Tours and Trips in Queenstown

Gain access to a gentle hiking and cycle trail on private land that was hand-hewn with a pick and shovel. Hiking (or cycling, if you prefer) with a knowledgeable guide will prevent you from getting lost, plus you'll learn about the history and ecology of the region. The trail is about 17 miles (27 kilometers) and takes several hours, but is not steep, so is suitable for active (though not necessarily super-athletic) travelers.

Visit 'The Lord of the Rings' filming locations in Glenorchy, traveling by 4WD with an informative guide. Departing Queenstown for Middle-earth in the morning or afternoon, this half-day tour includes stunning countryside landscapes chosen by director Peter Jackson. See where famous scenes were filmed, such as the Fortress of Isengard, Lothlorien, Ithilien Camp and Forest of Amon Hen. Enjoy light refreshments and personalized attention on this small-group tour, limited to six passengers per vehicle.

Whether you're a fishing fanatic or a complete novice, this fishing charter experience is enjoyable for all. After a central Queenstown pickup, you'll join experienced skippers for an adventure on Lake Wakatipu. You won't have to worry about bringing equipment with you as everything is provided. Your skippers will give you expert tuition on different fishing techniques, and you'll gain access to incredible panoramic views that you wouldn't see otherwise.

Soar above Queenstown on a hang gliding adventure from the Coronet Peak ski field. Available during summer months (September to April), this tandem hang gliding tour takes off from the area's highest commercial flight site. Pair up with a qualified guide - a New Zealand paragliding champion - and enjoy a stunning and scenic flight. Round-trip transport is included with your 2-hour experience.

The Routeburn Track is one of the most beautiful - and popular - trails in New Zealand, a great gateway to the country's mountain lakes, river valleys, waterfalls, and forests. With this tour, let someone else take care of driving to the trailhead and packing lunch, and head out on a moderately difficult portion of the trial that takes you to the western end of Lake Wakatipu.

Take a cruise on Milford Sound, arguably the most scenic destination on New Zealand's South Island, during this day trip from Te Anau. En route, you'll tour the features of Fiordland National Park, home to untouched alpine forest, pristine waterways, glaciers and soaring peaks. Experience sightseeing stops and bush walks before a 1.5-hour boat excursion, including a buffet lunch and narration by a well-versed guide. Numbers are limited to 15 people for a small-group experience.

Combine two of the world's most exciting sports with one of the world's highest takeoff points on this tour from Coronet Peak. Experience the thrill of both paragliding and hang gliding, riding tandem with an expert instructor. Transportation from downtown Queenstown included.

Pair the fine wines of Central Otago with a gourmet lunch platter on this small-group wine-tasting tour from Queenstown. Visit at least four boutique wineries during a 5.5-hour tour. You'll drive through verdant valleys and vine-clad foothills rich in gold mining history. Numbers are limited to 12 people to ensure an intimate experience with other wine lovers.

Glenorchy sits at the northern tip of Lake Wakatipu, along a stunningly beautiful stretch of road that runs from Queenstown to the (aptly-named) rural settlement of Paradise further north. Instead of trying to negotiate these unfamiliar (and sometimes dangerous) country roads on your own, get a driver who knows the region on this half-day drive. Spend some time exploring Glenorchy's shops and cafes, and take advantage of some remarkable alpine photo ops.

Discover some of New Zealand's finest wines on a full-day tour of the Central Otago wine region from Queenstown. Visit five wineries, sip wine in Australasia's largest wine cave, enjoy a gourmet lunch, and sample locally made cheeses. You'll also visit the Cromwell Heritage Precinct and learn about the Otago Gold Rush. Numbers are limited to 12 people on this small-group wine tour that includes wine tastings, lunch, transportation, and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Paraglide over a wintry Queenstown landscape on this tandem paragliding tour from Coronet Peak. Safety and security on this adrenaline-fueled activity is ensured by the guide, a paragliding champion with decades of experience. After instruction and takeoff from the ski field, get views of the Wakatipu area on a 20-minute flight. Round-trip transportation from a central Queenstown meeting point is included.

Soar high over the South Island by hang glider on this 2-hour Coronet Peak tandem hang gliding experience in Queenstown. Head from Queenstown up into the ski fields of Coronet Peak and meet your hang gliding pilot.  After a full safety briefing, climb into your hang glider and catch the thermals to soar up into the skies above. During your hang gliding experience, enjoy magnificent views over the Wakatipu region's lakes, rivers and mountains as your pilot explains the technicalities of flight, and gain insight into how your glider works.

Get introduced to one of New Zealand's Great Walks with a 2.5-hour hike on the Routeburn Track. This half-day tour departs Queenstown for the awe-inspiring scenery of Mt Aspiring National Park. Walk across a swing bridge and follow your guide at a relaxed pace through a beech forest lush with ferns and mosses. Experience the tranquility of the Routeburn River and its waterfalls while you learn about native birdlife and cultural history.

Get up close to nature and explore one of the top spots on New Zealand's South Island on this half-day Milford Track guided walk. Take a boat ride across Milford Sound to Sandfly Point with your guide and admire soaring cliffs and cascading waterfalls. Hike along the banks of the Arthur River and Lake Ada, and enjoy panoramic views over the pristine countryside. Admire the mighty Giant's Gate waterfall from the swing-bridge over the river and enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to 12 people.

Embark on a 3-day guided trek on the Hollyford Track, one of New Zealand's most renowned hiking trails, located in the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park. An experienced guide leads you past the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps through native rainforest to the rugged west coast. You'll backpack through the Hollyford Valley, ride a jet boat and take a helicopter flight into magnificent Milford Sound. Enjoy personalized service, world-class cuisine and comfortable lodge accommodation during this small-group tour, limited to 16 participants.

Enjoy an authentic fishing adventure on Lake Wakatipu with this 3-hour Queenstown fishing charter. Head onto the calm waters of Lake Wakatipu and enjoy panoramic views over the spectacular mountain scenery. Pick up helpful tips from your guide and gain insight into the many different fish species thriving in the lake. Master a range of fishing techniques including jigging, spinning and trolling, and watch your line for a nibble from the trout and salmon swimming below. Haul in your catches, then either release them back or keep them for dinner!

Take off from one of the highest commercially available points in Queenstown on this tandem paragliding experience. Fly with an extremely experienced guide for aerial views of Queenstown and the surrounding countryside, including Coronet Peak. Flight time is about 15 minutes; all necessary equipment provided.

Soar above the mountain scenery of Wakatipu on a tandem paragliding flight that takes off from Coronet Peak, the highest commercial take-off point in Queenstown. With an expert pilot to guide the paraglider, you'll have a bird's-eye view of the whole region, covering 2.5 miles (4 km.) as you fly from Coronet Peak to the landing site. This small-group paragliding experience is limited to 8 travelers per booking for personal, high-quality service.

Discover the best views of Queenstown from 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) on a 20-minute helicopter tour. Look down upon vast Lake Wakatipu and make an Alpine landing in the Remarkables Range, with Coronet Peak and Cecil Peak in the distance. It's a sensational photo opportunity. Hotel pickup and drop-off included.

This Queenstown helicopter flight makes a grand circle over the Wakatipu Basin with a mountain landing in the Remarkables Range. Your 30-minute aerial tour covers scenic vistas above the wild Shotover River, which thunders through the sheer gorge walls of Skippers Canyon. Stand in the snow 5,045 feet (1,528 meters) above Queenstown for a not-to-be-missed panorama of Lake Wakatipu and beyond.