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Queenstown & Fiordland

Destination Information

Whether it’s extreme downhill mountain biking and White Water River Rafting in the summer sun, or a mid-winter apres ski mission that you’re chasing. It’s safe to say Queenstown features high up in the pecking order on every traveller’s destination bucket list.

The region is brimming with glacier lakes, cascading mountains, and breathtaking scenery. It’s never a dull moment. When you’re not pushing yourself to the limit, kick back and unwind by exploring the local bars and restaurants. Whether you spend two days or two weeks around these parts, it never feels like quite enough.

Queenstown is calling.

Queenstown

Queenstown resides upon the water’s edge of Lake Wakatipu, a glacial lake formed some 15,000 years ago. At first glance, you may be mistaken by this sleepy looking town which is in fact the adrenaline capital of the world.

It’s home to hundreds of activities such as the world famous Shotover Jet owned and operated by Ngai Tahu, a local Maori tribe that has resided in the area for over 800 years.

In just a few hours, you can easily bounce from one adventure to another. If you fancy skydiving in the morning and bungy jumping in the afternoon, you’ll still have time to fit in a quick lunch in between.

If bungy jumping, canyon swinging, or jet boating isn’t up your street, then we’d highly recommend venturing out on the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak for a Gourmet Buffet Dinner. This incredible steam-powered cruise ship built in the same year as the Titanic is an epic 2-hour experience.

Any free day spent around Queenstown calls for a visit to Ben Lomond Peak. This idyllic lookout offers panoramic views over one of the world’s most spectacular towns. We recommend hiking or taking the Gondola up and walking down. Just make sure you check out the luge while you’re up there. You won’t be disappointed.

No trip to Queenstown would be complete without exploring the vast amounts of unique bars, followed by the world-famous Ferg Burger. Trust us when we say they’re the best burgers in the galaxy. They taste even better after a night out too.

Wanaka

A short 1-hour drive away is the (slightly more) off-the-beaten-track town of Wanaka. If you’re planning on getting away from the hustle and bustle of Queenstown for some serious adventure action, then look no further than this place.

Famed for its sensational snow season at the likes of Cardrona and Treblecone, you can expect world-class skiing and snowboarding runs.

Summertime brings downhill mountain biking and top-level hiking trails, so we definitely recommend taking the 3-hour trek up to Roy’s Peak. The views won’t disappoint.

If you fancy yourself as a bit of an influencer, or you just like taking bloody good pictures, then check out ‘That Wanaka Tree’, guaranteed to get a few likes on social media.

Milford Sound & Doubtful Sound

Take a trip out of Queenstown and head across to Te Anau, the gateway to the Fiordlands National Park. Embrace the next level views en route and stop off in this quirky town for a cup of coffee. A fabulous glacial lake and glow worm caves are the offerings presented here.

Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound are home to penguins, dolphins and seal colonies. Boat tours are the most popular way to explore these fiords. Out of this world views of cascading mountains trimmed with lush rainforest and waterfalls surround you. Pure bliss.

The easiest way to get here is to do a coach & cruise combination. It’s easier than driving yourself and it’s super affordable too. If you’re up for flashing a bit of cash though, you can skip the coach journey and make your way over the national park in a helicopter or low-flying plane.

Hollyford Track

To explore one of the best loved wilderness environments in New Zealand and get to those hard to reach places, it’s best done on foot. Fiordland National Park has the country’s top multi day hikes, but at the top of the list is for sure the Hollyford Track. Whatever multi-day hike you do in Fiordland National Park, chances are you’re going to be mind blown by the scenery, so that just leaves the cost and popularity of the track to take into consideration when choosing a stroll.

The Hollyford Track starts at the Lower Hollyford Road, a side road off the Milford Sound Road about 87km from Te Anau. The track can be walked as a return track or transport can be organised at either end.

Green Lake/Lake Monowai Track

This is a 3-5 day circuit from the Lake Monowai road to Green Lake and the western end of Lake Monowai. It provides beautiful views of the lakes and the Fiordland Mountains to the west. Some may continue from Monowai Hut to Rodgers Inlet Hut and turn it into a loop track. Sections of the circuit are unmarked routes or badly marked tracks so some route finding ability is required. It also can be shortened with vehicle access along the Borland Road or boat access to Monowai Hut.

Queenstown & Fiordland Tours

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Great Value Kiwi Experience Southern Round Up Bus Pass

Kiwi Experience Southern Round Up Bus Pass

Hop on board the Kiwi Experience Southern Round Up hop on hop off bus to see the absolute best of New Zealand's South Island.

