Hike, fly, cruise, kayak & canyon on a Southern Lakes sojourn
The scenery of the Southern Lakes makes a superb backdrop for all kinds of adventures.
Few landscapes in the world possess the magic of the Southern Lakes region. Mountain peaks rise majestically above reflective waters, forming an epic backdrop for all kinds of activities. From tranquil walks to hardhitting hikes, scenic flights to canyoning adventures, immerse yourself in some of the country’s most spectacular nature the way you want to.
Get Your bearings with a scenic flight and cruise
On an ultimate new Queenstown fly-cruise product you can glimpse the mirror-like reflective waters and towering peaks of the Southern Lakes region from both the air and the water. The adventure begins with a scenic flight with Air Milford over Arrowtown, Coronet Peak, the Skyline Gondola, Queenstown’s CBD and iconic Lake Wakatipu. You’ll land on the airstrip at Walter Peak High Country Station, where a farm tour will give you a taste of rural New Zealand. Then it’s all aboard the historic steamship the TSS Earnslaw – the only passenger-carrying, coal-fired steamship in the southern hemisphere – for a 45-minute cruise back to Queenstown.
Explore Arrowtown’s scenic trails
Arrowtown is a jumping off point for an incredible network of walking tracks, with 15 trails ranging from short strolls to multi-day tramps. Here are our top picks:
• Sawpit Gully Trail: This 2-3 hour loop track takes you through some of Arrowtown’s heritage and offers magnificent views of the Wakatipu Basin. Wander along the Arrow River, through Sawpit Gully, past gold mining tailings, through beech forests and over tussock-covered slopes. Don’t quite have time for the whole thing? Tobins Track is 1 hour return and is an equally scenic alternative.
• Lake Hayes Loop Track: This 2-3 hour loop track is ideal for those who want the stunning
scenery without too many steep hills. Navigate Lake Hayes while keeping an eye out for the Australasian Crested Grebe, and capture the reflections of Queenstown’s iconic peaks in the lake’s waters.
• Brow Peak Hike: This one is best tackled in good weather by fit, experienced hikers prepared to hike for 5-6 hours one way. Ensure you register your intentions to walk with DoC and check conditions as weather can change very quickly so safety is always a concern. The reward for this alpine climb is summiting the highest and most impressive peak you can see looking north from Arrowtown at 1,456m. For incredible panoramas without the steep uphill, start from the Coronet Peak Skifield and walk from there to Brow Peak and down to Arrowtown.
Venture into the wild
Switch off and embark on a true adventure through a remote, expansive landscape on a packrafting adventure in the Rees Valley. There are a variety of trips available to suit your level of adventure and time frame, from a day trip that gives travellers of all abilities a taste of hiking and paddling, to an overnighter for those with good fitness involving a hike into the Rees Valley and camping in the wild. Crank up the adrenaline with the multi-day packrafting experience, which includes sections of hiking, biking and whitewater paddling.
Kayak to secluded islands
For kayaking without the hard stuff, take a gentler journey with Rippled Earth Kayaks to Pig and Pigeon Islands near Glenorchy and immerse yourself in the scenery of Lake Wakatipu. From Glenorchy, you’ll paddle for 45 minutes to a secluded beach where you’ll enjoy a guided walk and some refreshments. These islands are an important reserve for endangered birdlife such as the Weka, which you may be lucky enough to see during your walk.
Go canyoning in a UNESCO World Heritage area
Abseil down rock faces, slide down chutes, leap into crystal clear pools and zipline through native buch on a canyoning experience in the Routeburn Valley. Your adventure begins with a walk into native rainforest along the Routeburn Track before entering a place that’s usually inaccessible, giving a true sense of isolation amidst this UNESCO World Heritage area. The 8 hour day trip with Canyon Explorers includes your transportation, gear, safety briefing, lunch – and all of the thrills!
These activities are just the tip of the iceberg. Visit queenstownnz.co.nz to start planning your Southern Lakes sojourn.