9 Days • 8 Nights
Queenstown & the Southern Lakes Grand Tour
Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll enjoy Queenstown's gondola, jet boats and wine, relax by lovely Lake Wanaka, cruise the majestic Milford Sound in the heart of Fiordland, explore the glowworm caves of Te Anau, and travel to Aoraki/Mount Cook, the country's highest peak, with its glaciers and famous dark skies. Scenic drives, turquoise lakes and jaw-dropping vistas fill the days.
With comfortable hotels and the key experiences arranged, it is the complete Southern Lakes in one journey.
Trip Highlights
- The Skyline Gondola and Queenstown adventures
- Lakeside Wanaka and the Crown Range
- A cruise on the majestic Milford Sound
- The glowworm caves of Te Anau
- Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak
- The turquoise lakes of the Mackenzie Country
- The famous Mackenzie dark skies
- The complete Southern Lakes region
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 9-day journey.
Arrive in the adventure capital and settle in, with a welcome dinner.
The Skyline Gondola for the view, then a Shotover Jet or lake cruise and your choice of adventure.
A Gibbston Valley wine tour with a vineyard lunch, then over the Crown Range to lakeside Wanaka.
Explore Lake Wanaka and the lone tree, then travel to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland.
A full-day journey to cruise the majestic Milford Sound, then travel to Queenstown for the night.
Travel through the Mackenzie Country, past the turquoise Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki, to Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Explore Aoraki/Mount Cook — a valley walk to the glacier lakes, an optional scenic flight and the famous dark skies at night.
The turquoise Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd, with a stargazing or hot pools experience.
A scenic drive to Christchurch for your onward flight, with a final breakfast.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private airport transfers and scenic touring throughout
- 3N Queenstown (split), 1N Wanaka, 1N Te Anau, 2N Mount Cook
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a wine-country lunch
- The Skyline Gondola and a Shotover Jet or lake cruise
- A Gibbston Valley wine tour and lakeside Wanaka
- A Milford Sound cruise and the Te Anau glowworm caves
- Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Mackenzie lakes
- All listed activities and entrance fees
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from New Zealand
- NZeTA and International Visitor levy fees
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional adventure activities where not stated
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Visitors from visa-waiver countries must obtain an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) online before travelling, which includes the International Visitor levy. Others need a visitor visa; we can advise
- Currency: The currency is the New Zealand Dollar. Queenstown is largely cashless, with cards and contactless payment accepted almost everywhere
- Seasons reversed: Queenstown is in the southern hemisphere, so summer (December to February) is warm and long for hiking and lakes, while winter (June to August) brings skiing and snow to the surrounding peaks
- Adventure & safety: Queenstown is New Zealand's adventure capital, with bungy, jet boats, skydiving and more. All operators are strictly regulated and safe, but activities are weather-dependent and some carry age or health restrictions
- Four seasons in a day: Mountain weather changes quickly, so pack warm and waterproof layers even in summer, along with strong sun protection for the intense alpine UV
- Driving: New Zealanders drive on the left, and the roads around Queenstown are scenic but winding, especially the Crown Range and the route to Milford Sound; allow plenty of time
- Milford Sound: The day trip to Milford Sound is long (a full day by road) but spectacular; a scenic flight or coach-cruise-fly option can shorten it, weather permitting
- Sandflies: Fiordland and Milford Sound have persistent sandflies, so bring insect repellent for that excursion
- Best time: Queenstown is a year-round destination — summer for hiking, lakes and wine, autumn for golden colours, and winter (June-September) for skiing and snow
- Tipping & power: Tipping is not customary in New Zealand. Power is 230V with the Australian-style type I plug, so bring an adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific meals named in the itinerary, such as a TSS Earnslaw steamship dinner or a wine-country lunch. Other meals are left free so you can enjoy Queenstown's superb dining scene.
Are transfers and activities arranged?
Yes — your airport transfers, sightseeing and the named activities are arranged for you, and Queenstown's compact centre is easy to explore on foot in between.
Do I need a visa for New Zealand?
Visitors from visa-waiver countries need an NZeTA, applied for online before travel. We guide you through the requirements for your nationality.
When is the best time to visit Queenstown?
Summer (December-February) is best for hiking, lakes and wine, autumn for golden colours, and winter (June-September) for skiing. Queenstown is a wonderful year-round destination.
Is the adventure activity optional?
Yes — Queenstown offers everything from gentle scenic cruises to bungy and skydiving. We include core experiences and you choose your own adventures to match your appetite, from mild to wild.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, hotels, activities and add-ons like Milford Sound, Wanaka or a ski package can all be tailored. Just tell us what you have in mind.
How far is Milford Sound from Queenstown?
Milford Sound is a full-day round trip by road (around four hours each way) through spectacular Fiordland, or a shorter scenic flight or coach-cruise-fly combination — all of which we can arrange.
Does this cover the best of the region?
Yes — it brings together the whole Southern Lakes and Fiordland region: Queenstown, Wanaka, Milford Sound, Te Anau and Mount Cook, the most scenic corner of New Zealand, in one nine-day loop.
Where does the tour end?
It ends with a scenic drive to Christchurch, from where you fly onward. We can also loop back to Queenstown if that suits your flights better.
More Adventure Journeys
Adventure
Customizable
El Salvador Highlights: Volcanoes, Flowers & Surf
El Salvador Highlights: Volcanoes, Flowers & Surf
El Salvador
Adventure
Customizable
El Salvador Short Escape: Volcanoes & Surf
El Salvador Short Escape: Volcanoes & Surf
El Salvador
Adventure
Customizable
Grand El Salvador: The Complete Country
Grand El Salvador: The Complete Country
El Salvador