MILFORD SOUND – QUEENSTOWN

Driver Information
New Zealand ItinerariesTravel distance is approximately 289kms (181 miles).
Allow at least 3.75 hours drive time (not including stops).

After another opportunity to enjoy the scenic route from Milford back to Te Anau you will continue your journey past rivers and high country scenery as you drive towards Queenstown.

A lot of your journey follows the scenic edge of Lake Wakatipu, making for a delightful trip.

Some notable stops along the route to Queenstown include:

KEY SUMMIT TRACK
Accessed from Milford Road, the Key Summit track is an ideal introduction to the impressive scenery and natural features of Fiordland National Park. This is a great walk, taking approximately 3 hours return. The track starts at The Divide carpark and follows the Routeburn Track for about an hour. It then branches off on a 20-minute climb to Key Summit, where there is a self guided alpine nature walk.

BRACKEN HALL – MOSSBURN
New Zealand ItinerariesA terrific Kiwi gift shop and cafe with homemade scones, muffins, Devonshire teas, fresh Venison pies and more. Huge range of quality gifts and collectables including plenty of NZ made products.

LUMSDEN
This beautiful rural township is located in Northern Southland and is a great place for trying your fishing skills against the famous Brown Trout.

QUEENSTOWN GOLF CLUB
Internationally regarded as one of the more picturesque golf courses in the world, even if you don’t play golf a slight detour on route to Queenstown to Kelvin Heights is worth it just for the stunning views at this 18 hole golf course. On-site cafe and bar.

QUEENSTOWN
Once you have visited Queenstown it will come as no surprise that Queenstown has an international reputation as the world’s favourite adrenaline destination! However not everything is wild, there is plenty to see and do that doesn’t have to raise your heart rate… much!

Considered New Zealand’s premier ‘year round’ lake and alpine resort, this stunning town is nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and is surrounded by majestic mountains.

You will have no problems finding suitable accommodation! From ultra luxurious romantic resorts to holiday houses, self catering apartments, luxury hotels, motels, bed & breakfast or camp grounds… it’s all here!

As far as dining goes… where do you start? Cheap takeways to first class, award winning dining, its all here for the tasting! Along with the normal choices of fast food options, there are a great range of cafes and restaurants offering some of the best local cuisine.

Highly recommended Queenstown tourist attractions include…

Queenstown Gondola & Luge – Located high above the town is the distinctive outline of the Skyline complex, home to the best views in Queenstown! Reputed to be the steepest lift in the Southern Hemisphere, the gondola carries visitors high above Queenstown to the Skyline complex located on Bob’s Peak. For the more adventurous you can choose to come back down at a hurtling pace on a luge!

Jet Boating – Rev up your excitement in Queenstown with a thrilling jet boat ride on the spectacular Shotover River, including the world famous 360º spins!

Luge – Enjoy the fun filled gravity ride that is the Skyline Luge offering two tracks for scenic riders or advanced for those wanting a bit more adventure! The Luge tracks wind 800 metres down through the trees, with spectacular views of Queenstown and The Remarkables.

The Winehouse – This fabulous winery and restaurant enjoys unobstructed views of the rugged Kawarau Gorge hillsides and the spectacular Bridal Veil Waterfall while the landscaped grounds boast a croquet green, secret garden, potager garden and children’s sandhill. Enjoy wholesome, hearty, healthy, farmhouse style food using the freshest produce and best quality meats and seafood matched with their own range of van Asch Wines.

Bungy Jumping – Queenstown is home to AJ Hackett bungy jumping and there are an impressive six very different experiences in Queenstown to be had, including the Nevis Arc, Nevis Highwire Bungy, Kawarau Bridge Bungy, The Ledge Bungy, The Ledge Sky Swing and the Bungy Tours.

Kiwi Birdlife Park – Located in Queenstown, this 8 acres of established native trees and wildlife provides visitors with an easy stroll around New Zealand native bush and wildlife. All visitors are guaranteed to view a Kiwi along with other birdlife, the park also features a cafe, early Maori Hunting Village, retail centre and native garden trail.

High Country Horse Trek – Experience the high country with High Country Horses located in the Rees Valley, Glenorchy. Ride into the hills for stunning views across the river valley or meander along the valley floor following snow-fed river channels. Totally relaxing and enjoying!

Horse Trek – Located in Glenorchy (only 45 minutes from Queenstown) is the popular Dart Stables, offering horseback riding for beginners to experienced riders, short treks across the Dart and Rees rivers to day long rides into Paradise Valley.

