3 Days in Queenstown: Suggested Itineraries

Viator

Written by Viator, August 2010

5 star rating: Highly Recommended 153 | Add review or reply

3 Days in Queenstown: Suggested Itineraries

Are you ready for action? If that's a YES! then Queenstown is the place to be, as New Zealand's adrenaline capital. If you're not hell-bent on throwing yourself off a bridge or hurtling down a river, the surrounding wine country and ludicrously scenic Milford Sound will also give you a thrill.

Day 1: High-Octane Queenstown

If you want to terrify yourself, you can do it here, in every possible way you can imagine. Take the plunge that started it all on the original Kawarau Bridge Bungy Jump, or leap over the Queenstown Urban Ledge Bungy Jump - guaranteed to take your breath away!  Dive into the deep end with the Triple challenge: a jet boat ride on the Shotover River, helicopter flight over Skippers Canyon, and white-water rafting down the rapids. If that hasn’t got your heart beating fast enough try skydiving from 15,000 feet, flying downhill on mountain bikes, paragliding from Coronet Peak, canyoning through perilous gorges, and speeding along the river on a purpose-built body board.

Day 2: Queenstown Day Trips

Queenstown is the perfect base for a movie safari - a scenic journey into the heart of alpine New Zealand to explore the spectacular backdrops used in the Lord of the Rings and Wolverine films. Hire a kayak and paddle out onto Lake Wakatipu or to take a cruise on the TSS Earnslaw, the coal-powered steamer used to connect remote sheep stations to civilization.

Soar over the majestic scenery on a breathtaking helicopter flight  or take a wilderness cruise on gorgeously unspoilt Doubtful Sound. Dip into the picturesque valleys and rolling vine-clad foothills of Bannockburn to visit New Zealand's premier vineyards in Otago wine country. Or discover another side to NZ on a high country farm tour, to watch sheep dogs in action and see the animals including Highland cows, alpacas and red deer.

Day 3: Milford Sound

Milford Sound is possibly the most scenic destination in New Zealand, featuring magnificent native forests, wild rugged cliffs and waterfalls that tumble from hanging valleys and crash into the sound far below. Cruise Milford Sound on a day trip from Queenstown to see the glacier scarred rock walls of Mitre Peak rising vertically from the sea. Take an overnight cruise on the Milford Mariner along this magnificent fiord to the Tasman Sea, anchoring for the night in sheltered Harrison Cove. Or go for the scenic flight tour, combining a Milford Sound boat cruise, a spectacular flight over glaciers, lakes and rainforest, and a drive through World Heritage-listed Fiordland National Park.

Latest Replies

Viator

5 star rating: Highly Recommended Reply by Viator, May 2013
Doing what: Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride from Queenstown

It was a thrill ride from top to bottom! Most excellent!! I kept thinking, I wish my boys could have been here to ride it - they would have loved it!!

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Viator

5 star rating: Highly Recommended Reply by Viator, March 2013
Doing what: Dart River 'Funyak' Canoe and Jet Boat Tour from Queenstown

That was such a fantastic day out! Can't really describe the beauty of the surrounding landscapes.. it seriously left me out of words!!! After a 45-minute bus journey to Glenorchy, the morning began with an exhilarating jet boat tour and a fun guide that would stop in-between exciting spins to explain the locations and point out where some of 'The Lord of the Ring' scenes were filmed! As the morning mist cleared out we met some other guides that briefed us about the 'Funyak'! Its name really explains it all: it is FUN! And is not really hard to paddle on it, although it requires some team effort at times! Our guides were great. Very helpful when needed and so much fun to spend the day with. What else can I say? You have to try it yourself to understand what I mean.. So worth it! A little piece of advice: bring some sun protection (sun glasses/hat/sun screen) and warm clothes - it is chilly in the morning! And don't forget your insect repellent: sand-flies are evil!!!
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Viator

5 star rating: Highly Recommended Reply by Viator, March 2013
Doing what: Skydive Queenstown

It was great.The only thing I would suggest is that they tell people ahead of time to take a seasick pill that morning before the jump. It probably would have helped me with the turns after the chute was pulled. The whole group were very professional in all aspects. I am really glad I got the pictures and video.

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