Tours and Trips in Queenstown

Cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm aboard the SS "˜Earnslaw,' a vintage steamship. Stroll the lakeside gardens to the Colonel's Homestead for traditional morning or afternoon tea and take a walking tour of the farm. You'll watch sheep dogs in action, see sheep shearing demonstrations and learn the time-honored art of spinning wool. Treat yourself to home-baked goods and alpine views of the Remarkables mountain range. Savour a delicious afternoon tea and an amble through lakeside gardens before heading back to Queenstown by boat.

Adventurous travelers with any level of rock-climbing experience (total beginner to advanced) will enjoy climbing this series of steps fixed into a cliff face. Guides will ensure your safety and instruct you on how to approach the climb, as well as ensure that you climb a section suited to your abilities. Your efforts will be rewarded with incredible views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.

Combine an adventurous zipline tour with admission to Kiwi Birdlife Park with a Queenstown experience that explores spectacular native forest from the air and on the ground. When booking, you'll have the choice between two zipline courses that range from beginner-friendly to high-adrenaline, and independent time at the Kiwi Birdlife Park means you can explore the destination on your own schedule, without being limited by a group itinerary.

Toast your off-road adventure around Lake Wakatipu with wine tasting at two of the region’s finest wineries. First, your expert guide takes the wheel of a 4WD for an exhilarating ride over backcountry roads including Skippers Canyon and the Arrow River. See the former gold mining outpost of Arrowtown and marvel at epic scenery featured in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy with entertaining commentary about multiple LOTR filming sites. Picnic lunch included!

Enjoy an off-road adventure in the wild of New Zealand on this half-day Wakatipu Basin 4-wheel drive tour from Queenstown. Cruise along off-road routes toward the Remarkables mountain range - widely used in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Admire panoramic views over Deer Park Heights and the Kawarau Gorge, and then head onward to the historic gold-mining settlement of Arrowtown. Traverse bumpy river crossings along the Arrow River, and pan for gold on the riverbank. Then gaze over the Wakatipu Basin from Coronet Peak en route back to Queenstown.

Explore New Zealand's Maori culture, and marvel at geysers and mud pools beneath Mt Maunganui on this full-day Rotorua tour. Travel from Tauranga Port by coach with your guide and discover some of the North Island's top attractions. Admire pristine beaches and million-dollar homes in Mt Maunganui. Visit the Kiwi 360 Visitor Centre to sample homegrown wine and fruit. Discover dense forests, shimmering lakes and rolling farmland, and immerse yourself in Maori culture in Rotorua. See bubbling mud pools and shooting geysers, and gain insight into traditional Maori crafts.

Depart Queenstown aboard the TSS 'Earnslaw' for a cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm. You'll travel round-trip by vintage steamship and dig into a gourmet barbecue lunch from the terrace at the Colonel's Homestead. Enjoy chef-prepared Central Otago specialties accompanied by salads, desserts and local cheeses. Don't miss the sheep shearing demonstration or showmanship by the farm's sheepdogs.

Take a Queenstown catamaran cruise across Lake Wakatipu to the Mt Nicholas High Country Station, then tour the hills in a 4WD vehicle with your guide. You'll hear interesting narration from the captain en route to the merino sheep farm on Lake Wakatipu's western shore. Take brief walks for a bird's-eye view of the region, including the Remarkables mountains, and enjoy morning or afternoon tea before returning to Queenstown by boat.

Taste your way through Gibbston Valley wines on a wine tour from Queenstown that includes tastings at three or four wineries. Sampling a minimum of 18 Gibbston Valley wines ensures you a great overview of local flavors, and round-trip transport from central Queenstown means you can enjoy each tasting without worrying about driving at the end of the day.

Escape the crowds of Milford Sound as you cruise through the popular glacier-carved fjord on a full-day excursion, round-trip from Te Anau. The 1.5-hour Milford Sound morning boat trip glides past stunning sights like Mitre Peak, situated in the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park. En route, stop for short walks at scenic spots like Mirror Lakes and the Chasm. Enjoy small-group transport by mini-coach, limited to 33 people, which ensures personalized attention from your guide. Includes lunch plus hotel pickup and drop-off.

