Wanaka 4x4 Explorer The Ultimate Lake and Mountain Adventure
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Wanaka, New Zealand
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
Get far away from the crowds on this 4x4 day trip from Wanaka. Start with a boat ride across Lake Wanaka, then get exclusive access to the Mt. Burke Station. Hop aboard the 4x4 vehicle there and drive up into the mountains. Your guide will tell you stories from Otago’s pioneer history and the gold rush era. Enjoy a delicious picnic with spectacular lake and mountain views.
- A gourmet picnic is included
- Receive personalized attention on a small-group tour
- Return boat trip plus a private driver/guide are included
- Choose from morning or afternoon departures to suit your schedule
What's Included
- Driver/guide
- Gourmet Picnic
- Small-group tour, max of 5 per vehicle
- Exclusive acces to Mt. Burke Station
- Return boat trip.
- Coffee and/or TeaMorning Tours include Morning Tea: Coffee & Tea with treats and a selection of fruit.
- Alcoholic BeveragesAfternoon Tour includes Afternoon Tea: Cheese and crackers, etc. with a local wine, or non alcoholic drink.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Wānaka MarinaLakeside Road, Wānaka 9305, New Zealand
We depart from the newer jetty with the silver bridge in the Wanaka Marina. Parking is not available for that length of time in the Wanaka Marina. But you can drive 200m past the marina, to where the road splits. You can park on the left hand side of both roads right after the split.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Wanaka Water Taxi and Wanaka 4x4 Explorer (Pass By)
1
Lake Wanaka
4 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Most travelers can participate
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking.
- There are no toilets on this tour, but bushes.
- Please dress appropriately, it can be colder on the mountain so bring a jacket.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 5 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Susan_C
We had an amazing time from start to finish. Very well orgsnised. We started with a water taxi ride across Lake Wanaka to a sheep station. We were taken up a very steep hill, at the top we had the most amazing views, wome of the best in NZ. Our guide was very helpful and informative.
Reviews
5.0
based on 103 reviews
MaryJo_W, Mar 2026
We had a wonderful time on our tour today. The short water taxi ride was easy as we made our way over to our starting point on private land adjacent to Lake Wanaka. Once there, we were met by Tony, our guide, and driver for the day who expertly drove us up the steep inclines and challenging curves of the mountain, while providing us with interesting facts and topics of interest related to the lake and the areas we were exploring. The trip was topped off with a delicious spread of fruits and cheeses, accompanied by local wine, set to the backdrop of beautiful Lake Wanaka. It was a wonderfully thrilling, yet relaxing day.
Susan_C, Jan 2026
We had an amazing time from start to finish. Very well orgsnised. We started with a water taxi ride across Lake Wanaka to a sheep station. We were taken up a very steep hill, at the top we had the most amazing views, wome of the best in NZ. Our guide was very helpful and informative.
Meghan_H, Jan 2025
Thanks to tour guide Tony and skipper Hannah for a great experience. We were a group of four including two older but adventurous family members, and this outing was just the right amount of excitement and activity for them. Hannah and Tony made things safe and fun, we learned a lot from the both of them, the boat ride up the late to Mount Burke Station was super scenic, and the picnic next to the 4x4 vehicle up high on Mount Burke was a stunning experience.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you Meghan!
We will pass this on to Tony and Hannah as well we are lucky with such great guides.
Awesome to hear that you enjoyed it so much.
Thanks for joining us!
Brent & Krystle
David_D, Dec 2024
Great experience to ride a 4x4 up to the mountain. Hanah and Tony are friendly. Do take your lunch before the tour as the picnic was at late afternoon.
Colin_W, Nov 2024
This was the best experience of our lives. From beginning to end, the wow factor kept climbing till the ultimate view. Hannah our water taxi skipper was wonderful with her expertise as we cruised past Stephensons island to our farm destination where Tony was waiting to welcome us in his Discovery 4 WD. It has snowed the previous night and the mountains were beautifully capped, which was magnificent on the beautiful sunny day.
Tony then gave us a excellent historical drive up to the top of the Peninsula. With each bend in the steep off road adventure, there were even better vistas and surprises. The ultimate was the destination for the most magnificent view of the lake and 360 degree surrounds. We then enjoyed a beautiful snack sitting on the lookout taking it all in.
The return home was also exciting as Hannah helped and towed a disabled boat with 2 passengers behind us back to the Wharf.
In all, the best day ever.
We would like to particularly like to thank the tour management for changing our tour from the previous rainy windy day.
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thank you so much Colin and Heather, what a great review!
I am very happy you were here for a while so we could pick the best day!
It was absolutely lovely to have you guys aboard and thank you so much for the present for Hannah, she was absolutely stoked!
Cheers
Brent & Krystle
Karen_S, Mar 2024
It was the perfect day to do this trip! Travelled with my family and 2 year old son. The 4x4 ride up the mountains was the best plus the nice picnic setup while you enjoy the view at peak. Very friendly guides made the trip even more special. Highly recommend!
Jeffrey_L, Mar 2024
The tour was beautiful exciting and had wonderful views. I enjoyed it but if your skittish the jeep climb up the mountain is intense a true 4 wheel experience. I would absolutely recommend it.
Ernest_P, Mar 2024
From start to finish excellent guides
the 4x4 experience was amazing you can’t stop looking at the views spectacular
vivien_b, Feb 2024
Best trip of our holiday so far! Just 4 of us and Tony the guide who was excellent. Very knowledgeable and competent driving the boat and the jeep. Stunning scenery and exciting but really safe driving. Wine and food delicious. A great afternoon.
Response from Host, Feb 2024
That is so good to hear Viv! Tony M (We have two Tony's) really enjoyed showing you guys around. And yes isn't that the best way to experience this remote piece of stunning scenery, with just the 4 of you. That's why we only take 4 (unless it's one group).
Thank you so much for joining us and your lovely message afterwards.
Cheers
Brent & Krystle
Zoe_O, Jan 2024
Our Tour guide and water taxi driver were wonderful. They made us feel comfortable and welcome our entire tour and had some really interesting stories and facts to share! The views were incredible and so was the picnic! We've already told all our friends to come to Wanaka for this experience.
Greg_T, Apr 2023
Both the cruise across the lake and the 4wd excursion up the mountain, plus the tour guide’s excellent knowledge and personality made for a memorable experience, not to mention the lovely picnic lunch and local wine.
Response from Host, Apr 2023
Thank you so much Greg.
What a wonderful day it was, so peaceful! Apart from the roaring deer and Steve's jokes ;-)
Great to hear that you loved it so much, we will pass this on to Steve as well.
Thank you so much for joining us
Kind regards
Brent & Krystle
From $178.72
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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