Top Queenstown Private and Luxury

Avoid the risk of driving to Milford Sound yourself and being distracted by the views. This group tour from Queenstown makes it easy—and safe—to visit the must-see natural attraction for a day. After a handy hotel pickup, embark on a dramatic journey through mountains, gorges, and the incredible Homer Tunnel. Make scenic stops along the way. Cruise Milford Sound in a catamaran, looking out for wildlife along the way.

Take a scenic lunch cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a unique perspective of New Zealand high country. Travel round-trip by either vintage steamship or a more modern catamaran and dig into a gourmet barbecue lunch 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.

Milford Business Class offers a truly unique, luxurious experience that sets it apart from other Milford Sound tours. With a small group size of just 15 guests per van, it ensures high service standards, a personalised journey, and added amenities for your comfort. You’ll travel in custom-built Mercedes vehicles designed with business-class comfort, featuring a glass roof, panoramic windows, seat charging ports, and Wi-Fi. Upon arrival at Milford Sound, you’ll board the exclusive Sinbad Cruise, a luxury vessel offering spacious seating and exceptional service. Guests enjoy a complimentary glass of sparkling wine and a locally sourced, gourmet menu with Māori cultural influences, while a nature guide shares fascinating insights. Scenic stops along the journey from Queenstown to Milford Sound allow you to connect with Fiordland’s natural beauty, away from the crowds. An optional upgrade to return via plane or helicopter is available for an added touch of luxury.

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.

Travel from Queenstown to the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Milford Sound on an easy day trip. Enjoy live commentary along the way, and many scenic photo stops. At Milford Sound, don’t worry about waiting in lines as tickets are included. Admire views of waterfalls and Mitre Peak from your cruise. Refuel with a tasty picnic lunch in a scenic location. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off from listed locations for added convenience.

Fiordland is one of New Zealand’s most beautiful destinations, but self-driving through the landscape of snow-capped mountains, towering waterfalls, and emerald greenery can be challenging—and distracting. Eliminate the hassle when you travel with a small group by coach from Queenstown. Pass Lake Te Anau, the South Island’s largest lake, and enter the hand-carved Homer Tunnel on your way to Milford Sound, where you relax on a scenic nature cruise.

Board your choice of the TSS Earnslaw, a vintage steamship, or the modern Spirit of Queenstown for an evening cruise on scenic Lake Wakatipu. Arriving at Walter Peak High Country Farm, you’re treated to a sumptuous buffet dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead. Enjoy local meats, salads, vegetables, and desserts—nobody will go hungry. After dinner, see farm demonstrations or purchase a drink and simply relax in the bar.

Witness towering mountains, dense forests, and craggy coves, all on one boat ride on this cruise of Lake Whakatipu. Listen to facts about local wildlife and the area’s delicate ecosystem as you gaze at the Southern Alps, Bob’s Cove, and Mount Earnslaw, or simply relax at the onboard café and bar as you sail across the lake.

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.

Cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm aboard the TSS Earnslaw, a vintage steamship (or a replacement vessel when the steamship is undergoing maintenance). Stroll the lakeside gardens, watch a farm show, and see sheepdogs in action. Take a guided tour and enjoy free time to stroll. Savor a delicious afternoon tea with scones before heading back to Queenstown the same way you came.

Cruise Lake Wakatipu on a vintage Edwardian steamship with tickets for a cruise aboard TSS Earnslaw from Queenstown. Watch the stokers feed the TSS Earnslaw’s coal fires and enjoy views of the mountains and the lake. This scenic cruise departs from a central location in Queenstown, with multiple sailings throughout the day.

Take your South Island adventure to new heights during a 50-minute helicopter flight with a glacier landing. Soar above the spectacular scenery of Mt. Aspiring National Park, gliding above turquoise ice formations, hidden alpine lakes, and towering mountains, before landing atop an alpine glacier for photos. Scenic highlights include the Earnslaw Burn valley, which is usually only accessible on foot.

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.