  • Best of South Island
  • See Glaciers And Fiords
  • Like Minded Travellers
  • Hop On Hop Off
Most Popular Kiwi Experience Funky Chicken Bus Pass

Kiwi Experience Funky Chicken Bus Pass

Hop on board the Kiwi Experience Funky Chicken hop on hop off bus to see the absolute best of New Zealand's north and south islands.

  • Travel New Zealand
  • 21 Day Minimum Travel
  • North And South Island
  • Hop On Hop Off
AJ Hackett Nevis Catapult

AJ Hackett Nevis Catapult

The Nevis Catapult is one of the must-do's in New Zealand. Soar through the air across 150m on this adrenaline filed experience with AJ Hackett.

  • World's Most Famous 300m Swing
  • Swing Forward, Backwards, or Upside Down
  • Solo or Tandem Option
  • 4WD Bus Return Transfer from Queenstown Bungy Centre
Customer Favourite AJ Hackett Nevis Swing

AJ Hackett Nevis Swing

The Nevis Swing with AJ Hackett is one of the highlights of Queenstown. Swing in a 300m arc individually or in tandem, and get the rush of a lifetime.

  • World's Most Famous 300m Swing
  • Swing Forward, Backwards, or Upside Down
  • Solo or Tandem Option
  • 4WD Bus Return Transfer from Queenstown Bungy Centre
Bungy with Views AJ Hackett Nevis Bungy

AJ Hackett Nevis Bungy

Free-fall for 134 metres on the highest bungy in New Zealand with AJ Hackett. The ultimate thrill of a lifetime - hold on tight.

  • Highest Bungy of NZ
  • Ultimate Thrill of a Lifetime
  • 134 Meter Free Fall
  • 4WD Bus Return Transfer from Queenstown Bungy Centre
Intro Tour 17 Day New Zealand Adventure Tour

17 Day New Zealand Adventure Tour

Experience the North and Sound Island with this amazing New Zealand tour. Make friends, submerge yourself in culture and get set up for life in NZ!

  • Waitomo Caves, Milford Sound, & Maori Experience
  • City, Nature, & Party
  • From Auckland to Queenstown
  • Epic Group Trip
Most Popular 9 Day New Zealand South Island Adventure

9 Day New Zealand South Island Adventure

Travel the incredible North Island of New Zealand on the best 9 day North Island tour. Eat, drink, and get ready for work and play in NZ.

  • Milford Sound, Lake Tekapo, & Mt Cook
  • Start & Finish: Queenstown
  • Epic Group Trip
  • NZ South Island Loop
Intro Tour 17 Day New Zealand Intro Tour

17 Day New Zealand Intro Tour

Experience the North and Sound Island with this amazing New Zealand tour. Make friends, submerge yourself in culture and get set up for life in NZ!

  • Adventure, Wilderness, Fun
  • Get Ready to Work in New Zealand
  • Start in Auckland, End in Queenstown
  • NZ Group Tour
Backpacker Favourite 9 Day New Zealand South Island Intro Tour

9 Day New Zealand South Island Intro Tour

Explore New Zealand's South Island with the best fully guided intro tour in NZ. Explore, connect, and adventure for 9 days around Queenstown, Milford Sound & more.

  • Milford Sound, Kayak Tour, Hooker Valley Hike
  • Queenstown, Lake Tekapo, Mt Cook
  • Get Ready to Work in New Zealand
  • NZ South Island Group Tour
Milford Sound Combo Helicopter Line – Milford Flight With Cruise

Helicopter Line – Milford Flight With Cruise

Just when you thought Helicopter Line couldn’t supply you with anything better than just a helicopter tour of Queenstown and its ranges, they have got more up their sleeve than meets the eye. Go another step further by getting up close and personal to the nature at sea level with a Mitre Peak cruise, as well as taking to the sky to witness the land from above. This double combo tour will give you all the time you need to discover the Fjordland National Park from the sky, water, and land. Top it all off with a remote alpine landing…

  • Experienced Pilot Commentary
  • Nature Alpine Landing
  • Wildlife Cruise Sightseeing
  • Great For Families
Alpine Heli Tour Helicopter Line – Southern Glacier Experience

Helicopter Line – Southern Glacier Experience

Get your warm clothes packed, adventure face on, and your best high camera for some of the most breathtaking views you will see in Queenstown. Venturing from the base of Queenstown to the pinnacles of Mount Aspiring, you will have the opportunity to witness the southern alps of the spiny mountain range. With naturally mountainous and rigid characteristics, you will have the chance to see vast untouched tracts of natural forestry, ancient glacial icefalls, and beautifully packed snow wisping down the mountains. To top it all off, your pilots will land on the peak so you can get out for…

  • Experienced Pilot Commentary
  • Mountain Alpine Landing
  • Heavenly Photo Opportunities
  • Romantic Getaway Tour
Queenstown Heli Flight Helicopter Line – The Grand Circle

