New Zealand · TOURS IN QUEENSTOWN

The 15 Best Queenstown Tours & Activities

108 tours  ·  from $29 a head

Queenstown packs more bookable days into one lake basin than anywhere else in the country. These 15 sort the jet boats, the cellars, the Milford coaches and the skydives by price, duration and how much of the day they eat.

Queenstown: Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ & Lake Whakatipu Cruise - The 45-Minute Crossing Across Lake Whakatipu
BBQ, Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Queenstown

Queenstown: Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ & Lake Whakatipu Cruise

1.Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ & Lake Whakatipu Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,713 reviews · 3h 30m · from $95Our pick

Cruise from Queenstown to Walter Peak on the TSS Earnslaw steamship or Spirit of Queenstown. Enjoy a generous BBQ buffet, lakeside gardens, and a working-farm show with sheep shearing and dogs such as Echo, Mia, or Kim. The 210-minute trip suits families, food lovers, and anyone wanting a slower day between Queenstown adventures.

“Lovely trip and very sociable. The food was fantastic and the sheep shearing and sheepdog show very entertaining.”

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Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown - What happens during the 25-minute ride
Cruises & Boat Tours, Jet Boat Rides, Tour Reviews, Tours in Queenstown

Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown

2.Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,540 reviews · from $113Top rated

Race through the Shotover River’s narrow gold-mining canyons on a 25-minute jet boat ride with high-speed turns, rapids, and full 360-degree spins. A skilled driver provides local stories as you pass cliffs and rocky outcrops. Meet in central Queenstown or drive to the river base, with lifejackets and lockers provided.

“It’s an outdoor speed boat navigating rapid and shallow water through river bed and gorge….. you will get wet”

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Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise - Lake Te Anau gives you the first proper break
Cruises & Boat Tours, Milford Sound Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours in Queenstown

Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise

3.Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,416 reviews · from $235

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a premium Mercedes van with up to 15 people. Local guides such as Chelsea, James, Katy, and Chase share stories along the Milford Road, with stops at Lake Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, and the Homer Tunnel. A 1-hour-45-minute cruise, picnic lunch, WiFi, tea, and coffee are included.

“Amazing day visiting Milford sound! We were blessed with a rare sunny day and our guide made extra stops for us to admire the beauty! At the end they also offer for you to fly back via Venice flight if weather permits, DO IT. Absolute highlight of the experience and trip!”

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Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown - Leaving Queenstown above Lake Wakatipu
Cruises & Boat Tours, Milford Sound Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Queenstown

Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown

4.Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,792 reviews · from $462

Fly with True South Flights over Lake Wakatipu, the Southern Alps, snowy peaks, valleys, and waterfalls before landing at Milford Sound. Enjoy a roughly 1-hour-45-minute cruise, then return to Queenstown by a different scenic route. Small groups, window seats, commentary, and selected central hotel pickup make this a time-saving choice.

“We had an outstanding experience today. The pick up and drop off was on time, very easy to register, flight was amazing and the cruise was spectacular. Bravo!”

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Queenstown: Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride - The Kawarau River brings the speed
Cruises & Boat Tours, Jet Boat Rides, Tour Reviews, Tours in Queenstown

Queenstown: Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride

5.Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,682 reviews · 1 hour · from $89

KJet takes you from Queenstown’s Main Town Pier across Lake Wakatipu and up the Kawarau and Shotover rivers. Expect speeds up to 95 kilometers per hour, sharp turns, and 360-degree spins, with heated handrails for cold days. Guides such as Reuben, Charles, Sam, and Jack mix safety advice with local commentary during the one-hour ride.

“Very thrilling and adrenaline fueled activity. It was beautiful weather and we had a blast. Our Driver/Guide Charles was fantastic and very professional.”

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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Tour - Starting at 88 Beach Street in Queenstown
Cruises & Boat Tours, Milford Sound Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Queenstown, Train Experiences

From Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Tour

6.Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,681 reviews · 12 hours · from $162

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a glass-roof coach with a local English-speaking guide, stopping at Te Anau, Mirror Lakes, Monkey Creek, and other scenic points. Then take a two-hour cruise toward the Tasman Sea for waterfalls, cliffs, seals, dolphins, and possible penguins. Guides such as Paulie, Levi, Craig, and Brian are known for lively commentary.

