10 Days of Southern Luxury

Experience Southern New Zealand's Top Luxury Lodges
img
Lindis Spa
Minaret Station 12
Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
Helicopter adventures in Fiordland
OVERVIEW
ITINERARY
START PLANNING

10 Days of Southern Luxury

Be immersed in the most iconic wilderness the majestic South has to offer. Unwind and explore off the beaten path in the Ahuriri Valley, Lindis Pass. Land at Minaret Station, a high country alpine lodge accessed only by helicopter. On to Fiordland's Sound of Silence for an overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound and finish with a day walk on the famed Milford Track.

Duration: 10 days

Starts: Queenstown

Finishes: Queenstown

+ Absolute Fly & Seek Inclusions:
  • Dedicated Travel Designer
  • Full In-Country Support
  • Specialist Guides on all selected experiences
  • Scenic Charter Flight Transfers
Your Experiences:
  1. Signature Activites Onsite at The Lindis
  2. Minaret Station Highlights
  3. Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
  4. Milford Track Guided Walk and Cruise
Your Locations:
  1. Waitaki Valley
  2. Wanaka
  3. Te Anau
  4. Doubtful Sound
  5. Milford Sound
VIEW ITINERARY

Day by day tour itinerary

Expand all
DAY 1
The Lindis, Ahuriri Valley

The Lindis is a luxury lodge and modern architectural gem nestled in the Ahuriri Valley, 30 minute helicopter flight from Queenstown.

Leaving Queenstown your helicopter will take you through dramatic landscape and rugged mountain country before you arrive at the Lindis, located on the Ben Avon Station. Longslip Station is the neighbouring working farm where they run merino sheep and agnus bulls and using Ben Avon to graze.

Check in and familiarise yourself with the surrounding of the luxury lodge. Enjoy a stroll and get ready to enjoy some afternoon tea. The daily meals are prepared by head chef Cesare Stella and his team and represent season and location in their style of cooking. The uniquely New Zealand style of refined cuisine is paying homage to the local produce.

Overnight in a lodge pod including all meals

The Lindas
DAY 2
Explore the Ahuriri Valley

After a delicious breakfast get ready to explore the land a bit more.

You can chose from many different onsite activities such as horse trekking, fly fishing, buggy tours, e-biking, clay targets, archery, relaxation and self-guided walking. Please ask your destination specialist for more information.

On-Site Guided Horse Riding
Exploring by horse back is an incredibly special experience. We suggest the one hour ride which is at beginners level and have included it in your package. Different tours for intermediate or advance rider levels are also possible, please advise your destination specialist so your ride can be adjusted.

Birch Stream ride – 1 hour
Get an introduction to your horse and then leave the stables. You will head down to the historic woolshed taking in the views of the Ben Avon dam. From there trek down across Birch Stream – this involves a couple of river crossings & easy riding before heading back to the stables. (This may be done in the morning or afternoon, the team at the Lindis will advise you of the exact time.)

After lunch we encourage you to take a leisurely walk to the Lindis Lake. This is an hour and a half return walk. Enjoy the walk to the private lake and you may spot a trout or two. Of course you can chose from many other walks.

Test your skills at shooting at the clay target from the sky onsite at the Lindis. The newly built range has two target traps and a challenging 5 stand system. Perfect for the novice and the experienced wing shooter all on one site.

Back at the lodge get ready to be spoiled with some stunning food.

Overnight in a lodge pod including all meals

Horse Trekking Lindis
DAY 3
Guided Ecological & Farm Tour

During your tour you will learn more about the farm and travel down the Birchwood Road sighting wetlands, wildlife and fascinating geological features.

Wake up to another day in paradise and enjoy a delicious breakfast before you learn more about the Ahuriri Valley.

Guided Ecological & Farm Tour (1.5 hours)

During your tour you will learn more about the farm and travel down the Birchwood Road sighting wetlands, wildlife and geological timeline that exists in the Huxley and Barrier Rangers of the Southern Alps. This tour is done in a 4WD vehicle and some short walks are part of it.

