Queenstown and Waitai Lodge Luxury Wilderness Escape

From NZD 3949 per person

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Getaway Summary

• Location: Fiordland & Queenstown
• 3 nights/4 days
• 2 nights in Queenstown, split either side of your night in Fiordland, incl daily breakfast and pre-dinner drinks and snacks
• 1 night Waitai Lodge Fiordland incl 3-course dinner and breakfast
• Transfers from/to Queenstown
• Scenic transfers: coach to Milford Sound, helicopter to and from Waitai Lodge
• Milford Sound Cruise with lunch aboard the Fiordland Jewel

Experience the best of Fiordland with a journey by road, helicopter and boat, including an exclusive night at Waitai Lodge in the remote Hollyford Valley. A night in Queenstown, on either side of your luxury wilderness escape, rounds off your getaway.

Your Scenic Transfer: Coach to Milford Sound, Helicopter to Waitai Lodge

On Day 2 of your wilderness escape, you leave Queenstown early by coach, following the Milford Road past Mirror Lakes, the Eglinton Valley and through the Homer Tunnel. It’s one of the most scenic drives in the country, with mountains rising straight up on either side and waterfalls tumbling down the valley walls. At Milford Sound, you’ll swap wheels for rotors. Board a helicopter for the flight over Fiordland National Park to Waitai Lodge, tucked deep in the Hollyford Valley near Martins Bay. It’s a stretch of coastline and rainforest with no road access at all, so this is the only way in, short of a multi-day hike (which you can find here)

The following morning, that flight runs in reverse: a helicopter back over Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound, where your Milford Sound cruise awaits.

Milford Sound Cruise with the Fiordland Jewel

Mitre Peak’s sheer rock face, waterfalls dropping straight into the water, dolphins that often turn up uninvited: Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) earns its reputation, and seeing it from the water is still the best way to take it in. Your cruise, straight off the helicopter from Waitai Lodge, is aboard the Fiordland Jewel, a boutique catamaran built and skippered by a family with lifelong ties to the area.

The Jewel carries a maximum of 22 guests, so it never feels crowded, and the crew know these waters well enough to find the best light and the quietest corners of the fiord. Expect a relaxed pace, comfortable lounges and windows built for the view as the cliffs close in on both sides.

Your accommodation in Fiordland: Waitai Lodge

Waitai Lodge offers an exclusive wilderness escape surrounded by some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery. With no roads, neighbours or crowds, it’s a place to slow down and soak up the peace of Fiordland.

The boutique lodge has just a handful of beautifully appointed rooms, each designed to maximise the incredible mountain, forest and river views. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring the outdoors in, while thoughtful touches create a warm and comfortable retreat after a day exploring the surrounding wilderness.

Settle in with a three-course dinner showcasing fresh New Zealand produce, before relaxing beneath the stars in the wood-fired hot tub. Wake to birdsong, crisp mountain air and a freshly prepared breakfast.

Your Queenstown accommodation: Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel

Just steps from Queenstown’s vibrant town centre, Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel offers a peaceful retreat close to the action. Surrounded by gardens and overlooking the Remarkables, it’s the perfect base for exploring Queenstown while enjoying a little extra space and tranquillity.

The stylish boutique hotel features spacious rooms and suites with modern furnishings, thoughtful touches and plenty of natural light. Many rooms include private balconies or courtyards, while luxury amenities ensure a comfortable stay whatever the season.

In the evening, unwind with complimentary pre-dinner drinks and canapés in the cosy lounge. And each morning starts with a cooked-to-order breakfast featuring fresh local ingredients.

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