Day 5: Queenstown to Wanaka

We wake up in Queenstown and have one last morning to explore, or tick something off your bucket list! The choice is yours.

Later in the day we head on over the Crowne Range to Wanaka, a mere one-hour drive away. We stop at Arrowtown en-route, a charming, gold rush town seeped in character and beauty. Stepping foot in Arrowtown’s main street is like stepping back in time, be mesmerised by the old, hand painted shop fronts and antique relics, and you can imagine horse and carts trotting down the road 150 years ago. Its heritage buildings paired with the ever-changing colours on the surrounding peaks makes Arrowtown truly quaint, it’s no wonder it has won New Zealand’s ‘Most Beautiful Small-Town Award” multiple times!

Shortly after leaving Arrowtown, we’ll journey through the Cardrona Valley, a stunning bus ride which provides beautiful vistas of the Gibbston Valley wine region below. Blessed with towering peaks and a glacial blue lake, you’ll soon see why Wanaka’s considered to be one of New Zealand’s most beautiful mountain towns. There are lots of accessible trails which are suitable for hiking and bike riding, catering for a mix of ability levels. It’s the perfect destination to relax and soak up serenity.