New Zealand Itinerary 5 Days: Queenstown and Wanaka Plan

Quick answer

For a five-day New Zealand trip, focus exclusively on the South Island’s Otago region. Fly into Queenstown Airport (ZQN) and base yourself there for four nights, using Day 3 for a 12-hour return journey to Milford Sound and Day 4 for a 70-kilometre drive to Wanaka. Expect to spend NZ$350–$500 (US$210–$300) per person per day including a rental car and mid-range accommodation.

Trip summary

• Duration: 5 days
• Ideal traveller type: Active couples or solo travellers who enjoy alpine scenery and driving
• Pace: High intensity (includes a 5-8 hour round-trip drive to Milford Sound)
• Approximate daily budget: NZ$450 (US$275)
• Best season: Summer (December to February) for hiking; Winter (July to August) for skiing

Day 1: Queenstown arrival and waterfront

Morning Arrive at Queenstown Airport and collect a rental car from providers like Ezi or Apex located in the arrivals hall. Drive 15 minutes (8km) to the town centre. Park at the Man Street Car Park (approx. NZ$6 per hour). Walk 5 minutes to the Skyline Gondola base on Brecon Street. Take the gondola (NZ$52 return) to Bob’s Peak for a panoramic view of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range.

Afternoon Eat a burger at Fergburger on Shotover Street (prepare for a 20-30 minute queue) or their bakery next door. Walk 10 minutes to the Queenstown Gardens for a 2km flat loop walk around the peninsula. This area provides views of the Frankton Arm without the crowds of the main wharf.

Evening Walk to Steamer Wharf for dinner at Public Kitchen & Bar. Try the local Cardrona lamb or Stewart Island salmon. Total walking load for Day 1 is 5-7km.

This sequence allows for immediate orientation of the geography via the gondola before exploring the compact town centre on foot.

Day 2: Arrowtown and Gibbston Valley

Morning Drive 20 minutes (20km) northeast to Arrowtown, a former gold-mining settlement. Walk the Arrow River Bridges Trail (1-hour loop) starting from the Buckingham Street car park. Visit the Chinese Settlement to see preserved 1860s huts.

Afternoon Drive 15 minutes (15km) to the Gibbston Valley wine region. Visit Chard Farm or Mt Rosa Wines for tastings (tasting fees approx. NZ$15-25, often waived with a bottle purchase). Stop at the Kawarau Suspension Bridge to watch AJ Hackett bungy jumpers; the bridge is a 2-minute walk from the car park.

Evening Return to Queenstown (25-minute drive). Dine at Blue Kanu on Camp Street for Polynesian-Asian fusion. Walking load is roughly 4km across multiple stops.

Grouping Arrowtown and Gibbston Valley together minimises driving time as both lie east of Queenstown along State Highway 6.

Day 3: Milford Sound / Piopiotahi

Morning Depart Queenstown by 6:30 am for the 290km drive to Milford Sound via State Highway 6 and 94. Allow 4 hours for the drive. Stop briefly at Eglinton Valley and the Mirror Lakes (5-minute boardwalk walk) on the Milford Road.

Afternoon Board a 2-hour nature cruise (RealNZ or Southern Discoveries, approx. NZ$95-150) departing at 11:00 am or 1:00 pm. The cruise navigates the fjord to the Tasman Sea, passing Stirling Falls and Mitre Peak. Keep an eye out for fur seals and Fiordland crested penguins.

Evening Drive 4 hours back to Queenstown. Stop in Te Anau for dinner at The Fat Duck to break the journey. Total driving time is 8 hours; walking load is low (2km), but the day is mentally demanding due to road conditions.

Driving yourself allows for stops at scenic lookouts that coach tours often bypass, though coach-and-cruise options are available for those who prefer not to drive the Homer Tunnel section.

Day 4: Wanaka via the Crown Range

Morning Drive 1 hour (70km) to Wanaka via the Crown Range Road, the highest main road in New Zealand. Stop at the Crown Range Lookout for photos. Visit the Cardrona Hotel (built 1863) for a coffee in the courtyard.

Afternoon In Wanaka, walk 15 minutes from the town centre to #ThatWanakaTree for the mandatory photo. For a strenuous hike, drive 10 minutes to the Roys Peak Track car park. Note: The full hike takes 5-6 hours return; for a 5-day itinerary, a shorter 1-hour walk at Mt Iron is more practical. Visit Puzzling World (NZ$30) if travelling with children.

Evening Eat at Francesca’s Italian Kitchen (booking essential). Return to Queenstown via the Kawarau Gorge (60 minutes) to avoid driving the steep Crown Range switchbacks in the dark.

Using the Crown Range one way and the Kawarau Gorge the other provides a loop with different scenery and safer night driving.

Day 5: Glenorchy and Departure

Morning Drive 45 minutes (46km) west to Glenorchy. This road is widely considered one of the most scenic drives in the country, hugging the edge of Lake Wakatipu. Visit the Glenorchy Wharf and the iconic red shed. Walk the Glenorchy Lagoon Scenic Walkway (1-hour flat loop).

Afternoon Return to Queenstown for a final lunch at Bespoke Kitchen near the gondola. Spend an hour shopping for Merino wool products on Beach Street or Rees Street. Drive 15 minutes to Queenstown Airport, return the rental car, and check in at least 90 minutes before your flight.

Glenorchy is the closest destination to the airport for a final morning activity that doesn't risk significant traffic delays.

Estimated cost table

All prices are estimates based on standard seasonal rates. Check official sites for current pricing.

Reservations to book ahead

• Rental Car: Book 3-4 months in advance, especially for automatic vehicles during peak summer.
• Milford Sound Cruise: Book 4 weeks ahead to secure your preferred departure time.
• Dining: Book Francesca’s Italian Kitchen (Wanaka) and Blue Kanu (Queenstown) 1-2 weeks in advance.
• Skyline Gondola: Purchase tickets online to skip the primary ticket office queue.

Common mistakes

• Underestimating drive times: New Zealand roads are often narrow, winding, and single-lane. A 100km journey frequently takes 90 minutes or more.
• Attempting both islands: Five days is insufficient to see both Auckland and Queenstown. You will spend two of your five days in airports or transit.
• Skipping the Homer Tunnel alerts: The road to Milford Sound can close due to snow or avalanche risk even in late spring. Always check the NZTA Waka Kotahi road portal before departing Queenstown.
• Forgetting sun protection: The UV index in Otago is extremely high even on cloudy days. Apply SPF50+ sunscreen regardless of the temperature.

Plan your trip

Use Journey Planner to transform this itinerary into a customisable digital schedule. The tool integrates real-time weather forecasts for the Crown Range and Milford Sound, provides live traffic updates for State Highway 6, and calculates fuel costs based on your specific rental car model. You can also generate a location-specific packing list that accounts for the rapid temperature shifts typical of the Southern Alps.