Southern Lakes and Fiordland

Five major lakes are included in this area each with their own features and infrastructures. Lake Wanaka is often pictured in Autumn when the poplar trees stud the landscape or stand in rows like golden flames.

With the peaks of the Mount Aspiring National Park as a backdrop and the lake and its town to the fore it is attractive in all seasons. Popular during warmer weather for its water based and other outdoor activities, and in winter there are the Cardrona and Treble Cone Ski fields close by.

Lake Hawea has an artificially raised water level as it is part of the Roxburgh/Clutha Hydro scheme and as a result the hillsides plunge directly into the lake giving it a quality of its own.

Lake Wakatipu is the home of Queenstown, a holiday resort town which has experienced phenomenal grown in the last 30 years, but the things that caused this to happen, the awesome lake vistas with the steep and often snow capped Remarkables Range behind remain constant. The town caters to a truly international market with all manner of dining, retail and activity opportunities. The Coronet and Remarkables ski fields maintain visitor interest in the winter.

Nearby Arrowtown has many historic and quaint buildings and a picturesque setting beside the Arrow River. State Highway 6 near Queenstown passes through the Kawarau Gorge which features historic gold mining sites, the Kawarau Bridge with its Bungy Jumping operation and some excellent wineries.

Lake Te Anau and Lake Manapouri border the Fiordland National Park. Te Anau is the gateway to Milford Sound a drive from here of 119km each way, with trips on, over (and even under) the sound available from its terminus

Lake Te Anau is beautiful in it's own right. Glow Worm caves can be visited via a boat trip across the lake and the area has many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

Manapouri is the starting point for trips to Doubtful Sound which comprise a boat trip across Lake Manapouri, a bus which takes you down into the hydro station, then over the Wilmot Pass and onto a different boat to cruise the sound.

Walking tracks of international renown are features in this region, The Kepler Track which circuits an area situated between Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri. The Milford Track which connects the head of Lake Te Anau with Milford Sound. The Routeburn Track which connects the head of Lake Wakatipu with the Milford Road. And The Hollyford Track from the Hollyford Valley near the Milford Road to either Lake McKerrow and Martins Bay or via Lake Alabaster to Big Bay.

The region is one of huge diversity mountains and gorges, fiords and lakes, historic settlements such as Cromwell and Clyde and rural settlements providing a centre for the burgeoning pastoral and cropping industries such as Lumsden and Tuatapere

 

A SELECTION OF ACTIVITIES IN THIS REGION

Arrowtown, Cromwell, Lake Hawea, Lumsden, Makarora,  Manapouri, Mossburn, Queenstown, Te Anau, and Wanaka

Queenstown
(Options for seeing Milford Sound  and Doubtful Sound from Queenstown included)

Appellation Central Wine Tours Queenstown
Travel off the beaten tourist path for wine tasting at vineyards in Queenstown, Gibbston, Bannockburn and Cromwell. All tours include Queenstown accommodation pick up, gourmet platter lunch, wine tasting and the care and attention of specialist guides
Website: Wine Tours Queenstown

Dart River Funyaks Safaris
This trip takes you from the head of Lake Wakatipu at Glenorchy by jetboat up the Dart River into the magnificent scenery of the Mount Aspiring National Park. Navigating the shallow braided river by jetboat to the Funyak® put-in point (1 hr 15 mins). Then you paddle gently downstream, exploring the Rockburn Chasm
Website:  Dart River Safaris Funyaks

Dart River Jet Boat Safaris
At Glenorchy board your jet boat and journey down an intricate network of braided river channels all the way from the head of mighty Lake Wakatipu into the pristine Mount Aspiring National Park.
Website: Dart River Safaris Jet Boat

Family Adventures Queenstown rafting
Looking for a Queenstown rafting or kayaking adventure for the whole family, then this is the family activity for you. Family Adventures are specialists in family/small group trips rafting and kayaking the upper reaches of the famous Shotover River
Website: Family Rafting Queenstown

Guided Walks New Zealand Ltd Helihikes
From your base in Queenstown the addition of helicopter flight to your guided walking experience opens up options far and wide. From the Earnslaw Wakatipu area all the way to beaches of South Westland. Guided heli hiking from Queenstown for an unforgettable adventure into the New Zealand wilderness.
Website: Helicopter Hiking Queenstown

Guided Walks New Zealand Ltd Queenstown guided walks
Queenstown Guided Nature Walks will introduce you to the diversity of New Zealand's flora and fauna, outstanding scenery, plus a wine and food tour option to sample the flavours of Queenstown's Central Otago region.
Website: Guided Walks Queenstown

Guided Walks New Zealand Ltd Rob Roy Glacier
Guided walk to view the Rob Roy Glacier from Queenstown or Wanaka. Travel with Guided Nature Walks New Zealand into the Mount Aspiring National Park on this all day trip. Travel from the valley floor of the Matukituki River to an elevated viewing point for spectacular glacier views.
Website: Guided Walk Wanaka Rob Roy Glacier 

