Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s most exciting destinations, if not in the world. Surrounded by towering mountains and positioned on the edge of a lake, Queenstown is a hub of fun, indulgence, and relaxation in breathtaking surroundings. It is the perfect base to enjoy the finer things in life.
Queenstown sits on the shore of the lake Wakatipu among dramatic alpine ranges. Queenstown is known worldwide as the ultimate adventure destination to tick off the bucket list, but plenty of mellow options are available. Experience one of the many walking and hiking trails and sightseeing tours, or indulge yourself with spa treatments, boutique shopping, and excellent food and wine.
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Category: Culture, Relaxing
Location: South Island
Departing/Finishing: Queenstown
Accommodation: 5* lakeshore boutique hotel B&B
Next Departure: Daily
Queenstown is one of New Zealand's top visitor destinations; you'll understand why if you come to the region. Queenstown sits on the shore of crystal-clear Lake Wakatipu amidst dramatic mountain ranges; this stunning location will blow you away. Queenstown is suited to all kinds of adventures – especially throughout summer. Activities like paragliding, Zip lining, 4WD Driving, and kayaking are the perfect way to enjoy Queenstown's beautiful outdoors. Other activities like skydiving, jet boating, river rafting, and bungy jumping offer a fun and exhilarating day out. However, if adventure isn't your thing and you need time to kick back and relax, plenty of rejuvenating experiences are available. Treat yourself to boutique shopping, and experience excellent local food and wine. A popular holiday spot at any time of the year, Queenstown is renowned for its four distinctive seasons. Winter brings crisp, blue-sky days; spring retains the snow but blooms into longer, warmer days; summer offers sunshine and long twilights, and autumn a burst of brilliant red and gold. As a result, Queenstown is rated internationally as one of the world's top holiday destinations.
Queenstown has transformed into a sophisticated cosmopolitan town, tucked into a picturesque bay on the shores of Lake Wakatipu beneath majestic mountains. There's a permanent buzz in downtown Queenstown, where you'll find fantastic restaurants, a lively bar scene, and excellent shopping.
Arrowtown is a historic living settlement with many stories to tell. Wander the tree-lined streets of restored cottages and explore gold mining sites. One of the most picturesque settlements in New Zealand, Arrowtown sits alongside the gold-bearing Arrow River. The town was established in 1862, during the height of the Otago gold rush. The settlement grew quickly as pioneers constructed cottages, shops, hotels, and churches, more than 60 of which can still be seen today. A particular highlight is a Chinese settlement at the edge of the river. Built by Chinese miners in 1868, this restored shelter and building area paint a picture of earlier times. April and May, Arrowtown ignite with colour as deciduous trees prepare for winter. A festival is held in the last week of April to celebrate the town's seasonal beauty and glittering history.
Amisfield is of the earth, including the stone building that houses our acclaimed Bistro and Cellar Door. While you settle in and catch your breath, the backdrop is breathtaking, with views towards Lake Hayes and Coronet Peak. Indeed, it's not unusual for our wait staff to be told visitors haven't yet looked at the menu.
The Gibbston Valley is the coolest and highest of the Central Otago regions, with most land gently sloping to the north. This northerly aspect greatly assists vineyards in growing grapes because of increased sunlight and a reduced possibility of frost, although this still poses a significant threat. Today you will visit several vineyards and wineries in the area. The towering cliffs and rugged hillsides of the Kawarau Gorge take you through the heart of one of New Zealand's most historic gold mining regions.
Or: Nestled between the bronzed hills of our Northburn Vineyard and the splendid Lake Dunstan, our Central Otago Cellar Door showcases the full range of Cloudy Bay wines. In winter, the burning fireplaces invite visitors to enjoy a tasting flight in a cozy and warm atmosphere. In summer, our breathtaking outdoor spaces appeal to those wishing to indulge in a moment of relaxation. A lunch menu is also available to pair with our wines.
One of the most dramatic and beautiful parts of New Zealand, the power of Fiordland's scenery never fails to enthral travellers. This unique natural environment features stunning fiords, spectacular waterfalls, and snow-capped peaks. Ancient rainforest clings impossibly to the mountains; waterfalls tumble hundreds of meters into massive fiords; shimmering lakes and granite peaks look the same today as they did a thousand years ago. A fiord is a U-shaped glacier-carved valley flooded by the sea. The fourteen fiords that fringe this southwest corner of the South Island were 100,000 years in the making, with the final details added during the most recent ice age just 10,000 years ago. On all sides of the inlets, spectacular waterfalls tumble incessantly as the region's plentiful rainfall reaches the sea.
The flight to and from Milford Sound has regularly been described as the most spectacular part of the trip. This trip covers the same scenic flight path as the Milford Sound Fly/Cruise/Fly options. Still, instead of joining a cruise on arrival in Milford Sound, you will instead take the time to take a self-guided walk along the shoreline in Milford Sound or head to the cafe for a delicious coffee and cake. This trip is ideal for those who prefer not to take to the water on a boat or would like to stroll in Milford Sound while enjoying photography opportunities.