Helicopter Line – The Grand Circle

Circle the whole of stunning Queenstown from above. On this premier scenic flight enjoy the stunning beauty of the Wakatipu Basin from the mouth of the Shotover River to beyond Coronet Peak. Revel in an alpine landing in this breath-taking environment. In winter, stand in snow as you take in stunning views across Lake Wakatipu to the Southern Alps. There’s not many other tours that do it as well as this one for you to see so much in one day. You will be able to see wonderful sights as seen in The Lord Of The Rings, snowcapped mountains with…

  • Beautiful Scenes Of Queenstown
  • Flight Commentary From Pilots
  • Amazing Photo Opportunities
  • Great For Couples
Skydiving Favourite NZONE Skydive Queenstown

NZONE Skydive Queenstown

Expect sensory overload as your mind, body and soul fight against every natural self-preserving urge. The challenge is immense. Harnessed by space age materials to an experienced qualified jumpmaster, get ready to take the leap from the aircraft door and for a 60 seconds freefall 200 kph – terminal velocity! Tandem Skydive with NZONE Skydive in Queenstown in New Zealand’s South Island and see some of the most dramatic scenery in NZ ranging from heights of 9,000ft, 12,000ft, & 15,000ft! In 1990, NZONE Skydive were NZ’s first tandem skydive operation and are now celebrating 25 years of skydiving. NZONE are…

  • One Minute Freefall
  • Five Minute Parachute Descent
  • Stunning Mountain Views
  • Certified Jumpmaster
Sightseeing Favourite Milford Sound Coach Cruise Coach

Milford Sound Coach Cruise Coach

This Milford Sound day tour has been going for nearly 30 years now and is a top-rated small group Milford Experience. Sit back, buckle up and chill out as you escape the crowds and take in a truly unique day, showcasing this world famous region. On this full-day Milford Sound tour from Queenstown, you will enjoy guided commentary to and from Milford Sound with experienced guides, accompanied with good laughs, memories, and of course, above average banter. It doesn’t just stop with the coach tour, and you will have the opportunity to hop on a two hour small boat nature…

  • 2 Hour Ferry Cruise
  • Scenic Coach Sightseeing
  • Amazing Photo Opportunities
  • Optional Picnic Lunch
Drink & Eat Altitude Twilight Tour

Altitude Twilight Tour

It’s always 5 o’clock at Altitude Tours. Join the Twilight Craft Beer and Wine experience for a fun and entertaining late afternoon tastebud tingling adventure! Visit three unique locations around Queenstown and Gibbston with a minimum of 12 tastings of some of the finest drops in the region. If beer is more your thing, then bounce from vines to hops and taste some local craft beers instead. Better yet, the tour departs at 3PM meaning you can still go out paddle-boarding or bungy jumping in the morning, or even fly in from out of town. Shared antipasto platters are also…

  • Experienced Tour Guides
  • Wine & Beer Tour
  • Antipasto Platter Included
  • Great For Groups
River Kayak Tour Dart River Funkyaks

Dart River Funkyaks

Get up close and personal with nature and a gentle paddle on the crystal clear waters within Mount Aspiring National Park. Combining wilderness jet boating and unique funyak inflatable canoes, this team will take you on a fun route to explore the Dart River as well as hidden side streams, rock pools, and dramatic chasms. Enjoy quiet, peace, and tranquility of this stunning area at your own pace as you float merrily down the stream and sunstruck water. Included is also a beautifully packed wilderness lunch as you drift past ‘Paradise’ and onto Glenorchy. On the way back, you will…

  • Experienced Tour Guides
  • Kayak With Mates
  • Nature Adventure
  • Great For Groups
Breathtaking Sights Milford Sound Scenic Flight & Cruise

Milford Sound Scenic Flight & Cruise

The Fly Cruise Fly Scenic Flight Tour is the ultimate elevated sightseeing cruise in Queenstown and Milford Sound. Fly over snow-capped mountain ranges, sparkling lakes and tumbling waterfalls as you journey into the Fiordland National Park by plane. Take in all the beautiful sights as you soar through the sky overlooking unreal sights from Queenstown to Milford Sound on a 2-hour excursion. With an all star pilot and informative guide telling you all the ins and outs of the area while you enjoy complimentary tea or coffee, you will be begging for as many photo opportunities you can get of…

  • Stunning Scenic Flight
  • Cruise Through Milford Sound
  • Get Your Camera Ready!
  • Great For Couples
NZ Wine Tour Altitude Wine Sampler Tour

