Day 3: Lake Tekapo to Queenstown

Feeling energetic? You can hike up to the summit of Mt John and enjoy breathtaking views of the Southern Alps at sunrise. You’ll feel on top of the world!

Today we drive from Lake Tekapo to Queenstown, and it’s quite the showstopper. From the golden tussocklands of Mackenzie country – where the epic battles from Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King were filmed – to the dramatic peaks of the Southern Alps, the views seem too beautiful to be true.

We stop just outside of Queenstown at the Kawarau Bridge, home to the world’s first commercial bungy jump which has been attracting thrill seekers since 1988! You can jump yourself or just enjoy watching the jumpers in awe as they plummet 43m towards the river below.

Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, an avid hiker, wine taster or scenery lover, Queenstown has something for absolutely everyone. We have two nights and plenty of daylight hours to explore this alpine town and all it has to offer – which is A LOT!