Five Day Queenstown Incentive Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Queenstown

An Unforgettable Welcome

Your guests arrive in Tāhuna Queenstown to be greeted at the airport by tangata whenua, the Māori people of the land. They will perform a whakatau or traditional welcome to connect you with the Indigenous culture of New Zealand and with the whenua or land.

After this greeting, your team are escorted to jet boats at Willows Jetty nearby. They jet boat from the airport, across Lake Whakatipu, to arrive at their hotel in style. Extraordinary experiences like this make Queenstown the ultimate incentive destination.

Immerse Your Guests in the Alpine Landscape

Introduce your guests to Queenstown’s iconic scenery and reputation for adventure. Take a scenic gondola ride up Bob’s Peak for panoramic views over the town and the surrounding mountain peaks. There’s the option for a thrilling luge ride back down the hill. Or book a zipline safari through the pine forest and learn about the region’s environment as you fly.

Host welcome drinks at Eichardt’s Penthouse, a lakefront suite with an open terrace and outdoor fireplace on top of Eichardt’s Private Hotel. This venue with uninterrupted views over Lake Whakatipu is ideal for a cocktail reception or a private dining experience.

Take a Cruise to Dinner at a High-Country Station

After an aperitif, book your guests an old-world cruise to Walter Peak on historic steamship the TSS Earnslaw. Once they arrive at this high-country station, they’ll be invited into the old homestead for a gourmet BBQ dining experience with grilled meats, salads grown in the kitchen garden, irresistible desserts, and local cheeses. After dinner, a farm demonstration gives a glimpse into the activities of a high-country station.

Day 2: Explore the Wilds of Glenorchy

Glenorchy is at the head of Lake Whakatipu. Combining remote luxury with natural beauty, this remote alpine village is the gateway to a region loved by outdoor adventurers for its majestic landscapes. Glenorchy is also near to the Te Wāhipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Area, known for its wild, mountainous terrain, fiords, and ancient forest.

Fly into Glenorchy for a Wilderness Adventure

Arrange for your guests to be collected by helicopter at dawn and flown to Glenorchy. Ask your pilot to make a mountain top landing enroute, so the group can breakfast on a peak or raise a glass to the day ahead.

Land at Paradise Beach ready to start your Glenorchy adventure. Jet boat up the Dart River into the World Heritage Area, before kayaking back down. Paddle inflatable Funyaks through canyons and up shady side streams, while drifting gently downstream. After fun on the river, head to Paradise Ziplines for a spectacular zipline course. Your guests will fly through forest and over fast flowing alpine streams, all while enjoying beautiful mountain views.

Lunch at Headwaters Eco Lodge

The Headwaters Eco Lodge is a fascinating pace to visit. Bult to Living Building principles. all profits go back into the Glenorchy community. Their wonderful restaurant uses fresh Central Otago produce, along with vegetables and fruit from their own gardens. Book a private lunch for your guests to experience the delicious garden-to-table menu.

Experience the Bob’s Cove Nature Walk

On the road back to Queenstown is a stunning nature reserve called Bob’s Cove. Southern Lakes Sanctuary is a local organisation restoring Queenstown ecosystems. Their Bob’s Cove Nature Walk will introduce your guests to native wildlife. They’ll discover how birds are protected from predators and learn ways to encourage biodiversity themselves.

Day 3: Discover Historic Arrowtown

Arrowtown is a charming village founded in the 1860s Central Otago gold rush. Its picturesque, treelined streets are full of historic goldminers’ cottages and colonial buildings. Now home to boutiques, galleries, cafes, and premium dining, Arrowtown is a real treat.

Explore Boutiques and Galleries

Wander the streets discovering local artisan gems. Arrowtown’s historic streets and side alleys are packed with independent boutiques along with galleries and artist’s studios. Highlights include a wine store where you can taste 80 New Zealand wines and rare New Zealand Malt whiskies, an old-fashioned sweetshop, and New Zealand designer clothes.

