Top Queenstown Sightseeing Tours

Get unrivaled views of Queenstown from 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) in the air during a 25-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. Enjoy sensational photo opportunities from the flight and the landing. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included and save you time and hassle.

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.

Round-trip flights between Queenstown and Milford Sound save you hours of road-travel time in Fiordland National Park. Following a scenic flight with views of snow-covered peaks, remote valleys, and waterfalls, touch down for a cruise on Milford Sound. Traveling by both air and water takes you to dramatic places you'd miss by sticking to the road. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected central Queenstown accommodations.

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.

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.

Get off the beaten path and enjoy sweeping views over Queenstown that would be otherwise difficult to find on this ATV adventure. Head to Queenstown Hill for a half-day tour on a fully automatic ATV and follow your guide over off-road trails (safety gear and all-weather clothing are provided). Enjoy informative commentary and sweeping views over Queenstown. Hotel pickup and drop-off, along with refreshments, are included in this small-group tour.

As well as its stunning countryside, Central Otago in New Zealand is known for its world-class wine and adventure tourism. This ‘hop on, hop off’ bus tour lets you experience some of the best wineries and attractions at your own pace without the hassle of driving. Come away knowing a bit more about this slice of paradise, with commentary along the way to educate and entertain you.

Explore Lake Wakatipu by boat on a 1.5-hour cruise from Queenstown. As you travel to the end of the lake, you can see stunning lakeside homes, a variety of bird life, Kawarau Dam, and the magnificent scenery that surrounds Queenstown. Get unobstructed views from the sundeck or stay warm in the heated cabin, and have the option to purchase drinks from the onboard bar.

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.

Ready for a full-day adventure? Begin with a scenic shuttle from Queenstown to Arrowtown, where you’ll be fitted with a premium electric bike, helmet, & given a map and full safety briefing. Enjoy a self-guided cycle along the stunning Arrow & Kawarau River Trails toward Gibbston, crossing the Edgar Swing Bridge & the famous Kawarau Suspension Bridge — the world’s first bungy site. Enjoy winding trails past historic gold-mining cottages with breathtaking scenic views. At Gibbston Valley Winery, you swap your bike for the Wine Hopper Shuttle then relax as our friendly Qualified Wine Guide takes you to boutique wineries, cellar doors, & even a charming church or tavern. Enjoy wine tastings, divine platters or lunch options, & soak in the spectacular vineyard scenery. After a day of adventure, you'll return to Queenstown CBD around 6PM, relaxed, happy, & full of great memories! Pickup: Queenstown, Frankton, or Arrowtown Dropoff: Arrowtown, Ayrburn, Frankton, or Queenstown

Fans of “The Lord of the Rings” won’t want to miss this fun half-day tour to several filming locations around Queenstown. Admire views of Skippers Canyon, Arrowtown, Lake Hayes, and elsewhere as you listen to your guide’s stories and see where scenes were filmed. Also get the chance to dress up in authentic costumes and hold movie props while posing for photos—an experience you wouldn’t get going alone.

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.

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.

Set out on a thrilling ATV adventure, just five minutes from downtown Queenstown. Begin with a short training session before riding through a private 650-acre adventure park with a guide, navigating rugged trails and hill climbs that lead to panoramic views over the Shotover River, Coronet Peak, Central Otago, and the Southern Alps. Tours are tailored to the group’s skill level, with small group sizes ensuring personalized guidance. All your gear is included for ease, and finish your experience with complimentary photos.

Experience the best view in town. Land on the Remarkables spur, overlooking Queenstown at sunset! This flight includes a complimentary drink of choice which you can enjoy during your landing whilst watching the sunset over Queenstown Drink options: bubbles, beer, whisky or there are non-alcoholic options available

Soar through the forest on the world’s steepest tree-to-tree zipline, 1,500 feet (450 meters) above Queenstown. Choose from three different courses, one with a thrilling 68-foot (21-meter) drop. Or, tone down the adrenaline a notch on a longer course, perfect for families with kids. Expert guides supervise your launch so all you have to do is take in the panoramic mountain and lake views.

This is the ideal tour for wine lovers. Spend a day going on a wine tasting journey to some of the best vineyards in Central Otago. You won’t have to worry about organizing transport as hotel transfers are included. Various tailor-made packages are available, including options with a helicopter flight or golf along with your winery tours. Enjoy the ultimate stress-free day with lunch and wine tastings included.

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.

Witness towering mountains, dense forests, and craggy coves on this Lake Whakatipu cruise. Listen to facts about local wildlife and the area’s delicate ecosystem from your skipper as you gaze at the Southern Alps, Bob’s Cove, and Mount Earnslaw, or relax at the onboard café and bar with the option to pre-order cheese and charcuterie boards as you sail across the lake.

Photograph spectacular locations around Queenstown, the Southern Lakes, and Central Otago on a half-day private photography tour. Your guide is a passionate landscape photographer, who provides creative advice and shows you how to get the most from your camera. Customize the morning or afternoon’s schedule to suit your interests and the conditions on the day.

The deep waters, soaring cliffs, and thundering waterfalls of Milford Sound are spectacular from all angles, and this half-day tour by air and boat takes in all the highlights. Enjoy thrilling aerial views of the Fiordland National Park on a round-trip flight from Queenstown, and marvel at Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, and Mount Pembroke on a scenic Milford Sound cruise. Hotel pickup and drop-off, and lunch are included for a truly seamless experience.

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.

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.