Thoughts on my itinerary for my first time on South Island in New Zealand?

Hello all!

I’m finalizing an 11-day South Island road trip for mid-April and would love some feedback on the pacing and logistics. For reference, group is 3 55+ adults, 2 20s. We decided to take it a bit easier and set up 3 home bases (Queenstown, Wanaka, Twizel) from which we’ll do short day trips and to minimize moving around.

\*\*Base 1: Queenstown (Days 1-4)\*\*

\- Day 1: Land mid-morning. Drop bags at Airbnb, explore the CBD, walk the Queenstown Gardens, and visit Kiwi Park. Take it easy. Maybe Time Tripper?

\- Day 2: Relaxed morning, noon pickup for the Skippers Canyon Jet boat, in evening, head up the Skyline Gondola for luge and Stratosfare dinner.

\- Day 3: Altitude Tours full Milford sound tour (we were originally going to drive to Te Anau, stay a night, then do Milford Sound ourselves, but decided to not drive).

\- Day 4: Pick up the rental car in the morning, head to Glenorchy, hike the Bob's Cove Track on the way, Mrs. Woolly’s General Store. Head back to Queenstown and do the evening TSS Earnslaw/Walter Peak Cruise/BBQ.

\*Base 2: Wānaka (Days 5-7)\*

\- Day 5: Leave Queenstown. Check out Arrowtown/Chinese Settlement, drive Crown Range Road, check out Cardrona Hotel, check into Airbnb in Wanaka.

\- Day 6: Day trip to Blue Pools track, small hike, return to relax by Lake Wānaka.

\- Day 7: Buffer day, not exactly sure what to do - Wānaka Lavender Farm or lake cruise to Mou Waho or Ruby Island?

\*\*Base 3: Twizel (Days 8-11)\*\*

\- Day 8: Drive to Twizel, stop by clay cliffs, check into Airbnb.

\- Day 9: Morning drive into Aoraki/Mt Cook Village, Hermitage Glacier Explorers, walk the open portions of the Hooker Valley Track, then chill in the cafe of the hotel for a bit for pictures.

\- Day 10: Day trip to Lake Tekapo, check out the lake, Church of the Good Shepherd, then go to Tekapo Springs, Dark Sky Project Summit for stargazing at night.

\- Day 11: Another buffer day, any ideas what to do in Twizel or the surrounding areas? I know there’s a salmon farm, is that worth it?

\- Day 12: Drive from Twizel back to Queenstown, drop off rental car, dip.

How does this itinerary look in terms of pacing and coverage? Anything we’re missing? I don’t think we’ll drive to the west coast - extent of our glacier exploration will be the Hermitage tour.

Also, besides the obvious food choices (Fergs in Queenstown), anything I should check out in Queenstown, Wanaka, Twizel, or Tekapo during our day trip?

Last thing - haven’t booked my rental car yet (lol), any recommendations for companies? Just need a van to fit 5 people and some luggage.

Thanks again!