The best day trips from Queenstown for an epic New Zealand adventure

Queenstown can be a fantastic hub if you only have a short time to explore New Zealand's South Island.

Whether you love adventure, a peaceful hike or want to know the best spots to eat, here's what awaits just a short distance from Queenstown.

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Glenorchy 

Let me begin by saying, the journey to Glenorchy is truly breathtaking. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and pristine lakes, it's considered one of the most scenic drives in the country.

What's even better, it's just a 45-minute drive from Queenstown.

Along the way, there are several spots where you can pull over. We stopped at Lookout Point, which offers an elevated view of Lake Wakatipu.

Once we arrived in Glenorchy, our first stop was finding someone to eat. We headed to Mrs Woolly's General Store, where my partner ordered one of the best pies he's ever had, while I enjoyed a snack and coffee at The Trading Post.

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Although Glenorchy is relatively small, there's no shortage of things to do, from hiking trails to exploring Lord of the Rings filming locations. The area is also known for its horse riding trails, an experience we couldn't resist. It turned out to be the highlight of our trip, and I highly recommend it.

We didn't make it to the nearby settlement of Paradise, but I have heard it's known for its stunning scenery.

Arrowtown 

Just a short 20-minute drive from Queenstown, you will find the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown.

The town itself is nestled beside Arrow River and is surrounded by mountains.

There's plenty to do, we spent some time strolling down its quaint alleys and walking along the main street, visiting small businesses.

Here we found the LucyKing candle shop and picked up one of their famous Arrowtown scents.

If driving isn't your preference, fret not. You can rent a bike and ride to the town on one of the country's most popular cycling tracks - the Queenstown Trail.

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Kingston and Te Anau

We made a quick stop at the lakeside town of Kingston on our journey to Te Anau, which is about 45 minutes from Queenstown.

Although our time was limited, we were lucky enough to experience the iconic Kingston Flyer Steam Train arrive at the historic railway station that dates back to 1878.

I have been told the train ride isn't one to miss, but it does run select months per year.

Back on the road, it's only about an hour and 20 minutes until you reach Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound.

Be sure to check the Te Anau Glowworm Caves. Not only do you get a scenic ferry along Lake Te Anau but you have the chance to see the glowworms.

Milford Sound 

Milford Sound is one of New Zealand's most visited destinations and is often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world.

There are several options in terms of getting there: you can drive yourself, book an organised tour or take a helicopter ride.

If you are planning to do the day trip from Queenstown, it's recommended to take a tour, as it can be a 12-hour round trip.

We opted to drive ourselves after staying overnight in Te Anau, which gave us the freedom to stop along the way and take our time.

Once at Milford Sound, there's no shortage of activities, but booking ahead of time is strongly suggested.

We chose a two-hour cruise and kayak tour, which is highly recommended for up-and-close views of waterfalls and towering cliff faces.

Kayaking also provided unmatched views.

Wānaka

About an hour away from Queenstown lies the small but lively town of Wānaka.

There's plenty to do and discover in this town although it's best known for its access to world-class ski resorts in winter.

If you're eager to explore during the warmer months and you crave adventure, you will find no shortage of mountain bike trails, hiking spots and thrilling activities such as windsurfing, wakeboarding and water skiing.

The writer travelled at her own expense.

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