With more than 49,000 hectares of rugged mountain country, vulnerable wetlands, tussock lands, beech forest and sub alpine herb fields the Ahuriri Valley and The Lindis on Ben

Avon station is a great place to explore on foot.

Check out the self-guided walks; one takes you high up the Ben Avon Saddle Track or you can choose to get wet feet (or use the complimentary gum boots) and walk through beech forest to take you to spectacular sub-alpine herb fields. A variety of walks are on offer; from leisure, intermediate or more strenuous.

If you are not so keen on walking, why not explore the valley by e-bike. Or try out the new Archery Range which is set up as a self-guided activity just a short distance from the lodge. Practice your aim with Mongolian bows!

Later on, relax and soak up the views in the outdoor hot tub. It is set only a short distance from the lodge with views across the Ahuriri Valley. What better way to enjoy dusk and watch the sun go down?

No doubt you would have worked up an appetite for some flavoursome local specialities.

Overnight in a lodge pod including all meals

Lindis Mountain Biking
DAY 4
Fly to Minaret Station near Lake Wanaka

Get completely off the grid and discover the great outdoors, away from the roads and surround yourself with glacial valley and towering peaks.

Located in the mountains near Wanaka, Minaret Station Alpine Lodge is only accessible by helicopter and truly an extraordinary location to escape the “real world”. This getaway is an opportunity to enjoy some of life’s most precious elements; time, fresh air, and open space. This unique luxury lodge is set in a remote glacial valley and therefore only accessible by helicopter. Enjoy your flight as you will pass through some incredible scenery.

Upon arrival check-in to your chalet and get familiar with the surroundings. You may take a short walk on the boardwalks and valley floor to the waterfalls, or just relax and soak in the atmosphere of this special place.

Later on it is time to enjoy the world-class cuisine the lodge has to offer. Meet at the Mountain Kitchen for some pre-dinner drinks and canapés. After indulge in the fine dining dinner with wine pairing.

During the evening step outside and be amazed by the stunning night sky!

Minaret Station
DAY 5
Free Day Minaret Station

Minaret Station’s many Heli-Adventure experiences allow guests to discover otherwise inaccessible wilderness areas of the Southern Alps and Mt Aspiring National Park

After a delicious breakfast get ready to start exploring and spend some time with a private guide discovering the surrounding beauty of your lodge.

Minaret Station’s many Heli-Adventure experiences allow guests to discover otherwise inaccessible wilderness areas of the Southern Alps and Mt Aspiring National Park.

Backcountry Adventures at Minaret Station
The wide range of adventures on offer from Minaret Station ensures that there is something special for everyone from families to honeymooners. Discerning hunters and anglers are spoiled for trophy opportunities — though you may struggle to keep your eyes on the target instead of the dramatic mountain scenery.
The Station’s pilots can take you heli-hiking, heli-skiing, heli-picnics, heli mountain-biking… you name it, they can probably helicopter you to it!

Some suggested activities and outings.
Scenic Flights/Picnics
Guided Fishing
Guided Heli Skiing Guided Mountain Biking
Fiordland Experience
Guided Heli Hiking Guided Hunting
Guided Farm Tour

At the end of the day relax with some pre-dinner drinks and canapés. Later on enjoy your multi-course gourmet dinner with paired wine.

Any plans for tonight? Maybe relax in the spa and enjoy the night sky.

Minaret Station Excursion
DAY 6
Heli Transfer to Te Anau

Te Anau is the Gateway to beautiful Fiordland National Park

After your breakfast you have some time to enjoy the morning at leisure before you board the helicopter that will take you to Te Anau. The flight will take you once more, through spectacular mountain valleys, over snow-capped peaks and across braided alpine rivers.

Fiordland Lodge
DAY 7
Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

Towering fiords, native rainforest, cascading waterfalls - wildlife around every corner.

Doubtful Sound is unspoiled, unmatched and unforgettable.

