New Zealand · TOUR REVIEWS

The 15 Queenstown Tours to Book First

407 tours  ·  from $8 a head

A long weekend or a fortnight on the South Island, the question is the same: lake, river, fiord or vineyard first. These 15 are the Queenstown days that earn the money, with prices, durations and the full catalogue underneath.

Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown - Two hours on Milford Sound
Milford Sound Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown

1.Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,001 reviews · from $216Our pick

Ride from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a guided group of up to 15, stopping at places such as Mirror Lakes, Eglinton Valley and the Homer Tunnel. The price includes a two-hour cruise, picnic-style lunch, snacks, water and pickup from listed locations. Guides vary by departure, with names including Andy, Jess, Joe and Danny.

“It was a long but really fun and interesting day. Our driver/guide Jessica was very knowledgeable about geology and Māori mythology. She is a great storyteller. Lots of short stops on the long drive to Milford Sound. It was pouring with rain at Milford but this made the waterfalls spectacular. We got soaked but it was worth it!”

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Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience - Mitre Peak, waterfalls, and wildlife
Milford Sound Tours, Tour Reviews

Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience

2.Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,930 reviews · from $111

Cruise Milford takes you around Milford Sound for about 1 hour 45 minutes on a boat capped at half capacity. Expect lounge-style cabin seating, live skipper commentary, complimentary tea, coffee, and biscuits, plus close views of cliffs, waterfalls, Mitre Peak, and possible seals, dolphins, or penguins. The skipper may vary; Craig has been praised for his commentary.

“Excellent views of the fjord. Easy check in. Accommodate at least 30 mins prior to boat time to walk from the parking lot to the boat terminals. Otherwise, check in process was smooth.”

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Queenstown: Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ & Lake Whakatipu Cruise - Crossing Lake Whakatipu
BBQ, Queenstown Food Tours, Queenstown Lake Cruises, Queenstown Tours, Tour Reviews

Queenstown: Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ & Lake Whakatipu Cruise

3.Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ & Lake Whakatipu Cruise

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

Sail from Queenstown to Walter Peak on the historic TSS Earnslaw or modern Spirit of Queenstown. Allow 3.5 hours for the return cruise, a generous BBQ buffet and a farm demonstration with sheepdogs and sheep shearing. The boat choice affects the price, and the named farm demonstrators may vary.

“This was a fantastic trip and would highly recommend. The steamer cruise was great. Able to see the fire in engines. The captain and crew all very helpful. The bbq dinner was amazing. Meats so tender and moist. Salads fresh and zingy. Wonderful cheeses and cold meats. Wonderful deserts. Waiting staff very helpful. The sheep shearing and dog show was also wonderful. The shearer was really entertaining and informative but Echo the dog was the star of the show!! Great gift shop.”

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Te Anau: Glowworm Caves Guided Tour - Preparing at the cave entrance
Guided, Te Anau Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Te Anau: Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

4.Te Anau: Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,611 reviews · 2h 15m · from $77

Cross Lake Te Anau by boat, then follow a guide through limestone caves carved by a fast-flowing river. After seeing underground waterfalls and sculpted passages, board a small boat in near-total darkness to view glowworms close up. The 135-minute tour includes a guide, hot drinks and a return lake cruise. Cameras are not allowed, and some bending and steps are involved.

“Wonderful experience, I'd like to do again and again ...”

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Queenstown: Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip - Te Anau and the scenic stops along the way
Milford Sound Tours, Queenstown Day Trips, Queenstown Tours, Tour Reviews

Queenstown: Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip

5.Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip

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

Pure Milford’s 12-hour trip pairs a coach ride through Fiordland with a Milford Sound cruise, close views of Stirling Falls, and stops for photos and short walks. Your guide handles the route and commentary; past trips have featured guides named Brian, Brendan, Sebastian, Ian, and Robben. Lunch and tea are included.

“The coach driver was a great guide, very experienced and funny personality!”

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Milford Sound: 2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise - Following the fiord toward the Tasman Sea
2-Hour Experiences, Milford Sound Tours, Tour Reviews

Milford Sound: 2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise

6.Milford Sound: 2-Hour Small Boat Scenic Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,561 reviews · 2 hours · from $101

Cruise Milford Sound’s 16-kilometre fiord with Mitre Peak Cruises on a small boat with indoor and outdoor viewing areas. Your skipper points out Mitre Peak, waterfalls, cliffs and wildlife, with close approaches that can send spray across the deck. The two-hour trip includes live English commentary and complimentary tea, coffee and hot chocolate.

“Really good! Very easy to book and super fun and informative experience. Loved the views and the wtaerflass spray! Highly recommend, 8th wonder of the world.”

