New Zealand Private Tour & Milford Track
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Why You Should Go
Hiking and idyllic walks being among our favorite Lynch Family global travel activities, we feel New Zealand’s extraordinary “Milford Track” to be truly the “finest walk in the world(!)” Located within the picturesque mountains and temperate rainforests of Fiordland National Park, on New Zealand’s South Island, this is one of the globe’s great family outdoor hiking adventures. The Milford Track hiking option is an ideal pristine complement to our luxury New Zealand private tour featuring Queenstown and the spectacular 5,000-acre Wharekauhau Lodge and County Estate near Wellington. The medium level difficulty 33 mi trail (for ages 11 and above) starts at the head of Lake Te Anau (near Queenstown) and ends at otherworldly Milford Sound, traversing lush, green rainforests, wetlands and a striking alpine pass.
*All of our comprehensive private tour itineraries are inclusive of all luxury accommodations, private guide/driver throughout, daily meals as specified, INTERNAL flights/rail /private transfers as needed, & all taxes/service fees.
Sample Itinerary
14 Days
Each private luxury tour is custom to the wishes of each client. This itinerary is a sample. Partnering with our long-established relationship with United Airlines, our sister company, TRAVNET, may provide competitive Polaris/Business Class international airfare, along with mileage points conversion.
Day 1
Fly to Queenstown
Through our sister company, Premium Air Provider Travnet, we may assist with your international airfare, as well as with mileage points conversion.
Day 2
Arrive Queenstown
Upon arrival in Queenstown, you will be privately transferred to Eichardt’s Private Hotel or The Lindis.
Meals: —
Accommodations: Eichardt’s Private Hotel or The Lindis
Day 3
Shotover River & Bungee Bridge
Today you will visit the rapid Shot River where you will board a jet boat touring through the dramatic canyons. Your day will end to Kawarau Bridge, considered the most famous bungee leap in the world. In the afternoon you will attend a pre-Milford track briefing.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Eichardt’s Private Hotel or The Lindis
Day 4
Milford Track Day 1
Following breakfast at the Eichardt, you will be met by your private driver and transferred to the Queenstown office to board a coach bus that will take you to Te Anau where you will have lunch. Following lunch, you will board a launch to the head of Lake Te Anau where you will then make your way to Glade House for afternoon tea. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the area.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Glade House
Day 5
Milford Track Day 2
Glade House → Pompolona Lodge
Following breakfast at the Glade House, you will cross the emerald green Clinton River, walking up the valley to the Hirere Falls where you will stop for lunch. You will then continue through a beech forest, making your way to the prairie overlooked by the ice-carved Clinton Canyon.
Distance: 16 km (10 miles)
Time: 5 – 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Pompolona Lodge
Day 6
Milford Track Day 3
Pompolona Lodge → Mackinnon Pass → Quintin Lodge
Considered the most demanding day, especially in inclement weather, you will begin at the head of the Clinton Valley before climbing the Mackinnon Pass. Upon reaching the top, you will stop for lunch at Pass House and then continue down a rocky descent into the Arthur Valley. Upon arrival at Quintin Lodge, you will be welcomed with a refreshing drink before an optional 90-minute round trip hike to the Sutherland Falls, the world’s fifth highest waterfall.
Distance: 15 km (9 miles)
Time: 6 – 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Quintin Lodge
Day 7
Milford Track Day 4
Quintin Lodge → Sandfly Point → Mitre Peak Lodge
Walking down the Arthur Valley, you will reach Boatshed where you’ll stop for a quick break prior to continuing passed Mackay Falls and Bell Rock. Following lunch at Giant’s Gate waterfall, you will walk along Lake Ada to Sandfly Point where you will board a launch taking you to Mitre Peak Lodge. At the Lodge, you will enjoy a celebratory dinner complemented by sweeping views of Mitre Peak, which some consider to be the 8th wonder of the world.
Distance: 21 km (13 miles)
Time: 6 – 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Mitre Peak Lodge
Day 8
Fly (or Drive) Milford Track/Queenstown
Following breakfast at Mitre Peak Lodge, you will board a cruise along the Milford Sound, watching for dolphins and fur seals. After the cruise, you have two options for your return to Queenstown. You may travel to Queenstown via coach through the Fiordland National Park and Homer Tunnel, or via helicopter beginning at Mt. Aspiring National Park (dependent on weather).
