Top Queenstown Walking Tours

Located several hours from Queenstown by car and unreachable by public transport, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (part of Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area) can be tricky for travelers to reach. Cover the journey there and back on this small-group tour, stopping off at several scenic spots along the route, before free time to explore the national park at your leisure. Take a hike along one of its trails, unwind with a hot chocolate (own expense), or take in the dramatic scenery.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Explore Queenstown at your own pace on this self-guided walking tour through the heart of New Zealand’s adventure capital. Stroll the lively pedestrian mall with its boutiques, cafés, and street performers, then meet William Rees, the town’s founder, at his bronze statue. Relax by Lake Wakatipu at Queenstown Beach, framed by soaring mountains, or pause at the WWI Memorial Gate before admiring Queenstown’s oldest building, Williams Cottage. Along the way, discover the charm of St Peter’s Anglican Church, the history-rich Speight’s Ale House, and Queenstown’s legendary foodie icons like Fergburger. For thrills, spot paragliders, check out iFLY Indoor Skydiving, or ride the Skyline Gondola to panoramic views and luge tracks. Wind down with markets, lakefront parks, or even a cocktail in the Ice Bar. This walk blends history, scenery, and adventure into one unforgettable Queenstown experience.

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.

Avoid the stress of self-driving through distractingly beautiful landscapes on a full-day tour from Queenstown to Milford Sound. Peer through the panoramic windows of a luxury coach as you travel through UNESCO World Heritage–listed Fiordland National Park with a guide, stopping at sites of interest en route. At Milford Sound, board a catamaran for a memorable sightseeing cruise past Mitre Peak and magnificent cliff-side waterfalls. Look out for wildlife, too.

Don’t worry about organizing a hire car to get between Queenstown and Christchurch; make your travels as seamless and worry-free as possible by letting someone else drive on this small-group tour. As well as being able to relax and enjoy the views, you can learn as you ride, thanks to onboard commentary. Places showcased on the route include Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo, the Church of the Good Shepherd, and the Southern Alps.

Take a window seat for a scenic round-trip flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound, and see the splendor of Fiordland National Park from the air and sea on this small-group excursion. Board a cruise and pass dramatic waterfalls and Mitre Peak as you travel to the Tasman Sea. Then soar over the Southern Alps on your return.

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.

Join a small group, no more than 8 travellers, with a friendly local Kiwi guide on part of the Routeburn Track, one of New Zealand's Great Walks with over 140 years of history. Depart Queenstown or Glenorchy and follow the edge of Lake Wakatipu toward Mt Aspiring National Park. Climb through ancient red beech forest, with a total elevation of 343 metres over 15 kilometres on a well-formed track, moderate enough for regular hikers and achievable for those who don't hike often. Pass Forge Flat and Bridal Veil Falls, with the track running above the Routeburn River gorge. Listen for bush robins and kea as you cross a swing bridge into the alpine meadows of Routeburn Flats, where you'll stop for a picnic lunch surrounded by mountains before the gentle two hour descent back to Queenstown. Approximately 8 hours total, including 4.5 to 5 hours of walking. 8am start from Queenstown, 9am from Glenorchy.

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.

New Zealand’s fantasy landscapes have long enchanted photographers and filmmakers, and now’s your chance to capture your very own postcard-worthy shots. Accompanied by a professional photographer, this private full-day tour from Queenstown offers spectacular views of natural wonders like Skippers Canyon, Lake Wakatipu, and the Remarkables Range, as well as "The Lord of the Rings" filming locations, historic gold mines, and heritage sites.

Earnscleugh Castle is a Category 1 Heritage New Zealand-listed Jacobethan manor, its red-brick façade rising out of the Central Otago landscape just 5 minutes outside historic Clyde. Recently featured on Grand Designs New Zealand, and acclaimed for bringing the grand back into Grand Designs, it's a restoration story unlike any other. On this hour-long guided tour, owners Ryan and Marco lead you through the halls themselves, from gold rush ambition in the 1920s to decades of neglect, family feuds, and a four-year restoration that brought the castle back from ruin. You'll hear about the pioneers who built it, the decisions that shaped it, and the antique and modern touches that define it today. Set against the Fraser River and the Old Man Range, this is a chance to walk through a century of Central Otago history, told by the people who lived every bit of it. Guided tours - $50 per person Duration: 1 hour Minimum group size applies for private tours Hosted by the owners

Be introduced to one of New Zealand’s Great Walks without having to do the whole thing on a morning or afternoon guided hike on a portion of the Routeburn Track. After a pickup from central Queenstown, head into the mountains of Mt. Aspiring National Park. Follow your guide at a relaxed pace through lush forests and experience the tranquility of the Routeburn River and its waterfalls along the way.

Perfect for photography lovers, this private tour takes you to some of the best locations in Queenstown and the surrounding area to capture amazing photographs. Snap great pictures in Queenstown and then head further afield to take in beautiful vistas. Possible locations include Arrowtown, Crown Range lookout, Kawarau Gorge, Lake Hayes, Glenorchy and more.

Milford Sound is an unmissable destination in the South Island, but self-driving can be risky and the return road trip from Queenstown is long. Simplify your visit on this small-group tour from Queenstown. Travel there in a luxury bus with panoramic scenic windows, allowing unobstructed views. Take a relaxing cruise on Milford Sound, beautiful in all weather, then return to Queenstown by air, saving time and maximizing the views.

Master the art of taking dramatic landscape photographs on this half-day photography tour. Starting your tour in Queenstown, head to the charming settlement of Glenorchy, famous for its beautiful views. Here you will be able to photograph a range of natural scenery, including snow-capped mountains, ancient forests and pristine lakes and rivers.

See the Southern Lakes region through your camera on this half-day tour to some of the most picturesque highlights – and best-kept secrets – of the Queenstown area. Start your day high above Queenstown, with picturesque views of the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu, then choose where you go next. Explore the region on your own terms, all while learning from your guide, a professional photographer, how to get the most out of your camera when you’re recording these memories.

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.

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.

Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s most impressive natural wonders, but the remote fjord lies around four hours by road from Queenstown. Save time and maximize your experience with this airplane tour to Milford Sound, which allows you to explore the region from both the air and land. Enjoy spectacular aerial views of Skippers Canyon, Sutherland Falls, and the Fiordland National Park; and touch down to experience the fjord up close with a self-guided walk along the shore.