Altitude Wine Sampler Tour

It’s time to get down and Pinot in one of New Zealand’s best wine regions, Queenstown. Travel in style and visit Central Otago’s finest off the beaten track wine cellars, including a trip to the famous Gibbston Valley underground wine cave. While your lovely and charismatic guide shows you through the wonders of the wine region, you’ll be able to enjoy over 18 spectacular cool climate wines and additional tasty lunch (additional cost ordered on the day). Altitude Wines is all about pairing good wines with good people and having a good time whilst doing it, so whether you are…

  • Taste Over 18 Wines
  • Jaw Dropping Views
  • Optional Tasty Lunch
  • Experienced Wine Guide
Staff Favourite Skytrek Paragliding & Hang Gliding

Skytrek Paragliding & Hang Gliding

Skytrek has been operating since 2011 and is renowned to be one of the best adventure activities in Queenstown, New Zealand. Skytrek takes flights year round, offering the most stunning 360 degree view of Queenstown and its surrounding mountain ranges. Skytrek offers a variety of products ranging from Summer Hang gliding and both summer and winter paragliding, letting you enjoy an unforgettable life experience that can be enjoyed all year round. If you’re wondering how paragliding feels, the only way to describe it is an overwhelming adrenaline rush mixed with unparalleled calmness. Imagine insane views of Queenstown’s mountain peaks but…

  • Experienced Tandem Pilots
  • New Zealand Sightseeing
  • Summer and Winter Activity
  • Highest Jumps In NZ
Jet Boat Tour Skippers Canyon Jet Boat

Skippers Canyon Jet Boat

Experience a spectacular guided tour of Skippers Canyon taking you on a journey back through the gold rush era, followed by a thrilling jet boat ride through the dramatic canyons of the Shotover River. Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Tour is the only jet boat ride where you get to experience historic gold mining relics that still remain in the river and Lord Of The Rings locations. The Skippers Jet Tour isn’t just an amazing jet boat tour through some of the tightest canyons in Queenstown, it’s also a step back through time where you get to experience what it would…

  • Experienced Tour Guides
  • Speed Boat Tour
  • Amazing Photo Opportunities
  • Great For Groups
Bungy Jumping Fun Shotover Canyon Swing

Shotover Canyon Swing

Strap in, buckle up, and get ready to take a leap of faith of a lifetime over the Shotover River! This is an intense adrenaline stimulation activity achieved by launching yourself from a cliff, 109m over the famous Shotover River, so those with a fear of heights, it is time to conquer that once and for all. The uniquely designed system allows you to swing 200m with a 60m vertical freefall down a steep rocky cliff face. The amazing staff will make sure you are completely safe to ensure you’ve got the experience of a lifetime. It’s all about you.…

  • Amazing Group Activity
  • Safe & Certified Guides
  • Adrenaline Cliff Jump
  • Tandem Jump Available
Queenstown Favourite Queenstown Shotover Jet

Queenstown Shotover Jet

Come and experience the Shotover Jet, New Zealand’s infamous jet boat! The Shotover Jet has a legacy dating back to 1960 and have run this family business for over 50 years. Everything about them represents the beating heart of the Queenstown tourism sector. Among the customers who have dared to set foot upon this adrenaline pumping ride, the Shotover Jet has hosted a range of people from backpackers, families, A-list celebrities, and even members of the Royal Family. The Shotover Jet was the first commercial jet boat operating on the Shotover River. With its narrow turns, tight canyons, and exhilarating…

  • Family Run Business
  • Shotover River Jet Adventure
  • Informative Guides
  • Relaxing Viewing Areas

Frequently asked questions

What weather can I expect in Fiordland?

The weather in this region is what makes its character so unique. The rainfall is what makes a land of lakes, rivers, streams, waterfalls, and fiords. It’s recommended to bring clothing for warm and cool weather.

Summer (Dec-Feb) 19-23 Celsius / 66-73 Fahrenheit
Autumn (March-May) 8-18 Celsius / 46-64 Fahrenheit
Winter (June-Aug) 5-9 Celsius / 41-48 Fahrenheit
Spring (Sept-Nov) 10-19 Celsius / 50-66 Fahrenheit

What is the difference between a sound and a fiord?

A fiord is a glaciated valley which is usually narrow and steep. A sound is a river valley flooded by the sea following a rise in sea levels or depression of the land.

How much does it cost to stay in Queenstown?

Queenstown has heaps of places to stay ranging from about $25 for a dorm bed to over $2000 exclusive luxury resort or apartment.

Is there much nightlife?

There are an abundance of bars to choose from in Queenstown, roughly around 100, all within a small city block. Many have a 4AM license and a few go on until sunrise with a great nightlife atmosphere every day of the week.

When is the ski season?

The ski fields open as early as the first week in June, however, depending on the snowfall, some seasons may open the gates a bit later.

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