Top Queenstown Bus Tours

See a side of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park that few travelers experience on a full-day tour from Queenstown, which takes you off the main tourist route and through the dramatic Kawarau Gorge and Lindis Pass. Enjoy free time to explore Mount Cook independently—tackling the trails and snapping photos of New Zealand’s highest peak—then sit back and relax on the return journey.

Pair the fine wines of Central Otago with a gourmet lunch platter on this small-group wine-tasting tour of Gibbston, Bannockburn, and Cromwell from Queenstown. Drive through valleys and vine-clad foothills rich in gold mining history, and stop at four boutique wineries for tastings along the way. Numbers are limited to ensure an intimate experience with other wine lovers and personalized attention from your guide.

Be amazed by Fiordland’s dramatic landscapes on this full-day, small-group tour by coach, boat, and air. This combo tour makes it easy to see a lot in one day. After a Queenstown hotel pickup, admire the dramatic scenery without having to drive yourself. Hop aboard a cruise on Milford Sound, then return to Queenstown by air, flying over Fiordland National Park and seeing views you couldn’t experience any other way.

Follow gold rush trails, explore historic towns, and journey through breathtaking landscapes. This isn’t just a transfer, it’s an odyssey through the heart of Central Otago. Your day begins with a pickup in Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. From there, travel in comfort and style aboard our luxurious Mercedes-Benz vehicles as you leave the alpine landscapes behind and venture into a region shaped by pioneers, gold fever, and timeless beauty. Wind through dramatic gorges, past crystal lakes, and into historic settlements frozen in time. Along the way, discover hidden gems like charming, historic Clyde, and the hauntingly beautiful Blue Lake of St Bathans. In the highlands of Pukerangi, step aboard the legendary Taieri Gorge Train for a spectacular rail journey. As the train snakes through deep ravines, crosses towering viaducts, and dives into hand-carved tunnels, you’ll be immersed in one of New Zealand’s most iconic experiences, before arriving in Dunedin

Take a trip to the picturesque village of Glenorchy without having to drive yourself on this easy group tour from Queenstown. Focus on the beautiful mountain and lake views on the way, rather than the road. Your guide will keep you entertained and informed on the drive to Glenorchy, and you’ll have about two hours to explore the village independently. Take a short walk along the lake or enjoy a relaxed coffee or beer.

Discover some of New Zealand's finest wines on a full-day tour of the Central Otago wine region from Queenstown. Visit multiple wineries, sip wine in Australasia's largest wine cave, enjoy a gourmet lunch with wine pairings, and sample local cheeses. Visit the Cromwell Heritage Precinct and learn about the Otago Gold Rush, too. Numbers are limited on this small-group tour that includes wine tastings, lunch, transportation, and hotel transfers.

Take your time on a self-guided wineries cycling tour starting at The Church Cellar Door in Gibbston Valley. Follow the Arrow and Kawarau River gorges to the famous bungee-jump bridge over the Kawarau. Continue to the Gibbston Valley wine region, cycling 11 miles (17 kilometers) of easy trails suitable for varying abilities. Stop when and where you want along the way, including many top wineries.

There are so many Lord of the Rings-related sights to take in across the area surrounding Queenstown that it’s tough to know where to start when adventuring solo. Enjoy an in-depth journey exploring filming locations across the region on this full-day small-group tour, including Lake Hayes, Paradise Valley, and Gibbston. Includes the chance to snap photos with replica props from the movies.

Combine a minivan tour to explore the dramatic landscapes of Milford Sound with the chance to see the region from a perspective most travelers miss on this full-day small-group tour. Set out from Queenstown, stopping for tea and scones in Te Anau before continuing on to Milford Sound. Board the waiting cruise vessel and relax with a gourmet meal and complimentary glass of wine as you take in the scenery.

Experience heart-racing fun on an exhilarating Queenstown jet-boat ride. The expert captain races across Lake Wakatipu, navigates tricky turns on the Kawarau River, and speeds through the shallow waters of the Shotover River. Grab hold of your seat as the jet boat makes 360-degree spins and fishtails on a rollercoaster ride over the water.

Instead of rushing to keep up with a group, this self-guided e-bike adventure is a peaceful way to explore the cycle paths between Arrowtown and Queenstown at your own pace. Begin with a pickup at a time that suits your schedule—with e-bike rental included—then, get taken to the start point in Arrowtown. After that, independently explore the local area’s bridges, mountains, and stunning trails with breaks whenever you like.

Take in the vast scale of Milford Sound from the air and water with a half-day trip that includes round-trip flights and a catamaran cruise. You’ll board a small plane that accommodates up to 13 passengers, lift off above the ridges and lakes of Fiordland National Park, then cruise Milford Sound all the way to the Tasman Sea. Watch for fur seals and penguins, and pass through the mists of Stirling Falls before meeting the pilot for the return trip to Queenstown.

