Day Trips from Queenstown to Wanaka

Journey from Queenstown to Aoraki Mount Cook on a breathtaking scenic flight that reveals the stunning Southern Alps. Soar over majestic landmarks and glaciers, then land at Mount Cook Airport for a self-guided adventure. Spend up to 5 hours exploring the national park with options to visit The Hermitage Hotel for lunch, the Sir Edmund Hillary Museum, or walk the scenic Hooker Valley Track. With guaranteed window seats and knowledgeable pilots offering insights throughout the flight, this tour perfectly combines awe-inspiring landscapes with the freedom to explore at your own pace. - Round trip scenic flights from Queenstown to Mt. Cook Airport - Up to 5 hours of self-guided exploration in Mt. Cook National Park - Ground transport in Mt Cook to local scenic spots and activities - Guaranteed window seat for every guest - Complimentary hotel pick-up and drop-off included

When soaring in a fixed-wing plane from Queenstown to Franz Josef or Tasman Glacier, you may think the one-hour scenic flight is the highlight of this tour. But the best is yet to come. Switch to a helicopter and fly up to a landing point high on the glacier, where you’ll embark on a hike on the snow and ice. Wearing crampons, you’ll explore caves and see remarkable landscapes inaccessible any other way.

The Franz Josef Glacier near Queenstown is a frozen spectacle with deep icy crevasses, crashing waterfalls, and mountainous snowy scenery. Witness the Franz Josef from the sky with a helicopter ride above the glacier on this full-day small-group tour, before setting down for a hike to explore wondrous caves and chilling icefalls.

Our Queenstown More Than A Wine Tour is not so much about swirling, sniffing and chatting about gooseberries, oak and tannins. It’s more an opportunity to soak up some extraordinary scenery and discover the amazing flavours of Central Otago. We love to showcase our wine and local cheese/food. If the Mountain is more for you, think champagne in the snow! Afterwards enjoy the Cardrona Distillery and Hotel for some mulled Wine and marshmallows. This tour is for anyone wanting some private time, romantic and special or thrill seeking time. Wine, whiskey, beer, gin, food, mountain biking, snowboarding/skiing, hiking. This is your day so the itinerary is set precisely to blow away your expectations. Others say "this was hands down one of the best days of our lives" "We cant wait to come back and do this again with friends" "Every moment was spectacular" "We loved every second" "We loved our guide, she looked after all our needs and requirements, she made the day so special" "We will be back"

New Zealand's highest peak deserves more than a drive-past. This full-day small-group tour from Queenstown travels north via Kawarau Gorge, before heading through the Mackenzie District to Lake Pukaki and Aoraki Mt Cook National Park. Your guide leads the day with local knowledge, te reo Māori place names, and stories of the land. At 3724 metres, Aoraki is New Zealand's highest peak and a sacred ancestor to Ngā Tahu iwi. You have two to two and a half hours at the national park: walk the Tasman Glacier Viewpoint Track through the moraines of Haupapa, New Zealand's longest glacier or Hooker Valley, or explore Mt Cook Village. Scenic flights available on the day. Heading home: the Ōmārama Clay Cliffs, the Cardrona Hotel (1863), and a Crown Range lookout over Queenstown from the highest main road in Aotearoa. Lunch, water and snacks included. WiFi and USB charging on board. Group capped at 16. Carbon neutral within the national park.

Most people fly from Queenstown to Christchurch. In an hour, they miss everything in between. This full-day small-group tour covers the same distance on the ground: Kawarau Gorge, the Mackenzie Basin lakes, Aoraki Mt Cook National Park and Lake Tekapo. Lunch, water and Kiwi snacks are included. WiFi and USB charging on board. At 3724 metres, Aoraki is New Zealand's highest peak and a sacred ancestor to Ngā Tahu iwi. You have 2-2.5 hours at the national park: walk the Tasman Glacier Viewpoint Track through the moraines of Haupapa, NZ's longest glacier, explore Mt Cook Village, or arrange a scenic flight on the day. From November 2026, Wānaka will replace the Kawarau Gorge stop where your guide collects lunch while you spend time at the lakefront, home of #ThatWānakaTree. The tour ends at Lake Tekapo beside the Church of the Good Shepherd with the Southern Alps behind it. Small group, maximum 16. Carbon neutral within Aoraki Mt Cook National Park. Wānaka pickup available.

See Arrowtown and Wanaka through the eyes of a local rather than a first-time visitor on a half-day tour from Queenstown that explores local history and landscapes. You’ll have time to stroll Arrowtown’s charming main street, built during Otago’s 19th-century gold rush, then enjoy an hour of free time to see Wanaka at your own pace for a balanced sightseeing experience. Return to Queenstown through the Crown Range, winding through towering peaks and high passes.

Experience Queenstown and Wanaka like a local with our personalized, small-group tours led by passionate local guides. We go beyond the typical tourist spots, offering exclusive insights, scenic routes, and hidden gems that only locals know. Whether you’re chasing stunning photo opportunities, cultural stories, or nature-filled adventures, our flexible and friendly approach ensures an unforgettable experience tailored just for you

Operated by a local Queenstown expert with over 12 years of experience, this private tour offers flexible stops, insider knowledge, and a personalized journey through the best of Central Otago.

Explore Wānaka and its stunning alpine scenery on a private scenic tour from Queenstown. Visit beautiful Lake Wānaka, enjoy scenic photo stops and local sights, with a flexible itinerary tailored to your interests. This comfortable private experience is ideal for couples, families and small groups who want to explore Wānaka at their own pace with a local driver.