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Thrifty Tours

5 Days of Fun in Fiordland

A great adventure around Queenstown and Fiordland. Perfect for all ages, this tour includes a balance of adrenaline, nature, relaxation and premium accommodation.  Starting with a cruise of Milford Sound before a few days exploring Fiordland. Enjoy an often forgotten gem, Te Anau and after your 2-night stay, you'll head back to Queenstown to make the most of all the adventures awaiting you.  All activities and elements in this tour are interchangeable and if there's something you'd like to add then just let us know.

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Quick Itinerary Details

Independent tour (bus & coach)

This suggested tour costs from NZD$2,220 per person (twin share, low season)

Starts in Queenstown, finishes in Queenstown

5 days/4 nights

Hotel 4 star

 Customisable? YES

 Viewed 178 times in the last 7 days

price pp from
NZD$2,220
twin share/double
Tour at a glance

Day 1: Journey to Milford Sound for an unforgettable day
Accommodation: Lakefront Lodge

Day 2: A day for adventure in Te Anau
Accommodation: Lakefront Lodge

Day 3: Check out the enchanting glowworms before travelling back to Queenstown this evening
Accommodation: Scenic Suites Queenstown

Day 4: Cruise on the beautiful Lake Wakatipu
Accommodation: Scenic Suites Queenstown

Day 5: Ride the Gondola up the hill this morning

Tour full itinerary
Detailed Itinerary
5 Days of Fun in Fiordland - Day 1
Milford Sound Cruise and coach tour from Queenstown returning to Te Anau

Luxury coach transport from Queenstown to Milford Sound, with a 1 hour 40 minute cruise along the full length of the fiord. On boarding a RealNZ luxury glass-roofed coach in Queenstown, you will enjoy a relaxing trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Te Anau. The coach driver provides an informative commentary. After a morning tea break in Te Anau, where you have the option of purchasing refreshments, the coach continues along the spectacular Milford Road. There is time for photo stops and short walks along the way. On reaching Milford Sound, you board the modern, spacious vessel for a leisurely cruise in the fiord. The cruise provides excellent viewing opportunities and plenty of time is available to enjoy waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and the wildlife. During the cruise your friendly crew provide commentaries in several languages and point out the sights such as Mitre Peak and the Pembroke Glacier.

Your accommodation: Lakefront Lodge

Stylish self-contained motel units less than a minute walk from Te Anau Lakefront. Enjoy a close walk to shops, cafes and restaurants.
Meals included: Lunch
5 Days of Fun in Fiordland - Day 2
Pure Wilderness Jet Boat with Fiordland Jet

Jet boat down the Waiau river, across Lake Manapouri, to the ancient forest of the Fiordland National Park. Enjoy the thrill of jet boating down the majestic trout-filled Waiau River, to the serene Lake Manapouri. Step foot into the Fiordland National Park and go for a short walk while learning about the ancient beech forest and ferns. Your jet boat ride includes a number of stops at the exact locations of the filming the "Fellowship of the Ring" on the Waiau or "Anduin River". The driver will tell you the inside story of the filming the Lord of the Rings on this river. The trip will also include some thrilling 360 degree turns and spins as well as interesting interpretation about the flora and fauna and the local European and Māori history.

Walking tracks in and around Te Anau

Lake Te Anau is a great place for lots of activities including walking, tramping, boating, fishing, hunting, kayaking, mountain biking, swimming and water skiing at Brod Bay. Te Anau is the closest town with facilities to Fiordland National Park, a wilderness area famed for tramping and spectacular scenery.

Kepler track: Carpark to Dock Bay and Brod Bay
From the Kepler Track carpark, the track follows the lake shore through mountain and red beech forest, with kamahi and some scattered rimu and miro and yellow-flowering kowhai.
Distance: 5.6 km return via same track. Completion Time: 1-3 hours return

Kepler Track: Carpark to Rainbow Reach
From the Kepler Track carpark, the track follows the terraces of the Waiau River along the Kepler Track through red and mountain beech forest to Rainbow Reach.
Distance: 9.5 km return via same track. Completion Time: 2.5 hours one way

Kepler Track: Rainbow Reach to Shallow Bay or Moturau Hut
From the Rainbow Reach carpark, cross the swing bridge and follow the track to the Control Gates for 200 m before turning left towards a short steep ascent. After that the track is gently undulating and wanders through mountain beech forest with some great river views. Some scenes in the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed near this part of the river.
Distance: 6 km return via same track. Completion Time: 3 - 3 hours 30 minutes return

