TRIP OVERVIEW
Day 1 – Skyline Gondola · TSS Earnslaw · Queenstown Gardens
Day 2 – Kawarau Bridge Bungy · Arrowtown · Shotover Jet
Day 3 – Glenorchy & Paradise · Lake Hayes · Queenstown Hill · Kiwi Birdlife Park
Day 4 – Walter Peak High Country Farm · Ledge Bungy · Queenstown Arts Centre · Onsen Hot Pools
Day 5 – Coronet Peak · Skippers Canyon · Nevis Bungy · The Remarkables
Day 6 – Wānaka: Roy's Peak · That Wānaka Tree · Mount Aspiring · Lake Hāwea
Day 1
1. Skyline Gondola~1 hr 30 min
The Southern Hemisphere's steepest cable car climbs 450 metres to Bob's Peak, where the whole of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the jagged Remarkables open up below. The summit terrace, luge track and stargazing all share the view.
2. TSS Earnslaw~1 hr 30 min
A 1912 coal-fired steamship — the "Lady of the Lake" — still cruises Lake Wakatipu under her original engines. Watch the stokers shovel coal, then take in the alpine shoreline from the open deck on a 90-minute sailing.
Daily 11:00am - 5:00pm
3. Queenstown Gardens~1 hr
A leafy peninsula jutting into Lake Wakatipu, planted from 1867 — giant sequoias, a rose garden, a frisbee-golf course and a lakeside loop with the Remarkables framed at every turn.
Open 24/7
Day 2
1. Kawarau Bridge Bungy~1 hr
The birthplace of commercial bungy: in 1988 A.J. Hackett opened the world's first jump site on this 1880 gold-rush suspension bridge. It's a 43-metre plunge to the Kawarau River, with an optional water touch.
2. Arrowtown~2 hr
A perfectly preserved 1860s gold-mining town — a tree-lined avenue of stone and timber cottages on Buckingham Street, a restored Chinese miners' settlement on Bush Creek, and autumn colour that draws crowds every April.
Open 24/7
3. Shotover Jet~1 hr
Big-red jet boats blast through the sheer rock canyons of the Shotover River at 85 km/h — the only operator licensed to run the canyons. Expect inches-from-the-rock passes and full 360-degree spins.
Daily 10:00am - 4:00pm
Day 3
1. Glenorchy & Paradise~4 hr 30 min
A 46-km drive along Lake Wakatipu leads to Glenorchy's glacier-carved valley, then beyond to the settlement of Paradise — filming ground for Isengard, Lothlórien and Amon Hen in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Mount Earnslaw towers over the Dart River flats and the beech forests that doubled as Middle-earth.
Daily 8:00am - 1:00pm
2. Lake Hayes~1 hr 30 min
A glacier-formed lake set between rolling hills and the Crown Range, famous for near-perfect mountain reflections in its still water. The 8-km loop track circles the shore through farmland and native plantings, with Coronet Peak rising above the far end.
Open 24/7
3. Queenstown Hill Time Walk~2 hr 30 min
A 5.6 km return track climbing 500 metres through pine forest to the summit of Te Tapu-nui at 907 m, where Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables unfold in every direction. Six geological time-plates mark the route, and the wrought-iron Basket of Dreams sculpture crowns the summit.
4. Kiwi Birdlife Park~1 hr 30 min
A family-run 2-hectare wildlife sanctuary just below the Skyline Gondola, home to over 20 species of native New Zealand wildlife. Nocturnal kiwi houses allow close encounters with the national bird in dim light, alongside kea parrots, the endemic tuatara reptile and the endangered whio blue duck.
Daily 9:00am - 6:00pm
Day 4
1. Walter Peak High Country Farm~3 hr
The TSS Earnslaw steamship carries you across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak, once one of New Zealand's largest sheep stations. The farm experience includes a sheepdog mustering demonstration, sheep shearing show and a guided walk through the Victorian homestead gardens overlooking the lake.
Daily 10:00am - 2:30pm
2. Ledge Bungy~1 hr
A 47-metre freestyle bungy jump at the Skyline summit, 400 metres above Queenstown — the city, lake and the Remarkables spread below as you free-fall. Unlike the gorge jump at Kawarau, the Ledge allows run-ups, handstands and any launch style the jumper chooses.
Thursday - Monday 11:00am - 4:30pm
Closed Tuesday & Wednesday
3. Queenstown Arts Centre~45 min
A public gallery in the former Queenstown primary school on Stanley Street, showing rotating exhibitions of painting, ceramics and photography by local and New Zealand artists. The colonial-era schoolrooms have been preserved as a heritage space in the heart of the town centre.
4. Onsen Hot Pools~1 hr 30 min
Private cedar-lined hot tubs built into a clifftop above the Shotover River gorge, with floor-to-ceiling glass framing the canyon and the surrounding mountains. Each tub is booked per session and holds up to four people — a Queenstown institution for unwinding after active days on the water or slopes.