Your itinerary starts in Manapouri with a short cruise across Lake Manapouri. A coach then takes you across Wilmot Pass, travelling on a sub-alpine road through dense rainforest. Arriving at Deep Cove, you’ll be met by our crew and the majestic Mariner vessel.

As you cruise through some of New Zealand’s most stunning scenery, our knowledgeable nature guides will provide commentary ensuring you miss nothing, be it the pod of resident dolphins, fur seals or rare penguins you might encounter.

After dropping anchor in a sheltered cove, you can choose to explore the shoreline by kayak or tender boat – or simply relax onboard. In the evening, you’ll enjoy a delicious three-course buffet dinner prepared by our onboard chef, served in the dining saloon.

Overnight in a private cabin with ensuite onboard the Fiordland Mariner

  • img

    1 Night Onboard the Fiordland Navigator

Fiordland Navigator
DAY 8
Seals, Penguins & Dolphins

Further Exploration may uncover Doubtful's other residents...

Kick-off today with a hearty cooked breakfast and get ready to enjoy the rest of the morning exploring other parts of the fiord. In particular, keep an eye out for the resident bottlenose dolphins that patrol the fiord or the New Zealand fur seal seen basking as the sun rises warming the rocks they occupy and when in season the rare Fiordland crested penguin. Finally, you’ll return to Deep Cove, the trip back to Manapouri and many, many conversations telling friends just how amazing your trip was.

This Afternoon return to Te Anau.

Fiordland Crested Penguin
DAY 9
Walk the Milford Track and Sail Milford Sound / Queenstown

Prepare to be awed by some of the most dramatic scenery New Zealand has to offer as the Milford Track carries you towards the splendor of Milford Sound.

Prepare to be awed by some of the most dramatic scenery New Zealand has to offer as the Milford Track carries you towards the splendor of Milford Sound.

Milford Track Guided Walk and Cruise
Begin with a short boat ride to Sandfly point, where you’ll enter a realm of ancient forests filled with countless species of ferns and springy mosses. As you and your guide walk alongside the cascading Arthur river, you are treated to impressive views of the powerful Giants Gate falls.

After exploring on foot to your heart’s content, you’ll board your cruise vessel and sail the full length of the Milford Sound, dwarfed by towering cliffs all around you. The onboard nature guide will tell you all about the seals, penguins, and dolphins who frequently visit this mesmerizing location.

Milford Track Guided Hike: 3.5 Hours Walking, Distance 11 km (6.8 mi)

Milford Track
DAY 10
Depart Queenstown

Travel to Queenstown airport for your onward flight

We know you will have enjoyed your luxurious retreats and epic adventures all within the beauty of the Southern Alps. Please get in touch if you would like to add an island in the South Pacific as a final stop off on your way home.

Farewell
Marcella Hunapo - Travel Designer
Marcella, OUR ABSOLUTE NEW ZEALAND TRAVEL DESIGNER SAYS: “The natural environments these luxury lodges are located within, makes them a destination in their own right. Wow this a very special and unique itinerary.”

Ready to find out more? Talk to one of our friendly travel designers about his tour. We guarantee you it will be the experience of a lifetime!

ENQUIRE

Make this itinerary yours

Like what you see? Contact us today to find out more about our exclusive itineraries. Each Absolute New Zealand tour is tailored to who you are and what you want to do.


    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    10 Days of Southern Luxury

    Experience Southern New Zealand's Top Luxury Lodges

    img
    Absolute Chaffeur
    img
    Drive Journey
    ENQUIRE
    img
    Itinerary map
    VIEW LARGER MAP
    Share this tour
    • img
    • img
    • img
    Journey planning

    Our team has access to New Zealand's most unique accommodation, superb activities, and flight specials. Contact us for a personalised New Zealand experience.

    Other tours you may like

    Curious about travel?

    Inspiring travel itineraries and expert advice delivered to your inbox.

    START PLANNING
    img