All Queenstown Tours & Excursions in 2026 - page 16

There are plenty of high-quality tours in Queenstown to choose from. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown
• Small Group, Award Winning Full Day Milford Sound Experience
• Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown
• NZONE Skydive Queenstown
• Million Dollar Cruise in Queenstown

Yes, Queenstown tours are worthwhile—many allow you to experience the region’s natural beauty in ways you can’t do on your own, such as on trips to the Milford Sound or Fiordland National Park. Meanwhile, the adrenaline rush of the famous jet boat tours is unmatched for the brave travelers in your group.

Per one customer who booked the Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown, “Amazing, safe and good for ALL ages, I saw a 5-year-old and some 70+ people thoroughly enjoy this, and I did too, even as someone who enjoys more extreme thrills as well (skateboarding, mountain biking etc). The speed through the canyons is amazing but safe; they have a great way of stopping and explaining things occasionally while waiting for the other jetboats to pass, and the drivers are exceptionally skilled.”

As they are primarily outdoor excursions, Queenstown tours may seem more expensive than tours in other cities; on average, they cost US$100 and up per person, depending on what’s included. However, the price often includes transport, entry fees, and even meals.

On the lower end of the price range, you can book the Escape Adventure AR Experience in Queenstown for around US$22 per person. This scavenger hunt takes you around Queenstown so you can see the sights while having fun with your family or friends. Pricier options include private sightseeing flights or day tours via helicopter or small plane, such as The Ultimate Milford Sound Experience by Helicopter From Queenstown (from around US$5,400 per group of up to five). This private half-day tour takes you over the Southern Alps in a helicopter, landing in several places along the way.

You name it, and you can experience it in Queenstown, which is known as the adventure capital of New Zealand. Explore the Milford Sound by boat, take a canoe through the rapids of the Dart River, or go paragliding with marvelous views of the Southern Alps. For those in your group who would prefer something more relaxing, there are plenty of food and wine tours available, too.

Consider an all-day or multi-day Queenstown tour to pack in as many sights and activities as possible. For example, you’ll travel from Queenstown to Fiordland National Park on the Small Group, Award Winning Full Day Milford Sound Experience, during which you stop for short walks in scenic areas en route, take a scenic cruise on Milford Sound, and snap plenty of photos of the wildlife and landscape along the way.

Most travelers recommend five days for deep exploration. As the real attractions lie outside the city, it can take some time to reach everything you may want to see. The Southern Alps, Milford Sound, and nearby ski hills all mean there’s plenty to do no matter the season. Queenstown tours can also help you get where you want to go more efficiently.

As New Zealand lies in the southern hemisphere, the best time to visit Queenstown for good weather and ample outdoor excursion opportunities is December and January. That said, there are also options for winter activities, like glacier explorer flights—just be aware that weather can change rapidly, so prepare to be flexible.

According to travelers, these are the best attractions in Queenstown:

• Lake Wakatipu
• Milford Sound
• Kawarau Suspension Bridge
• Kawarau River
• The Remarkables

View Viator’s guide to all the best attractions in Queenstown.

There are tons of great trips to take from Queenstown. According to traveler reviews, these are the best day trips to book right now:

• Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown
• Small-Group, Award-Winning, Full-Day Milford Sound Experience
• Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise From Queenstown
• Milford Sound Fly Cruise Fly ex Queenstown
• Lord of the Rings Scenic Half-Day Tour From Queenstown

View all of Viator’s top Queenstown day trips.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to have a great time in Queenstown. Here are some of the best Queenstown activities under US$25:

• Fear Factory Queenstown
• Time Tripper Queenstown
• Skip the Line: Odyssey Sensory Maze Entry Queenstown Ticket
• Escape Adventure AR Experience in Queenstown
• Vortex 12D Motion Theatre

It’s no secret that Queenstown is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Here are some of the top outdoor tours to book right now:

• Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown
• Small-Group, Award-Winning, Full-Day Milford Sound Experience
• Premium Milford Sound Small-Group Tour & Cruise From Queenstown
• NZONE Skydive Queenstown
• Million-Dollar Cruise in Queenstown

View all of Viator’s top outdoor activities in Queenstown.

Couples will find plenty of romantic tours in Queenstown. Here are some of the top activities to book now, according to previous travelers:

• Million-Dollar Cruise in Queenstown
• Milford Sound Fly Cruise Fly ex Queenstown
• Half-Day Milford Sound Flight and Cruise From Queenstown
• Dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm and Cruise From Queenstown
• Milford Sound Cruise with Round-Trip Flights From Queenstown

View all of Viator’s top romantic tours in Queenstown.

Queenstown has enough activities to entertain every member of your family. Here are some of the top kid-friendly tours to book now, according to previous travelers:

• Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise From Queenstown
• Million-Dollar Cruise in Queenstown
• Queenstown Segway Tour
• Small-Group Zipline Adventure in Queenstown
• Milford Sound Day Tour and Cruise From Queenstown

View all of Viator’s top family-friendly tours in Queenstown.