01Queenstown & Lake Wakatipu
New Zealand's adventure capital sits on Lake Wakatipu under the jagged Remarkables. Ride the gondola at sunset, jetboat the Shotover, then eat by the water.
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Fiords, glaciers and hobbit doors in one country
New Zealand
Cruise past Mitre Peak while waterfalls drop straight into the sea, then walk a lane of round hobbit doors in the green Waikato. Down south the water turns milky turquoise at Tekapo, blue ice tumbles through the Franz Josef valley, and Queenstown packs jetboats, gondola rides and Central Otago pinot into one lakeside afternoon.
Best timeOctober to April, when days run long, alpine passes stay clear and lupines flower along the lakes in November and December.
Ideal duration8-10 days
Great forHoneymooners, road-trippers and adventure-loving families
Trip highlights
Milford Sound fiord cruiseHobbiton movie set tourFranz Josef glacier heli-hikeQueenstown jetboats and gondolaStargazing at Lake Tekapo
Top places in New Zealand
01
02Milford Sound
Mitre Peak rises sheer from the fiord and waterfalls pour off cliffs on both sides. Cruise beneath them past Stirling Falls, with fur seals basking on the rocks.
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03Hobbiton Movie Set, Matamata
The Shire, built for real in the Waikato hills. Guided walks take you past 44 hobbit holes and their gardens to a pint at the Green Dragon Inn.
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04Lake Tekapo
The little stone Church of the Good Shepherd stands over water so turquoise it looks dyed. Stay after dark: Tekapo sits inside an international dark sky reserve.
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05Franz Josef Glacier
A glacier that grinds down through temperate rainforest towards sea level. Helicopters drop hikers onto the ice for a few hours among blue seracs and crevasses.
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