IN ASSOCIATION WITH DEFENDER
The adventure starts as soon as we land. What seems like an official looking fleet of Land Rover Defender’s in a nature-inspired sage green are lined up at Queenstown airport, positively itching to be let out onto the open road. I’m in town for three days, for the launch of the Defender Journey — an annual collaboration between Defender, The Lindis, and automotive events operation Downforce. Previously a much anticipated event for Defender owners, this year it’s even more so given the fact it’s the first time the modern luxury experience will be open to the public to reserve their places.
The three day experience caters to every aspect — from the pickups, the drives, and the pre planned activities, right through to the curated food and wine experiences.
But right now, we’re loaded into the Defenders and driven to Ayrburn, one of Queenstown’s newest eateries, for refreshments (and a breath test). Before heading off-road we’re giving a briefing session by the professional driving instructors Tiffany and Richard, which instantly transformed any pre-event nerves into excitement. Along with seven other journalists on this press trip, I’ve been given the keys to a Defender 110 SE D300 for off-roading in the rugged Central Otago and Canterbury high country, traversing not only public access off-road tracks but treacherous, snow-laden private roads accessible only to the farmers who own the land.
Paired up, we jump in the front passenger and driver’s seats and, armed with walkie talkies to communicate with the Downforce driving instructors in the lead car, we head towards the Carrick Range. Located just behind Bannockburn, it’s the site of the Young Australian gold mine, which opened in 1872 and is one of the most accessible mountain ranges in Central Otago. As we begin our journey from road level up towards Nevis Road, the highest public road in New Zealand, we switch into one of the Defender’s off-road modes, Grass/Gravel/ Snow, which allows the vehicle to seamlessly navigate the loose tracks, we alternate between this and Rock Crawl mode for when the terrain gets more sketchy. With a six-cylinder twin-turbocharged engine and air suspension, there’s no denying this car was built for rugged outdoor adventures, but with heated leather seats and a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, the drive is pure comfort (especially as the large centre console is also brimming with snacks). My main focus though is aligning the wheels in the tracks of the car in front, avoiding the bounty of sharp rocks, and keeping the car moving. I’ve put most of my faith in the car itself and the instruction of the Downforce team, and I feel supported throughout the entire journey.
After around four hours of snowy hill climbs and descents, the cars are still well fuelled up, but it’s fair to say the drivers are in need of sustenance. With that, we head to our accomodation, The Lindis, for a barbecue lunch of mouth-watering salads, pork ribs, beef short ribs, kingfish, courgette, and condiments galore. Almost every element of the cuisine cooked at The Lindis is sourced locally or harvested from the onsite garden, with the menu offering a contemporary take on New Zealand cuisine.
The Lindis is nestled imperceptibly in the valley of the Ahuriri Conservation Park on the 6000-acre Ben Avon Station. It’s a spot that is truly majestic as a winter wonderland, but would undoubtedly have just as much appeal in spring and summer as the grasses return to green and flying fishing season starts afresh in the river below.
I wake the next morning in a mirrored pod. It’s one degree Celsius outside. My pod, named Ohau, is the last in the line of three, complete with its own stainless steel outdoor bath and cosy plywood interior. With 180-degree views of the valley and mountain ranges that stretch as far as the eye can see, apart from the occasional bird, I could be mistaken for thinking I’m the only one enjoying this secluded spot. This breathtaking region of Canterbury has just received its first snowfall for the winter season and the mountain ranges in the distance are dusted white, the jagged rocks still peeking through the early frost. The expanse of tussock grass just beyond the pod has been coated in fresh powder too, which crunches satisfyingly underfoot as I make my way up the gravel path to breakfast. Meals take place in the great hall, the main building of The Lindis, which also houses two master suites and three lodge suites. Built with a glass front and nestled within the landscape of this ancient glacial moraine, it’s a spot that 15,000 years ago would have been the terminal face of a glacier. The flat land that now expands out the front of the lodge was previously home to a large lake, remnants of which still reappear during flood season in spring. Throughout the stay, guests can participate in activities including archery, farm tours, guided hikes and e-biking to name a few, and the three-day Defender Journey is the latest to be added to the line-up of once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Aside from ticking the box of any car enthusiast, the Defender Journey has so many other perks – like the exclusive Louis Roederer wine tasting with an expert sommelier on the second night that kept us all captivated and sufficiently satiated.
Our last day of the expedition begins with a much-needed caffeine hit before the attentive staff load our luggage into the Defender fleet and we make our way back to the airport via as many off-road detours beyond the Lindis Pass as time will allow. Prior to this week, I would never have had ‘off-roading in a luxury all-terrain vehicle in the South Island’ as a bucket list item but on returning to Auckland, I’m already wondering where I’m going to get my next adrenaline fix. One that also comes with a side of sophisticated cuisine and world-class accommodation, if you please.
