New Zealand · QUEENSTOWN HIKING TOURS

The 15 Best Guided Walks in Queenstown

27 tours  ·  from $35 a head

Lake-edge walks, wine trails on foot and guided strolls in Fiordland beech forest. The 15 below are compared on distance, climb and what the guide adds.

Otago Central Rail Trail One Day Wonder Cycle tour - Auripo to Omakau: 17 kilometres to the cafe
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Otago Central Rail Trail One Day Wonder Cycle tour

1.Otago Central Rail Trail One Day Wonder Cycle tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 300 reviews · from $99Our pick

Start in historic Clyde at 9am, get fitted with a bike, helmet, pannier, bottle, and trail information, then ride from Auripo at your own pace. Cross Poolburn Viaduct, pass through two tunnels, stop at Omakau’s Muddy Creek Cafe, and choose a pickup at Chatto Creek or to continue toward Clyde.

“No better way to see and experience the Central Otago region - the team at BikeItNow were brilliant, the bikes were all set up perfectly and ready to go. Couldn’t ask for a better day. Thanks to Lisa and all the crew.”

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Cardrona High Country Pub Trail Horse Riding Trek (Intermediate+) - The Cardrona Hotel stop is more than a photo
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Cardrona High Country Pub Trail Horse Riding Trek (Intermediate+)

2.Cardrona High Country Pub Trail Horse Riding Trek (Intermediate+)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 261 reviews · from $365

Ride into Cardrona’s hills with a guide, passing a working cattle farm and gold-rush-era points of interest before crossing the river to the Cardrona Hotel for a complimentary drink. The small-group trek lasts about 3.5 hours and can include trotting and cantering, so tell the operator your riding ability when booking. Guides include Summer, Emily, Kelly, and Ally.

“We had a great day riding in the Cardrona Valley. Great staff, and beautiful horses. We are beginner riders and the staff was really helpful in picking out the right horses for us.”

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Scenic Cruise & Guided Walk on Historic Motor Yacht Lake Te Anau - Afternoon tea and a crew that sets the tone
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Scenic Cruise & Guided Walk on Historic Motor Yacht Lake Te Anau

3.Scenic Cruise & Guided Walk on Historic Motor Yacht Lake Te Anau

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 165 reviews · from $102

Spend about three hours on Lake Te Anau aboard Faith, a restored historic motor yacht, with live commentary, afternoon tea and a guided walk in Fiordland National Park. The small-group trip is capped at 16. Crew members such as Adam, Paul and Jackie have shared the yacht’s story and led walks to a mirror lake.

“Fabulous relaxing afternoon boat trip on the beautiful historical Faith sail boat with motor. Captain Adam and first mate Ginnie were both charming and very informative. Adam share stories about the interesting hipster of the boat while sailing and Winnie provided us with elegant canapés and drinks (all included) Ginnie led us on a short hike midway through and shared her great knowledge about the flora and fauna. They put up the sails not he way back to harbor and it was a quiet, beautiful way to enjoy the gorgeous views. As a bonus, Captain Adam played the bag pipe on the way back!”

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Lake Te Anau: 3-Hour Boat Cruise with Guided Walk - A short walk to the Hidden Lakes
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Lake Te Anau: 3-Hour Boat Cruise with Guided Walk

4.Lake Te Anau: 3-Hour Boat Cruise with Guided Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 164 reviews · 3 hours · from $86

Cruise Lake Te Anau aboard Faith, a 1935 motor yacht, then take a 40-minute guided walk to the Hidden Lakes in Fiordland National Park. The crew shares the boat’s story, serves morning or afternoon tea and drinks, and may invite you to help with the sails. Adam and Megan have often hosted, though crew can vary.

“Amazing trip with very knowledgeable, helpful and friendly staff. a surprise around every corner. Food and drinks superb as was the on board entertainment.”

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The Wine Trail Tour - Lunch and Water Keep the Day Simple
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The Wine Trail Tour

5.The Wine Trail Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 158 reviews · from $197

From Queenstown or Arrowtown, ride in air-conditioned comfort to Gibbston and Central Otago for a full day of wine tasting at smaller wineries and cellar doors. Your route can include up to eight stops, with lunch, bottled water, and pickup included. Guide Susana has helped one guest find a wine they genuinely liked.

