Skippers Canyon 4WD Heritage half day Tour from Queenstown
Recommended by 99% of travelers
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Queenstown, New Zealand
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Let a guide navigate the Skippers Canyon on this 4WD tour and avoid the risk of self-driving this treacherous but rewarding road, round-trip from Queenstown. The route affords dramatic views over the Wakatipu Basin and Shotover River Valley. Cross Skippers Bridge into the namesake township and stop at Deep Creek to try your hand at gold panning. The half-day trip includes light refreshments and hotel pickup.
- Learn more about Skippers Canyon's gold-mining heritage from your guide
- Choice of morning or afternoon departure to suit your schedule
- Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for your convenience
- Small-group tour ensures personalized attention and commentary
What's Included
- Transport by 4WD vehicle with your driver/guide
- Try gold panning on the gold-rich Shotover River
- Light refreshments (tea, coffee, hot chocolate, fruit cake and cookies)
- View the iconic Skippers Suspension Bridge
- Take in panoramic views of historic gold-mining sites from Māori Point
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 37 Shotover Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
Pick up is from Info & Track, 37 Shotover Street. We may be able to offer pick up from your accomodation in central Queenstown, however please contact us on 034426699 to confirm.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Meet your guide and small group upon hotel pickup in central Queenstown and board your 4x4 vehicle for a half-day tour, departing in the morning or afternoon. Heading up toward the Coronet Peak ski field en route to Skippers Canyon, take note of the views of the Wakatipu Basin.
Arriving at your destination, the 4WD route features dramatic scenery at a lookout from Lighthouse Rock. Pass by numerous historical sites and learn about the area's gold-mining past. You'll find the perfect photo op at the century-old suspension bridge before the road continues into the long-abandoned township of Skippers.
Pause for refreshments and gain insight into the local heritage and early settlement through photos and relics in a restored schoolhouse and old homestead. See the cemetery where gold prospectors were buried. Before the return journey to Queenstown, make a stop at Deep Creek and test your luck panning for gold in one of the world's richest gold-bearing rivers.
Arriving at your destination, the 4WD route features dramatic scenery at a lookout from Lighthouse Rock. Pass by numerous historical sites and learn about the area's gold-mining past. You'll find the perfect photo op at the century-old suspension bridge before the road continues into the long-abandoned township of Skippers.
Pause for refreshments and gain insight into the local heritage and early settlement through photos and relics in a restored schoolhouse and old homestead. See the cemetery where gold prospectors were buried. Before the return journey to Queenstown, make a stop at Deep Creek and test your luck panning for gold in one of the world's richest gold-bearing rivers.
1
Skippers Canyon
3 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infant seats available
- Most travelers can participate
- A maximum of 6 people per booking
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Mike_L
The weather was horrible but the tour guide made it a fantastic time. Jenny was very informative, friendly, and knowledgeable and fun. Because of the bad weather and slips on Skipper's Canyon Road we could only drive part of it. Jenny made up for it with alternate routes. It was a great experience.
Reviews
4.9
based on 211 reviews
Darryl_W, Feb 2026
Gets very bumpy, but extremely enjoyable. Has nothing to hang on to in vehicle. Driver Tom was very knowledgeable and extremely safe in his approach to driving. If you fear heights don't look out of windows over the edge.
Yamin_b, Jan 2026
It change a little from water views...the canyon is amazing . They should tell us in edvance about mosquitos problem .
davidahwolf, Nov 2025
Stunning scenery. Different scenery than other tours. Learn history of a specific group of settlers.
Mike_L, Oct 2025
The weather was horrible but the tour guide made it a fantastic time. Jenny was very informative, friendly, and knowledgeable and fun. Because of the bad weather and slips on Skipper's Canyon Road we could only drive part of it. Jenny made up for it with alternate routes. It was a great experience.
Martin_C, Mar 2025
We had a great time views were sensational our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable stopped at all the best photo opportunities
Steven_S, Feb 2025
Travelling in a modern Toyota V 8 4 wheel drive vehicle is a great experience. The journey takes the traveller deep into the 'mountains' out of Queenstown. Your experienced driver with a wealth of knowledge, will provide you with an interesting history of the landscape and the gold rush period. Early settlers within the vicinity lived under very harsh conditions in search of gold. Don't forget to take your camera.
Michele_F, Jan 2025
This was a great trip into the back country. Nice to get out of city and see the real area.
Giv did an amazing job driving, and telling us about this beautiful area.mj
isaac_n, Dec 2024
Interesting beautiful fantastic views first class guide/driver thoroughly enjoyed the day and glad to have taken it
Kylie_S, Sep 2024
It was winter wonderland! So beautiful. We were lucky enough to have had powede to play in. Our tour guide Jenny was incredible. Very knowledgeable about the area around us.
Herr driving was impeccable. I highly rate this tour with Jenny as your tour guide.
Kylie
Dani_M, Feb 2024
The views, breath taking!
Commentary was good as well.
The history is interesting.
Gold panning was cool too, could have spent more time doing this.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience with us, and we hope to welcome you back for more adventures in the future! We're thrilled to hear that you found the views breathtaking during your tour!
Tracey_S, Feb 2024
I really appreciated being picked up from my accomodation out at lower shotover that lessened the stress of finding parking and walking to the central office because of health issues including severe neuropathy in my feet. The information the driver gave was interesting and informative. The drive itself just has its own uniqueness and scenery, just is truely breathtaking and has been etched in the memory while the photos i took are stunning and have been shared within nz and overseas.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
We're delighted to hear that we could make your experience more comfortable. It's wonderful to know that the photos you took captured the beauty of the scenery and that you've been able to share these memories with others both within New Zealand and overseas. Thank you for sharing your experience with us, and we hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable moments in the future!
Elisabeth_T, Feb 2024
Amazing scenery over the shotover river and surrounding mountains and history of gold mining. fun to do more gold panning.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
We're delighted that you had a great time, and we appreciate your feedback. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to see you again for more adventures in the future!
MaryAnn_S, Mar 2023
Peter was an excellent guide and driver. Gave us a complete history of the region. Made everyone feel a part of the tour. Took pictures of each group to have memories for a lifetime. It is evident that he absolutely loves his job.
Pia_L, Jan 2025
Meget smuk tur, hvor vi også vi fik lidt historie😊 - chaufføren var dygtig, så det var betryggende at køre på disse smalle grus veje.
Hedviga_B, Mar 2024
Pobyt v Queenstownu byl jedno velké dobrodružství. Moc jsme si to užili - cestu kaňonem , jízdu na Shotoveru Jet, plavba lodí- prostě úžasný. A vůbec Nový Zéland je jedna z nejkrásnějších zemí které jsme navštívili.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thank you for your feedback! See you soon on a next adventure!
From $183.97
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Skippers Canyon 4WD Heritage half day Tour from Queenstown
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