The Ford of Bruinen - Misty Mountains - Fangorn Forest Itinerary

Day 1: Mt Cook Village to Queenstown

On this page: Travel time:   Km/Miles Mt Cook Village - Twizel 0.75 hr  64/40 Twizel - Omarama 0.5 hr  30/19 Omarama - Queenstown 2 hrs  164/103   Totals for Day 3.25 hrs  258/161

Mt Cook Village - Twizel - Omarama - Queenstown

The Aoraki Mount Cook National Park includes the highest peak in Australasia (Mt Cook - 3755m). The region attracts mountain climbers, hikers and scenery fanatics. Heli skiing, heli hiking and aerial sightseeing provide visitors with amazing memories. A variety of walking trails begin in or near Mount Cook Village – most take only a couple of hours. In the bar of the local hotel, huge windows provide a perfect view of Mt Cook.

The road to Twizel hugs the edge of Lake Pukaki. The exquisite opaque turquoise colour of this lake and others in the area is caused by fine, glacier-ground rock particles held in suspension. The landscape is a mixture of high country tussock, farmland and snow-capped mountains.

Twizel is a well-placed base for mountain climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, skiing, horse trekking and hiking. It’s also a place to spy on the rarest wading bird in the world – the Black Stilt. If you don’t have the time to catch your own salmon, the local salmon farm sells it – fresh or smoked.

Scenic Highlights

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand's tallest peak, is the centre of attention in this spectacular alpine park.

Activities

Christchurch - Canterbury
Boat Cruises (4), Climbing (2), Fishing – Fresh Water (10), Heliskiing (4), Horse Treks (8)

Tour and Sightseeing

Christchurch - Canterbury
Boat Cruises (1), Fishing – Fresh Water (2)

Mt Cook Village - Twizel - Omarama - Queenstown

Twizel is a well-placed base for mountain climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, skiing, horse trekking and hiking. It’s also a place to spy on the rarest wading bird in the world – the Black Stilt. If you don’t have the time to catch your own salmon, the local salmon farm sells it – fresh or smoked.

The easy drive to Omarama takes you through picturesque sheep farming country fringed with mountain ranges. You’ll have the chance to detour to the fascinating Paritea cliffs, which are constantly being exposed by the active Osler fault line. You could also pause to cast a line into the Ahuriri River – famous for sizeable rainbow and brown trout.

You’ll know you’re in Omarama when you see the giant merino sheep statue. This area’s unique geography has made it a magnet for gliding enthusiasts. The northwesterly wind blows steadily to form the famous Northwest Arch, a thermal that can take the glider pilots to 10,000 metres. Scenic soaring can be arranged.

Activities

Christchurch - Canterbury
Climbing (2), Cycling/Mountain Biking (5), Farms (10), Fishing – Fresh Water (10), Glider Planes (1), Paragliding and Hang gliding (2)

Tour and Sightseeing

Christchurch - Canterbury
Cycling/Mountain Biking (12), Farms (2), Fishing – Fresh Water (2)

Mt Cook Village - Twizel - Omarama - Queenstown

You’ll know you’re in Omarama when you see the giant merino sheep statue. This area’s unique geography has made it a magnet for gliding enthusiasts. The northwesterly wind blows steadily to form the famous Northwest Arch, a thermal that can take the glider pilots to 10,000 metres. Scenic soaring can be arranged.

Your trip to Queenstown begins with the beautiful Lindis Pass – just magic when there’s snow around. Lake Dunstan is a fine place for a picnic before you explore the restored heart of Cromwell. Take a detour to Bannockburn if you’re interested in old gold workings. The vineyards of the Gibbston area and bungy jumpers at the Kawarau River Bridge are other interesting distractions.

The alpine resort of Queenstown is exciting, sophisticated and fantastically scenic. It’s the place to source almost any kind of adventure, including bungy, jet boating, horse trekking, rafting and river surfing. It’s also a destination for luxury experiences – gourmet food and wine, spa treatments and leisurely games of golf.

Scenic Highlights

Sam Summers' Hut Track
Exercise your mind as well as your legs on this three hour loop track. There's a lot to be learned about gold mining here.

Skippers Road
High above the raging Shotover River, Skippers Road creeps along the face of Skippers Canyon. Don't look down!

Scenery of Glenorchy
The only thing better than the drive to Glenorchy is the road to Paradise. How much scenery can your camera cope with?

Gibbston Valley vineyards
Raising grapes this far south is hard work, but one sip of the local pinot noir will tell you the effort is totally worthwhile.

Lake Wakatipu
Cruising across Lake Wakatipu on a restored paddlesteamer is a blissful way to appreciate the magnificent alpine scenery.

Moonlight Track
It's not a walk in the park, but this challenging day hike promises to lift your spirits as high as the Southern Alps.

Activities

Queenstown
Fishing – Fresh Water (5), Skiing (11)

Tour and Sightseeing

Queenstown
Fishing – Fresh Water (1), Skiing (2)