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Lake Wanaka Tree
Home Destinations Australasia New Zealand Queenstown and Wanaka

Queenstown and Wanaka

Today Queenstown and the nearby Fiordland National Park is treasured for its magnificent scenery and adventure opportunities.

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The first people to discover Queenstown’s rare beauty were Maori jade hunters. Then came the gold miners, in search of another kind of treasure.

Sightseeing Helicopter in Queenstown, New Zealand
Queenstown, New Zealand

A little more about Queenstown, Wanaka and Fiordland

Queenstown’s compact downtown area is a cosmopolitan hub that’s relaxed during the day and huge fun at night. The nearby picture-perfect towns of Wanaka, Te Anau and Manapouri with lakeside setting offers an excellent base for relaxing or a range of outdoor pursuits.

Not to be missed is a visit to the Fiordlands, home to the iconic scenery of Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and the less known Dusky Sound. The power of this scenery never fails to enthral with spectacular fiords lined with towering rainforest covered cliffs peppered with tumbling waterfalls; a landscape little changed in centuries.

Experiences

What do you really love doing? We’ll tailor your itinerary to suit you.

Tongariro Crossing, New Zealand
 

Trekking

Embark on a leisurely day trek or a more challenging hike over multiple days such as the Routeburn Track.

Helicopter Flight, Fiordlands, New Zealand
 

The Ultimate Heli Flight

Fly from Queenstown, over the Southern Alps, glaciers and Milford Sound, with four landings at remote locations; deserted beaches, coastal rainforest and a gourmet picnic included.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Wilderness of Fiordland National Park, South island, New Zealand
 

Overnight on Doubtful Sounds

Overnight on a luxury motor boat amidst the awesome scenery of the Doubtful Sounds.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Sea Kayak, Milford Sound, New Zealand
 

Milford and Doubtful Sounds

Experience cascading waterfalls hundreds of metres high, kayak through idyllic fiords or dive in search of rare black coral.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Winter sport activity, Remarkables, Queenstown, New Zealand
 

Winter Sports

Visit in the winter months between June and August for some fabulous skiing and snowboarding.

Discover more experiences

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

Brown’s Boutique Hotel £££££

  • New Zealand
  • Boutique

A small intimate place to stay, Brown’s Boutique Hotel is located in a quiet yet central spot, a few minutes from Queenstown. Each of the 10 charming rooms has French doors opening onto a Juliet balcony with views of the mountains, lake and town. The lounge and restaurant are cosy areas for winter evenings are there is a sunny patio area for al fresco breakfasts.

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Blanket Bay £££££

  • New Zealand
  • Wilderness

Set amid stunning alpine scenery on the eastern shores of Lake Wakatipu, Blanket Bay Lodge is an elegant and welcoming retreat. The 12 rooms all make the most of the spectacular mountain and lake views and all have either a private balcony or terrace. Comfortable sofas and open fires create a cosy and relaxed atmosphere. Additional facilities include a heated lap pool, and a small gym and the restaurant creates a five-course evening meal which changes daily with a choice of dining venues.

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Eichardt’s Private Hotel £££££

  • New Zealand
  • Boutique

Eichardt’s Private Hotel occupies a magnificent location on the shores of Lake Whakatipu. A historic building dating back to 1859, this boutique hotel combines original features, open fires and antique furniture with chic interior design and contemporary touches. Each of the five lodge suites have balconies making the most of the lake and mountain views. Alternatively, stay in one of the lakefront apartment suites or the penthouse with large terrace areas and sweeping panoramic views. Take a stroll to the lakeside beach, visit the award-winning bar for evening cocktails or organise a spa treatment in your suite.

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Fiordland Lodge £££££

  • New Zealand
  • Wilderness

Set on the edge of the Fiordland National Park, a three-million-acre wilderness area of mountains, lakes and rainforest, Fiordland Lodge sits above Lake Te Anau. Built using huge timer logs and river stone the interior is flooded with light through floor to ceiling windows which frame the spectacular views. Each of the ten lodge rooms makes the most of the views and have a private balcony or lawn area plus two self-contained log cabins work well for families or groups.

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Whare Kea £££££

  • New Zealand
  • Wilderness

Whare Kea Lodge sits on the edge sits on the edge of Mount Aspiring National Park, surrounded by mountains, amidst 60 acres of private farmland on the shores of Lake Wanaka. Two master and four deluxe suites can be taken separately or exclusively as a private villa; all rooms have a private verandah with floor to ceiling windows making the most of the spectacular views. Cosy communal areas include a games room, massage room and a hidden outdoor hot tub.

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Matakauri Lodge £££££

  • New Zealand

Seven minutes from Queenstown and spectacularly situated on Lake Wakatipu, Matakauri Lodge has 11 luxurious suites, each with dramatic lake and alpine views. Bright interiors are stylish and modern, and some incredible artwork adorns the walls. A spa, swimming pool and gourmet cuisine complete this fabulous boutique retreat.

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Need Holiday Inspiration?
Browse our New Zealand holiday ideas.

Our New Zealand experts have created and curated these holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something to spark ideas for a unique adventure.

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New Zealand – South Island Self-drive
The most dramatic of New Zealand’s two islands, this self-drive holiday explores the South Island in-depth, taking in the best of the magnificent scenery and wildlife on offer. The South Island is the most scenically stunning of New Zealand’s two…
25 days from $11,346pp
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View Holiday Idea
Idea
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New Zealand – Luxury Honeymoon
Discover both North and South Islands in style. This is the perfect honeymoon for intrepid newlyweds. With a theme of pure indulgence throughout, this holiday to New Zealand achieves the perfect balance of adventure and pampering. We put this itinerary…
16 days from $20,576pp
Rahimoana Villa, Infinity Pool, Eagles Nest, Bay of Islands, New Zealand
View Holiday Idea
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New Zealand Cruise – Auckland to Milford Sound
Over 13 days cruise from Auckland on the North Island to the dramatic beauty of Fiordland on the South Island. Access remote and pristine wilderness areas in search of culture and wildlife, unique to New Zealand. This cruise offers a…
13 days from $8,256pp
Coastal View, Otago Peninsula, New Zealand
View Cruise
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Ultimate New Zealand Self-Drive
This 21-day self-drive itinerary offers a fantastic introduction to the great outdoors of New Zealand and covers highlights of both the North and the South Island. Wildlife tours, scenic flights, glacier adventures, overnight cruises and more.
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Explore other regions

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Enjoy one of New Zealand's most scenic drives towards World Heritage site Aoraki Mt Cook National Park with beautiful mountains and lakes.

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Christchurch and Kaikoura

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Dunedin and the Catlins

The Otago Peninsula is rich in flora and fauna with diverse wildlife, idyllic fishing villages and rolling green pastures.

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South Island West Coast and Glaciers

This strip of the South Island boasts five of New Zealand’s 14 national parks and is a rugged land of wild beaches,…

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Bay of Islands

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Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.

Are you ready to discover extraordinary once again?


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