New Zealand 7-Day Trip: The South Island
Queenstown, New Zealand · 7 days · 7 stops · Light
Adventure · Nature · Sports
- Destination
- Queenstown, New Zealand
- Duration
- 7 days
- Travel style
- Adventure
- Interests
- Nature · Sports
- Region
- Oceania
- Best time
- Dec-Feb
From gateway to destination
- GatewayZQNQueenstown Airport
- Day 1Queenstown — Arrive1 stops · 14:00 – 14:00
- Day 2Queenstown — Adventure1 stops · 09:00 – 09:00
- Day 3Wanaka1 stops · 10:00 – 10:00
- Day 4Mount Cook1 stops · 09:00 – 09:00
- Day 5Te Anau & Milford1 stops · 08:00 – 08:00
- Day 6Glenorchy & Paradise1 stops · 10:00 – 10:00
- Day 7Departure1 stops · 11:00 – 11:00
- DestinationQueenstownNew Zealand
One week around the south: Queenstown's adventures, Wanaka's tree, Mount Cook's glacier road and thefiords' deep water.
- Road Trip
- Nature
- Adventure
Journey highlights
01
Milford beneath Mitre Peak
- 02
Hooker Valley's three bridges
- 03
The road to Paradise (it's real)
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 01
Queenstown — Arrive
1 stops · 14:00 – 14:00
- 14:00Gondola & the lakefront
Next stop
Queenstown — ArriveQueenstown — Adventure
Day 02
Queenstown — Adventure
1 stops · 09:00 – 09:00
- 09:00Jet boat & bungee menu
Next stop
Queenstown — AdventureWanaka
Day 03
Wanaka
1 stops · 10:00 – 10:00
- 10:00Roys Peak's viewpoint or the lone tree
Next stop
WanakaMount Cook
Day 04
Mount Cook
1 stops · 09:00 – 09:00
- 09:00Hooker Valley's swing bridges
Next stop
Mount CookTe Anau & Milford
Day 05
Te Anau & Milford
1 stops · 08:00 – 08:00
- 08:00The fiord cruise beneath Mitre Peak
Next stop
Te Anau & MilfordGlenorchy & Paradise
Day 06
Glenorchy & Paradise
1 stops · 10:00 – 10:00
- 10:00The road at the end of the map
Next stop
Glenorchy & ParadiseDeparture
Day 07
Departure
1 stops · 11:00 – 11:00
- 11:00ZQN's alpine takeoff
Where to eat in Queenstown
Fergburger
Queenstown's queue · $
Kirkwood Village & Arrowtown cafés
Central Otago · $$
Te Anau lakefront kitchens
Fiordland fuel · $$
Journey practicalities
- Gateway
- ZQN · Queenstown Airport
- Time zone
- Pacific/Auckland
- Currency
- NZD
- Scheduled stops
- 7
- Journey pace
- Light
When to go
Dec-Feb
December–March is the long-day season; June–September adds snow to every view. Mountain weather changes fast — drive by daylight.
- Best months
- Dec-Feb
- Climate score
- Good · 78/100
Journey budget
1,260 NZD
Estimated total for 7 days covering accommodation, local transport, food and the 7 scheduled stops. International flights are not included.
- Per day
- 180 NZD
- Scheduled stops
- 7
Where to stay in Queenstown
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Queenstown travel guides
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