7 Days in New Zealand (South Island)

View of Queenstown from Skyline Queenstown

Day 1 | ARRIVAL INTO Queenstown - SETTLE IN AND EXPLORE

Upon our descent into Queenstown we were greeted with stunning views from the plane of snow-capped mountains, rivers and lakes. This was our first plane trip out of Perth post-Covid so we couldn't be more excited for the change in scenery.

Once we cleared the airport we headed straight to the onsite car rental provider, Europcar, to collect our compact SUV, which we used for the entire trip. We had also requested a child seat for our four-year-old, which was provided. A booster/child seat is actually compulsory for children up to 7 years old.

From there, it was a short drive to our Airbnb. After checking in, we made time to relax, unpack and do a quick grocery run before taking a leisurely stroll around Queenstown’s main tourist town taking in the laid back vibes and surrounding lake and mountain views.

Our Queenstown food recommendations for casual kid-friendly bites:

• Ramen Ramen by Tanoshi – our go-to for comforting, flavour-packed ramen after a long day of exploring.

• GOGO Taco – fresh, quick tacos that were perfect for an easy family meal.

• Hawker and Roll – great Asian street food-style dishes with bold flavours.

• Patagonia Chocolates – Ice Creamery & Chocolaterie – incredible ice cream and chocolates for a special family treat
  

Day to day itinerary

Day 2 | Queenstown - Jack's point golf course and Skyline QUEENSTOWN

Golf at Jack’s Point
While mum and son slept in, David met a friend who was in town at the same time for an early morning round at Jack’s Point Golf Course. The scenery alone made it the “best course” he’s ever played thanks to the unbeatable views of the mountains and lake. He highly recommends it for avid golfers visiting Queenstown.

Skyline Queenstown
We then headed off as a family to one of Queenstown’s must-do activities. We took the gondola up Bob’s Peak and were instantly blown away by the views. At the top, we spent a few hours wandering around the lookout points taking in the breathtaking mountain and lake views and watching paragliders, riding the luge (honestly so fun for both kids and adults) followed by lunch at the Skyline Café & Bar.

Day 3: Queenstown to Te Anau – A Pampered Start

Onsen Hot Pools

Before leaving Queenstown, I ensured to book a visit to Onsen Hot Pools, which ended up being one of my personal highlights.

I soaked in a private hot tub overlooking the Shotover River, surrounded by mountains and total calm - it was an absolute dream. Following that I had a massage and was very much thanking myself for pre-booking the experience. It was such a nice way to start the day - having that quiet, pampered moment before the next leg of the trip.

Drive to Te Anau: Distance: 170 km, Time: Approx 2 hours

This drive was easy and very scenic and we were lucky to have experienced it on a clear and sunny day. We enjoyed the mountain and lake views, lush rolling hills and grazing sheep so couldn't resist stopping a couple of times for photos.

Te Anau Arrival

We checked into ASURE Explorer Motel Te Anau, which was comfortable and perfect for a short stay.

Te Anau felt noticeably slower and quieter than Queenstown, which we really appreciated. We spent the afternoon walking along the lake, letting our son run around and just enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.

Favourite food spot:
Ditto – a relaxed, family-friendly spot offering casual Asian-inspired bites.

Day 4: Milford Sound – THE Trip Highlight

We booked the Real NZ Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Tour, and we’re so glad we didn’t drive ourselves. The coach ride was actually a really enjoyable part of the experience.

Our tour booking included:

• Return coach journey from Te Anau to Milford Sound in a comfortable glass-roofed coach with scenic stops along the way

• Boxed lunch

• Milford Sound cruise

• A host and commentary on both the road and boat

• Duration: Full-day

Sadly weather wasn't amazing that day, but we still got to appreciate the beautiful waterfalls up close and relaxing scenery.

Day 5: Te Anau to Wanaka – Road Trip & winery lunch

Drive to Wanaka: Distance: 230 km Time: Approx 3.5 hours

This was one of our longer driving days, so we made sure to break it up with a lunch stop. There was a bit of rain so we took our time and were so happy to be welcomed by the cosy vibes of the winery.

Lunch at Gibbston Valley Winery

We stopped at Gibbston Valley Winery, which was such a good decision. The food used fresh seasonal ingredients and paired with their lovely wine was such a delicious and inviting escape from the cold and wet weather.They even offer activity/colouring packs for the kids, which is a nice tough for families.

Arriving in Wanaka

Wanaka immediately felt calm and easygoing. The town vibe is super laid back and you're greeted with a stunning reflective lake and mountains in the distance.

We checked into Club Wyndham Wanaka, which was ideal for families offering spacious and comfortable rooms, and with great facilities including a heated pool and sauna.

Day 6: Wanaka – Bikes, Food & Relaxation

This was one of our favourite days

Biking Around Lake Wanaka

We hired bikes and a trailer for our son from Bikes by Outside Sports and spent the morning riding around the lake. It's a perfect route for families as it's mostly flat and easy, offers incredible views the whole way with lots of spots to stop and take it all in. Spot the famous Wanaka tree along the way.

Food Truck Lunch

We headed to the local food truck park for lunch, which had such a fun, relaxed vibe.

Where We Ate in Wanaka:

• Food Truck Park (Firebird Fried Chicken) – hands down some of the best fried chicken we’ve ever had! Crispy, juicy, and full of flavour.

• Paddle & Pint – a great casual spot with good food and a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere.

• Patagonia Chocolates – because we couldn’t leave without another ice cream stop.
  
  

Day 7: Heading Home

All good trips come to an end.

If you’re heading back to Queenstown like we did, it’s about a 1 hour drive, which is very manageable. We even stopped for some scenic family photos on the way back to the airport.

We returned our Europcar rental at the same airport depot we collected it from before checking in for our flight.

Unfortunately, we experienced a flight delay leaving Queenstown, which meant we missed our connecting flight from Sydney to Perth. We ended up enjoying an overnight layover in Sydney anyway.

Final Thoughts

This trip showed us that travelling with a child doesn’t mean giving up the kind of holidays you love - it just means adjusting your pace and expectations.

We built this itinerary to include:

• Plenty of downtime

• Manageable drives

• A mix of activities for everyone

And honestly, it worked so well. We hope to go back to New Zealand and explore more of the South Island including Lake Tekapo, which we weren't able to fit in this time around.

Driving route