Queenstown Fiordland
3
Day Itinerary •
New Zealand
Three days in Queenstown and Fiordland take you to the adventure capital of the world and the most extraordinary fiord landscape in New Zealand. From the remarkable Queenstown waterfront on Lake Wakatipu below the extraordinary Remarkables mountain range to the Milford Sound cruise under Mitre Peak, one of the most extraordinary fjord landscapes on earth, and the Lord of the Rings country around Glenorchy at the head of Lake Wakatipu. This route covers the essential Queenstown and Fiordland. The Queenstown waterfront and the Skyline Gondola panorama, the extraordinary Milford Sound cruise under 1,692-metre Mitre Peak with its remarkable waterfalls, the Glenorchy Dart River valley used as Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings, and the extraordinary Arrowtown gold rush village.
Best Time To Visit
Year-round. Summer for hiking. Winter for skiing. Autumn for colour.
Getting There
Fly into Queenstown International from Auckland, Christchurch or Sydney.
Getting Around
Car essential for Milford Sound and Glenorchy. Queenstown walkable.
Budget Per Day
Approx NZ$250 to NZ$500 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate. Milford Sound full day drive and cruise.
DAY 1
QUEENSTOWN
MORNING
QUEENSTOWN WATERFRONT AND THE GONDOLA
Queenstown on Lake Wakatipu below the extraordinary Remarkables mountain range is the most extraordinary adventure resort in the world, its remarkable combination of alpine scenery, adrenaline activities and sophisticated dining giving the finest single destination in New Zealand. The extraordinary Skyline Gondola rises 450 metres above the town to give the finest panorama over the lake, the Remarkables and Cecil Peak. The luge track at the summit is remarkable. Gondola approx NZ$35. Travel: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
ARROWTOWN GOLD RUSH VILLAGE
Arrowtown 20 minutes from Queenstown is the most extraordinary gold rush heritage village in New Zealand, its remarkable tree-lined main street with original 1860s stone buildings, the fine Lakes District Museum and the extraordinary Chinese miners cottages at the edge of town giving the finest colonial heritage in Otago. The remarkable Arrow River where gold was first found in 1862 and the extraordinary autumn colours in April and May are outstanding. Museum entry approx NZ$10. Travel: 20 min drive back
AFTERNOON
QUEENSTOWN LAKEFRONT AND THE BATHS
The Queenstown lakefront promenade gives the finest evening walk in the South Island, the extraordinary view over Lake Wakatipu to the Remarkables and the Cecil Peak in the evening light outstanding. The remarkable TSS Earnslaw steamship, the last coal-fired passenger vessel in the Southern Hemisphere, cruises the lake from the Queenstown wharf. The extraordinary Queenstown Gardens on the lakefront peninsula give the finest free walk in the town.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Ben Lomond Track above Queenstown is the most extraordinary day hike in the region, its remarkable summit at 1,748 metres giving a 360-degree panorama over the entire Queenstown Lakes district. Allow 6 hours return. Entirely free. The finest view of the Remarkables from above with Queenstown below.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Queenstown Outstanding Queenstown cafe. The coffee culture rivals Wellington. | Lunch: Arrowtown Bakery Outstanding gold rush village bakery. The finest filled rolls in Otago. | Dinner: Botswana Butchery, Queenstown Outstanding Queenstown restaurant. Local Central Otago lamb and Pinot Noir.
