Queenstown’s 7 Top Day Trips

Queenstown is a small resort city in New Zealand that sits on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and boasts lovely views of snow-covered mountains. Not too way back, it was recognized primarily as a snowboarding getaway, however that has modified dramatically. At this time, guests flock to this self-proclaimed “Journey Capital of the World” yr spherical to get pleasure from all that the beautiful area has to supply, together with white water river rafting, climbing and jet boating.

And if these actions are too tame for you, Queenstown additionally has loads of uncommon adrenaline sports activities that you could strive, together with zorbing, canyon swinging and white water sledging. Though this city likes to brag about its wild aspect, you too can discover loads of peaceable escapes only a brief day journey from Queenstown.

Map of day journeys from Queenstown

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If you happen to get pleasure from strolling by quaint little villages, you’ll love Arrowtown. This former gold mining city, which is situated roughly 20 minutes from Queenstown on the banks of the Arrow River, nonetheless maintains a lot of its historic attraction.

Do you need to be taught extra about New Zealand’s gold rush and the historical past of this space? Then ensure that to take a look at the Lakes District Museum and take a jaunt over to the fascinating Chinese language miners’ settlement. Feeling fortunate? You then’ll need to strive your hand at panning for gold. And since the realm surrounding Arrowtown boasts many trails, together with the Queenstown Path, it’s also a preferred spot with cyclists and hikers. Though Arrowtown is a four-season city, it’s recognized for being particularly lovely within the fall when the foliage is altering colours.

Attending to Arrowtown

• To get to Arrowtown by bus, take the blue route Orbus service which prices $2. It takes about half-an-hour from Camp St, Village Inexperienced within the middle of Queenstown.
• Driving takes round 20 minutes, and you’ve got two choices obtainable to you. You may both head north out of Queenstown on Gorge Street, which takes you previous Arthurs Level, or you possibly can take the southern route alongside State Freeway 6 till you flip off simply previous Lake Hayes and observe indicators to Arrowtown. You may’t go improper with both route, because the surroundings is gorgeous. As soon as having explored the city, you would at all times head to the close by Central Otago Wine Area which is only a brief drive away.
• Many guests choose to take a guided tour to see as most of the area’s unbelievable sights as doable. In addition to exploring Arrowtown’s gold mining previous, excursions take you to Gibbston Valley’s lovely vineyards, earlier than culminating with leisure time on the shores of Roys Bay at Wanaka. See journey opinions & costs.

The Central Otago Wine Area is thought for being essentially the most southerly business wine-growing area on the planet. It’s also New Zealand’s highest and — arguably — it’s most scenic. The Central Otago Wine Area’s mountainous setting supplies its vineyards with winters which might be chilly and summers which might be scorching and dry. Rain is minimal on this space. So weather-wise, the Central Otago Wine Area is ideal for producing Pinot Noir wines.

You may self-drive and expertise this area’s many vineyards by yourself or you would take part in a guided tour and let another person do the driving for you. And in the event you’re excited by actually attending to soak in the great thing about this area, you would at all times choose to take a biking tour of the wineries as an alternative.

Attending to Central Otago

• The Central Otago Wine Area is made up of six sub-regions, and every has its personal distinctive traits and really feel – though the surroundings is beautiful wherever you go. By automobile, you possibly can go to a lot of them in a day; Gibbston, Bannockburn, and the Cromwell Basin are all very shut to one another. Head east out of Queenstown on State Freeway 6. After half-an-hour, you’ll attain Gibbston, the place you possibly can strive some wines earlier than heading on to the opposite two, that are 20 minutes additional alongside the identical street.
• If everybody in your get together desires to pattern the scrumptious wines, you might be higher off taking a guided tour of the area. With stops at 4 or 5 wineries included within the itinerary, you’ll get to strive among the area’s greatest wines, in addition to go to a lot of beautiful vineyards. See journey opinions & costs.

That is New Zealand’s third largest nationwide park and a paradise for photographers. In Mt. Aspiring Nationwide Park, you’ll discover glaciers, hovering mountains, lovely valleys, distinctive rock formations and wonderful waterfalls and lakes. This park additionally boasts a lot of climbing trails, starting from brief jaunts to lengthy, arduous treks that may take a look at your health. One of the crucial standard trails is the brief, 30-minute stroll to the completely beautiful, crystal-clear Blue Swimming pools.

Adrenaline junkies can get their repair on this park with jet boat rides or heli-skiing and heli-hiking. Are you a fan of the “Lord of the Rings” motion pictures? You then may acknowledge this park, which was used because the settings for Lothlorien and Isengard.

Attending to Mt. Aspiring Nationwide Park

• A enjoyable and exhilarating strategy to discover Mt. Aspiring Nationwide Park is to take a guided tour of its superb waterways. Surrounded by unbelievable surroundings, you’ll paddle or jet boat your means beneath mountains, by forests, and alongside secluded streams. A magical day trip, this tour will allow you to immerse your self within the fantastic nature on present. See journey opinions & costs.

If you happen to’re trying to find a day journey from Queenstown that may fulfill the animal and surroundings lovers in your group, contemplate heading to Uncertain Sound, which is situated in Fiordland Nationwide Park. Though it’s thrice longer than and ten instances bigger than Milford Sound, it’s the lesser recognized of the 2 sounds and so will get fewer guests.