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Eichardt’s Private Hotel or The Lindis
Day 9
Fly Queenstown/Nelson
Take a scenic flight from Queenstown to Nelson, over the golden sand beaches and pristine waters of Abel Tasman National Park before with a stop at Awaroa Lodge for lunch and a swim in the bay.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Stonefly Lodge
Day 10
Free Day
Enjoy all the amenities of the Stonefly Lodge including some fly fishing!
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodations: Stonefly Lodge
Day 11
Fly Nelson/Wellington
After an arrival in Wellington, you will stroll through the artistic center of New Zealand, home to exceptional museums, restaurants, and a fine music scene. Your tour includes Wellington’s alluring botanic garden via a cable car. After seeing the likes of native species and foreign, like the Californian redwood, you will visit Otari Reserve Rain Forest and walk above the forest canopy on the “Tree Top Walkway.” Your day will end visiting Wellington’s city-center institutions and monuments.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Wharekauhau Lodge and Country Estate
Day 12
Wellington Countryside
Taking a break from the buzzing city of Wellington, you will visit a farm in Wharekauhau showcasing New Zealand’s legendary farming heritage, including sheep shearing demonstrations, and sheepdogs in action.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Wharekauhau Lodge and Country Estate
Day 13
Winelands
Today you will spend time at New Zealand’s esteemed small-scale Winelands. Not only will you taste the acclaimed wines, but meet the owners and sample other products like olive oil, fruit, and other gourmet creations.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Wharekauhau Lodge and Country Estate
Day 14
Fly Wellington/Home
Hotels
This is our favorite 5-star luxury property in the resort town of Queenstown. Eichardt’s Private Hotel is a small boutique property located in the lakeside historical district, with easy walking distance to many restaurants and shopping. This hotel includes 5 suites (each with a fireplace) and a 2-bedroom lakefront cottage—high touch, personal service besides Lake Wakatipu!
Eichardt’s Private Hotel
This is our favorite 5-star luxury property in the resort town of Queenstown. Eichardt’s Private Hotel is a small boutique property located in the lakeside historical district, with easy walking distance to many restaurants and shopping. This hotel includes 5 suites (each with a fireplace) and a 2-bedroom lakefront cottage—high touch, personal service besides Lake Wakatipu!
The Lindis, another luxury lodge option is located just 100 miles north of Queenstown in Mackenzie Country. This new property neighbors three conservation parks and is in close proximity to 10 top fly-fishing sites. With only 5 suites, each with bespoke design and style, this new property blends into its surrounding landscape. Expansive, uninterrupted floor to ceiling windows along the front of the building as well as in house chefs and excellent wines combine for an unforgettable experience.
The Lindis
The Lindis, another luxury lodge option is located just 100 miles north of Queenstown in Mackenzie Country. This new property neighbors three conservation parks and is in close proximity to 10 top fly-fishing sites. With only 5 suites, each with bespoke design and style, this new property blends into its surrounding landscape. Expansive, uninterrupted floor to ceiling windows along the front of the building as well as in house chefs and excellent wines combine for an unforgettable experience.
Glade House, Pompolona, & Quintin
Though all three lodges have been upgraded over the past few years, the accommodations are still quite Spartan, but very clean. They are designed to absorb the local natural wonders and offer delicious, hearty food after your day of rigorous hiking! The options for lodging range from 4-6 people, bunk-style rooms, with shared bathroom facilities, to private rooms with en-suite bathrooms.
Milford Track Lodges
Glade House, Pompolona, & Quintin
Though all three lodges have been upgraded over the past few years, the accommodations are still quite Spartan, but very clean. They are designed to absorb the local natural wonders and offer delicious, hearty food after your day of rigorous hiking! The options for lodging range from 4-6 people, bunk-style rooms, with shared bathroom facilities, to private rooms with en-suite bathrooms.
For our many fly-fishing enthusiasts, the 5 star luxury Stonefly Lodge is a special, heavenly place. Located approx. 50 min drive from Nelson, New Zealand. The lodge is ideally located on the banks of the crystal- clear Motueka River, a fly- fisherman’s paradise. The average catch size of Brown Trout in this area is 4-5 lbs.! Meticulously built from local stone and timber, the lodge is made up of only 4 spacious deluxe guest rooms. World class fly- fishing, coupled with an intimate high touch luxury; an amazing place!
