Queenstown in Five Days: Burgers, Mountains & Starry Skies

By: Cassy Shelhamer

Queenstown, New Zealand, has always been on my travel radar, but I didn’t expect it to sweep me off my feet like it did. Over five packed days, I tasted adventure, nature, food, and a little magic. Here’s how it all went down.

Day 1: Late Arrival & Fergburger Dreams

I landed late on a Monday evening, but there was one priority before anything else: Fergburger. Even at night, the place was buzzing. I grabbed one of their famous burgers (totally lived up to the hype) and called it a night, excited for what was to come.

Day 2: Milford Sound – Nature’s Cathedral

I kicked off the trip properly with the RealNZ tour to Milford Sound. It’s a long drive, but every minute of the journey is stunning. Waterfalls, towering cliffs, and misty fiords—Milford felt otherworldly. I couldn’t stop looking out the window; the cruise was serene.

Day 3: A Mount Cook Mission

The next day, we headed to Aoraki / Mount Cook. The landscape shifted dramatically to wide valleys, icy-blue lakes, and snow-capped peaks. It was one of those days when every turn in the road had me reaching for my camera. We didn’t do any big hikes, but being in that environment felt energizing.

Day 4: Rainy Rides at Walter Peak

Back in Queenstown, I went horseback riding at Walter Peak Station. It was raining, but somehow, that added to the charm. I got a private session (bonus!), and after the ride, I warmed up with some tea and food at the homestead. It was calm and cozy, a nice contrast to the high-energy adventures.

Day 5: Arrowtown & Stargazing from the Summit

We took a slower pace and visited Arrowtown, a charming little gold rush town just outside Queenstown. Cobblestone streets, cute cafes, and autumn colors everywhere. Later that night, we hiked up Ben Lomond for stargazing. The skies cleared just in time, and the view of the Milky Way from the top was unforgettable—cold fingers, warm heart kind of moment.

Day 6: One Last Wander

On my final morning, I had a few hours to stroll through Queenstown. I soaked up the lake views, grabbed a flat white, and wandered the shops one last time before heading to the airport.

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