The vacationers who do enterprise to this distant space are rewarded with a pristine wilderness that’s unbelievably peaceable and jaw-dropping-ly beautiful. Whereas within the sound, maintain a watch out for dolphins and Southern fur seals. And in the event you’re actually fortunate, you might even catch a glimpse of the very uncommon Fiordland crested penguin often known as Tawaki.

Attending to Uncertain Sound

• The easiest way to go to the wild and exquisite Uncertain Sound is by taking a guided tour. Guests invariably come away impressed in any respect they’ve seen. Whereas driving by the spectacular surroundings of Fiordland Nationwide Park is gorgeous, the spotlight of the tour is the three-hour cruise; the views on supply are simply astounding. With dwell commentary supplied, you’ll be taught all concerning the fjord and should even spot dolphins, seals, and penguins. See journey opinions & costs.

The Wanaka area is situated within the lovely Southern Alps and is an adrenaline junkie’s dream come true. It, in actual fact, it claims to be one of many world’s greatest journey cities. Wanaka is standard with skiers within the winter and with hikers and rock climbers throughout the summer season.

Located on the southern finish of Lake Wanaka, you too can go jet boating, take a helicopter to a glacier, parasail, skydive, take a look at your abilities on a By way of Ferrata tour or go four-wheel-driving.

Wanaka additionally has a lot of actions for non-adrenaline junkies, together with stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking. After all, all of those actions are positive to depart you hungry and thirsty. Happily, the city of Wanaka boasts greater than 150 eating places and bars, so refueling on your subsequent journey shouldn’t be an issue even for the pickiest diner.

Attending to Wanaka

• Round an hour away by automobile, Wanaka may be very simple to drive to. On the best way, you’ll move by some pretty surroundings, with mountains, valleys, and lakes wherever you look. Head east out of city on the 6A. At Arrow Junction, proceed heading east on Crown Vary Street and easily observe all of it the best way to Wanaka. This street is the very best sealed street within the nation; as such, there are some fabulous views available alongside the best way.
• An alternative choice is to take a guided tour. This contains stops at each Wanaka and Arrowtown, in addition to a drive to most of the most scenic spots within the surrounding space. A very talked-about tour, it gives the right mix of historical past, tradition, and nature with one thing for everybody to get pleasure from. See journey opinions & costs.

Glenorchy is only a 45-minute drive from Queenstown, however in different methods, it appears a world aside. The landscapes round this small, rustic city are, in actual fact, so distinctive and magical that many scenes for The Lord of the Rings trilogy, X Males Origins: Wolverine, and Narnia have been shot right here. So it’s most likely not shocking that the city of Glenorchy, which sits on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, has been known as the “Gateway to Paradise.”

Glenorchy can be the start line for the Routeburn Monitor, one among New Zealand’s hottest and well-known hikes. Along with climbing, different methods you possibly can discover this area embody horseback treks, kayaking and jet boat safaris.

Attending to Glenorchy

• Driving from Queenstown to Glenorchy couldn’t be easier, and solely takes round 45 minutes. Merely head west out of city and observe the street that borders the shores of Lake Wakatipu till you arrive at Glenorchy. There are a great deal of unbelievable photograph alternatives to alongside the best way, and the surroundings on supply is beautiful.
• Many individuals choose to take a tour to Glenorchy; this takes you to most of the beautiful areas the place scenes from Lord of the Rings and different film franchises have been filmed. Your information can even let you know concerning the lovely fauna and flora you come throughout. See journey opinions & costs.

Milford Sound, which is situated in Fiordland Nationwide Park, is thought for its superb surroundings, together with sheer cliffs that plunge into the waters of the fjord and exquisite waterfalls. In reality, this space is so magical that Rudyard Kipling as soon as known as Milford Sound the “eighth marvel of the world.”

Top-of-the-line methods to get pleasure from Milford Sound is on a ship tour, the place you may spot dolphins, seals and penguins. Different standard methods to discover Milford Sound embody climbing, biking and kayaking. And in the event you’re excited by trying out the creatures that dwell beneath the ocean, you’ll need to maintain a spot open in your itinerary for a cease on the underwater observatory at Harrison Cove.

Attending to Milford Sound

• As it’s a few 600 kilometer spherical journey from Queenstown to Milford Sound, you’ll spend various time on the bus getting there and again; that is inevitable until you’re taking a flight there. The bus takes round 4 hours a method, however is undoubtedly one of the scenic bus journeys on the planet, as you move awe-inspiring mountains, glittering lakes, and plush rainforest. Early within the morning, hop on any one of many buses that depart from the middle of Queenstown and easily sit again and benefit from the experience.
• An alternative choice is to take a guided tour. That is most likely essentially the most environment friendly strategy to go to Milford Sound and profit from your time whenever you’re there. With a lot of sightseeing stops included alongside the best way, guests will get to see The Remarkables mountain vary and Lake Te Anau, amongst different sights. The spotlight is a scenic cruise alongside a fjord surrounded by all of the majestic surroundings. See journey opinions & costs.