“We had a great time with Susana! She made learning about all the wines fun and she helped me find a wine that I actually liked!”

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Queenstown: Walter Peak Horse Trek & Queenstown Lake Cruise - Tea at Colonel’s Homestead
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Queenstown: Walter Peak Horse Trek & Queenstown Lake Cruise

6.Walter Peak Horse Trek & Queenstown Lake Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 151 reviews · from $134

Take a 45-minute cruise across Lake Whakatipu aboard the 1912 TSS Earnslaw steamship or the Spirit of Queenstown catamaran. At Walter Peak High Country Farm, ride for 40 to 45 minutes with an English-speaking guide, then enjoy tea, scones, and muffins at Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant. Groups are limited to six riders per guide.

“Awesome family fun activity. Everyone love the ride and our guides are so lovely. Thoroughly enjoy the whole experience.”

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Gold Discovery Trail Horse Trek Cardrona - Most popular! - Gold-rush stories along the way
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Gold Discovery Trail Horse Trek Cardrona – Most popular!

7.Gold Discovery Trail Horse Trek Cardrona – Most popular!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 151 reviews · from $309

Ride for about two hours through Cardrona Valley, crossing streams, passing farms, and climbing mountain lanes for views toward Lake Wānaka. Your guide pairs you with a suitable horse and covers basic steering and stopping before you set off. First-timers are welcome; tell The Cardrona your riding level when booking. Groups are limited to seven.

“this was amazing, amazing staff, great view of the snow on the mountain, great valley, strongly recommend people”

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The Original Queenstown Wine Trail Tour – Celebrating 33+ Years! - Gibbston Valley Winery and its underground cave
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The Original Queenstown Wine Trail Tour – Celebrating 33+ Years!

8.The Original Queenstown Wine Trail Tour – Celebrating 33+ Years!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 141 reviews · from $123

From Queenstown, join a local guide for a roughly five-and-a-half-hour afternoon in the Gibbston Valley. Visit Gibbston Valley Winery’s underground wine cave, Mt Rosa Wines and Kinross for hosted tastings, with time for lunch at your own cost. Groups are capped at 14, and selected central hotels have pickup and drop-off.

“We had a fab day with our guide Andrew. Loved all the wineries we visited, a real variety in style and choice of wine. Lunch at Kinross was lovely.”

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Milford Sound: Nature Cruise & Milford Track Walk - An 11-kilometer walk through rainforest
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Milford Sound: Nature Cruise & Milford Track Walk

9.Milford Sound: Nature Cruise & Milford Track Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 108 reviews · 7h 30m · from $133

Pair a self-guided 11-kilometer return walk from Sandfly Point with a two-hour Milford Sound catamaran cruise. Choose to walk first at 9am or cruise first at 10:30am. Expect rainforest, streams, waterfalls, onboard commentary and chances to spot seals or dolphins. The walk has no guide, so you set the pace.

“We liked both of the activities. The only part I did not like was trying to find the water taxi”

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Half Day Walter Peak Horse Trek and Cruise from Queenstown - Tea, farm details and the return sailing
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Half Day Walter Peak Horse Trek and Cruise from Queenstown

10.Half Day Walter Peak Horse Trek and Cruise from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 101 reviews · from $142

Sail from Queenstown to Walter Peak aboard the TSS Earnslaw or Spirit of Queenstown, enjoy tea at the Colonel’s Homestead, then join a guide for a slow horse trek with lake and mountain views. The trek is beginner-friendly, limited to six people, and lasts about 40 minutes. Minimum age is 7; riders must be at least 120cm tall and weigh no more than 95kg.

“The boat ride across was lovely and when we arrived we where greeted by Benny who was brilliant and looked after us all day on the horse trek.”

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Fiordland: Jet Boat & Nature Walk Experience from Te Anau - The Waiau River, with speed and pauses
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Fiordland: Jet Boat & Nature Walk Experience from Te Anau

11.Fiordland: Jet Boat & Nature Walk Experience from Te Anau

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 97 reviews · 2 hours · from $116

From Te Anau, take a short bus ride to the Waiau River for a 75-minute jet boat run with high-speed spins, quiet photo stops, and views of Lake Manapouri. Then walk for 15 minutes among ancient beech trees in Fiordland National Park. Local guides, including Jade, Sean, and John, have led trips with a mix of local stories and thrills.

