Unveiling New Zealand’s South Island Gems: An Epic Adventure in Wanaka and Queenstown

Embarking on a journey to New Zealand had been a long-held dream, and after months of planning, our six-week adventure across its breathtaking landscapes finally became a reality. The sheer volume of memories captured – from the majestic mountains to the serene lakes – meant sifting through countless photos, a task I’m just now getting around to. While I captured many moments on my phone, the true camera’s trove awaits another day; for now, these phone snapshots will hopefully convey the magic of our experience. This post is the first installment in a series recounting our unforgettable trip, and be warned: the beauty you are about to witness will undoubtedly inspire your next travel plans.

The Grand Arrival: From Denver to Queenstown’s Southern Charm

Our journey began with a lengthy transatlantic flight sequence: from Denver to San Francisco, then a marathon 12-hour flight to Auckland. After a four-hour layover that felt like an eternity, we boarded our final, much shorter 90-minute flight to Queenstown. Despite the exhaustion, the approach to Queenstown offered an unparalleled spectacle. The landing itself, nestled between towering peaks and glistening water, was one of the most memorable and thrilling aviation experiences of my life, a truly spectacular welcome to the South Island. We strategically chose to begin our adventure in Queenstown, located in the southernmost part of New Zealand’s South Island. Traveling in March meant experiencing their autumn, a perfect time to start in the cooler, potentially snow-kissed south and gradually work our way north towards warmer, year-round beach destinations.

Wanaka: A Lakeside Paradise and Our First Base

Upon landing in Queenstown, we immediately picked up our rental car and drove the scenic hour-long route to Wanaka. This charming lakeside town served as our home for six nights, where we settled into a comfortable holiday home booked through Bookabach. After the epic journey, our first evening consisted of a simple dinner and an early night, collapsing into bed utterly exhausted but buzzing with anticipation for the days ahead.

Exploring the Wonders of Haast Pass

Our first full day in Wanaka dawned with a blanket of clouds, prompting a spontaneous change of plans. We decided to embark on a drive across to the other side of Lake Wanaka, along the renowned Haast Pass. This route is famous for its abundance of stunning waterfalls, pristine rivers, and numerous short hiking trails. To our delight, as we ventured further, the clouds lifted, revealing brilliant sunshine and clear blue skies. What followed was a glorious day of driving, stopping frequently to marvel at cascading waterfalls and the vibrant, almost impossibly blue waters of the rivers that carved through the landscape.

The rivers we encountered along Haast Pass truly stood out with their mesmerizing, clear blue hues, a testament to the purity of the glacial meltwaters that feed them. It felt like stepping into a postcard, with every turn revealing another breathtaking vista.

Morning Views Over Lake Wanaka

The following day brought even better weather, greeting us with a magnificent morning sun painting the landscape. From our balcony, we enjoyed spectacular views over Lake Wanaka, a vast expanse of water reflecting the serene sky. The tranquility of these mornings was a perfect contrast to the previous day’s energetic exploration.

A short stroll brought us down to the very shores of Lake Wanaka, where we could truly appreciate its immense scale and the peaceful atmosphere that permeates this corner of the South Island.

Hiking to Rob Roy Glacier: A Majestic Reveal

One of the highlights of our time in Wanaka was the expedition to the Rob Roy Glacier Track, located about an hour’s drive outside town. This 12 km return hike offered a fantastic blend of lush forest trails and dramatic alpine scenery. For much of the journey, we were enveloped by native bush, the air crisp and clean. The true reward, however, came at the end of the track, where the forest opened up to reveal an awe-inspiring vista of massive cliffs and magnificent glaciers directly before us. We had thoughtfully packed a picnic lunch, which we savored amidst this incredible natural amphitheater – truly a lunch with the best possible view.

The Grandeur of Aoraki / Mount Cook

A visit to Mount Cook (Aoraki), New Zealand’s highest peak at 12,218 feet (3,724 meters), was a non-negotiable part of our itinerary. While it was a significant drive from our Wanaka accommodation, navigating winding roads and mountain passes, the journey was undoubtedly worth every kilometer. From a distance, Mount Cook’s sheer scale is evident, even when partially shrouded in clouds as it often was during our closer approach. The expansive views during the drive itself were spectacular, offering a preamble to the alpine majesty awaiting us.