Stonefly Lodge
For our many fly-fishing enthusiasts, the 5 star luxury Stonefly Lodge is a special, heavenly place. Located approx. 50 min drive from Nelson, New Zealand. The lodge is ideally located on the banks of the crystal- clear Motueka River, a fly- fisherman’s paradise. The average catch size of Brown Trout in this area is 4-5 lbs.! Meticulously built from local stone and timber, the lodge is made up of only 4 spacious deluxe guest rooms. World class fly- fishing, coupled with an intimate high touch luxury; an amazing place!
This is a spectacular 3,000 acre working sheep station/country estate that is a big favorite of clients seeking a private idyllic setting with many optional activities. The accommodations and dining here are world-class and certainly beyond 5-star luxury. The 16 white stucco cottages feature local native materials including wool, hemp curtains and various pebble mosaics. The spa is a big plus, in addition to a 65 ft. indoor pool, a tennis court and fitness gym. Of special note is the property’s gin-cured salmon, prepared with “Lighthouse gin” using water drawn from a nearby spring; Bev, Zen and I surely rate as among the most delicious salmon we have had anywhere! Activities include horse trekking overlooking Palliser Bay, fishing, archery, picturesque hiking and mountain biking, even clay target-shooting! The pasturelands here climb through lake-dotted forests into the adjacent mountains, and can only be described as amazingly emerald green. The idyllic setting seems to evoke the pastoral cultural of New Zealand’s past(!).
Wharekauhau Lodge and Country Estate
This is a spectacular 3,000 acre working sheep station/country estate that is a big favorite of clients seeking a private idyllic setting with many optional activities. The accommodations and dining here are world-class and certainly beyond 5-star luxury. The 16 white stucco cottages feature local native materials including wool, hemp curtains and various pebble mosaics. The spa is a big plus, in addition to a 65 ft. indoor pool, a tennis court and fitness gym. Of special note is the property’s gin-cured salmon, prepared with “Lighthouse gin” using water drawn from a nearby spring; Bev, Zen and I surely rate as among the most delicious salmon we have had anywhere! Activities include horse trekking overlooking Palliser Bay, fishing, archery, picturesque hiking and mountain biking, even clay target-shooting! The pasturelands here climb through lake-dotted forests into the adjacent mountains, and can only be described as amazingly emerald green. The idyllic setting seems to evoke the pastoral cultural of New Zealand’s past(!).
For our fishing enthusiast clients, we recommend Huka Lodge in Taupo, located on the banks of the trout-filled Waikato River. Located on 17 acres of rolling green lawns, this 26 suite property also boasts two exceptional private retreats: the Owner’s Cottage and Alan Pye Cottage. A special experience here is the variety of picturesque nooks (over 20 indoors and outdoors) around the property for private dining as well as enjoying a fine wine selection from around the world. Executive Chef, Paul Froggatt, leads a passionate kitchen team dedicated to sourcing the finest, freshest, local, seasonal produce and using this to present a series of unique menus. The outdoor activities at Huka are endless and include, wilderness walks, traditional fly-fishing, luxury cruising on Lake Taupo, and scenic helicopter flights.
Huka Lodge
For our fishing enthusiast clients, we recommend Huka Lodge in Taupo, located on the banks of the trout-filled Waikato River. Located on 17 acres of rolling green lawns, this 26 suite property also boasts two exceptional private retreats: the Owner’s Cottage and Alan Pye Cottage. A special experience here is the variety of picturesque nooks (over 20 indoors and outdoors) around the property for private dining as well as enjoying a fine wine selection from around the world. Executive Chef, Paul Froggatt, leads a passionate kitchen team dedicated to sourcing the finest, freshest, local, seasonal produce and using this to present a series of unique menus. The outdoor activities at Huka are endless and include, wilderness walks, traditional fly-fishing, luxury cruising on Lake Taupo, and scenic helicopter flights.
Location
Overview
Temperature |
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Highs: High 60’s |
Lows: Mid 50’s |
Area |
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270,534 SQ KM |
104,454 SQ MILES |
Capital |
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Wellington |
Population |
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4.5 Million |
Language |
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English/Maori |
Currency |
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New Zealand Dollar |
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HOW MUCH WILL THIS TRIP COST?
Dependent on exact logistics and seasonality, our comprehensive private luxury tour costs are upward of
USD $5,000 – $6,000 per COUPLE per DAY.