TSS Earnslaw Lake Cruise – Cruise across the beautiful Lake Wakatipu aboard the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw, also known as ‘The Lady of the Lake’. Transporting goods to remote settlements since 1912, now you have the chance to enjoy a lake cruise to Walter Peak High Country Farm.

White Water Rafting – A chance to experience New Zealand’s white water river rafting at its best! Choose from a range of numerous rafting packages to suit your timeframe and adrenaline level! Exciting rafting trips are available on the Kawarau and Shotover River’s.

Ski-ing & Snowboarding – Queenstown is one of the most popular places for winter fun! With some of the best ski fields in the world, visitors flock from around the world to hit the slopes of Coronet Peak, Cardona and more!

Guided Nature Walk – Enjoy a half or full day eco-sensitive guided nature walk with an experienced guide in a small group.

Wine Tour – Enjoy a wine tour of the premium vineyards of Central Otago. A range of tours are on offer, from small group tours to luxury wine tours and even Jet Boat wine tours!

Aerobatic Flight – Experience real aerobatics in the ultimate flying experience as you brace yourself for true G-Forces and sky dancing as you experience an unique aerial experience.

Freshwater Fishing – Try your hand at fly fishing in the lakes and rivers in the Queenstown region with an experienced fishing guide. Flyfishing schools and personalised guided trips are also available.

Balloon Ride – Experience the magic of sunrise over the lakes and mountains with Sunrise Balloons as you float gently along before enjoying a champagne style breakfast when you land.

Golf – There are plenty of terrific golf courses in the Queenstown region to be enjoyed, including the challenges of Arrowtown Golf Club and stunning Millbrook Resort Golf Course, while Frankton Golf Course is a smaller 9 hole course and Kelvin Heights offers an 18 hole course.
New Zealand Itineraries: South Island Suggested Itineraries

Our modern self-drive travel Itineraries have routes specifically for the North Island as well as the South Island, ranging from 5 to 11 days, plus there are some travel routes that take in both the North and South Island’s. Our range of travel itineraries include information regarding travel distances and time to ensure that you can make the best of your time in New Zealand, no longer how short your visit!

  • 5 Day Itinerary: Christchurch – Greymouth, Greymouth – Fox Glacier, Franz Josef – Wanaka, Wanaka – Mt Cook and Mt Cook – Christchurch
  • 5 Day Itinerary (route 2): Christchurch – Hanmer Springs, Hanmer Springs – St Arnuad, St Arnuad – Blenheim, Blenheim – Kaikoura and Kaikoura – Christchurch
  • 5 Day Itinerary (route 3): Christchurch – Mt Cook, Mt Cook – Queenstown, Queenstown – Dunedin, Dunedin – Oamaru and Oamaru – Christchurch
  • 7 Day Itinerary: Christchurch – Dunedin, Dunedin – Invercargill, Invercargill – Stewart Island, Stewart Island – Te-anau, Te Anau – Milford Sound, Te Anau – Queenstown and Queenstown – Christchurch
  • 8 Day Itinerary: Christchurch – Greymouth, Greymouth – Fox Glacier, Fox Glacier – Wanaka, Wanaka – Queenstown, Queenstown – Te Anau, Te Anau – Dunedin and Dunedin – Christchurch
  • 9 Day Itinerary: Christchurch – Dunedin, Dunedin, Dunedin – Invercragill, Invercargill – Te Anau, Te Anau Milford Sound, Te Anau – Queenstown, Queenstown – Mt Cook, Mt Cook – Lake Tekapo and Lake Tekapo – Christchurch
  • 9 Day Itinerary (route 2): Christchurch – Omarama, Omarama – Dunedin, Dunedin, Dunedin – Te Anau, Te Anau – Milford Sound, Te Anau – Queenstown, Queenstown – Haast, Haast – Greymouth and Greymouth – Christchurch
  • 9 Day Itinerary (route 3): Christchurch – Hanmer Springs, Hanmer Springs – Greymouth, Greymouth – Nelson, Nelson – Takaka, Takaka – Motueka, Motueka – Nelson, Nelson – Blenheim, Blenheim – Kaikoura and Kaikoura – Christchurch
  • 11 Day Itinerary: Christchurch – Dunedin, Dunedin – Te Anau, Te Anau – Milford Sound, Milford Sound – Queenstown, Queenstown – Wanaka, Wanaka – Franz Josef, Franz Josef – Greymouth, Greymouth – Nelson, Nelson – Blenheim, Blenheim – Kaikoura and Kaikoura – Christchurch