Kepler Track (Carpark to Luxmore Hut)
Carpark to Luxmore Hut - This strenuous walk provides impressive views of Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri and Te Anau basin on one side, and the Murchison and Kepler Mountains on the other.
Distance: 13.8 km one way return via same track. Completion Time: 8-10 hours return

Visitor Centre to Upukerora River Track
This easy track leads alongside the Te Anau lakefront to where the Upukerora River flows into the lake.
Completion Time: 3 hour return

Ata Whenua - Shadowland Film at Fiordland Cinema

Ata Whenua refers to the southwestern coast of New Zealand and translates to english as "Shadow Land". This breathtaking short film will take you on an unforgettable journey through one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes on earth, Fiordland National Park. Shot by award-winning cinematographers with outstanding musical composition, this is the next best thing to a scenic flight over this spectacular wilderness.

Your accommodation: Lakefront Lodge

Stylish self-contained motel units less than a minute walk from Te Anau Lakefront. Enjoy a close walk to shops, cafes and restaurants.
Meals included: Breakfast
5 Days of Fun in Fiordland - Day 3
Te Anau Glowworm Caves with RealNZ

Begin your Te Anau Glowworm experience with a scenic cruise across Lake Te Anau on board the luxury catamaran, Luminosa, to the western side of the lake. On arrival, you'll enter the caves through Cavern House, where informative displays detail the history of this 12,000 year old underground network. You'll then explore by limestone pathway while your guide points out hidden whirlpools, sculpted rock formations, and a rushing underground waterfall. See a magical display of thousands of glowworms as you glide through the darkness in a small boat.

Te Anau to Queenstown with Gray Line / GreatSights

Crossing the rolling tussock lands you pass through Mossburn, the deer capital of New Zealand. Continue north through Southland countryside towards Lake Wakatipu. The road now hugs the lake edge and the Remarkable mountain range towers over you as you approach the adventure capital of New Zealand.

Your accommodation: Scenic Suites Queenstown

Scenic Suites Queenstown offers guests exquisite style, comfort and spectacular views over Lake Wakatipu and the Southern Alps. The hotel prides itself on its 4-star hospitality that will make your stay in Queenstown even more memorable.
Meals included: Breakfast
5 Days of Fun in Fiordland - Day 4
TSS Earnslaw Cruise and Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch

Enjoy a quintessential Kiwi experience a delicious barbeque lunch and a farm tour in a stunning lakeside setting. First, take a scenic cruise from Queenstown to Walter Peak High Country Farm on board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw, one of the last remaining fully functional coal-fired passenger ships in the southern hemisphere.
Disembark and take in the picturesque shores of the Station. Relax on the lakeside terrace at the Colonel's Homestead Restaurant and savour the aromas of the best local produce being cooked on the grill. The seasonal menu has plenty to choose from salads, vegetables and succulent meat with plenty of delicious dietaries on offer as well. Finish your meal with a scrumptious dessert before joining an entertaining farm demonstration or exploring the beautiful lakeside gardens.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY - Time Tripper Cinematic Experience

Queenstown’s only underwater experience takes you on a journey through time and legend beginning many millions of years ago. Your time travel pi...

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Queenstown’s only underwater experience takes you on a journey through time and legend beginning many millions of years ago. Your time travel pilot will guide you back 90 million years, through the time of the dinosaurs, take you to when New Zealand was formed, fly you deep into the earth when the Southern Alps were created and through the glacier that carved out Lake Wakatipu. Ending in present-day Queenstown, you then experience adventure activities you can do – all from the comfort of your rumbling seat!
You then experience 10 – 15 minutes of underwater viewing where you can feed the famous diving ducks, slinky eels and rainbow & brown trout that lie beneath.

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Your accommodation: Scenic Suites Queenstown

Scenic Suites Queenstown offers guests exquisite style, comfort and spectacular views over Lake Wakatipu and the Southern Alps. The hotel prides itself on its 4-star hospitality that will make your stay in Queenstown even more memorable.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
5 Days of Fun in Fiordland - Day 5
Gondola and 3 Luge Rides with Skyline Queenstown

In the heart of Queenstown, located 450 metres above town in the Ben Lomond Scenic Reserve is the Skyline Complex. A gondola ride to the summit makes for awe-inspiring views of the city surround. Arrive at the complex and wander the outside viewing decks for a picture perfect outlook. Then onto the Luge! The 800 metre luge track offers an exhilarating journey through banked corners, tunnels and dippers.

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