Queenstown Southern Loop

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Carbon neutral

6 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

12 peopleMaximum group size

15 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Queenstown, New Zealand

Ends

Queenstown, New Zealand

Highlights

Soak up the silence of Milford Sound on a cruise across its waters – you’ll be left speechless by the hundreds of tumbling cascades and deeply forested mountains.

Explore the Catlins, an untamed coastal wilderness home to rugged cliffs, dense forest, and spectacular hidden waterfalls.

Cross the Foveaux Strait to unspoilt Stewart Island, a haven for hikers and birdwatches and the place to spot a wild kiwi.

Enjoy two nights and one full day to explore the wilderness of Stewart Island, cruising the bays and inlets to spot penguins and seabirds and walking along its forested coastal tracks.

Itinerary

Discover New Zealand’s southern soul on the "Queenstown Southern Loop," a six-day cultural and nature-focused trip through the country’s most dramatic landscapes. Starting and ending in Queenstown, this moderate-activity tour is tailored for those who crave equal parts adventure and relaxation.

Cruise the silent waters of Fiordland National Park’s Milford Sound, where glacier-carved cliffs tower above sparkling lakes. Hike to hidden caves in the Catlins, and cross to the wilds of Stewart Island, listening for the elusive call of the kiwi. Explore the Otago Peninsula’s rugged beauty, with time to unwind and soak up the scenery between explorations.

All accommodations, meals, and transport are included, letting you focus on the journey. The unique selling point of this tour package is its blend of iconic natural wonders and off-the-beaten-path gems, offering an active yet well-balanced getaway for travelers seeking the best of New Zealand’s South Island.

day 1 - Queenstown / Te Anau

Welcome to the South Island! Make your own way to the hotel, where the adventure kicks off with a welcome meeting where you'll join up with your leader and group. If you’re looking for more time in ‘Adventure Capital of the World', look to book in some time after the end of the trip. After the meeting, head to the lovely lakeside town of Te Anau – gateway to Fiordland National Park. Watch the stunning landscapes pass by as you round the bottom of Lake Wakatipu with the aptly named The Remarkables mountains in the background. The 3.5-hour drive will take you to the shores of the South Island’s biggest lake, which extends into the fiords and deeply forested mountains. Once arrived, there are plenty of opportunities for you to enjoy the spectacular surrounding nature. Perhaps head out to see the glow worms on the opposite shore of the lake.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 2 - Milford Sound / Te Anau

The stunning, unforgettable sights of the fiords are best experienced by boat, so today you’ll set off for a memorable cruise on Milford Sound, known locally as Piopiotahi. Sail along the waters that pour out into the Tasman Sea, and look out for bottlenose dolphins and fur seals at play. Nature feels close here in the silence of the sound as you make your way past countless tumbling, misting cascades, soaring icy peaks, lush rainforest and twisting inlets. Soak up the surrounds so stunning that they feel almost fake, and breathe in the crisp mountain air. Afterwards get a different perspective of the sound, surrounded by native bush, as you take on the lookout track with your leader. There’s a bit of a climb, but the views are more than worth it to look down on the water and up at the peaks. The spectacular views keep on coming with a Mirror Lakes walk, where the peaks and greenery reflect in the clear lake waters. Return to Te Anau in time for dinner this evening – maybe seek out some local fare like venison or even lobster for dinner.

included:Milford Sound - Nature Boat Cruise, Milford Sound - Leader-led walk to Milford Lookout, Milford Sound - Walk to Mirror Lakes & Lake Gunn

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 3 - The Catlins

This morning it’s time to swap one side of the island for the other as you make your way to what feels like a forgotten corner of Otago – the Catlins. This untamed coastal wilderness is home to rugged cliffs, dense forest, and some spectacular hidden waterfalls. Visit Nugget Point and its lighthouse, situated on a rocky outcrop jutting out into the South Pacific Ocean, and hike through dense forest to pretty McLean Falls.

included:The Catlins - Leader-led walk to Nugget Point & McLean Falls

accommodation:Lodge

meals:1 Breakfast

day 4 - Stewart Island

Head to the very bottom of the island and take a ferry across the Foveaux Strait to the country’s third largest landmass, remote and rugged Stewart Island. It takes about one hour to travel the 30-kilometre strait. The island is almost entirely national park, which makes its unspoiled forests, beaches and bays a haven for hikers of all abilities as well as birdwatchers – it’s home to endangered brown kiwi and the flightless Stewart Island kiwi. In the Maori language the island is known as Rakiura, which means ‘the land of glowing skies’.

included:Stewart Island - Scenic Ferry Crossing

accommodation:Motel

meals:1 Breakfast

day 5 - Stewart Island

Enjoy a full free day to explore the island as you discover the coast and Rakiura National Park. Optional activities include cruises on the bays and inlets spotting penguins and seabirds and walks along forested coastal tracks past early Maori settlements. Learn about the local flora and fauna, and relax on the beach for a picnic lunch. Take in the views over glistening William Bay and see if you can spot the mountains of the South Island in the distance. Return to your accommodation and enjoy the rest of the evening to relax after your full day of island exploration. Perhaps join the group for dinner at a local restaurant tonight.

accommodation:Motel

meals:1 Breakfast

day 6 - Queenstown

Head back over to the mainland, then continue back to Queenstown. Your trip comes to an end today when you arrive back in Queenstown at approximately 2pm. If you have extra time to spend in Queenstown, make sure to get out and take advantage of the numerous adventure activities on offer. The Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu not only serve as spectacular props to get your adrenaline fix, they’re also beautiful to look at. The town is also a great base for exploring Central Otago’s excellent vineyards and historic mining towns.

included:Stewart Island - Scenic Ferry Crossing

meals:1 Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nights), Lodge (1 night), Motel (2 nights)

Meals

5 Breakfasts

Transport

Private vehicle, Ferry

Guide

An expert tour leader

Included Activities

Milford Sound - Nature Boat CruiseMilford Sound - Leader-led walk to Milford LookoutMilford Sound - Walk to Mirror Lakes & Lake GunnThe Catlins - Leader-led walk to Nugget Point & McLean FallsStewart Island - Scenic Ferry Crossing

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

This tour has not received any customer reviews yet. However, you can expect a PremierThis travel specialist is consistently delivering tours which receive customer ratings above 4.6 on average. tour and service level as the travel specialist who runs it has received 163 reviews for other tours with an average 4.6rating.

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6 days ago

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