Guided Walks New Zealand Ltd Routeburn Track 1 day guided walk
If you would like to walk on the famous Routeburn Track as a day trip from Queenstown then this is the guided hiking trip into the Mount Aspiring National Park for you
Website: Guided Walk Routeburn Track

Hollyford Track guided 3 day walk
The Hollyford 3 Day Wilderness Journey is an all-inclusive spectacular walk from the mountains to the sea that is suitable for a wide range of fitness levels. Unlike any other walk, the scenery is geologically spectacular and ever changing - snow capped mountains, glaciers, rainforests, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, reefs, sand dunes and surf.
Website: Hollyford Track

Landsborough River 3 day guided rafting trip
The Landsborough River is unique, running 60kms parallel to New Zealand’s Southern Alps before meeting the sea at Haast in South Westland - a World Heritage Area. Its upper reaches are protected wilderness and provide spectacular glaciers, bush, river and mountain scenery.
Website: Landsborough Rafting

Milford Track Guided 1 day walk
Even if you are short on time, you can experience a taste of the world famous Milford Track. Enjoy a leisurely walk through ancient beech forest and grassy flats and take the time to soak up the magnificent surrounds.
Website: Milford Track 1 day walk

Queenstown Rafting 1 day Shotover & Kawarau river trips
Queenstown Rafting offer Kawarau River Rafting, Shotover River Rafting and Shotover Heli Rafting the ultimate new Zealand white water rafting experience. Queenstown Rafting are the outdoor adventure activity and adrenaline specialists, offering numerous rafting and adventure packages, for a truly exciting and memorable New Zealand vacation!
Website: Queenstown Rafting

Real Journeys Doubtful Sound day cruise
Doubtful Sound located in a World Heritage Area, is an overwhelming place. You can feel the power of nature here - the remoteness, the wildness and the peace.
Website:Doubtful Sound DayTrip

Real Journeys Doubtful Sound overnight cruise
Immerse yourself in Doubtful Sound’s breathtaking beauty, towering peaks and bush clad islands with an overnight cruise. Following a short cruise across island-studded Lake Manapouri and a coach trip on the remote sub-alpine route over Wilmot Pass you will board the Fiordland Navigator at Deep Cove.
Website:Doubtful Sound Overnight

Real Journeys Milford Sound day cruises
Milford Sound is simply stunning - it is a natural wonder of world fame. In Maori legend, the fiords were created not by rivers of ice, but by Tu Te Raki Whanoa, a godly figure who came wielding a magical adze and uttering incantations. Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) is without doubt his finest sculpture.
Website: CLICK HERE http://www.newzealandaustralianholidays.com/New-Zealand/milford-sound-day-cruises.htm

Real Journeys Milford Sound overnight cruise
Overnighting in the long southern twilight of spectacular Milford Sound, is a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience. Overnight cruises offers visitors the chance to relax and explore the magnificent scenery and wildlife of this world-renowned fiord. Choose from two overnight cruise options at Milford Sound..
Website: Milford Sound Overnight

Real Journeys Milford Sound scenic flights
Hanging valleys, hidden alpine lakes and cloud-piercing summits are just some of the reasons why flying over the Southern Alps between Queenstown and Milford is an excursion of a lifetime! Our experienced pilots will point out the stunning scenery throughout the flight and as you fly into Milford Sound
Website: Milford Sound Scenic Flight

Real Journeys TSS Earnslaw lake cruises
Relive the elegance of turn-of-the-century travel with a cruise from Queenstown aboard the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw, the only coal fired passenger carrying vessel still operating in the southern hemisphere.
Website: Steamer Cruise Queenstown

Routeburn Track Guided 3 day walk
The Routeburn Track Guided Walk is a 3 day / 2 night Queenstown to Queenstown all-inclusive guided walk traversing sections of the Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Parks.
Website: Routeburn Guided Walk

Shotover Jet Boat Trips
Shotover Jet is the only company permitted to operate in the spectacular Shotover River Canyons. It's a thrilling ride - skimming past rocky outcrops at close range in your Shotover Jet 'Big Red', as you twist and turn through the narrow canyons at breath taking speeds
Website: Shotover Jet Boat

Southern Trout guided fishing
Southern Trout owner/operators Nick Clark and Ken Cochrane have been registered members of the New Zealand Professional Fishing Guides Association for 12 years. Nick and Ken are fly-fishing-only specialists with 75 years' combined experienced, based in Queenstown, New Zealand
Website: CLICK HERE Guided Trout Fishing Queenstown

Other activities:

Bungy Jumping, more of a spectator sport but if you can get over the heights now is the chance to do it. The Kawarau Bridge Bungy (bungee) - home to the original 43 metre Bungy Jump. If you've heard of Bungy, you've heard of the Kawarau... it is where Bungy founders AJ Hackett and Henry van Ash started it all.
website: http://www.bungy.co.nz/kawarau-bungy-centre/kawarau-bungy

Hunt South, guided hunting experiences within Fiordland National Park, and on private land, South Island, New Zealand.
Phone: +64 (03) 249 9230
Fax: +64 (03) 249 9232
e-mail:info@huntsouth.co.nz
Website: www.huntsouth.co.nz

Four Wheel Drive Safaris, see some of the amazing back country with New Zealand Nomad Safaris
hone: +64 (03) 442 6699
Fax: +64 (03) 442 7346.

