Full day from Queenstown
A full day dedicated to Piopiotahi, the most famous of the fiords, reached by one of New Zealand's great scenic drives. We leave Queenstown in the morning and head towards the Southern Alps and Fiordland, stopping in Te Anau and at the viewpoints and short walks that make the Milford Road worth taking slowly. When we reach Milford Sound you board a nature cruise of close to two hours that travels the length of the fiord, passing beneath Mitre Peak and the Bowen and Stirling Falls before reaching the point where the fiord meets the open sea. Seals, dolphins, and the occasional Fiordland penguin are often seen along the shore. The drive is around four hours each way, plus stops, so on fine days you may prefer to return by scenic flight instead, taking in the peaks, glaciers, and hidden lakes from above.
Half day from Queenstown
A half day, roughly four to five hours, is enough to reach some of the most beautiful scenery in the country without feeling rushed. The road follows the edge of Lake Wakatipu, one of the finest drives in New Zealand, to the small township of Glenorchy and its quiet waterfront. Beyond it lie Paradise and the entrance to Mount Aspiring National Park, a landscape of ancient beech forest, braided rivers, and valleys carved by long vanished glaciers. Along the way your guide shares the region's Māori history and points out the film locations many guests will recognise from the screen. Offered as either a morning or an afternoon journey, with a stop for tea at a viewpoint that speaks for itself.
Full day from Queenstown
A full day exploring Aoraki, the highest of New Zealand's mountains. The drive itself is a highlight, through the Kawarau Gorge and over the Lindis Pass into the wide open spaces of the Mackenzie, until Lake Pukaki comes into view in its striking blue with the mountain standing clear beyond. On arrival you have a few hours in the national park to spend as you please: alpine walking tracks to explore, the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre to visit, or simply the glaciers, lakes, and high peaks to take in at your own pace. For those who want to go further, an optional scenic flight takes you over the ice, with the chance to land on the Tasman Glacier itself. Expect a full day of travel, around twelve hours in all, with the drive every bit as memorable as the destination.
