South Island · Te Waipounamu
Lakes, snowy peaks,
fiords.
Most of the New Zealand you’ve seen in photos is here. Adventure seekers and lakeside sitters alike can enjoy it at their own pace.
Lake Pukaki and Aoraki/Mount Cook
How far by car from Queenstown?
Approximate driving times. The South Island has many mountain roads, so the same distance takes longer, and snow can close roads in winter.
Arrowtown
About 20 min
Glenorchy
About 45 min
Wānaka
About 1 hour
Te Anau
About 2 hours
Mount Cook
About 3 hours
Milford Sound
About 4 hours
South Island seasons
Courses depart every month. The same place offers different things in each season.
Spring · Sep–Nov
Snow lingers on the peaks for dramatic views. Lupins by the lakes in Nov–Dec.
Summer · Dec–Feb
The sun sets after 9 pm. Great hiking weather.
Autumn · Mar–May
Arrowtown autumn colour (around April) and the winery harvest.
Winter · Jun–Aug
Ski season. Mountain roads may need chains, and the Milford road sometimes closes.
North & South · Australia & South Island coursesPopular
Queenstown
A small town ringed by Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables. Famous for its lively lakefront and adventure activities, but a morning walk by the lake is beautiful enough on its own.
- Lakeside walks and the famous burger joint ‘Fergburger’
- Gondola lookout — the lake and mountains in one view
- A lake cruise on the TSS Earnslaw steamship
- Optional: jet boat, bungy jump (only if you want)
Great for For those who enjoy a buzz · active days, lakeside dinners
North & South · Australia & South Island coursesQuiet
Arrowtown · Glenorchy
For slowing down near Queenstown. Arrowtown is a small village with streets from the 1860s gold-rush days; Glenorchy is a quiet village under the mountains at the end of the lake. The lakeside drive there is the highlight.
- Arrowtown’s old streets and autumn colour (around April)
- The lakeside drive to Glenorchy and its little wharf
- Gibbston Valley wineries · bike trail
Great for For those who love photos, slow walks, cafés and wine
North & South · Australia & South Island coursesPopular
Te Anau · Milford Sound
A fiord carved by glaciers. Sheer cliffs drop straight into the sea, and when it rains dozens of waterfalls appear on every cliff — which is why many people prefer Milford in the rain. We stay in the quiet lakeside town of Te Anau and leave early in the morning.
- Te Anau → Milford about 2 hours, with Mirror Lakes and gorges on the way
- Milford Sound cruise (about 2 hours)
Good to know This is a very wet region, and weather or slips can close the road. That’s why we build a spare day into the itinerary.
Beyond the coursesLake · hiking
Wānaka
A lakeside town far more laid-back than Queenstown. Known for ‘That Wānaka Tree’ standing alone in the water and the ridge track overlooking the lake.
- That Wānaka Tree — calmest early in the morning
- Roys Peak — about 16 km return to the summit, 5–6 hours uphill
Not for everyone Roys Peak is steep with no shade, so you need fitness. The lakeside path, though, is for everyone.
Beyond the coursesPopular
Aoraki/Mount Cook
A valley walk right up to New Zealand’s highest mountain (3,724 m). Lake Pukaki on the way is glacial meltwater, a milky turquoise.
- Hooker Valley Track — about 10 km return, 3 hours, almost flat · 3 swing bridges
- Lake Pukaki lookout — just a few steps from the car
Great for For those who want to see snowy peaks up close on an easy walk · clear nights bring beautiful stars
The South Island in photos
Island of lakes and fiords
Queenstown’s lake and Milford Sound, a little closer.
Beyond the courses · long driveQuiet
Further afield: the West Coast
Glaciers, rainforest and rocks stacked like pancakes. It’s a full day’s drive from Queenstown, so it’s not in our current courses, which put staying ahead of driving.