The Hooker Valley Track, an accessible and relatively easy trail, led us through a surreal landscape to a glacial lake at the very base of Mount Cook. The views along this track were nothing short of stunning: towering, snow-capped mountains and dramatic glaciers surrounded us at every turn. It’s hard to imagine how even more magnificent it would appear on a completely clear, sunny day, but even with partial cloud cover, the experience was profound.

Panoramic Views from Rocky Mountain Loop Track

Wanaka is famously encircled by mountains, offering endless opportunities for scenic hikes. One day, we tackled the 8 km Rocky Mountain Loop Track, which rewards hikers with unparalleled panoramic views of Lake Wanaka and the charming town below. It was a perfect day for hiking, with clear skies allowing us to fully appreciate the immense size and stunning beauty of the lake as it stretched out beneath us, framed by majestic peaks.

A World of Wonder at Puzzling World

Towards the end of our stay in Wanaka, we enjoyed a delightful change of pace with a visit to Puzzling World. Created over 40 years ago by Stuart Landsborough, a man with an undeniable passion for puzzles, this attraction is a fantastic blend of optical illusions, interactive exhibits that challenge perception, peculiar architecture, and, of course, the famous Great Maze. It proved to be far more entertaining than I had anticipated, offering a fun and quirky contrast to our extensive outdoor explorations. My son and husband, both avid puzzle enthusiasts, could have easily spent the entire day immersed in its wonders!

Queenstown: The Adventure Capital of the World

After a memorable six nights in Wanaka, we drove to Queenstown, ready for a new chapter of our South Island adventure. Queenstown is globally renowned as the adventure capital, offering an exhilarating array of activities from bungee jumping and skydiving to white-water rafting. While I might be tempted by some of these thrills, my family generally prefers a slightly less extreme pace. Nevertheless, Queenstown promised excitement of a different kind.

Conquering the Queenstown Hill Walkway

Our first day in Queenstown was marked by cloudy weather, prompting us to undertake the Queenstown Hill Walkway. This 5 km hike, starting conveniently from a residential area in town, is notoriously steep but offers incredible rewards. As we ascended, we gained breathtaking views over the town and Lake Wakatipu. The elevation was such that we could distinctly see planes landing at the airport, seemingly below us, a truly unique perspective of Queenstown’s vibrant activity.

Hiking the Iconic Routeburn Track

One of the absolute must-do activities on our Queenstown list was to experience a portion of the famous Routeburn Track. The full track spans nearly 32 km and typically takes several days to complete, with huts available for overnight stays. Given we were traveling with our 10-year-old, the idea of communal camping with 35 other people wasn’t ideal for us. Instead, we opted for an ambitious day hike, trekking as far as the Routeburn Falls and then pushing a little further to soak in more of the majestic scenery before turning back. In total, we covered just under 15 miles that day. It was a long and challenging hike, but the constantly changing landscapes – from ancient forests to open alpine vistas and crystal-clear rivers – were utterly amazing. Our 10-year-old deserves special mention for completing the entire trek without a single complaint, truly earning his well-deserved ice cream treat that evening!

Adrenaline on the Water: A Thunder Jet Experience

After much deliberation and gentle persuasion, we decided to embrace Queenstown’s adventurous spirit with a jet boat tour. The Thunder Jet seemed like a great choice, offering an exciting but relatively milder experience suitable for our cautious 10-year-old. Our adventure began with a swift crossing of Lake Wakatipu, leading us into the winding river. From there, it was a thrilling, high-speed ride filled with exhilarating 360-degree spins, sharp turns, and plenty of splashes. It was an absolute blast and proved to be a fantastic, adrenaline-pumping way to conclude our unforgettable time in Queenstown.

Farewell Queenstown: A View to Remember

Even our accommodation in Queenstown offered spectacular views, overlooking the magnificent Lake Wakatipu. Waking up to such a vista each morning was a constant reminder of the incredible natural beauty that New Zealand so readily offers. Our time in Wanaka and Queenstown, filled with stunning scenery, exhilarating activities, and precious family moments, laid the perfect foundation for the rest of our South Island exploration. New Zealand truly is a destination that captivates the soul, leaving an indelible mark on every visitor.

**I worked with 100% Pure New Zealand and received a discount at Puzzling World and Thunder Jet. We paid for the trip entirely on our own, and all opinions are 100% my own.