Cyclists who enjoy spending time in nature will love this easy shuttle and rental option. After a transfer from Queenstown to Arrowtown, get kitted out with a mountain bike or e-bike and helmet. With bike rental included, you won’t worry about whether your bike is suitable for the trails. A detailed map is included, so you won’t get lost, and you’ll have the freedom to cycle at your own pace.

Experience a guided one-way journey from Queenstown to Franz Josef via Wānaka, Haast Pass and the West Coast. Travel in a small group capped at 15 travellers, taking in Lake Wānaka, Lake Hāwea, the Blue Pools Track, Thunder Creek Falls and Lake Matheson, with a passionate local guide bringing the journey to life along the way. Enjoy secret stops, wildlife sightings and plenty of surprises along the way, with lunch, snacks and bottled water provided. Travel in comfort in a modern minibus before finishing your journey in Franz Josef.

Board the vintage TSS Earnslaw steamship or the modern Spirit of Queenstown for an evening cruise on Lake Wakatipu. Sail to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a buffet dinner featuring local meats, salads, vegetables, and desserts, then watch farm demonstrations or relax in the bar. The cruise returns to the same central Queenstown location. The TSS Earnslaw undergoes winter maintenance, when the Spirit of Queenstown is available instead.

Enjoy mountain and lake views from a different angle when you cruise from Queenstown aboard the vintage “TSS Earnslaw” steamship or the modern “Spirit of Queenstown” catamaran across Lake Wakatipu to the Walter Peak High Country Farm. Refuel with a gourmet barbecue lunch featuring Central Otago specialties, salads, desserts, and local cheeses at the Colonel’s Homestead. Learn about local rural life during sheep-shearing and sheepdog demonstrations at the farm.

Travel to the Tasman Sea on a Milford Sound cruise from Queenstown. Travel in a comfortable luxury coach with a glass roof for premium views of the towering mountains. At Milford Sound, cruise past the world-renowned Mitre Peak and drift alongside rushing waterfalls as you search for wildlife, including New Zealand fur seals, dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins. An onboard nature specialist provides expert commentary.

Take a break and escape into nature on this tour of Milford Sound in the World Heritage Fiordland National Park. Relax as you visit one of New Zealand’s notable Fjords, taking in the waterfalls at Mirror Lake and the fresh glacier water at Monkey Walk. Then, take to the water itself with a boat cruise on Milford Sound. Perfect for travelers wanting to immerse themselves in the South Island’s landscape.

While lots of tours help you discover Queenstown’s rich winemaking heritage, not many pair the experience with the chance to sample local beer and craft gin, too. On this half-day small-group tour, head to a range of popular spots across the region, including a Central Otago winery, a gin distillery, and a brewery for distinctly different tasting experiences of New Zealand's libations.

Enjoy uninterrupted views of the mountain scenery without having to self-drive to Milford Sound from Queenstown in a glass-roofed coach. Your driver will provide commentary along the way, to keep you informed. At Milford Sound, embark on a cruise on the water, all the way out to the Tasman Sea. Relax and take in the views as you enjoy lunch on board, too.

Sample Central Otago wines without the stress of choosing a sober driver. Enjoy included hotel pickup from Queenstown on a leisurely drive around celebrated wineries in the Gibbston Valley. Have lunch at a winery restaurant (own cost), go behind the scenes at the country’s oldest wine cave and sample a range of varietals, from pinot noirs to various whites, and more.

Sample Central Otago’s famous wine and food on a half-day tasting tour from Queenstown. Enjoy a lunch of traditional New Zealand food and delicious wine in a local restaurant. Travel through the scenic Kawarau Gorge to three boutique wineries and explore the biggest underground wine cellar in New Zealand at Gibbston Valley. Sample premium wines and gain insight into the different grape varietals that flourish in the region’s fertile soils.

After complimentary accommodation pick-up, we will set off for the heart of Gibbston on a small private tour to visit four cellar doors and journey into the ‘valley of the vines’ to discover these vineyards nestled amongst the spectacular mountain ranges and dramatic river gorges. In one of the wineries, you will enjoy a gourmet lunch in a stunning setting, soaking up the views and the relaxed atmosphere. We will visit boutique wineries that are off the beaten path. There is no set routine, so every day is an adventure. The choice of the wineries visited will vary each day based on your individual group's dynamics. The overall focus is on high-quality wines as well as friendly and informative staff. Please contact us in advance to inform us of any dietary restrictions or special requests for your tour.

Save yourself the trouble of finding a sober driver on this late-afternoon small-group tour of several renowned Central Otago wineries. Go beyond the standard cellar-door tasting, with distinctly different winery experiences, and sample a wide range of wines from the picturesque Gibbston Valley region. Learn more about local wine and viticulture as you go. This adults-only tour offers a sophisticated atmosphere without including snacks or food.