Queenstown is a base as much as a destination, and some of the finest things to do sit a drive, a flight or a cruise away. The trick is to choose day trips that fit your time, your energy and the weather, because they vary enormously in length. Some are half-day outings that leave plenty of time for an evening in town, while others occupy a whole day and ask for an early start. Here are the best options, with an honest sense of what each involves.
Milford Sound / Piopiotahi
The classic. It is a long day, around twelve hours by coach, as the road runs south to Te Anau and then along the Milford Road through the Eglinton Valley and the Homer Tunnel. The reward is a cruise beneath Mitre Peak and a series of waterfalls, with seals on the rocks and rainforest clinging to sheer walls. You can also fly in, cutting the travel to a fraction of the time, or drive yourself and stay a night in Te Anau. The road can close for weather, rockfall or avalanche risk, so check conditions the evening before and keep a spare day.
Doubtful Sound / Patea
For solitude and scale, this is the alternative. The route involves a coach transfer, a boat across Lake Manapouri and a coach over Wilmot Pass before the cruise begins, so the day is long and the pace unhurried. The fiord is larger and quieter than Milford, with a good chance of seeing fur seals and dolphins. Choose it if you have already seen Milford or if you value silence over fame.
Glenorchy and Paradise
The easiest and arguably the most beautiful short outing. The road follows the northern shore of Lake Wakatipu for about forty-five kilometres, with lookouts and short walks on the way, and ends at a small township surrounded by mountains. It makes a good half day by car or on a scenic tour, and it can be extended with a Dart River jet boat ride or a walk on the Routeburn Track. Use it as a flexible, weather-friendly option.
Arrowtown and the Gibbston Valley
These two combine well into a relaxed half or full day. Arrowtown is a gold-rush village of tree-lined streets, cafés and a restored Chinese miners’ settlement, about twenty to thirty minutes from Queenstown. The Gibbston Valley lies in the opposite direction along the Kawarau Gorge, with wineries, a wine cave and a cheesery. You can pass the Kawarau Bridge on the way for a look at the bungy site, and a cycle trail links parts of the route for those who prefer to pedal.
Aoraki / Mount Cook
Around four hours each way, so this is a big day, but it takes you across the Mackenzie Country, past the turquoise water of Lake Pukaki, to the base of New Zealand’s highest mountain. The Hooker Valley Track is the best-known walk. Many visitors prefer to stay overnight at the village, Twizel or Lake Tekapo, but guided day tours exist for those short of time.
Wanaka
A pleasant outing over the Crown Range, the highest sealed main road in the country, or through the Kawarau Gorge. Wanaka is a lakeside town with its own mountain scenery, cafés and walks, and it combines with Arrowtown on a loop. The road over the Crown Range is steep and winding, so take care in poor weather and in winter.
How to choose
If you have one day, choose a fiord for the drama or Glenorchy for the ease. If you have two, add Arrowtown and the Gibbston Valley as a relaxed counterpoint. If you love mountains and have time, add Mount Cook. If the forecast is wet, favour the fiords, where rain adds waterfalls, and avoid high-altitude walks and scenic flights. If you travel with children, favour shorter days such as Glenorchy and Arrowtown, and break up longer trips with a night away.
Practical tips
Book the long trips early, particularly in summer. Carry layers and waterproofs, snacks and water, and fill the tank before leaving town if you drive. Check road conditions, especially in winter, and keep a spare day in your itinerary. Many day trips offer hotel pick-ups in central Queenstown, so a hotel in or near the centre makes the early start simpler.