Stu Dever Fishing Charters Queenstown, Not just a great boat and skipper but also a fishing guide with an uncanny ability to sense fish and create exciting fishing experiences for all of our clients.
website: http://www.fishing-queenstown.co.nz/
Phone + 64 3 442 6371
e-mail: studever.fishing@xtra.co.nz    
 

Wanaka, Lake Hawea and Makarora

Guided Walks New Zealand Ltd Rob Roy Glacier
Guided walk to view the Rob Roy Glacier from Queenstown or Wanaka. Travel with Guided Nature Walks New Zealand into the Mount Aspiring National Park on this all day trip. Travel from the valley floor of the Matukituki River to an elevated viewing point for spectacular glacier views.
Website: Guided Walk Rob Roy Glacier

Southern Alps Air Ltd Siberia Experience
Departing from Makarora located between Wanaka and Haast, join Siberia Experience for a combination tour with a difference. Flowing from one segment of the journey to the next you will fly into the Siberia Valley, walk to the Wilkin Valley and jetboat out along the Wilkin River.
Website: Siberia Experience

Wanaka Golf Club, Wanaka has an 18-hole golf course of a good standard, its location affords lovely views of the lake. There is a golf pro and shop where clubs, trundlers & motorized golf carts can be hired. Green fees players are welcome to use the clubhouse.
Phone: 64 (03) 443 7888.

Numerous walks, the lakeside walk Roy’s Bay walk is our favorite, there is also a stunning day walk to the Rob Roy Glacier, check with the information centre for conditions. Good walking boots required.

Fly fishing, Wanaka offers the opportunity of fishing for brown and rainbow trout in Lake Wanaka or its many streams, fish independently (License required) or with a guide There are huge trout that live around the jetty on the lakefront, no fishing allowed here.
Fishing Guide Gerald Telford
Phone: +64 (03) 443 9257
Website: http://www.flyfishhunt.co.nz 

Horse trekking 2 hour and full day trips with Back Country Saddle Expeditions, one days notice needed for full day trips
Phone: +64 (03) 443 8151
e-mail: back.country.saddle.expeditions@xtra.co.nz 

Scenic Flights with Aspiring Air, Milford Sound, Mount Cook, Mount Aspiring, West Coast Glaciers If you are planning a scenic flight they are available from Hokitika, West Coast Glaciers, Wanaka, Queenstown, Te Anau, Mount Cook, Tekapo. Our advice is when the day is clear do it from wherever you are. One of the best on a clear day is from Hokitika down the coast to Fiordland.
Freephone in NZ:0800 100 943
Website: http://www.nz-flights.com

Rippon vineyard, an organic vineyard with Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and other varieties, 15 mins walk around the Lake shore from town on the Roy’s Bay walk.
Phone: 64 3 443 8084

Jet Boating on the Clutha River, if you are going to Jet boat you can do it here or in Queenstown.

Alpine River Guides, Kayaking through this stunning countryside with professional guides, the Matukituki Valley is a nature lover’s paradise.
Phone: +64 (03) 443 9422
Website: http://www.alpinekayaks.co.nz 
 

Te Anau, Lumsden, Mossburn and Manapouri

Day trip to Milford Sound either independently or guided, the driver on an independent trip will miss some of the spectacular scenery, so we recommend a small group guided trip. Over the years Trips & Tramps have built a reputation for informative guided trips with groups of up to 12, they also know how to time their stops to avoid the big coaches visiting from Queenstown. Their trip includes a cruise on Milford Sound. Please note that they do take the rural mail so those in a hurry may well prefer to make their own way. For independent trips the Information centre has good brochure information.

Trips and Tramps
Day trip to Doubtful Sound, more remote and quite different to Milford Sound. Fiordland Travel.
Fiordland Travel, Milford and Doubtful Sound, including Milford Sound overnights on the Milford Wanderer.
Freephone in NZ:0800 65 65 01
Phone: 64 3 249 7416
Website: CLICK HERE

Kayak Milford Sound with Fiordland Wilderness Experiences
'Phone: 64 3 249 7700
e-mail: info@fiordlandseakayak.co.nz
Website: www.fiordlandseakayak.co.nz

Southern Lakes Helicopters, based at Te Anau. Experience one of their extensive range of pre-specified trips, or charter a flight to suit your own interests.
Phone: (03) 249-7167
Fax: (03) 249-7267
e-mail: info@southernlakeshelicopters.co.nz 
Website: www.southernlakeshelicopters.co.nz 

Mitre Peak Cruises on Milford Sound
Phone: +64 (03) 249 8110
Website: www.mitrepeak.com 

Arrowtown

Golf at the Millbrook Course, see:
Website: www.millbrook.co.nz 

Strolling around lovely Arrowtown, if your feeling a bit more energetic than strolling there are some walks through the old gold workings on the other side of the river from Arrowtown.
The Museum here is interesting and well worth a visit.
This is really a lovely spot located beside the Arrow River.

Top of page