Epic 27-Day South Island Adventure: Glaciers, Parks, and Culinary Delights Itinerary

Grab a quick bite at Vudu Cafe & Larder before embarking on a scenic drive to Arthur's Pass National Park. Take in the breathtaking landscapes and, if you're lucky, spot some native wildlife.

Enjoy a picnic lunch at Lake Pearson, then continue your drive to the Westcoast Treetop Walk & Cafe. Immerse yourself in the ancient forest from the unique vantage point of the treetop walkway.

Indulge in a sumptuous dinner at Rātā Restaurant, known for its innovative cuisine. Afterward, unwind with a stroll around the serene Lake Pukaki, admiring the turquoise waters against the backdrop of the Southern Alps.

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at Bespoke Kitchen. Then, head to the Banks Peninsula for a morning of coastal exploration, visiting the charming town of Akaroa and enjoying the stunning views.

For lunch, savor the flavors at Blue Kanu, offering a unique blend of Pacifica and Asian cuisine. Spend your afternoon at the International Antarctic Centre, where you can experience a taste of the frozen continent and learn about the important scientific research being conducted in Antarctica.

Dine at Rata Dining, owned by MasterChef New Zealand winner Josh Emett, and enjoy a menu that celebrates local produce. End your evening with a leisurely walk through the Mona Vale gardens, a tranquil oasis in the city.

Enjoy a delightful breakfast at Madam Woo, known for its modern take on Malaysian street food. Then, set off to the Waipara Valley, where you can spend the morning exploring the vineyards and tasting some of the region's finest wines.

Have a leisurely lunch at Amisfield Bistro & Cellar Door, which offers stunning views of Lake Hayes and the Remarkables mountain range. Afterward, take a guided tour of the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre in Blenheim, where you can admire a world-class collection of vintage aircraft.

Return to Queenstown and dine at Wakatipu Grill, located at the luxurious Hilton hotel. Enjoy a menu that highlights the best of New Zealand's produce, with a focus on locally sourced ingredients.

Start your day with a delicious breakfast at Eichardt's Bar, a historic establishment with a sophisticated atmosphere. Then, take a scenic drive to Glenorchy, stopping at the Glenorchy Wharf for stunning views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains.

Have lunch at The Cow Pizza and Spaghetti House, a local favorite known for its wood-fired pizzas and pasta dishes. Afterward, enjoy a leisurely cruise on the TSS Earnslaw, a vintage steamship, and explore the Walter Peak High Country Farm.

Dine at Botswana Butchery, an iconic Queenstown restaurant known for its elegant setting and premium cuts of meat. After dinner, take a stroll along the Queenstown Gardens, enjoying the tranquility of this beautiful park.

Fuel up with breakfast at Jervois Steak House Queenstown, where you can enjoy a hearty meal to prepare for an adventurous day. Then, head to the Skyline Queenstown for breathtaking panoramic views of the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu. Take a thrilling ride on the Skyline Gondola and try the Luge for an added dose of fun.

For lunch, visit Fergburger, a Queenstown institution famous for its gourmet burgers. Afterward, take a short drive to the Kawarau Bridge Bungy (AJ Hackett Bungy) and witness the daring bungy jumpers take the plunge.

Enjoy a relaxed dinner at Yonder Queenstown, a vibrant eatery with a focus on local and seasonal produce. Cap off the evening with a visit to The Winery, where you can sample a wide selection of Central Otago wines in a stylish setting.

Begin your day with a breakfast at Taco Medic, a spot known for its creative and delicious tacos. Afterward, visit the Queenstown Arts Centre to explore the local art scene and perhaps pick up a unique souvenir.

For lunch, head to Flame Bar and Grill Queenstown and enjoy a meal with a view of the lake. Spend your afternoon at the Central Otago Wine Region, visiting some of the renowned wineries and tasting the award-winning vintages.

Dine at The Jolly Potter, a cozy restaurant with a warm atmosphere and a menu featuring hearty dishes. After dinner, catch a live performance at The Remarkables Park, where you can enjoy music, comedy, or theater, depending on the schedule.

