A Perfect Adventure Week in Queenstown, New Zealand

Day 1–2: The Remarkables and Coronet Peak

In winter (June–September), start with a lift-served day at Coronet Peak — the terrain is friendlier for the first day back on skis. Move to The Remarkables on day 2 for the alpine bowls and the Shadow Basin traverse. For summer, swap in a day of hiking the Ben Lomond track (7 hours return, technical up top) and a lake day at Moke Lake.

Day 3: Skippers Canyon jet boat and Shotover

Book the Skippers Canyon Jet — it's the historic route, half the price of the Shotover Jet, and runs through a canyon the tourist boats can't access. Combine with a river-surfing session in the afternoon if you have the energy. Dinner at Fergburger is a Queenstown rite (arrive before 6 or after 9 to skip the line).

Day 4–5: Gibbston and Central Otago wine

Take a full day off adrenaline. Rent bikes and ride the Gibbston River Trail (25 km, easy) between cellar doors — Kinross, Peregrine, and Amisfield anchor the route. Overnight in Arrowtown for the historic main street and the 20-minute drive to Chinese Camp at dusk.

Day 6: Milford or Doubtful Sound day trip

Do this on your least-tired day. Milford is the classic (leaves at 7 a.m., 12-hour round trip, worth every hour of the coach). Doubtful is longer, quieter, and more expensive — go if you want to skip crowds. Book the boat, not just the bus, and pick a company that includes a lunch stop at Mitre Peak.

Day 7: The one you'll remember

Pick your ceiling. Heli-skiing with Southern Lakes Heliski (winter) or Alpine Heliski in summer for a glacier landing and hike. Bungee at Kawarau (the original, 43m) or the Nevis (134m) for the graduate class. Or, if the weather turns, a full-day guided walk on the Routeburn Track's Key Summit section — the view is Fiordland at its best.