Optional Activities – Aotearoa New Zealand in 14 Days
Big picture summary:
| Activity | Tour Day | Duration (approx.) | Details in brief | NZ$ per person* |
| Milford Sound to Queenstown Flight | 8 | 65 mins | Take a flight back from Milford Sound to Queenstown, instead of the 190 mile drive. Fixed wing, small plane. Amazing views. | 490 |
| Lake Cruise, BBQ Buffet Lunch and Farm Show | 9 | 4 hours | Cruise across Lake Wakatipu on a vintage paddle steamer, enjoy a delicious gourmet BBQ buffet meal, and a farm demonstration including sheep shearing and working farm dogs. | 175 |
| Dart River Jet Boat | 9 | 5.5 hours | Journey into the heart of Mount Aspiring National Park. Covering up to 56 miles of the Dart River on a jet engine propelled boat. Connect with nature and hear stories of the area’s history, greenstone trails and Māori legends. | 299 |
Keep reading for more in depth details below….
Milford Sound Flight
On Day 8 we visit Milford Sound. It is a beautiful day trip but a long day. We’ll leave Queenstown around 7am (possibly earlier) and will arrive to Milford Sound around lunchtime. We’ll make short stop along the 290 km / 190 mile journey, but really our main event of the day is our cruise on Milford Sound. To get back to Queenstown, it is the same 190 miles back again. If you would rather make this shorter there is the option to take a fixed wing plane flight back. There are several companies operating these flights, it depends on availability which we will use on the day, but here is one example – https://www.truesouthflights.co.nz/about/
Please note that flights are weather dependent, so booking now does not guarantee the flight will go if there is low cloud or another safety concern. The flight companies ask that passenger weights are provided before the flight to evenly distribute weight on the small plane. Please don’t be offended when we ask for this!
The cost of this flight at time of writing (Dec 2023) is NZ$490 per person*
*subject to change
Pre-booking your space via the form on this website is just a request and does not guarantee availability. We can sort out payments etc when you are in New Zealand. You can also change your mind once you are here!
Queenstown free day activities
On Day 9 we have a full day free in Queenstown.
Queenstown is known as The Adventure Capital of the World. There is a lot to do here. You might wish to research and book your own activities e.g. paragliding, bungee jumping, mountain biking, flyfishing, relaxing in the Onsen spa. Below are just two options that Mondumo tour members have enjoyed in the past, and that we can pre-book for you.
If you are booking your own activities – our free day is Tuesday Feb 13, 2024.
Of the two options below, the first is much more relaxed, the second is a little adrenaline rush that is enjoyed by people of all ages and fitness abilities.
It is possible to do both in the one day, although I think that could be quite a tiring packed day, so I’d recommend choosing just one or other, or neither!
Again, payments can be sorted out when you are here, and changing your mind is allowed (up to a certain point!)
TSS Earnslaw Cruise, Walter Peak BBQ Buffet Lunch, and Farm Show
Departure time to be confirmed depending on availability, most likely around 10:30 or 11am.
This is a quintessential Kiwi experience – cruising on a vintage paddle steamer, enjoying a delicious gourmet BBQ buffet lunch, and learn about NZ farming life with a colourful farm show demonstration. All in a stunning lakeside setting.
- Gourmet barbecue lunch at the Homestead Restaurant.
- Lakeside dining at Walter Peak High Country Farm, away from the bustle of Queenstown.
- Return scenic cruise across Lake Wakatipu.
- Farm demonstration, sheep shearing and see farm dogs at work.
- Duration (approx.): 4 hours
- Official website: https://www.realnz.com/en/experiences/dining/walter-peak-gourmet-bbq-dining/
The cost of this activity at time of writing (Dec 2023) is NZ$175 per person*
Dart River Wilderness Jet
Pick up time from “The Station” in the centre of Queenstown at either 8am or 12:30pm.
More than just a jet boat ride, this is a journey deep into the heart of Mount Aspiring National Park. This experience covers up to 90km / 56 miles of the Dart River making it the longest jet boat ride in the region. This relaxed pace tour has plenty of time to connect with the area and take in the scenery. Jet boat guides give you their authentic touch, sharing stories of the area’s rich history, the Greenstone trail and renowned Māori legends. The ever-changing environment makes every trip unique. Daily and seasonal changes to the flora and fauna, colour of the bush, river structure & colour, water clarity, birds, wildlife and snow level. The modern jet boat was developed by New Zealand engineer Sir William Hamilton in the mid-1950s. His goal was a boat to run up the fast-flowing rivers of New Zealand that were too shallow for propellers.
Duration from departing Queenstown to return: 5.5 hours approx.
The cost of this activity at time of writing (Dec 2023) is NZ$299 per person*
*subject to change
Official website: https://www.dartriver.co.nz/our-team-and-story/our-team/
To pre-book any of the above go to https://mondumo.live/pre-tour-questions/