New Zealand 3-day travel guide, short but full of essential itinerary

#Travel Guide

If you have a 3-day schedule, I recommend a course where you can feel nature, adventure, and leisure all at once, centered around the South Island. Connecting Queenstown, Tekapo, and Mount Cook is efficient in terms of travel route and the scenery is the most overwhelming.

Day 1 – Queenstown

Walking along Lake Wakatipu: After arriving, walk along the lakeside and enjoy the scenery of the Southern Alps

Skyline Gondola: See the city and lake at a glance from the observation deck, and enjoy activities with a luge experience

Bungee jumping and paragliding (optional): Exciting adventures unique to Queenstown

Lakeside restaurant: Finish the evening with lamb steak and New Zealand wine

Day 2 – Mount Cook

Drive along Lake Pukaki: Enjoy the emerald lake and snow-covered mountain scenery

Trekking along the Hooker Valley Track: Cross the suspension bridge and encounter the overwhelming nature created by glaciers and perennial snow

Mount Cook Village Cafe: Enjoy a cup of coffee while looking at the snow-covered mountain view

On a starry night, take a short walk to observe the Milky Way

Day 3 – Tekapo

Lake Tekapo & Church of the Good Shepherd: A representative photo spot where the lake and snow-covered mountains come together

**If it’s the lupine season (November to January)** Enjoy the flowers and lake scenery by the lakeside

Tekapo Springs Hot Springs (optional): A great rest to relieve travel fatigue

Observatory Stargazing Tour: Finish after viewing the stars pouring down from the world's three largest starlight reserves

Travel Tips

For a 3-day trip, a rental car is the most efficient

Because the temperature difference between day and night varies depending on the season, prepare clothes that can be layered

Sneakers or hiking shoes are essential for trekking

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