Or: Helicopter to Earnslaw Burn Direct. Fly over schist-covered slopes with a bird's eye view of Queenstown's historical gold mining sites on the way to this incredible landing site. A filming location for LOTR's The Hobbit and recently featured on TV's Travel Guides. Land on the valley floor and explore, with the blue ice of the Earnslaw Glacier towering above. See the astounding number of waterfalls spilling down the valley walls.
Just 45 minutes from Queenstown, Glenorchy is nestled on the northern shores of Lake Wakatipu & is the gateway to hiking trails and Middle‑earth magic. This rustic town is a true outdoor enthusiast's Paradise. Glenorchy's surroundings are nothing short of awe-inspiring against a background of native beech forest and towering mountain ranges. As a result, Glenorchy's spectacular landscapes have become a prime location for film scouts, depicting many scenes from The Lord of the Rings trilogy and featuring in the Narnia movies. As bucolic farmland gives way to beech forests, twenty kilometres from Glenorchy lies Paradise.
An unmissable journey into the Dart River Valley, where myth, heritage, and fantasy come to life. The Dart River Wilderness Jet is an exhilarating and spectacular journey deep into the heart of the world-renowned Mt Aspiring National Park. We are the only jet boat operator allowed on the Dart River. This rich and diverse landscape offers breathtaking scenery, exhilarating experiences, and New Zealand's most exciting jet boating along glacier-fed rivers. Our professional and highly trained staff will guide you, sharing stories of the area's incredible history, great Māori legends, and Greenstone trail. Stroll through ancient beech forest, unchanged in over 80 million years, and view the scenic backgrounds for many Middle Earth movie scenes.
Or: The Paradise Ziplines experience is an 8-line zipline course, which takes you on a diverse journey by wire and walking track through the pristine native forest of the Oxburn Stream valley. The lines vary, from up high with stunning views to Mt Aspiring National Park and Paradise, through the beautiful native forest canopy, to just meters above an alpine stream. The drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy is rated one of the best in the world!
This exclusive Gin tour distils our pure spirit and then focuses exclusively on crafting our The Source Gin. The Cardrona Distillery is a family-owned and managed distillery nestled high in the Cardrona Valley between Wanaka and Queenstown. The spirits are made from scratch using time-honoured craftsmanship, starting with malted barley, water, and yeast.
Forty-five kilometres long and covering 193 square kilometres, the crystal clear waters of Lake Wanaka are perfect for jet boaters, sailors, and kayakers to explore. Nestled below towering mountains, Wanaka is the most tranquil setting of the South Island lakes. It is much more than a winter destination. Year-round activities include fishing, hiking, canyoning, climbing, and skydiving. Excavated by massive glaciers more than 10,000 years ago, Lakes Wanaka and Hawea lie side by side. The glaciers were once joined at a sliver of land known as The Neck, which is just 1000 meters wide. Lake Wanaka is the source of New Zealand's largest river, the Clutha. Lake Hawea feeds into the Hawea River, which joins the Clutha at Albert Town. Ringed by pebbly beaches and magnificent views of the surrounding peaks, both lakes offer a variety of adventures, especially during the long, hot summer months.
Experience New Zealand's most authentic 4WD adventure. The perfect mix of incredible scenery, history, heritage, and farming life. This will be a genuine highlight of your New Zealand holiday. Explore the remote and seldom travelled back roads of an authentic New Zealand High Country farm overlooking sparkling Lake Wanaka. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, glaciers, and wild river valleys, you'll see farm animals up close and in their natural environment, including Red Deer, cattle, and sheep. Visit historical sites and experience what life was like for Wanaka's first farmers. Enjoy two optional walks through pristine alpine meadows and ancient lakeside forests. This journey offers a unique insight into Wanaka's rich history, heritage, modern-day farming life, and breathtaking scenery.
Or: Boat cruise to the remote and magical Mou Waho Island nature reserve, which is predator-free and home to the rare flightless Buff Weka (extinct on the mainland since 1920). A one-hour return guided bush walk is included, which takes you up to reveal the island's secret – a lake right on top of the island!
Enjoy a day of relaxing or shopping. Or add another one of your favourite activities.
Onsen Hot Pools is located high on a cliffside overlooking the magnificent Shotover River canyon, providing views over breathtaking alpine scenery and the perfect vantage point to watch the Shotover Jet jetboats on the river below. Onsen Hot Pools are hot and steamy on snowy days, warm and sheltered on rainy days, cool and shady on sunny days, and simply magical in the evenings! A unique feature of Onsen Hot Pools is the retractable picture windows & roof: Convert your pool room from indoor to outdoor and back at the touch of a button!
Experience the best of Queenstown's renowned wineries and restaurants on the region's first Progressive Dinner Tour. You are visiting three iconic locations and dining at the famous Amisfield Bistro, Aosta, and Eichardt's Hotel for each of your three courses.