Day 5
1. Coronet Peak Ski Area~3 hr
One of New Zealand's premier ski and snowboard destinations, with 45 trails spread across 700 hectares above Queenstown. Outside ski season the chairlift opens for mountain biking and alpine hiking with panoramic views over the Wakatipu Basin.
Daily 8:30am - 4:00pm
2. Skippers Canyon~4 hr
A dramatic gorge cut by the Shotover River and accessible only by a narrow 4WD mountain road — site of an 1860s gold rush with abandoned stone bridges and stamper batteries still visible. Half-day tours depart from Queenstown year-round.
Daily 8:00am - 5:00pm
3. Nevis Bungy~2 hr
New Zealand's highest bungy jump at 134 metres, suspended from a pod above the Nevis River gorge — the drop lasts 8.5 seconds of freefall. A cable car carries you to the platform, and the gorge ride itself is included in the experience.
4. The Remarkables~1 hr 30 min
A jagged mountain range rising 2,319 metres directly above Lake Wakatipu and one of New Zealand's most recognisable alpine backdrops. The ski area operates from June to October; the sealed access road is open year-round to the base area with views across the Queenstown basin.
Open 24/7
Day 6
1. Roy's Peak~5 hr 30 min
A 1,578m summit above Lake Wānaka with a 16km return trail climbing 1,200m through golden tussock — the panoramic view from the top ridge is one of the most photographed in New Zealand. Start early; the track can be busy by mid-morning.
Open 24/7
2. That Wānaka Tree~30 min
A lone willow growing from the shore of Lake Wānaka near the town waterfront — its reflection in the still water has made it one of New Zealand's most photographed subjects. The tree is accessible year-round from the public lakefront path.
Open 24/7
3. Mount Aspiring National Park~1 hr
New Zealand's third-largest national park at 355,000 hectares, spanning glaciers, rivers and tussock valleys from the Haast Pass to Fiordland. The visitor centre in Wānaka serves as the gateway to the 3,033m peak of Mount Aspiring.
Daily 8:30am - 5:00pm
4. Lake Hāwea~45 min
A deep glacial lake separated from Lake Wānaka by a narrow neck of land, with turquoise water surrounded by snow-capped peaks. A small lakeside settlement sits at the southern end, and the lake offers a quieter alternative to the busier Wānaka waterfront.
Open 24/7
Tours
Viator
Small-group day tour through Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound, with a boutique cruise beneath Mitre Peak, plus Mirror Lakes, the Homer Tunnel and a picnic lunch.
12 hr · Small group
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A relaxed 90-minute sail across Lake Wakatipu with live commentary, passing the Remarkables, hidden bays and lakefront homes from a small fully-licensed launch.
1 hr 30 min · Small group
Voted the world's best wine tour — spend a day in the Gibbston valley at four boutique cellar doors including New Zealand's largest wine cave, tasting world-class Central Otago Pinot Noir with a wine-certified guide.
6 hr · Max 14
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Full-day tasting journey through three Central Otago sub-regions — Gibbston, Bannockburn and Cromwell — with a five-dish lunch cooked in retired oak barrels and matched to five wines, plus Arrowtown and Old Cromwell heritage stops.
6 hr 30 min · Small group
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Fly over the Southern Alps to Milford Sound, cruise beneath the 1,692m vertical walls of Mitre Peak past Stirling Falls, then fly back over the fiords — the fastest and most dramatic way to see Fiordland.
4 hr 30 min · Max 13
GetYourGuide
Premium small-group day trip to Milford Sound in a custom-built vehicle with guided commentary, a scenic nature cruise beneath Mitre Peak, fresh picnic lunch, and stops at Mirror Lakes and the Homer Tunnel.
13 hr · Small group
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An award-winning small-group full-day run to Milford Sound from Queenstown, with a 2-hour nature cruise, local guide commentary, Mirror Lakes stop and a picnic lunch included — max 16 per vehicle.
12 hr · Small group
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A coach-and-cruise day trip to Milford Sound with a 2-hour fjord cruise, commentary on Fiordland's geology and wildlife, Mirror Lakes stop, and return via the Eglinton Valley — the most popular Milford Sound option from Queenstown.
12 hr · Group
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Scenic flight over the Southern Alps into Milford Sound, a 1-hour nature cruise beneath the fiord walls, then fly back over Fiordland — the quickest way to combine both the aerial and water perspectives on Fiordland.
4 hr · Small group
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TripAdvisor
1. Milford Sound Premium Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown · TripAdvisor · 4.9 · 1610+ reviews
TripAdvisor Best of the Best award-winner — small-group Milford Sound day trip in a custom-built premium vehicle, with a boutique nature cruise, guided stops at Mirror Lakes and Homer Tunnel, and a fresh picnic lunch.
13 hr · Max 15
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Scenic flight over the Alps to Milford Sound for a 1.5-hour cruise, then fly back — the highest-rated Queenstown-to-Milford experience on TripAdvisor, combining the aerial and fjord perspectives in under half a day.
