8 National Park Trips from Queenstown, Compared

1.Jet Boat Journey through Fiordland National Park – Pure Wilderness

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 678 reviews · from $127Our pick

From Te Anau, take a two-hour jet boat trip along the Upper Waiau River to Lake Manapouri. Expect high-speed turns and 360-degree spins, pauses for local stories and Lord of the Rings filming locations, and a short guided walk in Fiordland National Park. Spray coats and life jackets are supplied, with warm gear available when needed.

“Alex was awesome. Such a good time and informative. We really enjoyed the trip and it was well worth it :)”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 531 reviews · from $190

Travel from Queenstown to Glenorchy, then jet boat through the braided, glacier-fed Dart River in Mt Aspiring National Park. Your guide shares stories about local Māori history, early pioneers, native plants and wildlife. Expect fast turns and spins, dramatic mountain views, and a half-day outing that can include round-trip transport.

“Fantastic experience from beginning to end. The coach ride was good & it travels through some amazing scenery as it follows the lakeside to Glenorchy. All the staff we encountered were friendly and professional. The Jet Boat ride itself was a truly amazing experience and made even better by our driver/tour guide Jordan. He was very professional and shared lots of interesting stories throughout the trip. The ride was also thrilling with lots of 360 degrees spins and fast paced racing over the narrow Dart River. We 100% recommended this trip and this company.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise from Manapouri

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 490 reviews · from $216

From Manapouri, travel across Lake Manapouri, cross Wilmot Pass by coach and cruise Doubtful Sound with naturalist commentary. Look for fur seals, dolphins and Fiordland crested penguins, though sightings are not guaranteed. The day lasts about seven hours, and food and drinks can be bought on board.

“Long commute (did not know it would take 2 hours to get there) Good views and explanations Good bathroom breaks Very windy and wet Should have brought raincoats Saw lots of waterfalls Saw seals Did not see penguins and dolphins Quite expensive”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 314 reviews · 13 hours · from $277

Travel from Queenstown to Doubtful Sound by coach, boat and coach, with driver commentary, a Lake Manapouri crossing and a three-hour fiord cruise. The day includes rainforest on Wilmot Pass and chances to spot dolphins, seals and penguins. Guides such as Brian, Craig and Danny have led recent trips, though your guide will vary.

“The lake and the sound were beautiful. Seeing the penguins was the highlight.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Te Anau

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 286 reviews · from $231

From Te Anau, travel by coach to Lake Manapouri, cross the lake by catamaran, then ride over Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove. Aboard a roomy catamaran, cruise Doubtful Sound for about 2 hours 45 minutes, with live commentary and chances to spot seals, dolphins and Fiordland penguins. Transfers and cruises are included; food and drinks are not.

“What started as a rainy day turned in to a great waterfall presentation. The rain and clouds cleared and there were hundreds of waterfalls everywhere. Many of them lasting only a day or 2 after the rain. Great viewing, long day. Multiple transfers between busses and boats got tiresome.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 242 reviews · from $287

Travel from Queenstown by coach, ferry across Lake Manapouri, and coach over Wilmot Pass to remote Doubtful Sound. A catamaran cruise takes you past steep rainforest-covered peaks, waterfalls, and possible seals, penguins, or dolphins, with live commentary from the skipper and nature guide. Expect a full day of transfers, and bring food, warm layers, and rain protection.

“Spectacular cruise through totally wild country out to the Tasman. Try to ride with Blake as your driver: great described of things Kiwi!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Dart River Wilderness Jet Boat Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 123 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $178

From Glenorchy, a local driver-guide takes you up the glacier-fed Dart River on Queenstown’s longest jet boat experience, then back through Mt Aspiring National Park scenery and Lord of the Rings filming country. Expect fast turns, wind and spray, plus stories about Maori heritage and the Greenstone trail. Choose the four-hour option for Queenstown transfers or drive yourself for the two-hour outing.

“Fantastic day. Weather was great . Mac our driver down to dart river was fun and very knowledgeable. Scenery fantastic. Arrived at Dart River and there our Jet Boat commander, Jordan, was waiting. He was fun but very professional in what he does. Love the jet boats and can't wait to do it again.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Te Anau: 30-Minute Fiordland National Park Scenic Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 41 reviews · 30 min · from $230

Join Southern Lakes Helicopters for a 30-minute flight above the Kepler Mountains, Te Anau’s rural basin, the Kepler Track and hidden lakes. Your experienced pilot provides English commentary, then lands beside a mountain tarn for views toward the Main Divide. The group is limited to six, and flights depend on the weather.

Check availability →Read our full review