7-Day Te Araroa Trail Tour Packages
4.5 stars on(8,204 reviews)- Choose from 5 Te Araroa Trail tours
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Insider tips: Recommended 7-day Te Araroa Trail itineraries
Compiled by
MelissaTe Araroa Trail travel expert at TourRadar
- Day 1
Queenstown Arrival & Setup
Arrive in Queenstown and get your rental gear from Small Planet in the town center. They have better-maintained equipment than what you'll find on the mountains. Most shops close by 6 PM, so plan accordingly. Spend your evening having dinner in town, with an optional stop at Atlas Beer Café to meet fellow travelers. Book your gear ahead of time if you're visiting during peak season (July-August) to ensure you get your size.
- Days 2-3
Cardrona & The Remarkables
Start early at Cardrona Alpine Resort, about 60 minutes from Queenstown. Leave by 7:30 AM to avoid traffic on Crown Range Road. Cardrona is perfect for beginners and intermediates. Check out Captain's Basin for wide runs that will boost your confidence. The next day, visit The Remarkables (45 minutes away). The Curvey Basin chair offers great morning sun and well-groomed runs. Pack your own food since mountain cafes charge high prices, often $15+ for a basic lunch.
- Day 4
Adventure Day in Queenstown
Give your legs a break and explore Queenstown. Take the Skyline Gondola for amazing views of the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu. Go early to avoid the crowds. Looking for thrills? Try the Nevis Bungy ($280) or book a tandem paragliding flight from Bob's Peak ($220) to see the ski fields from above.
- Day 5
Coronet Peak
Coronet Peak is just 25 minutes from town and ideal for intermediate skiers. If there's fresh powder, head to the Back Bowls first before they get busy. You can ski at night on Wednesdays and Fridays until 9 PM. Bring extra layers as it can get very cold, below -10°C. Local tip: Check out the M1 run in the afternoon when other slopes turn icy.
- Day 6
Final Mountain Day or Explore
Choose between one last ski day or exploring Queenstown. The Tiki Trail takes 2-3 hours round trip and offers great views without paying for the gondola. Want a great burger? Use the Fergburger app to avoid the long lines. For dinner, try Stratosfare Restaurant on Bob's Peak. Book for 7:30 PM to catch the sunset over the Southern Alps.
- Day 7
Departure
As one traveler said: "The morning sun hitting the Remarkables from town is incredible - grab a coffee at Vudu Café on Beach Street and soak in that final mountain view." Leave extra time to return rental gear and book an afternoon flight to avoid morning traffic.
- Day 1
Queenstown Arrival & Orientation
Start your New Zealand ski adventure in Queenstown, the South Island's adventure capital. Get your ski gear at Small Planet Sports on Beach Street, where you'll find quality equipment and helpful staff. Book your fittings for early afternoon to avoid the morning tourist rush. Spend your evening exploring downtown Queenstown over dinner.
- Day 2
Cardrona Alpine Resort
Start at Cardrona to find your ski rhythm on its varied runs. Take the resort bus from central Queenstown at 8:15 AM for the 75-minute drive. Spend your morning at Valley View quad chair when the snow is best. Cardrona offers 40km of skiable terrain and New Zealand's biggest terrain parks. Skip the busy base lodge and bring lunch to eat at Vista Bar near McDougall's chair for better views and shorter lines.
- Day 3
The Remarkables
Just 45 minutes from Queenstown lies one of New Zealand's most striking ski fields. Warm up on Curvey Basin before taking on the challenging Alta Chair runs. Check out the Burton Stash park, unique in the Southern Hemisphere. Book the first shuttle up if you want fresh snow.
- Day 4
Adventure Day in Queenstown
Give your legs a break and explore Queenstown. Take in Lake Wakatipu views from the Skyline Gondola on Bob's Peak. Try bungy jumping at Kawarau Bridge or zoom through Shotover River on a jet boat. Looking for something quieter? Walk the peaceful lakeside track in Queenstown Gardens.
- Day 5
Coronet Peak
The closest ski field to Queenstown offers great groomed runs just 25 minutes away. Night skiing runs Wednesday and Friday nights, and the M1 run gives you amazing views of Lake Wakatipu. After fresh snow, head to the back bowls where powder stays longest.
- Day 6
Free Ski Day & Evening Celebration
Return to your favorite slopes or spend time in Queenstown. Grab a famous Fergburger after skiing but use their app to order ahead and skip the long lines. Consider dinner at Skyline Restaurant, where you can enjoy mountain views while you eat.
- Day 7
Departure Day
On your last morning, try breakfast at Vudu Café & Larder on Beach Street before heading to the airport. Airport shuttles run every 15 minutes from the main bus stop.
5 Days in New Zealand's Fiordland, incl. Queenstown and Te Anau
Rich adventures fill 5 memorable days: a full day in Milford Sound, 2 nights in Te Anau with glowworm caves and hiking trails, and 2 days in Queenstown featuring gondola rides and lake activities. Each day includes 2-3 major attractions.
- Day 1
Queenstown to Milford Sound
Start your journey early with a coach ride from Queenstown along Lake Wakatipu. Pick a seat on the right side for the best mountain views. You can take a quick break in Te Anau and grab coffee at Sandfly Café before continuing on the scenic Milford Road. A recent traveler shared: "The journey to Milford Sound is just as impressive as the destination itself - bring a camera and dress in layers as the weather can change quickly."
- Day 2
Te Anau Adventures
Start with a jet boat ride down the Waiau River where Lord of the Rings fans will spot filming locations from the Fellowship of the Ring. In the afternoon try hiking the Kepler Track to Rainbow Reach which takes about 2.5 hours one way. The track is well maintained but wear good shoes since roots get slippery after rain. If you want something shorter the Dock Bay walk takes 1-3 hours and offers similar views of the beech forest.
- Day 3
Te Anau Glowworm Experience and Return to Queenstown
Visit the Te Anau glowworm caves in the morning. Book the first tour at 9:00 AM to avoid crowds. Bring a light jacket since the caves stay cool at around 12°C/54°F. Later catch the InterCity bus back to Queenstown which takes about 2 hours. Sit on the left side to see great views of the Remarkables mountain range as you get close to the city.
- Day 4
Lake Wakatipu Cruise
Take a trip on the historic TSS Earnslaw steamship across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm. A visitor recently noted: "The BBQ lunch at Walter Peak was a highlight - get a table on the terrace for amazing lake views but bring sunscreen as the New Zealand sun is intense even on cloudy days." Farm demonstrations start right after lunch and include sheep shearing which you won't want to miss.
- Day 5
Queenstown Adventure
Head up the Skyline Gondola before 10 AM to avoid crowds and get better photos. Try the Luge track at the top and get at least 3 rides since your first run will be slow while you learn the course. This takes about 2-3 hours so you'll have time to explore downtown Queenstown before you leave.
