New Zealand · QUEENSTOWN TOURS

The 15 Best Queenstown Tours & Day Trips

114 tours  ·  from $29 a head

Queenstown is the base for the whole lower South Island, which is why so much of it leaves before dawn. These 15 sort the Milford runs, the jet boats, the lake cruises and the wine country an hour east, with prices and how much of the day each one eats.

Queenstown: Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ & Lake Whakatipu Cruise - Boarding at Steamer Wharf on Beach Street
BBQ, Boat Tours in Queenstown, Cruises & Boat Tours, Queenstown Tours, Tour Reviews

Queenstown: Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ & Lake Whakatipu Cruise

Queenstown: Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip - Te Anau and the first scenic stops
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Queenstown: Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip

2.Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,592 reviews · from $144

Ride from Queenstown to Milford Sound for a full day of rainforest views, waterfalls, wildlife, local commentary, lunch, and a scenic fiord cruise.

“Great day great activities, our guide Carl made sure we got there regardless of the few challenges he was facing made sure we got there on time, safe and everyone accounted for. Great day out on Pure Milford”

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Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown - From Duke Street to the river base
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Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown

Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise - Lake Te Anau gives the day room to breathe
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Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise

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

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

Review of Altitude Tours’ small-group Milford Sound trip from Queenstown, with scenic stops, picnic lunch, cruise, tips, and honest value advice.

“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 - The flight over the Southern Alps
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Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown

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

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

Fly from Queenstown to Milford Sound, cruise beneath towering cliffs, and return by a different scenic route in just 4.5 hours.

“Such a great way to enjoy the scenery in New Zealand through flying and get to Milford Sound for the cruise. Micheal, the pilot made sure we had an enjoyable and safe flight over. One of the highlights of our NZ trip!”

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Queenstown: Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride - From Main Town Pier to Lake Wakatipu
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Queenstown: Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride

6.Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride

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

Ride KJet through Lake Wakatipu, the Kawarau, and Shotover rivers at 95 kph, with spins, mountain views, and heated handrails.

“Easy location, excellent customer service by phone and in person. The guide was very friendly and considerate. It was absolutely awesome!!! You are bound to get wet especially if you are sitting in a corner so be prepared. We loved it though.”

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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat - Queenstown pickup and the Frankton check-in
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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

Fly from Queenstown to Milford Sound, cruise beneath waterfalls, spot wildlife, and return over Fiordland on a scenic five-hour trip.

“This was a great way to see Milford Sound from Queenstown. We were prepared to make the drive, but that would have been a mistake. They picked us up at our hotel, drove us to the airport flight center, and flew us over incredible picturesque territory, including Milford Sound before landing at a small airstrip by the docks where the sight-seeing boats leave from. They bus us the two-minute trip to the docks and organized which boats we were going on. All was done for us. The boat trip was comfortable and provided a great tour of the Sound. The return trip on the airplane was on a different route;…”

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Queenstown: Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise (90 Minutes) - Kelvin Heights and the Queenstown Golf Course
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Queenstown: Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise (90 Minutes)

8.Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise (90 Minutes)

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

Review of Queenstown’s 90-minute Lake Wakatipu cruise, with mountain views, live commentary, indoor seating, onboard drinks, and practical tips.

“Although only a 90 minutes boat tour the captain provided very informative narratioon about queenstown history and folklore. Just wished the weather had been warmer to be able to ride above.”

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NZONE Skydive Queenstown - The briefing, medical form, and harness
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NZONE Skydive Queenstown

9.NZONE Skydive Queenstown

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

NZONE Skydive Queenstown review covering jump heights, mountain views, safety, transport, cost, weather delays, and booking tips.

“Absolutely amazing and must do experience! I did 15 000 dive with ultimate package and have never been more happy about any experience. Big + to the camera lady, my videos and photos are insanely good.”

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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip - Leaving Queenstown beside Lake Whakatipu
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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip

Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown - Twelve Mile Delta brings a gentle walk and a film setting
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Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown

Queenstown: TSS Earnslaw Cruise of Lake Whakatipu - Boarding in Queenstown and finding your spot
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Queenstown: TSS Earnslaw Cruise of Lake Whakatipu

12.TSS Earnslaw Cruise of Lake Whakatipu

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

Cruise Lake Whakatipu aboard Queenstown’s coal-fired TSS Earnslaw, with mountain views, engine-room access, history, and onboard refreshments.

“A nice relaxing time with plenty of seating available on board. Nice to be able to see the working of the ship.”

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Queenstown: Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience - From Queenstown to the river base
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Queenstown: Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience

14.Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience

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

Race through Shotover Canyon at 90kmh with rapid 360-degree spins, skilled guides, dramatic scenery, and optional Queenstown transport.

“Wow! Exhilarating through the canyons. The turns were exciting and the kids and I loved it. Thanks for an awesome experience with a fun and professional guide :)”

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Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise - The farm show with sheepdogs and shearing
BBQ, Boat Tours in Queenstown, Cruises & Boat Tours, Lunch Experiences, Queenstown Tours, Tour Reviews

Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise

15.Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise

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

Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw, enjoy a generous Walter Peak BBQ, and watch sheepdogs work at a high-country farm.

“The boat is busy but comfortable- make sure you head downstairs and take a look in the engine room! The barbecue was fantastic; definitely worth knowing that you can go up as many times as you like rather than loading your plate sky high. The farm show was actually the highlight for me; good banter, great demonstrations and just the right amount of time.”

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