When Caleb and I were making plans to move back to the United States from Australia, we thought it would be awesome to be able to stop in New Zealand for a few days. We were happy to find that tickets to stopover in New Zealand were actually going to be cheaper than flying straight to the U.S., so of course, we took advantage of the low cost!

There’s a lot to see and do in Queenstown. It is very notable for skiing, but unfortunately for that, we went in the summer so skiing wasn’t on our list. Between the shops, restaurants, and island excursions, you may find that Queenstown makes a perfect pit-stop for a long journey, just like we did.

Day 1: Shopping + Queenstown Gondola

We started off our time in Queenstown by exploring the town. It is truly a one-of-a-kind place. It’s fairly small; we walked from our Airbnb about 15 minutes down to the shops every day. We found that most people were either walking or biking to get around.

There were so many cute shops with everything from luxury brand names to local gems. Sprinkled throughout were various restaurants. Fergburger is a world-renown burger joint that always had a line going down the sidewalk. I highly recommend the Coyote Grill; we ended up eating there twice it was so delicious!

The Gondola is a cable car that goes up the side of the mountain. At the top is a museum, restaurant and the most amazing views of Queenstown! Tickets were fairly priced and totally worth it once you get to the top. You can street luge down the side of the mountain or even book a stargazing experience in the evening. The views of the mountains over Lake Wakatipu were stunning!

Day 2: Millbrook Spa + Speedboat Tour

Before I even arrived in New Zealand, I knew that I wanted one day to focus on just relaxing. So when I found the Millbrook Spa and Resort, I knew I hit the jackpot.

We hopped onto a local bus and caught a ride out to Arrowtown. I was able to purchase day passes for the resort for Caleb and me. We took advantage of the outdoor pools, scenic views, and saunas. I might also recommend the spa pedicure; it was the most luxurious experience! If you’re looking for some peace and quiet away by yourself or with your honey, definitely look into the Millbrook Spa.

After all that relaxation, it was time for some adrenaline, right? We found out that speed boat tours are very popular in Queenstown because of the rivers and canyons that flow near the lake.

We opted for KJet boat tours which took us over Lake Wakatipu and Shotover River, some of the spots where famous Lord of the Rings scenes were filmed! The boats went nearly 60mph and our driver was not shy about those 360º spin moves! Not scary, all fun, definitely recommend!

Day 3: Milford Sound Excursion

For our final day in Queenstown, we actually went away from the town a bit. I had heard great things about Milford Sound and I thought it would be a great way to see the countryside.

Milford Sound is part of the Fiordland National Park, about 4 hours southwest of Queenstown, at the southwestern coast of South Island. There are several tour groups that can get you from Queenstown to the National Park on a nice, comfy coach bus. It was an early morning departure, but the tour was very well-structured with stops along the way to eat and catch some views of spectacular South Island.

When you finally arrive, you hop onto a boat to cruise the Sound. Watch our highlight video below!

---

This is a 12-13 hour day if you’re doing the excursion from Queenstown, but it is 100% worth it. There were moments Caleb and I were standing at the front of the boat, just in awe of the mountains, realizing we were at the edge of the world. It was really special and something we’ll never forget!

Have you been to Queenstown, South Island? Would you recommend any other spots in New Zealand? Let me know in the comments section <3