Frankton attractions

This experience takes you along one of New Zealand’s most scenic drives to Milford Sound. Talented, knowledgeable guides will share unique, insightful stories and local secrets as you travel through lush rainforest, glacier‑carved valleys and alpine lookouts. Along the way you’ll enjoy short walks and striking photo stops before arriving at the main attraction, Milford Sound. On arrival you’ll board a modern, spacious catamaran for an exploration of the fiord. As the boat travels the length of the fiord to the Tasman Sea, the crew will share what they know about the place, its wildlife, its waterfalls and its fascinating history. A complimentary lunch is provided on board. The cruise finishes with a close approach to Stirling Falls, where you can join the crew in the spray of pure glacial melt for a refreshing finale.

During this 30-minute jet boat ride, you’ll travel at speeds of up to 85 kph along the Shotover River, which can be as shallow as ten centimeters. Throughout this thrilling adventure, you’ll be surrounded by scenic surrounds that include towering canyon walls. You’ll also experience 360-degree spins while on the boat. You can wear a head-mounted camera to capture footage of the activity.

A return scenic cruise from Queenstown Bay will take you across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm aboard the vessel of your choice. You can travel on the iconic 1912 TSS Earnslaw steamship or the spacious, modern Spirit of Queenstown catamaran. Along the way you’ll cross clear water and lake views as you head to the farm setting on the lake shore. A rural demonstrator will give you an insight into life in the New Zealand high country with an entertaining farm show that includes working sheep dogs. Lunch is served at the Colonel’s Homestead and showcases food and wine from the wider Central Otago region. Chefs prepare a tasty selection of meats on an outdoor grill, while fresh seasonal salads and vegetables are available from the dining area. You may finish with a selection of sweet treats and local cheeses to round off the meal.

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound on a comfortable, scenic coach and connect seamlessly to a premium Nature Cruise. The coaches have panoramic windows, glass roofs and USB charging ports so you can relax and enjoy the views. Your friendly driver will share stories about the area’s history and unique ecology, and the journey includes well-timed stops so you can snap photos of the amazing scenery. A free multi-lingual commentary app is available on both the coach and the cruise in eight languages. You’ll arrive in Milford Sound ready to cruise the fiord and take in unobstructed views of thundering waterfalls and towering cliff faces. The Nature Cruise offers a close, calm way to experience the sound and comes with options to pre-order a picnic lunch or choose the To Kai buffet on selected departures. All transport is taken care of, including round-trip travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound and a smooth connection to your cruise, so you can simply enjoy the landscape and the commentary along the way.

Step aboard the Million Dollar Cruise in Queenstown for a relaxed journey across Lake Wakatipu. From the water you'll take in some of the region’s most iconic views, including the Remarkables, and pass hidden bays and historic homes as the local crew provides live commentary. The hosts genuinely love what they do and will share stories and context along the way. The experience is tailored for smaller groups and a leisurely pace, so you can enjoy the scenery from a comfortable vantage point. A fully licensed onboard bar is available if you want a drink while you watch the shoreline and mountains. Boarding is from Queenstown’s main jetty, and the cruise combines scenery, local insight and a calm atmosphere for a pleasant outing on the lake.

You’ll take part in one of New Zealand’s most iconic adventure activities set against some of the world’s greatest scenery. Expect to skim across shallow water, fly over sand bars, shoot through rapids and weave around rocks at speeds in excess of 80 kph. The ride is raw and direct — there are no seat belts and no brakes — so the sensations are immediate. This trip runs down New Zealand’s swiftest river and pairs high-adrenaline moments with broad, dramatic landscape views in the background. As you move through the river’s channels and rapids, you’ll feel the power and speed of the water while the surrounding scenery provides a striking contrast to the intensity of the ride.

Your evening begins with a cruise on Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown aboard either the iconic vintage TSS Earnslaw steamship or the sleek Spirit of Queenstown. You’ll step ashore at the lakeside Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant, where the scent of wood-fired BBQ fills the air and chefs serve a buffet prepared with local ingredients. The spread typically includes crisp salads, seasonal vegetables, tender cuts of locally sourced meat and a selection of desserts. Large windows and landscaped grounds give you panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu (Lake Whakatipu) and Queenstown’s alpine backdrop, in a setting that recalls colonial charm. The visit also includes a lively farm demonstration. You’ll watch skilled farm dogs herd sheep and have the chance to get close to friendly farm animals. If time allows, you may take a peaceful stroll through the lakeside gardens before returning to the vessel for a scenic cruise back to Queenstown.