DAY 2
MILFORD SOUND
MORNING
DRIVE TO MILFORD SOUND VIA TE ANAU
The drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound via Te Anau is the most extraordinary road journey in New Zealand, the remarkable 4-hour route through the Fiordland National Park past Mirror Lakes, the Eglinton Valley and through the extraordinary Homer Tunnel carved through solid rock giving the finest approach to a fiord in the world. The remarkable Chasm waterfall just before the sound and the extraordinary first view of Mitre Peak rounding the final bend are outstanding. Travel: 2 hour cruise
MIDDAY
MILFORD SOUND CRUISE
Milford Sound is the most extraordinary fiord in New Zealand and one of the finest natural landscapes on earth, its extraordinary 1,692-metre Mitre Peak rising directly from the water and the remarkable Stirling and Bowen waterfalls cascading hundreds of metres into the dark fiord giving the finest single natural spectacle in the country. The extraordinary cruise gives close approaches to the falls, the seal rocks and the open Tasman Sea at the fiord entrance. Approx NZ$85 to NZ$120. Travel: 4 hour drive back
AFTERNOON
RETURN VIA MIRROR LAKES AND TE ANAU
The return drive from Milford Sound gives the extraordinary Mirror Lakes stop where the Eglinton Valley mountains reflect in the extraordinary still pools in the tussock, the finest mirror lake reflection in Fiordland. The remarkable Te Anau Glowworm Caves accessible by boat across Lake Te Anau give the finest alternative to Waitomo on the return. The extraordinary Lake Te Anau, the largest lake in the South Island, is outstanding.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The overnight cruise on Milford Sound is the most extraordinary accommodation in New Zealand, spending the night on the fiord after the day visitors leave gives the extraordinary solitude of Milford Sound in the evening light with only the seals and dolphins for company. Overnight cruise approx NZ$250. The finest hidden experience in Fiordland.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast in Queenstown Very early departure. Be on the road to Milford by 7am. | Lunch: Packed lunch or Milford Sound cafe Pack provisions or eat at the extraordinary fiord cafe at Milford. | Dinner: Restaurant in Queenstown Outstanding farewell Queenstown dinner after the extraordinary Fiordland day.
DAY 3
GLENORCHY AND PARADISE
MORNING
GLENORCHY AND THE PARADISE VALLEY
Glenorchy at the head of Lake Wakatipu is the most extraordinary small village in Otago, its remarkable location below the Richardson Mountains and the Dart Range giving the finest alpine valley setting in New Zealand. The extraordinary 45-minute drive from Queenstown along the lake shore is the finest lakeside road in the South Island. The remarkable Dart River Valley beyond Glenorchy, used as the Isengard approach and Amon Hen in The Lord of the Rings, is outstanding. Travel: 1 hour drive to Arrowtown
MIDDAY
THE REES-DART TRACK VIEWPOINT WALK
The Kinloch Road above Glenorchy gives access to the most extraordinary free viewpoint in the Queenstown Lakes district, the remarkable panorama over the Dart River braided flats, the Richardson Mountains and the Earnslaw Glacier giving the finest mountain valley view in Otago. The extraordinary Paradise district, named by early settlers for its extraordinary beauty, gives the finest free alpine landscape near Queenstown. Travel: 45 min drive back to Queenstown
AFTERNOON
QUEENSTOWN FINAL AFTERNOON
The final Queenstown afternoon gives the extraordinary opportunity to experience one of the remarkable adventure activities the town is famous for, including the Shotover Jet boat ride through the extraordinary Shotover Canyon at 85km per hour, the remarkable Kawarau Bridge bungee jump at the original bungee site, or simply the extraordinary lakefront walk. The TSS Earnslaw evening cruise gives the finest farewell to Lake Wakatipu.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Paradise area beyond Glenorchy used as the Lothlorien Elven forest in The Lord of the Rings is the most extraordinary free Middle-earth filming location in the South Island, the extraordinary mature kahikatea trees along the Dart River giving the finest single Lord of the Rings landscape experience in New Zealand. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Queenstown Early breakfast before the Glenorchy drive. | Lunch: Glenorchy Cafe Outstanding remote village cafe. Local venison and Otago lamb. | Dinner: Rata, Queenstown Outstanding Queenstown fine dining. Local Central Otago lamb and Pinot Noir.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Queenstown City QT Queenstown or Sofitel Queenstown. Waterfront. Approx NZ$250 to NZ$600. Budget Option Base Queenstown or YHA Queenstown. Central. Approx NZ$50 to NZ$120 per night.
Top Tips
1. Book Milford Sound cruise months in advance in summer. The road from Queenstown takes 4 hours each way.
2. Depart for Milford Sound by 7am. The drive through the Homer Tunnel is extraordinary and traffic builds quickly.
3. Milford Sound in the rain is extraordinary. The waterfalls multiply dramatically in wet weather.
4. The Queenstown Skyline Gondola gives the finest free-riding view in the South Island. Evening is best.
5. Glenorchy is 45 minutes from Queenstown on an extraordinary lakeside road. Go early before tour buses.
6. Arrowtown autumn colours in April and May are the finest in New Zealand. The Chinese miners cottages are extraordinary.
Total Budget
Approx NZ$250 to NZ$500 per person per day