Board the TSS Earnslaw, a vintage steamship, for an evening cruise on Queenstown's scenic Lake Wakatipu. Arriving at Walter Peak High Country Farm, you're treated to a sumptuous barbecue dinner at the Colonel's Homestead. Sink your teeth into roasted meats and seafood, homemade desserts and a New Zealand cheeseboard while a pianist provides the ambiance. After dinner, join a walking tour of the farm to see demonstrations, or simply relax in the bar where you can purchase wine and other beverages, before the return boat trip to Queenstown.

See a different side of Queenstown with an expert astronomy guide. Through Celestron telescopes, witness a sight that can't be seen with the naked eye: the constellations, planets, and nebulas above. Even learn to navigate using the Southern Cross constellation as your guide. No telescope experience is necessary, so this tour is suited to anyone. Also experience a night ride of the gondola, a must-do Queenstown attraction.

See Milford Sound by air and water, flying round-trip from Queenstown for a small-craft boat cruise through the famous fiord. Save time on this half-day tour as you soar over the World Heritage–listed  landscape of Fiordland National Park. Landing at Milford Sound, trade your wings for watercraft and a sightseeing journey with experienced naturalists. You’ll learn about the wildlife and geology of the scenic waterways at one of New Zealand’s top natural wonders. Includes round-trip hotel transfers and a boxed lunch.

Ski and ride The Remarkables Ski Area with convenient, round-trip transport from Queenstown by minibus during the snowy season of June through October. With 25 hotel pickup locations in Queenstown, you'll be whisked straight from the city to 951 acres (385 ha.) of skiable terrain, then meet a driver for the return trip to Queenstown after a day on the slopes.

Go off-roading near Lake Wakatipu on a thrilling 4WD adventure from Queenstown. With an expert guide at the wheel, your 4x4 navigates long-forgotten trails past former gold rush settlements. Hear entertaining commentary about this scenic region captured by "˜The Lord of the Rings' trilogy. You'll see multiple LOTR filming sites while jolting down Skippers Canyon and splashing across the Arrow River.

Take to the skies on a 50-minute Queenstown helicopter flight that includes a snow landing on Jura Glacier. Soar above Lake Wakatipu's northern shores and discover unparalleled views of New Zealand's Southern Alps from an aerial perspective. After your pilot lands atop the glacier, snap photos of surrounding alpine peaks, such as Mt Aspiring, before the return helicopter ride over glacier-fed lakes and the Rees and Dart River valleys.

A Milford Sound scenic flight over the Southern Alps back to Queenstown completes this full-day tour by land, sea and sky. Before your 1-hour and 45-minute cruise, travel by coach to the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park, stopping at the Mirror Lakes. You'll see the world-famous fiord, including Mitre Peak, and other natural glories from the water, then get a bird's-eye view from the air that will take your breath away.

Get to know Queenstown's highlights, history, culture, and scenery on this half-day tour. With a small group limited to just 11 people or fewer, travel in a minivan to locales such as Crown Terrace Viewpoint, the Shotover River, Lake Hayes, Arrowtown, and others. Pickup and drop-off in central Queenstown included.

Go bungy jumping in New Zealand from the Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge, the original site of the Queenstown bungy jump. You'll experience the ultimate Queenstown challenge, transforming from nervous to elated as you plunge 141 feet (43 meters) in five seconds. Choose from a variety of options, including a water touch or full immersion in the gorgeous Kawarau River. It may just be the best thing you've ever done!

Take a 1-hour off-road buggy tour around the Wakatipu region, departing from central Queenstown. With an expert guide at the helm of your 5-passenger vehicle, you'll bump along scenic backcountry terrain. Experience the thrill of riding in a 4x4 across rivers and along forest tracks, with breathtaking views of Lake Wakatipu. Wet-weather and safety gear included.