A relaxed cruise on the lake offers a calm way to enjoy the evening light and the surrounding scenery. As the boat moves gently across the water, you’ll take in views of the shoreline and the changing colours on the surface. It’s a pleasant option if you want to unwind and see the lake scenery before your evening meal. Your ticket includes one wine, beer, RTD or soft drink, so you can settle in with a drink as you watch the light shift. The vessel is fully licensed, and additional drinks are available for purchase on board. The atmosphere is unhurried and social, making it easy to chat, sit back and enjoy the views as you cruise.

This exciting, one-hour jetboat ride will take you across a trio of waterways at top speed. Your experienced captain will drive the boat over Lake Wakatipu, Kawarau River and Shotover River, reaching exhilarating speeds of up to 59 mi/h. You'll cover an impressive distance of 28 mi, experiencing daring twists and 360-degree spins along the way. You'll have magnificent views of the natural scenery, including the mighty Remarkables mountain range.

This ride offers an easy, family-friendly way to explore the area while taking in wide-open scenery. You will ride across plateaus surrounded by mountains, using relatively gentle grade 1–2 trails that suit riders of different abilities. The route is relaxed and intended to let you enjoy the landscape rather than tackle steep technical terrain. The recommended route follows trails from Hawea, runs alongside the Hawea River, passes through Albert Town and then follows the Clutha River into Wanaka. Along the way there are lots of interesting places to visit, including Lake Hawea, Pembroke Patisserie, Wanaka itself, the famous Wanaka Tree and the Edgewater Hotel garden bar. As you move through these spots, you will have opportunities to pause, take in views and explore the lakeside and riverside surroundings at your own pace.

A day trip to Milford Sound will take you into the heart of Fiordland National Park, on the south west of the South Island. Milford Sound is New Zealand’s best‑known fiord and the only one that can be reached by road. You will learn that Maori are believed to have discovered the sound more than 1,000 years ago and returned seasonally to gather pounamu (greenstone). Early European history is included too: John Grono is recorded as the first settler to land there in the early 1800s, and he named the place after Milford Haven in Wales. Rudyard Kipling famously called it the 'eighth wonder of the world'. As you move through the sound, you will see the landscape shaped by glaciers during the ice ages. Steep cliffs rise from dark waters and mountain peaks seem to scrape the sky. Waterfalls tumble down the rock faces, some falling from heights of up to 1,000 metres. The sound’s remote atmosphere and rugged beauty will be evident in any weather, with dramatic views and natural features that illustrate both its geological past and cultural significance.

This experience will give you a chance to enjoy a skydiving adventure from a height of 9,000, 12,000 or 15,000 feet. This adrenaline-fueled activity will involve up to 60 seconds of free-falling with speeds of 124 mi/hour. After a safety briefing, you'll take a jump and soar over Queenstown and get to enjoy the views of Lake Wakatipu among other highlights. Upon landing, you can view your skydive online from a kiosk and also purchase a video and photos of your skydive separately.

You will join a small-group cruise from Wanaka aboard a luxury catamaran and relax as you glide past spectacular mountain scenery on the way to Stevensons Island. On arrival, a guided nature walk will take you up to the island summit, where outstanding photo opportunities await and you’ll learn about the island’s landscape as you explore at an easy pace. After the walk you will return to the vessel to unwind with complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits while cruising back to Wanaka. A licensed bar will also be available on board, with happy hour prices offered for those who would like something different to drink.

This small-group, globally award-winning experience from Queenstown takes you into Fiordland National Park along the famous Milford Road to Milford Sound and back. Operated by Altitude Tours as an all‑inclusive, personalised, uniquely‑Kiwi trip, it is limited to a maximum of 15 people so you’ll travel in a relaxed group and receive close attention from your guide. You’ll ride in modern Mercedes vans with leather seats, panoramic scenic windows, Wi‑Fi and Spotify. As you move through the dramatic landscape, your guide will share in‑depth knowledge and local stories, and will pause at well‑known viewpoints as well as favourite photo spots. At Milford Sound you’ll board a boutique, uncrowded cruise and enjoy a picnic lunch while taking in the area’s striking scenery. The combination of the scenic drive, guided commentary, photo stops and the relaxed cruise gives a personalised way to experience one of New Zealand’s most scenic destinations.

This experience takes you from Queenstown to Milford Sound on a comfortable, premium coach. As you travel along Lake Whakatipu and onto the Milford Road, you will take in stunning views while your driver shares fascinating stories and local insights. The coach has large panoramic windows, glass roofs and USB charging ports so you can stay connected and enjoy the scenery. Your coach journey includes round-trip transport from Queenstown and links you to an easy cruise connection in Milford Sound. Along the way you can listen to commentary in eight languages by downloading the free app. The operator brings over 70 years of experience to the trip, aiming to deliver a premium, well-organised journey. No food is included unless you select either the buffet or picnic lunch option when booking.