All Queenstown Tours &amp; Excursions in 2026

Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from 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.

Milford Sound Coach and Cruise tour from Queenstown

12 hoursFree Cancellation

Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown

25 minutesFree Cancellation

Glenorchy sits along a stunningly beautiful stretch of road from Queenstown to the (aptly named) rural settlement of Paradise. Instead of trying to negotiate these unfamiliar country roads on your own, get a driver who knows the region on a half-day trip. Spend time exploring Glenorchy’s shops and café, take advantage of some remarkable alpine photo ops, and see some of the locations where scenes from famous movies were filmed.

Glenorchy & Paradise Half-Day Scenic Tour from Queenstown

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.

Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise

3 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Enjoy an active adventure from Queenstown without having to plan any of the logistics on this half-day canyoneering trip that’s even suitable for beginners. Walk through an ancient beech forest to a steep-walled canyon, where you descend by zipline, abseil (rappel) down waterfalls, plunge into natural pools, float down narrow passageways, and cascade down chutes. Expert guides ensure your safety and provide alternate routes depending on your skill level.

Queenstown Half Day Canyoning Adventure

4 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

Small-Group Zipline Adventure in Queenstown

2 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

Milford Sound Flight and Cruise Tour from Queenstown

Take a break and escape into nature on this tour of Milford Sound in the World Heritage Fiordland National Park. Relax as you visit one of New Zealand’s notable Fjords, taking in the waterfalls at Mirror Lake and the fresh glacier water at Monkey Walk. Then, take to the water itself with a boat cruise on Milford Sound. Perfect for travelers wanting to immerse themselves in the South Island’s landscape.

Milford Sound Day Tour with Scenic Cruise from Queenstown

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.

Milford Sound Premium Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown

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.

Aoraki Mt. Cook National Park Small-Group Tour from Queenstown

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.

Premium Milford Sound Tour Including Cruise, Flight & Lunch

9 hoursFree Cancellation

Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown

A unique water adventure awaits you on Queenstown's stunning lake with our semi-submersible shark ride. Feel the rush as you reach speeds of 80 kph on the surface and dive under the water at 40 kph, all while enjoying a personal ride with an experienced pilot. Experience exhilarating jumps as the shark leaps out of the water, sending splashes all around. With the first commercial Seabreacher X watercraft at your disposal, you can customize your ride to be as mild or wild as you want. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind thrill while in Queenstown.

Queenstown Hydro Attack Shark Ride Adventure

15 minutesFree Cancellation

Queenstown: Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise, 90 Minutes

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

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.

Arrowtown and Wanaka Highlights Tour from Queenstown

Watershed is a floating sauna experience on Lake Whakatipu, where guests cycle between hot Finnish saunas and cold lake plunges while surrounded by Queenstown’s alpine scenery. Designed around the classic rhythm of contrast therapy, guests move between sauna heat, cold water and moments of rest on the deck overlooking the mountains. Most people naturally fall into a pattern of sauna, plunge, rest, then repeat. Located just minutes from central Queenstown, Watershed offers a calm space on the water that feels surprisingly removed from the town centre. Guests often visit after a day hiking, skiing or exploring the region, or simply to slow down and reset. The experience suits couples, friends and anyone curious about contrast therapy, and is especially popular as a winter ritual after a day in the mountains.

Queenstown Floating Sauna & Cold Plunge on Lake Whakatipu

1 hour 15 minutesFree Cancellation

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.

Queenstown Lake Cruise and Walter Peak Farm Adventure

3 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

25-Minute Remarkables Helicopter Tour from Queenstown

25 minutesFree Cancellation

Mt Cook Full-Day Small Group Tour from Queenstown

12 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

Dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm and Cruise from Queenstown

4 hoursFree Cancellation

Likely to Sell Out

Enjoy breathtaking views of the Queenstown scenery

Skydive in Queenstown—New Zealand’s outdoor adventure capital—and jump from 9,000, 12,000, or 15,000 feet (2,700, 3,600, or 4,500 meters). After a safety briefing, board a small plane and tandem skydive with an experienced guide. Free-fall at speeds of up to 124 miles (200 kilometers) per hour, then relax as you float beneath your parachute high above Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountains.

3 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

NZONE Skydive Queenstown

4.7

(1 477)

from US$221

Enjoy a thrilling jet boat ride on the Dart River, taking you to places you couldn’t reach any other way. During the half-day tour, venture into the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Mt Aspiring National Park from Glenorchy, a short drive from Queenstown. Surrounded by awe-inspiring peaks and hidden valleys, twist and turn down the glacier-fed Dart River. Listen to your guide’s stories about the area’s natural and cultural history en route.

Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience

Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience

4 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

Half Day Arrowtown and Gibbston Lord of the Rings Film Locations

Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown

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Must-Dos in Queenstown

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What are people saying about Queenstown

JulieAnn_A, Oct 2026

Perfect day to enjoy Queenstown!

Our group of travelers enjoyed this 1/2 day trip to Glenorchy and all the stops in between w/ refreshments and fun times re-enacting scenes from LOTR. Dan our guide and safe driver made the whole trip fun and interesting with his anecdotes and insights into the filming locations. The beautiful weather made the whole experience the perfect day to enjoy Queenstown!

