The cricket great said yesterday if he was to live anywhere else in the world, ''it would be here''.
Speaking at a press conference at The Hills, Botham - in the resort to play as an amateur in the New Zealand PGA Pro-Am - told the media he knew the area well.
''I've been to Queenstown a lot. When you get down here, it just feels like a second home in many ways.
''It's got everything - it's got the seasons, skiing, winter sports, the summer sports ... and a few wineries.
''I'm going to Amisfield for lunch. Their pinot is one of the great pinots.''
The effervescent commentator, dressed in a bright orange polo shirt and multi-coloured shorts - attire course owner Sir Michael Hill would have been proud of - said he had been making the most of his time in New Zealand, paying particular attention to the fishing spots.
While the fishing was good, the experience of being ''eaten to death by little flies'' would not rate as a highlight.
However, he felt he got his own back on the sandflies who attacked his ankles.
''I think they all died of a hangover after.
''The temperature of the river was perfect; we just put the chardonnay in it ... it's the way to go fishing.''
In the North Island, he had gone white water rafting and joked he had begun training for the Taupo ironman.
However, any suggestions of bungy jumping in the adventure capital of New Zealand were quickly dismissed.
''No. It's the one [activity] where you must not lie about your weight.''
In the lead-up to the event at The Hills, Botham (57) had played at Kinloch, in Taupo, one of his ''favourite golf courses anywhere''.
''It just gets better and better.''
While his handicap had ''slipped a bit'', having previously been off four and now off nine, he had no hesitation in accepting the offer to play in the second annual tournament at The Hills.
''It took about 30 seconds [to decide]. That's how long it took me to get the iPad up to check the dates.
''I've played here before [and] Millbrook and Arrowtown - which is one of the quirky little courses; risk and reward - mainly risk in my case.''
