Adventure begins with a scenic flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound, a glacially carved fjord surrounded by ancient beech forests and mist-shrouded valleys • A scenic afternoon boat ride cruises you past towering fjord walls draped with waterfalls, toward the Tasman Sea • Hike the Routeburn Track, with deep blue tarns reflecting the sky’s shifting light as you pass • Listen for the call of the kea, an endangered alpine parrot the Maori named for its unique sound • The Key Summit Track leads you through a still, mossy forest before you break free of the tree line for mountain views • Be treated to locally sourced Fiordland dishes at the elegant Milford Sound Lodge.

Cruise into one of the most sought-after spots in New Zealand as you ferry to Sandfly Point, the dramatic entry to the Milford Track • The Giant Gate Falls plunge 98 feet into a deep green pool, your destination on an out-and-back hike • Road trip through jaw-dropping scenery from the Milford Sound to Te Anau • A scenic helicopter flight sweeps you high above Lake Te Anau to Mt. Luxmore • Layered visions of blue-green mountains roll into the distance as you hike the legendary Kepler Track • At a family-owned wilderness lodge, personal touches and generous hosts demonstrate true Kiwi hospitality.

Water taxi to Shallow Bay, cross the swinging bridge at Rainbow Reach and opt for a hike distance that feels just right • Ecosystems seem to reinvent themselves at every bend in the road as your ride approaches Queenstown at the southern tip of lovely Lake Wakatipu • The bustling town center drops away and the lake glimmers below as you hike to the Ben Lomond viewpoint 1,800 feet above Queenstown • Boutique waterfront shops and artisanal eateries are perfect for an afternoon browse at your own pace • Relax at the hotel after a rewarding week of hiking or meander through exotic trees in the botanical gardens.