4 hr 30 min · Max 13
Voted world's best wine tour — four boutique cellar doors in the Gibbston valley with a wine cave experience, expert guide storytelling, and the finest Central Otago Pinot Noir.
6 hr · Max 14
A half-day scenic drive through the filming locations of Middle-earth — Lake Hayes, the Remarkables, Paradise Valley, Glenorchy, and the Arrow River — with a bilingual guide and replica props from the films.
4 hr 30 min · Max 11
Scenic half-day drive along Lake Wakatipu to the glacially carved valleys at Glenorchy and Paradise — Mount Earnslaw, the Dart River flats, and the beech forests made famous by Lord of the Rings filming.
4 hr 30 min · Max 16
Cappuccino
Bespoke Kitchen · 4.5 · 3567+ reviews
Vudu Cafe & Larder · 4.4 · 4808+ reviews
Patagonia Chocolates · 4.4 · 5637+ reviews
Yonder · 4.8 · 4097+ reviews
Mrs Ferg · 4.4 · 503+ reviews
Restaurants Near Hotel
Rata · 4.5 · 2943+ reviews
Modern New Zealand fine dining from Michelin-starred chef Josh Emett.
Daily 12:00pm - 11:00pm
The Cow · 4.2 · 3065+ reviews
Wood-fired pizza and pasta in an 1860s stone gold-miner's cottage.
Daily 12:00pm - 11:00pm
Tatsumi · 4.8 · 899+ reviews
Refined modern Japanese — sashimi robata and omakase.
Monday - Saturday 4:00pm - 10:00pm
Closed Sunday
Botswana Butchery · 4.4 · 9017+ reviews
Grand colonial steakhouse — aged beef game and a deep cellar.
Daily 11:00am - 11:00pm
Public Kitchen & Bar · 4.4 · 3931+ reviews
Lakeside shared plates of local meat produce and fish.
Daily 12:00pm - 10:00pm
Downtown Restaurants
The Bunker · 4.8 · 3447+ reviews
Intimate fine dining — game lamb and an open fire upstairs.
Daily 5:30pm - 10:00pm
Blue Kanu · 4.7 · 4446+ reviews
Pacific-Asian fusion plates with a Polynesian heart.
Daily 5:00pm - 11:00pm
Margo's · 4.6 · 1775+ reviews
Lively Mexican — tacos ceviche and mezcal margaritas.
Wednesday - Sunday 5:00pm - 11:00pm
Closed Monday & Tuesday
Ivy & Lola's · 4.5 · 3041+ reviews
All-day lakefront kitchen and bar on Steamer Wharf.
Daily 9:00am - 8:00pm
Flame Bar & Grill · 4.4 · 9183+ reviews
Char-grilled steaks and ribs a Queenstown stalwart.
Daily 12:00pm - 10:00pm
Local Tastes
Fergburger
Queenstown's cult burger joint, slinging made-to-order monsters since 2001 — the queue down Shotover Street is part of the ritual.
Central Otago Pinot Noir
The world's southernmost commercial wine region. Cool-climate Pinot Noir grown on the schist slopes of Gibbston and Bannockburn, internationally acclaimed.
Real-Fruit Ice Cream
A South Island institution — soft-serve blended to order with fresh-frozen local berries. Pure fruit, no syrups.
Food Delivery
Uber Eats
Foreign number: accepted — it uses the same Uber account and number as the ride app.
Coverage is solid in central Queenstown but thins out quickly beyond the lakefront. Best for hotel delivery from town-centre restaurants; expect fewer options than in a larger city.
Getting Around
Uber
Foreign number: accepted. — the SMS verification code arrives on international numbers.
Widely available in central Queenstown and the main hotel areas. The most practical option for late-night rides when street taxis are hard to find.
Hiking
Queenstown Hill Time Walk · Moderate
A climbing loop above town to the Basket of Dreams viewpoint sculpture.
6 km loop · 400 m ascent
2 hr 30 min
Ben Lomond Track · Hard
A full-day summit climb from town to a 1,748 m alpine ridge above the lake.
15 km return · 1450 m ascent
7 hr
The final ridge to the summit is exposed and can close in high wind.
Worth Knowing
Notes from the Lake
Both of your days trace the same gold rush. The Shotover River that the jet boats tear through was once called the richest gold-bearing river in the world, and the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge you bungy off was built in 1880 as a goldfields access route. Arrowtown is that rush frozen in place. So the adventure capital of New Zealand is really a mining town that found a second fortune in adrenaline — A.J. Hackett's 1988 leap off a 108-year-old bridge is the moment the switch flipped.
Lake Wakatipu appears to breathe. Its surface rises and falls about 10 centimetres every 25 minutes — a slow standing wave, or seiche, caused by the lake's lightning-bolt shape. Māori tradition tells it as the heartbeat of the giant Matau, sleeping at the bottom with his knees drawn up to form the lake's distinctive bend. The TSS Earnslaw has been steaming across that slow tide since 1912.
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