Southern Lakes

Photo credit:Lake Wanaka Tourism

The Southern Lakes region is a geological work of art. Around Fiordland, Queenstown and Wanaka you can discover sky-scraping mountain peaks, glacier-cut valleys and fiords, fast flowing braided rivers and ancient forests.

Challenge yourself to pursue new adventures or sit back and let the powerful landscapes restore your soul.

In glacier-carved Fiordland, waterfalls plummet hundreds of metres into the ocean, rainforest clings to sheer mountain sides and snow topped peaks reach for the sky. Milford Sound is the most accessible of the fiords and there are various ways to see it - cruises, sailing trips and sea kayaking tours. There’s even an underwater observatory. If you want to see a fiord that’s less visited, from Te Anau you can arrange an adventure to Doubtful Sound, a remote haven with resident bottlenose dolphins, fur seals and penguins.

A town for all seasons, Queenstown was founded 150 years ago as a gold mining camp; today it’s a stylish destination for travellers who like to mix adventure with five star comfort. Close to Queenstown is Arrowtown, one of our most picturesque historic villages. Stroll streets full of restored heritage cottages or saddle up for a horse trek. Another ‘don’t miss’ community is Wanaka, the home of a spectacular airshow (Warbirds Over Wanaka) which is held every two years at Easter. Wanaka’s the place to source a fantastic flightseeing experience.

Adrenalin buzz
Queenstown’s wildly exciting environment is irresistible to adventure seekers. In the ‘Adventure Capital of the World’ you’ll find adrenalin-stirring, sanity-reducing exploits of the most extreme kind.

Winter sports wonderland
The Lake Wanaka region is a complete winter sports destination. Cardrona and Treble Cone are classic downhill ski fields, heli skiing happens high in the Harris Mountains and there’s Nordic skiing at the Snow Farm.

Magnificent Milford Sound
Described by Rudyard Kipling as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’ Milford Sound is always spectacular. Feel the mist of the waterfalls, look for seals on the rocks and marvel at the steep sides of the fiord.

The deepest fiord
At 421 metres, Doubtful Sound is the deepest of New Zealand’s fiords. It’s a haven for nature, with resident bottlenose dolphins, fur seals and penguins. Kayak tours and eco-cruises reveal the mysteries of the fiord.

Wonderful walks
Three of New Zealand’s ‘great walks’ are found in Fiordland – the Routeburn, Milford and Kepler tracks. For those with less time, a range of short walks lets you dip into the wilderness for a few hours.

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