Enjoy breakfast at The Spice Room, a restaurant known for its Indian cuisine. Then, take a scenic drive to Wanaka and visit the iconic Roy's Peak for a rewarding hike with stunning panoramic views.

Have a leisurely lunch at The Landing, a restaurant with a relaxed setting and a menu featuring local produce. Afterward, visit Puzzling World in Wanaka, where you can explore the illusion rooms and tackle the challenging maze.

Return to Queenstown and dine at The Grille by Eichardt's, an elegant restaurant offering a sophisticated dining experience. After dinner, take a stroll along the Queenstown Waterfront, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere and the views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at The Boatshed Cafe & Bistro, a charming spot with a relaxed waterfront setting. Use the day to explore Queenstown at your own pace, whether it's trying out a new activity, shopping for souvenirs, or simply relaxing by the lake.

For lunch, visit The Bathhouse, a restaurant with a historic ambiance and a menu featuring local and seasonal ingredients. Afterward, you can choose to take a scenic drive to a nearby attraction, such as the Crown Range or the Moke Lake, or simply enjoy a spa treatment at one of the local wellness centers.

Dine at The Lodge Bar, a stylish restaurant with a menu that highlights the best of New Zealand's produce. After dinner, you can catch a movie at Dorothy Browns Cinema, an independent cinema known for its cozy and intimate atmosphere.

Start your day with breakfast at The Boatshed Cafe & Bistro, a charming spot with a relaxed waterfront setting. Then, take a short drive to the historic town of Arrowtown, where you can explore the quaint streets, visit the local shops, and learn about the town's gold mining history at the Arrowtown Chinese Settlement.

Have lunch at The Fork and Tap, a casual eatery with a menu featuring a variety of dishes. Afterward, head to the Gibbston Valley, known as the "Valley of the Vines," and spend your afternoon wine tasting at some of the region's best wineries, such as Chard Farm and Peregrine.

Dine at The Grille by Eichardt's, an elegant restaurant offering a sophisticated dining experience. After dinner, take a leisurely drive back to Queenstown, enjoying the beautiful scenery of the valley and the surrounding mountains.

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at The Bathhouse, a restaurant with a historic ambiance and a menu featuring local and seasonal ingredients. Then, get your adrenaline pumping with a thrilling jet boat ride on the Shotover River, experiencing the famous Shotover Jet spins and speeds.

For lunch, visit The Landing, a restaurant with a relaxed setting and a menu featuring local produce. Afterward, take a more relaxed approach to the afternoon with a visit to the Kiwi Birdlife Park, where you can learn about New Zealand's native wildlife and conservation efforts.

Dine at The Lodge Bar, a stylish restaurant with a menu that highlights the best of New Zealand's produce. After dinner, enjoy a peaceful evening cruise on the TSS Earnslaw, taking in the stunning views of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains.

Enjoy a delightful breakfast at The Spice Room, a restaurant known for its Indian cuisine. Then, embark on a once-in-a-lifetime experience with a scenic flight over the Southern Alps and the majestic Milford Sound (Piopiotahi). Marvel at the stunning landscapes and the iconic Mitre Peak from the air.

After your flight, indulge in a gourmet picnic lunch provided by The Grille by Eichardt's, featuring the finest local and seasonal ingredients. Spend the rest of your afternoon cruising the serene waters of Milford Sound, getting up close to the towering waterfalls and the resident wildlife.

As the sun sets, enjoy a luxurious dinner back in Queenstown at The Grille by Eichardt's, an elegant restaurant offering a sophisticated dining experience. Reflect on the day's adventures and savor the flavors of the region before retiring for the night.

Start your day with a leisurely breakfast at The Boatshed Cafe & Bistro, a charming spot with a relaxed waterfront setting. Then, take the morning to relax and rejuvenate at one of Queenstown's top spas, such as Onsen Hot Pools or Elysium Day Spa, where you can enjoy a range of treatments and soak in the stunning alpine views.

For lunch, visit The Bathhouse, a restaurant with a historic ambiance and a menu featuring local and seasonal ingredients. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll through the Queenstown Arts Centre, exploring the local art scene and perhaps picking up a unique souvenir to remember your time in Queenstown.