“We had Levi as our driver on the bus. He made the long drive a pleasant experience by sharing his knowledge about the country and other stories. It was noticeable thst he really cares about making the trip special and enjoyable for the passengers! Thank you so much !”

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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat - The flight west over the Southern Alps
1-Day Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Full-Day, Milford Sound Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours in Queenstown

From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat

7.Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,558 reviews · 5 hours · from $447

You fly from Queenstown to Milford Sound with a guaranteed window seat, then cruise for two hours past Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, Seal Rock, and Stirling Falls. Pilots such as Jared, Andy, and Kirk are known for clear commentary and smooth flights. Bring lunch, as the boat sells no food.

“An excellent day trip which took the pain of a long bus ride to Milford Sound out of the way and provided an incredible experience by plane! would highly recommend!”

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Queenstown: Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise (90 Minutes) - From Queenstown Bay to Kelvin Heights
Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Queenstown

Queenstown: Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise (90 Minutes)

8.Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise (90 Minutes)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,462 reviews · from $49Best value

Cruise Lake Wakatipu from central Queenstown to Kawarau Falls Dam and back aboard a small sightseeing boat. You’ll see Queenstown Gardens, Kelvin Heights, lakeside homes, birdlife, and the Remarkables, with live commentary from skippers such as Troy or Dan. Choose the heated cabin or outdoor seating, and buy drinks or snacks onboard.

“Loved the trip with knowledgeable crew. Was a beautiful day with stunning scenery and the vessel travels at the appropriate speed to take it all in.”

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NZONE Skydive Queenstown - The ride toward the Remarkables drop zone
Skydiving & Bungy, Tour Reviews, Tours in Queenstown

NZONE Skydive Queenstown

9.NZONE Skydive Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,438 reviews · from $222

Meet at 35 Shotover Street, ride to the Remarkables drop zone, and choose a 9,000, 12,000, or 15,000-foot tandem jump. A trained instructor handles the parachute while you take in Lake Wakatipu and the mountains. The experience lasts about three and a half hours, with photos and video available afterward.

“OMG! Just finished my first jump this morning and it was absolutely mind blowing 🤯 Highly recommend! These guys are the best.”

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Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown - Twelve Mile Delta adds a short walk
Hobbiton Movie Set Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Queenstown

Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown

10.Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,285 reviews · from $123

Travel from central Queenstown to Glenorchy and Mount Aspiring National Park with a small group of up to 11 people. Visit Isengard, Glenorchy Wharf, Bennets Bluff, and private filming sites, while guides such as Amy, Tristan, Dan, Max, Tom, and Solomon share movie details, local stories, costumes, and swords.

“Amy is wonderful!!! She was very informative about New Zealand and The Lord of the Rings. The tour showed me parts of New Zealand I would have not seen otherwise. The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings are favorites so it was great to see the location sites and hear stories about the production.”

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Queenstown: TSS Earnslaw Cruise of Lake Whakatipu - Boarding the century-old steamship
Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Queenstown

Queenstown: TSS Earnslaw Cruise of Lake Whakatipu

11.TSS Earnslaw Cruise of Lake Whakatipu

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,255 reviews · 1h 30m · from $68

Spend 90 minutes aboard Queenstown’s TSS Earnslaw, a century-old coal-fired steamship. You can explore the wheelhouse, photo museum, and hot engine room while the captain provides commentary. Buy coffee, wine, beer, or snacks onboard. Farm tours and meals at Walter Peak require a separate combination booking.

“The only disappointment in the tour is the number of tourists, some of whom didn't behave properly. :)”

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Queenstown Segway Tour - The one-hour Queenstown Bay ride
Segway Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Queenstown

Queenstown Segway Tour

12.Queenstown Segway Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,235 reviews · from $61

Meet guide Kevin at One Mile Car Park for a short lesson, then ride Queenstown’s lakefront, Queenstown Gardens, and nearby trails. Choose a 1-hour bay ride or a 2-hour tour with more scenery, gentle hills, photo stops, and a brief off-Segway activity. Groups are limited to eight.

“Fun way to get a glimpse of Queenstown! Kevin was great at ensuring we were safe and able to handle different terrains and speeds.”

