New Zealand

This picturesque southern corner of New Zealand has achieved almost legendary status for its superb scenery and range of adrenaline-charged activities, including skiing. Stunning throughout the seasons, you don’t have to be a thrill-seeker to enjoy the resort towns of Queenstown, Wanaka and Te Anau.

Queenstown, with its idyllic lakeside setting and sensational views of the Remarkables Range, offers just about every gravity-defying experience imaginable: bungy jumping, hang gliding, luging, parapenting and ballooning, as well as rafting the rapids of the Shotover River or racing through its canyons in a jet boat. Historic steamboat cruises, a ride on the scenic Skyline Gondola and some great shopping and dining complete a stay in one of New Zealand’s most relaxing and pleasant towns.

With all the charm but less of the hype, Wanaka rivals Queenstown for scenery and adventure, with activities such as mountain biking, canyoning, rock climbing, jeep safaris and horse riding. Mirrored in the lake’s placid waters is the incredibly scenic backdrop of Mt. Aspiring and the Southern Alps.

Quieter, but equally beautiful, Te Anau is famed for its glow worm caves, and is the gateway to the serene landscapes of Fiordland National Park. Nowhere else in the country is there such a concentration of mouth-watering scenery. The fiords of Milford and Doubtful Sound cut deep into the heart of the national park, providing a rich haven for dolphins, seals and countless birds and an awe-inspiring venue for kayaking or cruising. Waterfalls stream down the slopes of the steep mountains and are surrounded by lush forests.

Queenstown

Some might say the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown is the place where just about everything is possible and anything is likely. Boasting an incredible location on the edge of Lake Wakatipu, in front of the impressive Remarkables mountain range, nature has purpose built this area for adventure.

It has a well earned reputation for offering adrenaline fuelled activities and will not disappoint even the most fearless visitor. It is here that bungy jumping first became a commercial venture back in the late eighties and since then a whole host of extreme activities have developed including white water surfing, jet-boating, canyoning, luging and parapenting. Added to that the more traditional pursuits of rafting, wind-surfing, horse-riding, mountain biking and skiing in winter and the only problem is finding the time to fit it all in.

However, you don’t have to be an adrenaline junkie to appreciate Queenstown’s appeal. There is also much available for those wanting indulgence and relaxation, from the fine wines of the region to the many shops. The best mountain views are to be had from the Skyline Gondola, which has a panoramic restaurant, overlooking the town and Lake Wakatipu, where scenic cruises on a historic steamboat are on offer. A quality range of accommodation, restaurants, and lively bars and cafes complement the superb surrounds of the town.

With its own airport operating year round, it is not difficult to understand why Queenstown is one of New Zealand’s most popular destinations.

Wanaka

Much like its larger neighbour Queenstown, Wanaka is renowned for its glorious lakeside setting, incredible views over Mt Aspiring and the Southern Alps and a seasonal diversity that caters to every kind of activity you may wish for. Yet, in contrast to Queenstown, this resort is far more laid-back and enjoys a certain tranquillity that is favoured by many visitors. The town sits on the south shore of Lake Wanaka and is within easy access of the West Coast, Fiordland and Mt Cook.

Quite apart from the obvious attraction of the landscape, Wanaka offers much for the visitor to see and do. There are several museums in town, including the New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum, which is quite appropriate in a town that offers a range of aerial activities ranging from paragliding to sightseeing by Tiger Moth. Another worthwhile distraction is the intriguing Puzzling World, two miles out of town, featuring a 1.5 km maze and designed to confuse!

For those looking to get out and about, there is a choice of easy day walks and boat cruises on the lake as well as a host of more adventurous activities such as canyoning, kayaking, mountain biking, horse riding and jeep safaris. During the winter months, Wanaka is a popular ski resort with three internationally rated ski areas.

Te Anau

The small town of Te Anau is best known as the gateway to Fiordland National Park. A very pretty lakeside community, it is the nearest town to Milford and Doubtful Sounds as well as many of the great walks of this area. In response to an ever expanding tourist trade it has developed into a lively little town of waterfront cafes and restaurants and offers all manner of activities.

The focus of many of these is Lake Te Anau itself. The second largest in the country, several scenic cruises operate on the lake, and there are also opportunities to hire rowing boats, motor boats, kayaks and jet-skis. Perhaps the most popular and well-known excursion on offer is the cruise to the Te Ana-au caves. Located on the western side of the lake, these are impressive limestone caverns of underground waterfalls, whirlpools and a magical glow-worm grotto.

Te Anau’s National Park Museum and Wildlife Centre offer the chance to get acquainted with the ecology and wildlife of the region and one of its rare birds, the endangered and flightless takahe.

Milford Sound

One of New Zealand’s most famous attractions, Milford Sound with its views of the distinctive Mitre Peak, is the most visited fiord in the country and is certainly no disappointment. More accessible than the equally spectacular Doubtful Sound, a day or overnight cruise on the usually calm inlet waters of Milford, feature on most South Island itineraries.

Accessible via an unbelievable scenic overland route, a cruise or scenic flight over Milford Sound offer close-up views of the countless waterfalls that stream down the slopes of the precipitous ice-carved mountains, which are draped in moss and bordered by fern-filled forests. Seals and penguins can be spotted on rocks below the sheer cliffs and bottlenose dolphins will sometimes bow-ride the passenger boats. Although the area receives higher than average rainfall, this only adds to the dramatic atmosphere of the place.

The other way to explore Milford is on foot. The Milford Track has long been considered one of the best in the world and is suitably, very popular. A booking system is now in place to ensure that the track does not become overcrowded, but the effect of this means that advance booking is imperative. However, the Hollyford and Routeburn Tracks make more than adequate alternatives.

You might like to consider the following itineraries:
Hollyford Track »
Milford Track »
Milford Wilderness » 
Tuatapere Hump Ridge »
Mountains and Fiords » 
Routeburn Walk »

We also offer a variety of multi-centre itineraries that take in this region. Find out more »