Queenstown, Fiordland and Wanaka Self-Drive

Queenstown adventure activities, two nights in Te Anau for the Milford Road, and two nights in Wanaka to climb Roys Peak.

Spend the first two nights in downtown Queenstown for a jet boat ride and a visit to Arrowtown. Then drive to Te Anau for two nights, visit the Glowworm Caves, and take your time on the Milford Road instead of making a long round trip in one day. Next, cross the Crown Range to Wanaka for two nights, climb Roys Peak, see the lone tree, and finish by driving through Cromwell back to Queenstown Airport. This itinerary suits self-drivers with plenty of time.

Roys Peak is closed each year from 1 October to 10 November during lambing season.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrival and Skyline Gondola

Queenstown & Wanaka（Lake Wakatipu、Skyline Queenstown Gondola、Fergburger）

Pick up your rental car at the airport. The drive to downtown takes about 20 minutes. Park and walk the lakefront and take the gondola.

Stay: Queenstown Centre

Day 2 · Jet Boating and Arrowtown

Queenstown & Wanaka（Shotover Jet、Arrowtown、Onsen Hot Pools）

It is about 10 minutes from downtown to Shotover Canyon, then about 15 minutes to Arrowtown. Return to downtown in the evening.

Onsen Hot Pools must be booked in time slots, and the sunset slot is the most popular.

Stay: Queenstown Centre

Day 3 · Glowworm Caves in Te Anau

Te Anau & Fiordland（Lake Te Anau & Lakefront、Te Anau Bird Sanctuary、Te Anau Glowworm Caves）

Drive about 170 km south from Queenstown along the shore of Lake Wakatipu. The trip takes about 2 hours 15 minutes.

Glowworm cave boat tours depart from the lakefront wharf and must be booked in advance.

Stay: Te Anau Town

Day 4 · Milford Road and Fiordland

Te Anau & Fiordland（Mirror Lakes、Key Summit Track、Homer Tunnel、The Chasm、Milford Sound）

Drive about 120 km from Te Anau to Milford Sound, which takes about 2 hours one way. Stop along the way, then return the same route in the evening.

There are no petrol stations along the Milford Road, so fill up in Te Anau.

Stay: Te Anau Town

Day 5 · Crossing the Crown Range to Wanaka

Queenstown & Wanaka（Crown Range Road Summit Lookout、Cardrona Bra Fence、Wānaka Township & Lakefront）

Drive about 240 km from Te Anau via Queenstown and the Crown Range Road to Wanaka. The trip takes about 3 hours 30 minutes.

Stay: Wanaka

Day 6 · Roys Peak and the Lone Tree in Wanaka

Queenstown & Wanaka（Roys Peak Track、That Wanaka Tree）

It is about 10 minutes from Wanaka town to the Roys Peak car park. The round-trip hike takes 5 to 6 hours. In the evening, go to the lakeshore to see the lone tree.

The car park fills up early in the morning. Bring plenty of water and sun protection, as the summit is very windy.