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Queenstown: Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience - From Queenstown to the jet base
Cruises & Boat Tours, Jet Boat Rides, Tour Reviews, Tours in Queenstown

Queenstown: Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience

13.Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,203 reviews · 25 - 90 minutes · from $107

You’ll ride with Shotover Jet through the narrow Shotover Canyons, skimming white-water rapids at up to 90 kmh and spinning through 360-degree turns. The 25-minute ride includes a safety briefing, life jacket, guide commentary, and heated handrails in winter. Add the Queenstown shuttle if you do not have your own transport.

“Lots of fun, you don’t get too wet so don’t let that put you off. Our driver was very skilled and told us lots about the surrounding areas. He was very friendly and answered all the questions about the boat.”

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Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise - Walter Peak High Country Farm and the Colonel’s Homestead
BBQ, Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Queenstown

Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise

14.Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,196 reviews · from $98

Cruise from Queenstown to Walter Peak High Country Farm aboard the vintage TSS Earnslaw, or possibly the Spirit of Queenstown. Enjoy a chef-prepared BBQ buffet, gardens, lake views, and a live sheep shearing and sheepdog demonstration. The 3.5-hour outing includes return transport and suits families, food lovers, and first-time Queenstown visitors.

“We had a lovely experience on this tour. The steamship was very cool to ride on and such a unique experience. The lunch was amazing with an amazing assortment of options to choose from. They even catered to my partner who’s coeliRead more”

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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Day Trip on Premium Coach - Te Anau gives you a useful pause
1-Day Tours, Milford Sound Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours in Queenstown, Train Experiences

From Queenstown: Milford Sound Day Trip on Premium Coach

15.Milford Sound Day Trip on Premium Coach

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 976 reviews · 750 minutes - 14 hours · from $170

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a premium glass-roof coach with guides such as Stan, Keith, Shale, and Junior. Stop at Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, and Monkey Creek before a two-hour nature cruise beneath Stirling and Bowen Falls. Tea and coffee are included, with lunch available on selected bookings.

“The driver/guide was amazing! So knowledgeable, practically the best part”

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New in Tours in Queenstown

★ 5.0The Wine Trail TourFrom $197158 reviews
★ 5.0AuthenticAs Star Gazing -Nightscape Portrait Photography Tour59 reviews
★ 5.0Gold Discovery Trail Horse Trek Cardrona – Most popular!From $309151 reviews
★ 5.0Half-Day Queenstown Photography TourFrom $23528 reviews
★ 5.0Full Day Queenstown & Southern Lakes Private Photography TourFrom $26327 reviews
★ 5.0Photography Tour from Queenstown to Glenorchy – 1/2 DayFrom $23532 reviews
★ 5.0The Original Queenstown Wine Trail Tour – Celebrating 33+ Years!From $123141 reviews
★ 4.7Guided Segway TourFrom $53112 reviews
★ 5.0Lake Dunstan Cycleway Bike Rental With Return Luxury ShuttleFrom $93140 reviews
★ 4.7Self-Guided Gibbston Valley Wineries Bike TourFrom $56128 reviews
★ 4.9Scenic Highlights, Tour with Wine & Lake CruiseFrom $13655 reviews
★ 5.0Pilot’s Choice Helicopter Flight with alpine landingFrom $245168 reviews
★ 4.9Lord of the Rings Locations Half-Day TourFrom $118161 reviews
★ 4.8Ice Bar Entry with Warm Winter Gear and DrinkFrom $35162 reviews
★ 4.9Half-Day Canyoning AdventureFrom $124163 reviews

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Milford Sound Cruises61Hobbiton Movie Set Tours37Wine Tours54Scenic Helicopter Flights34Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours30Walking Tours40
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Two islands, end to end

Pick a coast, a summit or a cellar door.

The set pieces

HobbitonGlowworm CavesMaori EveningsLarnach CastleRail Journeys

On the water

Milford CruisesHole in the RockSea KayakingWhale WatchingSailing Days

In the air

Helicopter FlightsSkydiving & BungyGlacier CountryDark Sky NightsAoraki & Tekapo

Slow days

Cellar DoorsFood WalksHot SpringsWildlife ToursCycle Trails