7 Days on New Zealand’s South Island: A Family-Friendly Queenstown & Fiordland Itinerary
Welcome to Te Waipounamu—the South Island—where ice-carved mountains fold into mirror-still lakes and rainforest meets the sea. Māori stories thread through these landscapes: Lake Wakatipu was shaped, legend says, by a sleeping taniwha whose heartbeat still makes the waters rise and fall every 27 minutes. In Fiordland, you’ll sail beneath cliffs that scraped the sky long before humans set eyes on them.
Across seven days, you’ll base in two places that make family travel easy: Queenstown (adventure central with gentle thrills for kids) and Te Anau (the laid-back gateway to Fiordland). Expect gondolas and luge rides, a classic lake cruise with a hearty farm BBQ, glowworms that light up like constellations, and the bucket-list Milford Sound.
Practical notes: Kiwis drive on the left; most roads are superb but rural, so allow extra time for photo stops and one-lane bridges. Weather changes fast—pack layers and a rain jacket year-round. Sandflies love Fiordland; bring repellent. Peak season is December–March; book activities and Milford Sound cruises early.
Queenstown
Queenstown is alpine drama with a playful streak—peaks cradling turquoise Lake Wakatipu, vineyards rolling toward Central Otago, and a compact town stuffed with stellar food. It’s known for bungee and skydives, but it’s equally friendly to families: gondola rides, luge tracks, lakeside gardens, and short, beautiful walks.
Top hits include the Skyline Gondola to Bob’s Peak for panoramic views, Kiwi Park for native wildlife, and nearby Arrowtown’s gold-rush cottages. The lakefront hums at sunset—grab gelato and watch the mountains go pink. Fun fact: Lake Wakatipu is New Zealand’s longest lake, with that rhythmic “heartbeat” seiche locals love to point out.
- Stay: Browse family stays on VRBO Queenstown or hotels on Hotels.com Queenstown. Good family bases: Frankton (near supermarkets), Fernhill (lake views), Kelvin Heights (quiet, parks).
- Getting there: Fly into Queenstown (ZQN) from Auckland/Christchurch/Wellington. Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Typical domestic flight times: 1–2 hours; fares often US$60–160 one way.
- Food intel: Breakfast at Bespoke Kitchen (whole-food bakes) or Vudu Larder (excellent eggs and pastries). Lunch at Fergburger (iconic, be ready for a queue), Devil Burger (quicker, great kid options), or Erik’s Fish & Chips (gluten-free fryer). Dinner ideas: Rātā (inventive NZ plates), Blue Kanu (Pacific-Asian, lively), The Cow (old-school pizza and spaghetti, kid-pleaser), Finz (lakefront seafood).
Te Anau
Te Anau is Fiordland’s friendly front porch, set on the South Island’s largest lake. It’s a small town with a big backyard: three Great Walks begin nearby (Kepler, Milford, Routeburn), and the road to Milford is a scenic event all by itself.
Evenings are peaceful—perfect for a lakeside stroll before spotting glowworms in an underground grotto. Cafés are cozy, with hearty pies, Southland cheese rolls, and great coffee fueling early starts to the fiords.
- Stay: Find space for the whole crew on VRBO Te Anau or browse hotels on Hotels.com Te Anau.
- Food intel: Breakfast at Sandfly Café (great cabinet food) or The Habit Food Co. Lunch at Bao Now (casual buns and bowls) or Miles Better Pies. Dinner at Redcliff Café (local game and fish), The Fat Duck (gastropub with kids’ menu), or La Toscana (comforting pasta and pizza).
Day 1: Arrive in Queenstown
Morning: Travel day. Compare flight options into Queenstown on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Pick up a rental car for flexibility (child booster required by law for under-7s).
Afternoon: Check in, then stretch your legs in the Queenstown Gardens—easy lakeside paths, a playground, and frisbee golf if the crew needs to run. Grab a gelato at Patagonia Chocolates and watch the Earnslaw Wharf come alive.
Evening: Early dinner at The Cow (fireplace, shareable bowls of spaghetti bolognese) or Blue Kanu (fun Pacific-Asian tapas; ask for mild dishes for the kiddo). If energy allows, stroll the lakefront track toward Frankton for sunset views.
Day 2: Skyline Gondola, Luge & Shotover Jet
Morning: Breakfast at Bespoke Kitchen, then ride the Skyline Gondola to Bob’s Peak. Views sweep from Cecil Peak to the Remarkables. Buy a luge combo and take a few runs—the “Scenic” track is gentle and perfect for kids riding tandem with an adult.
Afternoon: Adrenaline time with the iconic jet boat through a narrow canyon.
Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown
Expect 360° spins, shallow-water skims, and canyon walls an arm’s length away. Minimum height usually 1.0 m—double-check current requirements at booking. Not into speed? Swap for Kiwi Park’s conservation show and kea encounters.
Evening: Soak at Onsen Hot Pools (book a family tub slot in daylight hours) overlooking the Shotover River. Dinner at Flame Bar & Grill (ribs, steaks, kids’ menu) or Taco Medic (casual, gluten-free corn tortillas).
