture. Sharing stories. Sharing a sunset. 47 years together and moments like this still make us catch our breath.
The Southernmost Point — Closer to Antarctica Than the Equator
Next day, we got up early and drove south on the Southern Scenic Highway — and when we say South, we mean South. All the way to Colac Bay on the Southern Coast of the South Island, where we stood closer to Antarctica than we were to the equator.
It was nippy. It was windy. The waves were enormous. There were warning signs not to go down onto the beach. We may have tried to get a little closer anyway.
"Only mad dogs and crazy-ass Yanks go out in gale-force winds." — Grandpa Scott, Colac Bay
We had the place entirely to ourselves. Not another person in sight. Just Two Gay Grandpas, the Tasman Sea, and somewhere beyond that, the South Pole. It was one of those moments where you just stand there and feel genuinely small in the best possible way.
We were very happy to jump back into Queenie — our beloved RV — and get warm.
What's Coming in Part 3
This adventure is far from over. Next up we are heading North and West to see the incredible glaciers on the West Coast of the South Island — and what we have been told is the most beautiful drive in all of New Zealand, if not the world. Plus, something to do with Arthur. You will have to watch to find out.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss Part 3 — and if you are enjoying the New Zealand series, a like and a comment mean the world to us.
New Zealand South Island — Practical Tips From Two Grandpas
iFly Queenstown: Book ahead. Multiple flight packages available. Grandpa Bobby recommends the extra flights — you do get better! queenstown.ifly.com
Milford Sound Cruise: Book in advance, especially in summer. Several operators run the full-fjord cruise. The boat gets close to the waterfall — you WILL get wet. Embrace it.
RV Travel: Having your own RV (we named ours Queenie) gives you the freedom to stop wherever you want — waterfalls, viewpoints, that random suspension bridge from 1891. Worth every dollar.
Weather: Pack for all four seasons no matter what time of year you visit. Summer can be warm in Queenstown and genuinely cold on the Southern Coast. We wore layers every single day.
The Remarkables: The mountain range overlooking Queenstown. Film location for Lord of the Rings. Views from the Skyline gondola are absolutely worth it.
Travel You Heart
Grandpa Bobby & Grandpa Scott
Comments