“The trip was truly exceptional. Chris was incredibly informative and a lot of fun. We HIGHLY recommend this really fun and informative outing.”

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Queenstown: Self-Guided Bike Ride on the Arrow Bridges Trail - Standard bike or e-bike?
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Queenstown: Self-Guided Bike Ride on the Arrow Bridges Trail

12.Self-Guided Bike Ride on the Arrow Bridges Trail

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 96 reviews · 4 hours · from $56

Start with a 25-minute shuttle from Queenstown to Arrowtown, then ride 15 km beside the Arrow and Kawarau rivers, crossing six bridges on the way to Gibbston Wine Valley. Choose a standard or electric bike and ride at your own pace. A map, helmet and return shuttle are included; wine, food and an on-trail guide are not.

“The bikes were good quality and easy to ride- we had the manual standard bikes. Great pathways and finished at Gibbotston Winery for wine and cheese”

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Scenic Cruise & Guided Walk on Historic Motor Yacht Lake Te Anau - Afternoon tea and a crew that sets the tone
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Scenic Cruise & Guided walk on Historic Motor Yacht Lake Te Anau

13.Scenic Cruise & Guided walk on Historic Motor Yacht Lake Te Anau

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · from $102

Cruise Lake Te Anau aboard Faith, a historic yacht with room for no more than 16 people. The crew shares local commentary, serves tea and coffee, and leads a gentle 15-minute walk to the Hidden Lakes. On the return, the engine is turned off for a quiet pause, and sails may be raised if the wind allows. Crew members named on some trips include Captain Adam and first mate Jackie.

“We were greeted very friendly by the whole crew at the quai and led to the ship. The explanations were interesting and supported with pictures from a book. We had a very nice boat trip to an island and then a guided tour to the nature reserRead moreAuto-translated”

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Milford Track: Full Day Guided Hike and Nature Cruise - A short boat ride starts the walk at Sandfly Point
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Milford Track: Full Day Guided Hike and Nature Cruise

14.Milford Track: Full Day Guided Hike and Nature Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 70 reviews · 7 hours · from $215

This seven-hour Milford Sound outing pairs a guided, mostly flat 11 km walk to Giant’s Gate Waterfall with a two-hour small-boat cruise. Guides such as Tamara, Ro and Ben have shared local stories about native plants, birds and history. Bring lunch, rain gear and warm layers, and plan carefully for the early drive from Te Anau.

“Hike was lovely and thoroughly enjoyed PC's commentary. We learned a great deal from his knowledge. The post hike transfer to lunch and cruise was a bit clumsy.”

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Tasman Glacier Heli-Hike Tour from Queenstown - What the flights add
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Tasman Glacier Heli-Hike Tour from Queenstown

15.Tasman Glacier Heli-Hike Tour from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · from $1,178

From Queenstown, fly by fixed-wing plane to Mt Cook, then transfer by helicopter to Tasman Glacier for a guided hike of about two hours. Your guide leads you across the ice and may show you caves and other changing formations. Boots, crampons, safety gear, and Queenstown transfers are included. Bring your own lunch.

“Such a great experience, our guide Scott was very knowledgeable and made sure the whole group got to see some unique sights. Seeing the Glacier up close was definitely a highlight of the trip.”

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New in Queenstown Hiking Tours

★ 4.5Lake Dunstan E-Bike Trail AdventureFrom $938 reviews
★ 5.0Self-Guided Milford Track Day Walk – Milford SoundFrom $4617 reviews
★ 4.6Taupo: Lake Taupo Western Bays Catamaran Tour with Bush WalkFrom $8611 reviews
★ 5.0Whimsical Sensory Night Walk at LUMA EnchantedFrom $356 reviews
★ 4.4Routeburn Track Guided Full-Day Walk or Half DayFrom $1527 reviews
★ 5.0From Te Anau: Full Day Kepler Track Guided Heli-HikeFrom $4578 reviews

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