Day 3: Lake Wakatipu Cruise & Farm BBQ, Arrowtown Stroll
Morning: Coffee and breakfast at Vudu Larder, then a relaxed lakefront wander. Browse independent shops on Beach Street—pick up merino layers if needed.
Midday–Afternoon (tour):
Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise
Sail across Lake Wakatipu to a high-country farm for an all-you-can-eat BBQ (beautiful salads and desserts) and a farm demo that delights kids. Note: The TSS Earnslaw steamship is scheduled for maintenance 19 May–1 Oct 2025; an alternate vessel operates during that window.
Evening: Short drive to Arrowtown for golden-hour light on historic cottages. Dinner at The Fork and Tap (local ales, hearty plates, kids’ options) or La Rumbla (Spanish-inspired sharing dishes; book ahead). Treats from Patagonia Arrowtown on the way back.
Day 4: Glenorchy & Easy Family Walks
Morning: Scenic 45-minute drive to Glenorchy—one of NZ’s prettiest roads. Coffee at Mrs Woolly’s General Store, then wander the Glenorchy Lagoon Boardwalk (1–2 hours; flat, great for bird-spotting and prams).
Afternoon: Picnic by the famous red Glenorchy shed. If the family wants a short forest stroll, try the Routeburn Nature Walk at the track’s start (30–45 minutes, mossy beech forest and swing bridges). Return to Queenstown with photo stops at Bennett’s Bluff.
Evening: Casual dinner back in town: Erik’s Fish & Chips (outdoor benches, gluten-free options) or Public Kitchen & Bar (shared plates, lakeside). Early night before tomorrow’s transfer.
Day 5: Queenstown to Te Anau + Glowworm Caves
Morning (travel): Depart Queenstown for Te Anau (approx. 2 hours/170 km by car). Expect a stunning drive via Kingston (lakeside views) and Mossburn. Coach services take ~2.5 hours and typically cost ~NZ$35–60 per adult, discounts for children.
Afternoon: Check in, stroll the Te Anau lakefront and Ivon Wilson Park (easy loop, ducks to greet). Grab pies at Miles Better Pies or soup and toasties at Sandfly Café.
Evening (tour):
Cruise across the lake, then enter a limestone cave where rushing water gives way to a silent boat ride under a galaxy of glowworms—magical for kids and adults alike. Dine afterwards at Redcliff Café or The Fat Duck.
Day 6: Milford Road Adventure + Milford Sound Cruise
This is a full Fiordland day—no need to break it up. Pack layers, snacks, and repellent, and depart early to enjoy the many stops on the Milford Road. Drive time Te Anau–Milford is ~1.5–2 hours one way, but plan 3 with scenic pauses: Eglinton Valley (glacial plains), Mirror Lakes (boardwalk reflections), Lake Gunn Nature Walk (45 minutes), and the Homer Tunnel’s kea lookouts.
Board a spacious vessel for close-up views of Mitre Peak, waterfalls that kiss the bow, and (often) fur seals and dolphins. Cruises run ~1:45–2 hours; choose a late-morning or early-afternoon sailing to dodge early crowds. Picnic at Milford Foreshore then return to Te Anau by late afternoon.
Dinner in town at La Toscana (pizza/pasta) or Toss The Boss (casual burgers and mains). Celebrate with a lakeside twilight walk.
Day 7: Te Anau to Queenstown + Departure
Morning: Drive back to Queenstown (~2 hours). If your flight’s later, fit in Kiwi Park (easy hour with tuatara and kea) or a relaxed loop through the Queenstown Gardens. Brunch at Yonder (great pancakes) or Bespoke Kitchen (return visit encouraged!).
Afternoon: Fly out of Queenstown. Check real-time fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you’re extending north, you can connect via Christchurch or Auckland.
Optional Upgrades or Swaps
- Milford by air (time-saver): Replace the driving day with a scenic flight + cruise combo from Queenstown for huge views and minimal transit.
Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown
Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown on Viator - More gentle adventure: Swap jet boating for a lakeside e-bike on the Queenstown Trail (flat sections, hire trailers for kids) or a scenic wine tasting with a playground stop at Wet Jacket.
Logistics at a Glance
- Pace: 4 nights Queenstown, 2 nights Te Anau, final day back to Queenstown.
- Driving: Queenstown ↔ Te Anau ~2 hours each way. Add time for scenic stops.
- Costs (ballpark): Domestic flights US$60–160 pp one way; Milford cruise adult ~NZ$90–140, child discounts common; Gondola + luge combos from ~NZ$60–90 adult.
- Packing: Layers, rain jacket, comfortable walking shoes, motion-sickness tablets for cruises, sandfly repellent in Fiordland.
Where to Book Stays Again: VRBO Queenstown, Hotels.com Queenstown, VRBO Te Anau, Hotels.com Te Anau. For flights: Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
In one week you’ll taste the South Island’s greatest hits—Queenstown’s alpine energy, Te Anau’s soothing pace, and Fiordland’s majestic waters. It’s a trip built for stories: glowworms, waterfalls that soak your bow, and that lake with a heartbeat you’ll swear you can hear at dusk.