Dine at The Lodge Bar, a stylish restaurant with a menu that highlights the best of New Zealand's produce. After dinner, enjoy a relaxed evening at one of Queenstown's top bars, such as Eichardt's Bar or The Winery, where you can sample a range of local and international wines in a sophisticated setting.

Begin your day with a delightful breakfast at The Spice Room, a restaurant known for its Indian cuisine. Then, take a scenic drive to Lake Wanaka, where you can enjoy the tranquility of the lake and the surrounding mountains. Take a walk along the waterfront or find a peaceful spot to relax and take in the stunning views.

For lunch, visit The Landing, a restaurant with a relaxed setting and a menu featuring local produce. Afterward, continue your exploration with a visit to Roys Peak, a popular hiking spot that offers panoramic views of Lake Wanaka and the Southern Alps. The hike is challenging but the breathtaking scenery makes it well worth the effort.

Dine at The Grille by Eichardt's, an elegant restaurant offering a sophisticated dining experience. After dinner, take a leisurely drive back to Queenstown, enjoying the beautiful scenery of the region as the sun sets.

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at The Bathhouse, a restaurant with a historic ambiance and a menu featuring local and seasonal ingredients. Then, get ready for an action-packed morning with a thrilling Queenstown Jet Boating experience, where you'll speed across the waters of Lake Wakatipu and the Shotover River, taking in the stunning scenery and enjoying the adrenaline rush of high-speed turns and spins.

After the jet boating, take a break for lunch at The Landing, a restaurant with a relaxed setting and a menu featuring local produce. Then, continue the adventure with a visit to the Skyline Luge Queenstown, where you can race down the mountain on a gravity-fueled go-kart, enjoying the twists and turns of the purpose-built track and the panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Dine at The Grille by Eichardt's, an elegant restaurant offering a sophisticated dining experience. After dinner, enjoy a relaxed evening at one of Queenstown's top bars, such as Eichardt's Bar or The Winery, where you can sample a range of local and international wines in a sophisticated setting.

Begin your day with a delicious breakfast at The Spice Room, a restaurant known for its Indian cuisine. Then, head to the Mount Aspiring National Park, where you can spend the morning exploring the pristine wilderness, taking in the majestic mountains, ancient forests, and crystal-clear rivers.

For lunch, enjoy a picnic prepared by The Grille by Eichardt's, featuring the finest local and seasonal ingredients. After your meal, take a guided nature walk with a knowledgeable local guide, who will help you spot native flora and fauna and share insights about the park's ecology and conservation efforts.

Dine at The Grille by Eichardt's, an elegant restaurant offering a sophisticated dining experience. After dinner, take a leisurely drive back to Queenstown, enjoying the beautiful scenery of the region as the sun sets.

Start your day with a delightful breakfast at The Boatshed Cafe & Bistro, a charming spot with a relaxed waterfront setting. Then, take a scenic drive to Lake Wanaka, where you can enjoy the tranquility of the lake and the surrounding mountains. Take a walk along the waterfront or find a peaceful spot to relax and take in the stunning views.

For lunch, visit The Landing, a restaurant with a relaxed setting and a menu featuring local produce. Afterward, continue your exploration with a visit to Roys Peak, a popular hiking spot that offers panoramic views of Lake Wanaka and the Southern Alps. The hike is challenging but the breathtaking scenery makes it well worth the effort.

Dine at The Grille by Eichardt's, an elegant restaurant offering a sophisticated dining experience. After dinner, take a leisurely drive back to Queenstown, enjoying the beautiful scenery of the region as the sun sets.

Begin your day with a delightful breakfast at The Spice Room, a restaurant known for its Indian cuisine. Then, take a scenic drive to Glenorchy, a small town nestled at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu. Explore the town and its surroundings, which have been featured in many films, including the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

For lunch, visit The Landing, a restaurant with a relaxed setting and a menu featuring local produce. Afterward, continue your journey to Paradise, a stunning valley with pristine landscapes. Take a guided tour to learn about the area's history and enjoy the natural beauty.

Dine at The Grille by Eichardt's, an elegant restaurant offering a sophisticated dining experience. After dinner, take a leisurely drive back to Queenstown,