Milford Sound Premium Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown

Louise_N, Oct 2026

Amazing and well...

Amazing and well organised tour. Despite the day being nearly 13 hours long, the drive there and back went by really quickly. Our guide Katy was amazing and had heaps of great local knowledge about the area and all its history, flora and fauna. The tour includes lots of stops on the way to Milford Sound for photos and the provided lunch was bigger than I was expecting which was a bonus.

Dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm and Cruise from Queenstown

Jennafer_R, Oct 2026

The TSS Earnslaw and Walter Peak, NZ Jewels

Wow! From beginning to end a great way to end our time in Queenstown travelling through the country. The TSS Earnslaw is a jewel of the lake. What a beautiiful, well maintained ship. The ship itself is lovely to behold let alone the lake and views all around as we made our way to Walter Peak for a buffet dinner. We were greeted very warmly and they were well organized getting us to tables, drink orders then advising us when it was our turn to get some food. The food was really great, definitely not standard buffet fare, dessert delicious as well. We were able to browse their lovely gift shop before the farm show (recommend if you have time before). The farm show was very entertaining with a shearing demonstration. The herding demonstration with dogs was also absolutely fun and it was all informative. Back on the ship and back into town about 9 it was a great way to end our time and would 100% recommend this to anyone thinking about it.

Milford Sound Premium Coach & Cruise from Queenstown with Lunch

Laxmi_c, Oct 2026

Solo traveler’s review

It was a wonderful experience with my tour guide Chelsea . She was enthusiastic informative and ensured to get best view points. The vehicle was wonderful and captain lounge wonderful. The Milfrod sound also lived up to my dream being misty , deep , and awe inspiring .

Milford Sound Flight and Cruise Tour from Queenstown

Graham_B, Oct 2026

My son and I booked this...

My son and I booked this packaged as a way to get the views and get to Milford Sound without the road travel. Turned out far better than expected! Michael's knowledge and the way he explained the history, geography and sights of the mountains was what made more than just a flight. Learnt so much before we even got to the cruise, and then learnt even more on the flight back. Would recommend this to anyone, such a great day, skip the drive, and see the most amazing scenery.

Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise

Jennifer_N, Sept 2026

Scenic Cruise on Beautiful Historic Steam Ship with Sumptuous Gourmet BBQ Lunch!

The beautiful historic steam ship cruise on the Wakatipu Lake was scenic. You can walk around the ship upper and lower deck and learn how it is operated. Beverage and a snacks can be purchased on board. We stopped at Walter Peak for a sumptuous BBQ lunch. Not your typical BBQ but a good spread of food with appetisers, salads, main course and desserts! Wasn’t expecting all that delicious food! You get to wander around the farm after lunch and watch sheep being sheared. Everything was well organised and we enjoyed ourselves. I would recommend this activity while in Queenstown! Also worth mentioning the staff at RealNZ office in Queenstown was wonderful. I had double booked the activity and she was so helpful to arrange cancellation of the double booking and reminded me to follow up to ensure I get my refund. Thank you all for a great experience!

Milford Sound Flight & Cruise Day Trip from Queenstown

Anastasia_P, Aug 2026

Absolutely stunning day

What a fantastic experience! I got to sit in the front (one of the benefits of being a solo traveller) and she asked if I wanted to hear all the transmissions from air traffic control/other aircraft, which was really cool! The scenery was SO stunning. The flights were definitely the highlight, although the cruise was incredibly cool as well (we saw dolphins and even a penguin!!) I also appreciated how proactive the company was, reaching out a couple days before and letting me know the weather wasn’t looking good, which gave me enough time to switch around my tours, and fortunately the day I’d switched to had good flying weather!

Milford Sound Coach and Cruise tour from Queenstown

Danielray_D, Jul 2026

Milford Sound - Do not miss out!!

I could not recommend this specific tour enough, but what made it even more amazing than the views and beautiful scenery was our incredible guide, Robin. She was so knowledgeable about New Zealand, its history, its culture, geography, anatomy, you name it. I’m so thankful we had her as our guide. I would recommend this over and over again to anyone visiting this beautiful country!

Premium Milford Sound Tour Including Cruise, Flight & Lunch

TIM_M, Jul 2026

Bus, Cruise, Fly... the BEST way to experience Milford Sound

Couldn't ask for a better day tour! Shu our tour driver was friendly, informative & gave us numerous photo stops along the way. The cruise in Milford Sound was spectacular - and we saw dolphins! Then flying back over the show capped mountains ended the day in a literal high!

NZONE Skydive Queenstown

Simbai_M, Apr 2026

12000 feet skydive

After all the health and safety checks have been completed the real action began. After being geared up the plane ride to the jump takes about 15 mins which was a good ride with views of the lake and mt remarkable ranges. The jump it self takes about 5 mins till you reach the ground. I had a good instructor who made me feel calm. The free fall is so quick it finished before I could take it all in and the landing was so smooth.

Milford Sound Day Tour with Scenic Cruise from Queenstown

Ruth_M, Mar 2026

Fantastic 10/10

Really great day out to Milford sound! Matt was a fantastic driver/tour guide, giving us great information throughout the journey. The boat around the fjord was great, some amazing views. Bus was comfy and well air conditioned - great music played too - thanks Matt! Defo worth the money!