Pristine coast and rainforest – fine wines – Routeburn & Milford tracks – fly into Milford Sou

As we drive into Fiordland National Park, ‘glorious’ is just one word that will pop into your head. As the granite peaks get steeper, higher and more imposing, the rainforest flanking them grows ever thicker, and the rivers ever clearer. We’ll walk to a viewing point on the Routeburn Track, before dropping down into Milford Sound and discovering what the words ‘beautiful’ and ‘dramatic’ really mean. Here, you’ll see waterfalls like nowhere else in the world. This place receives over 21 feet of rain a year, so it might well be raining during your time here – and if it is, you’ll experience this place REALLY come alive!

Wake up feeling refreshed and relaxed, sip your latte on the deck of your chalet, listen to the roar of waterfalls, spy the native Kea – the world’s only alpine parrot, and prepare for a walk through exquisite native forest on the world famous Milford Track. Later today, we’ll board a boat for a scenic cruise of Milford Sound for a unique perspective on this glorious wilderness area. Today is a day to immerse yourself in an area unique to New Zealand and the world.

Begin the day on the shores of one awe inspiring lake and mountain vista and end it on another, with the beauty of Southland and a jet boat ride up one of New Zealand’s most incredible river valleys. We’ll make the journey back to Queenstown through rolling hills that eventually turn into the rugged peaks of the Wakatipu area. After a little time to enjoy a drink, we’ll replace the hustle of this adventure town and enter the quiet world of the Dart River valley via jet boat – a high speed journey on the glacial waters of this incredible wilderness area. Finish the day in the beautiful and isolated Glenorchy, at the furthest and most stunning end of Lake Wakatipu.

Start the day with breakfast and incredible lakeside views, before we delve back into the World Heritage area of Fiordland National Park and Mt. Aspiring National Park. We’ll return to the world famous Routeburn Track with a walk along the banks of the Routeburn River. Deep greens of native beech forest, crystal clear waters cascading beneath, and inner valleys to wide open spaces, make this a varied and unforgettable day of walking. Of course, if you’d like to take things slower today, there’s no better place to relax and unwind with a good book as you soak up the surroundings.

We’ll take our time this morning, enjoying the quiet at the head of the lake, before journeying back along the shores to Queenstown. En route, we’ll walk a short beech forest trail to Bob’s Cove – a stunning isolated lake beach with outstanding views out to the Dart River arm of the lake. Then it’s time to take in Queenstown.

Elegant, exciting, welcoming, compact and always beautiful, Queenstown is a place for anyone and anything. On the shores of Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by stunning peaks, you’ll find a quiet sanctuary indoors or outdoors here, or an activity to get the adrenaline flowing. Dine, indulge, drink, walk, fly, float, ride – just let your guide know how you’d like to spend your time here. Be sure to soak in the many moods of the lake and forget about the world outside this amazing place.

Just over the Crowne range at the head of the Wakatipu basin is the Cardrona valley and Wanaka. We’ll transport ourselves from the dramatic lake scene, to a stunning high mountain tussock grassed valley and back to another dramatic lake and mountain setting. Only this time, in a much more laid setting – Wanaka. It’d be rude not to stop at a world class winery on the way though, so a stop at Gibbston Valley winery is on the agenda. Settle into the laid back life in Wanaka, but not before a leg stretch on Mount Iron – an impressive, glacier carved, rocky knoll that rises above the surrounding countryside.

Wanaka, and it’s surroundings are blessed with spectacular, varied natural beauty. We’ll walk above one of it’s tussocky valleys and up to the secluded Diamond Lake. High peaks of the Southern Alps give way to sweeping wide grassland valleys. While surrounded by massive mountains, the valley is broad – this is big wide open country and an assault to the senses indeed.

One last scenic drive over the Crowne Range between Wanaka and Queenstown brings the Beautiful South trip to an end. We’ll wave goodbye at Queenstown airport for departing flights, unless you can’t get enough of Queenstown and decide to stay on – we’ll drop you off at your choice of accommodation.