A Segway tour of Queenstown covers a lot of ground, providing you with an overview of the city even if you're short on time. Choose from a 1- or 2-hour tour depending on your needs, and pass by sights such as Lake Wakatipu and the Queenstown Gardens. Stop at several scenic lookouts along the way. You won't get stuck in traffic or tired from walking.

Fans of the Lord of the Rings movies won’t want to miss this fun half-day tour to various filming locations in the Southern Alps. You’ll enjoy exclusive access to private Arcadia Station and will also visit the beautiful Mt. Aspiring National Park. Be amazed by the natural beauty while reliving your favorite movie scenes. Don an LOTR costume and sword too, if you like.

Ideal for thrill seekers, this experience lets you take a jet boat ride on the Shotover River. Experience adrenaline-fueled fun as the jet boat skims the water’s surface at high speed and fishtails into 360-degree spins. Hold on tight as the captain maneuvers the jet boat over rapids and through narrow canyons during one heart-pounding adventure you won’t soon forget.

Experience the beauty of the New Zealand high country on a scenic boat ride across Lake Whakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Watch a sheepdog show, feed the animals, and enjoy a morning or afternoon tea in the charming old woolshed. Begin your combo tour with a relaxing scenic boat ride across Lake Whakatipu aboard a modern catamaran, the Spirit of Queenstown. Disembark the vessel and be greeted by your rural host. From the amphitheater, watch the remarkable skill with which the farm dogs round up sheep from the paddocks. Enjoy a walking tour of the farmyard, visiting the holding pens, where you can help feed the sheep and deer and even get up close to the Scottish Highland Cattle. Then, stroll to the charming old woolshed for morning or afternoon tea. You may have time to wander through the lakeside gardens before you re-board the Spirit of Queenstown for your cruise back to Queenstown.

Enjoy an informative short tour of the vineyards, winery, and wine cave at Gibbston Valley Wines. See how beloved Central Otago pinot noir wines are produced with behind-the-scenes access at the winemaking facility. Sample four premium wines and learn about the local varieties. This is a handy tour for travelers who are just passing through, or who don’t have much time in the region.

Situated on the picturesque shores of Lake Whakatipu, Walter Peak High Country Farm is the perfect place to spend a relaxing few hours. Immerse yourself in nature and learn about conservation throughout New Zealand. Begin your trip with a 45 minute cruise aboard the Vintage TSS Earnslaw, an integral part of Queenstown’s pioneering history and to this day a Queenstown icon. You will be greeted by our rural host, who will give you a tour of the stunning Restaurant Garden and showcase the beautiful native plants. Sample fresh produce straight from the veggie beds and orchard! Next savour a delicious garden platters made with with ingredients just harvested during your visit. This is the perfect adventure for those who want to give back to the environment while immersing themselves in New Zealand’s native scenery. You will then have the opportunity to have a hands on role in Walter Peaks land restoration project by planting a native tree or shrub from our nursery.

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.

Take to the skies above Queenstown and land on a remote glacier blanketed in snow for a true alpine adventure. Experience the stunning vistas of Skippers Canyon, with its rich gold rush history, before touching down on an ancient glacier. Step onto the pristine ice to witness the mesmerising blue crevasses up close, providing a rare opportunity for spectacular photographs. The journey back offers awe-inspiring views over valleys and ridgelines, making this a must-do adventure for nature lovers and photography enthusiasts alike. - Unique glacier experience near Queenstown - Breathtaking aerial views of Skippers Canyon and Southern Alps - Opportunity for stunning photographs of ancient glacial ice - Guided by experienced local pilots familiar with the region

Get to know Arrowtown's highlights, history, culture, and scenery without the hassle of navigating unfamiliar roads on your own on this half-day small-group tour from Queenstown. Set off from the central meeting point in Queenstown and spend about 90 minutes in Arrowtown, learning about the history and culture of this former gold-mining town. Stop at other scenic spots along the way, such as Lake Hayes, the Kawarau River, and a honey farm.

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