Long Lunch at Millbrook or Mora

Enjoy a luxurious long lunch at one of Millbrook Resort’s restaurants. Their chefs grow much of their produce on the estate, and your group can tour the abundant kitchen gardens after they eat. For the ultimate indulgence, arrange for your guests to be collected from the resort by helicopter. Also near Arrowtown, Mora Wines and Artisan Kitchen serve up their own Central Otago wines with delicious seasonal food in a delightful cottage in a garden setting.

An Off-road Adventure to a Gold Rush Ghost Town

Take a 4WD drive adventure into a goldmining ghost town and try gold panning. The abandoned village of Macetown is hidden in the hills behind Arrowtown along a rough yet ravishing track. Cross the Arrow River 25 times on the way to this beautiful spot, learning about gold rush history from your knowledgeable guide on the way.

Enjoy Dinner at a Winery

Amisfield is an organic vineyard, winery and restaurant overlooking Lake Hayes near Arrowtown. It was named New Zealand's best restaurant in 2023. Dishes are hyper-local and seasonal and matched with Amisfield’s own wines. Also close to Lake Hayes, the Ayrburn dining precinct has a choice of restaurants offering Ayrburn wine tasting flights.

Day 4: Head into the Valley of the Vines

Queenstown is a renowned wine and food destination, celebrated for its Pinot Noir. It’s the gateway to hundreds of Central Otago vineyards, with the closest wine region, Gibbston, just 20 minutes away. Visit the world’s southernmost wine region for an unforgettable blend of fine wine and refined dining, combined with exhilarating adventures.

Book a Private Wine Tour

In Gibbston, grapes are planted on terraces perched at different altitudes, each with different soil and a microclimate of its own. That diversity of terroir is expressed in the local wines. You can book a private wine tour by e-bike, helicopter, or by jet boat.

Try Bungy or Head to the Oxbow Adventure Co.

The world’s first commercial bungy jump sits at the mouth of Gibbston Valley. People leap from Kawarau Bridge,. an old suspension bridge over the rocky river gorge. This exhilarating adventure still holds its thrill after almost forty years. Nearby the Oxbow Adventure Co. offers the world’s only commercial jet sprint boats, 4WD off-roading, and clay bird shooting.

Dine in a Private Wine Cave

One of the highlights of Gibbston is its culinary experiences. Host a private degustation dinner for your guests among the barrels in their atmospheric wine cave, using local produce grown and foraged nearby. Gibbston Valley Winery was the first vineyard in the region.

Day 5: Relaxation and Reflection

Devote the final day of your incentive itinerary to giving your guests time to recharge. After so many adventures, they’ll be ready to slow down, relax, and soak up the luxurious side of Queenstown before they return to their day-to-day lives.

Spend the Day at a Spa

Queenstown has several luxurious day spas where your guests can enjoy a massage, a beauty treatment, or soak in a hot tub with a view. Body Sanctum is a serene space in Central Queenstown, known for excellent massages. At the Hilton, eforea has a menu of indulgent treatments and spa facilities including a pool, hot tub, saunas, and steam rooms. The Onsen Hot Pools in Arthur’s Point also offer massages and beauty treatments.

Explore the Lake on a Private Luxury Yacht

Book a private luxury lake cruise on the Pacific Jemm. This private superyacht will take you out into Lake Whakatipu, before exploring the inlets and hidden coves. You can even book a private chef to serve up delicious lunch or dinner while your guests drink in the scenery. Or book a pre-dinner cruise with cocktails, canapes, and champagne before dining in town.

Round off the Stay with Fine Dining

Let Queenstown’s celebrated chefs serve up memorable flavours for your final night in town. Rātā is known for delicious, modern New Zealand cuisine and its urban forest setting. Nest Kitchen and Bar has the best view in Queenstown. Choose their five-course degustation for a culinary tour of Central Otago and Southland. Botswana Butchery, a classic bistro in a cosy historic cottage, is a local favourite. Here’s more Queenstown fine dining inspiration.

Here to Help Organise Your Queenstown Incentive Itinerary

Get in touch with the Queenstown Convention Bureau team for free, impartial advice and to create a Queenstown incentive itinerary to indulge and inspire your team. Our local event experts can help you arrange accommodation, dining experiences, and activities for an incentive trip your top performers will never forget.