1 Week In and Around Queenstown with a Camper
As most travelers who have been to these fine shores will tell you, the best way to travel New Zealand is by campervan. From basic to luxury, campers from all around the world rev their engines and hit the road!
If you have found yourself behind the wheel in Queenstown with a week of free time and fuel for fun then this guide’s got you covered!
*This blog was written in 2018, please note some things may have changed*
Itinerary
- Queenstown/Glenorchy – Day 1-3
- Te Anau – Day 3-4
- Milford Sound – Day 4-5
- Arrowtown – Day 5-6
- Wanaka – Day 6-7
Pro Tips
- Download “Rankers Camping” app to find spots around the South Island to freedom camp and/or powered sites for your campervan. Download the map so you can use it offline.
- Another helpful app is “maps.me” download each region you are visiting before you go for the best offline maps going around – and for the super organized you can mark each spot you will be visiting, handy
Day 1-3 – Queenstown/Glenorchy
Things To Do
- Trek the Tiki Trail up to the summit of Bob’s Peak and get a stunning view overlooking Queenstown below. The trail takes 1-2 hours return or for tired legs and deeper pockets take the gondola for $39 return.
- Go skiing/snowboarding at the nearby slopes (Coronet peak, Cardrona, Remarkables or Treble Cone).
- Relax and indulge at the Onsen hot pools. 15 minutes drive from Queenstown; this place has the most beautiful view you can get in a hot pool. Perfect way to relax your muscles after a day of hiking or skiing.
- Stroll around the Queenstown gardens. This park is truly scenic, showcasing old pine trees, rose gardens and views back to Queenstown and around to the Remarkables.
- Adventure activities – There are many popular activities found here in Queenstown, jump on the wild side and go bungy jumping or on the Shotover jet.
- Bennetts Bluff Lookout – On the way to Glenorchy stop off at this lookout that offers views over Lake Wakatipu down to Glenorchy with the stunning mountain range behind.
- Take a day trip to Glenorchy. Glenorchy is around a 45-minute drive from Queenstown, here you can visit the most photographed boat shed and wharf in New Zealand. We recommend trying to get out here for sunset, when there is less tourists and beautiful colours in the sky!
- Devils staircase is just south of Queenstown, a windy but scenic drive – make sure to stop at the designated lookouts for some amazing
Eat
- Fergburger – If you are a burger fan like us then you have to try out the NZ famous burger. There is always a line but it moves pretty quickly and totally worth it!
- Vudu Café – Award wining café that serve fresh, local and organic food, need I say more? We enjoyed a delicious brunch here and sat outside to admire the lakeside views.
- Into craft beer? You can’t go past the Atlas Café. They have heaps of delicious brews on draft for any pallet.
Accommodation
- Lake View Holiday Park – As there is no freedom camping allowed in the vicinity of the city we thought we would stay at the central Lake View Holiday Park. They had really nice facilities and only a short walk to the main street in Queenstown. As we were also traveling in the middle of winter, it was great to stay at powered sites so we could heat up our van before going to sleep. We highly recommend staying here, but you may need to book in advance, as it is one of the most popular holiday parks in Queenstown.
- Freedom camping just outside of Glenorchy – We spent one night at a freedom camp spot outside of Glenorchy, it was the most perfect feeling waking up right next to the lake with the beautiful mountain backdrop.
- Use the “Rankers Camping” app to find freedom camping spots.
Day 3-5 – Milford Sound / Te Anau
Things To Do
- Milford Sound Cruise – This is a must do when visiting Milford Sound and the best way to see the whole fiord in a short amount of time. Jucy has cruises available to book and Jucy drivers get half price tickets. Beauty-ful!
- On the way to Milford Sound stop off at the following lookouts for some amazing photo opportunities – Eglington Valley and Mirror Lakes.
- Stroll around the lakeside of Te Anau – Unfortunately we didn’t have enough time in Te Anau, we did however took a leisurely stroll around the lake which was stunning.
- Jump off the Marakura wharf. If you can brave the cold in winter or summer jump off the wharf for a refreshing dip.
Tip
- There are no supermarkets, petrol stations, ATM or service on the road from Te Anua to Milford Sound. Make sure you top up you vehicle with enough petrol and get any cash out. You can pay for accommodation and boat trips with card.
- Fill up at NPD Fuel in Mossburn for the cheapest gas in the area.
Eat
- We recommend you do like us and take supplies into the sound with you. We cooked our own meals while in Milford Sound as the facilities at the lodge were awesome and there weren’t many places to eat out. Cooking our own meals is a great money saver; the campervan has a fridge that is like marry poppin’s bag, it looks small but you seem to be able to fit everything into it.
Accommodation
- Milford Sound Lodge – We highly recommend staying at least one night in Milford Sound to experience its beauty before and after the hoards of tourists arrive/leave. Milford Sound Lodge was my favourite holiday park we stayed at on our trip. They had the best facilities on offer and situated very close to the fiord and its surrounding beauty. Being enclosed by nature and out of touch with the outside world (no service) made it that more special.
- Freedom camping just outside of Te Anau – We decided to check out our handy “Rankers Camping” app out to find a freedom camping spot (which was outside of Te Anau). We tried to alternate between holiday parks and freedom camp spots to experience what both had to offer, this is also another great way to save money.
Day 5-7 – Arrowtown/Wanaka – Day 5-6
Things To Do
- Visit the Chinese Settlement in Arrowtown. In the 1800’s Chinese miners were invited to Arrowtown to re-establish the economy and hunt for gold. Today the settlement is still standing and the well-known cabin in pictures is found in the car park.
- Cardrona Hotel – Rumoured to be the photographed building in New Zealand, an award winning restaurant and beer garden. Definitely worth a pit stop!
- Wine tasting at Rippon Winery – Not only do they have fantastic views but also a tasting room to sample their wines and it is free! Highly recommend in visiting and sampling some delicious tasting wines.
- Hike up to Roys Peak for some fantastic views – One of the most recognizable views in NZ, this hike is totally worth it. 6km drive from Wanaka, starting from the carpark it is an 8km ascent (total of 16km). At an average pace it will take 5-6 hours. Don’t forget to pack plenty of water as there is no shade and on a hot day you will get very sweaty.
- Snap a picture at Wanaka Tree. A photographer’s favorite spot. Make sure you capture the unique scene.
- If you have more time make sure to check out other hikes in the area – Rob Roy Glacier, Rocky Mountain and Mount Iron.
Eat
- Akarua Wines and Kitchen by Artisan – The top brunch spot on our trip, situated outside of Arrowtown, they offer some seriously delicious meals and wines.
- Red Star Burger – This is my favorite burger place in all of New Zealand. If you like blue cheese, then order the blue cheese burger… they stick in a whole slice of blue cheese! Oh it’s so delicious!
- Federal Diner – This is the place to be to grab a good coffee in Wanaka, confirmed by the locals!
Accommodation
- Albert town campsite – You can park up with your campervan for a small fee. Located next to a river and a short drive away from Wanaka. This was a great place to stay at if you are on a budget but still in close proximity to Wanaka.
- Freedom camping just outside of Arrowtown on the summit of the Crown ranges. This was definitely an adventure spending the night atop a mountain in the middle of winter! We cuddled up warm and woke up to some fantastic views overlooking Queenstown – It was magic! Make sure you get here at sunset to watch the sun going down.
You’ve done it!
Seven days, countless km’s and heaps of beeps from other Jucy Campervans cruising the other way. If you managed to fit everything in then you will be having a great sleep on the plane ride, knowing that you have done all you could to experience in and around Queenstown in just 7 days!
Hope it was an awesome ride and you had as much fun as we did!
Ka kite ano.
(See you again)
Kiwis Off Course 
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