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Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown - What the ride feels like in cold or wet weather
Queenstown Jet Boat Rides, Queenstown Tours, Tour Reviews

Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown

7.Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown

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

From Queenstown, take a shuttle to the Shotover River for a 25-minute high-speed ride through narrow canyons and white-water rapids. Your captain handles the close turns and 360-degree spins, with local stories along the way. The ride suits children from age five who meet the height rule, and you may get splashed.

“One of the best thrilling experiences my family did on this trip. They wouldn't mind doing it again! An engraved core memory for my kids.”

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Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise - Through the Homer Tunnel and into the fiord
Milford Sound Tours, Queenstown Tours, Tour Reviews

Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise

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

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

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a Mercedes van with no more than 15 people, stopping at places such as Eglinton Valley and Mirror Lakes. A local driver-guide handles the long Fiordland road, then you board a nature cruise beneath steep peaks and waterfalls. Picnic lunch and cruise tea or coffee are included; bring a reusable water bottle and rain gear.

“Length of drive, clothes to wear. Mcamy was great and very informative. Lots of toilet stops and a really great day out. A must.”

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Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown - Cruising Milford Sound from the water
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Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown

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

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

True South Flights takes you from Queenstown to Milford Sound by small aircraft for a cruise of about 1 hour 45 minutes, then flies you back by a different route. Expect aerial views of lakes, valleys, waterfalls and snow-covered peaks, pilot commentary, and a maximum of 13 passengers. Selected central Queenstown hotel pickup is included.

“Amazing Trip, pilot top form took us very close to the Alps, would highly recommend this trip Watch out for the sand flies”

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Queenstown: Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride - Shallow channels on the Shotover
Queenstown Jet Boat Rides, Queenstown Tours, Tour Reviews

Queenstown: Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride

10.Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride

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

Board KJet’s yellow twin-engine jet boat at Main Town Pier for an hour on Lake Wakatipu and the Shotover and Kawarau rivers. Expect speeds up to 95 kilometers per hour, shallow-water runs, and 360-degree spins, with a skipper such as Sam, Reuben, Charles, or Jack at the helm. Bring clothes you do not mind getting wet.

“Great location easy for visitors, guide was great and funny. Thrilling ride while getting to see magical scenery!!! Would recommend”

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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat - Pickup, check-in, and the flight out
Milford Sound Tours, Queenstown Day Trips, Queenstown Scenic Flights, Queenstown Tours, Tour Reviews

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

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

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

Fly from Queenstown over the Southern Alps and Fiordland, then cruise Milford Sound for two hours beneath Mitre Peak and close to waterfalls. Every aircraft seat has a window, and the return flight takes a different route. Pilots such as Jared, Andy, and Mike have led trips, though your pilot will depend on the day.

“Amazing the best part of my NZ stay and experience.”

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2-Hour Milford Sound Scenic Cruise - Boarding at the Milford Sound Visitor Centre
2-Hour Experiences, Milford Sound Tours, Tour Reviews

2-Hour Milford Sound Scenic Cruise

12.2-Hour Milford Sound Scenic Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,520 reviews · from $104

Spend about two hours aboard a smaller Mitre Peak Cruises boat, sailing from Milford Sound toward the Tasman Sea and back. Look for Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, Sinbad Gully, fur seals, dolphins and crested penguins. Live commentary explains the fjord’s scenery and history, while complimentary tea, coffee and hot chocolate warm you on board.

“Amazing trip! Rain or shine beautiful! We went when it was sunny and beautiful and still well worth the trip!”

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Queenstown: Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise (90 Minutes) - Queenstown Bay and the shoreline
Queenstown Lake Cruises, Queenstown Tours, Tour Reviews

Queenstown: Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise (90 Minutes)

13.Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise (90 Minutes)

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

Set out from central Queenstown for a 90-minute Lake Wakatipu cruise past Queenstown Gardens, the Kelvin Heights golf course, willow islands and Kawarau Falls Dam. A captain provides live commentary, with indoor and outdoor seating, a heated cabin and drinks for sale. Captains such as Troy and Dan have led trips, though crew can vary.

“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 - From Shotover Street to the drop zone
Queenstown Skydiving, Queenstown Tours, Tour Reviews

NZONE Skydive Queenstown

14.NZONE Skydive Queenstown

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

Ride from central Queenstown to NZONE’s drop zone near Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, then jump in tandem from 9,000, 12,000, or 15,000 feet. A jumpmaster briefs you, supplies safety gear, and pairs you with a professional instructor. The roughly three-and-a-half-hour outing includes return transport, but photos and video cost extra.

“What an amazing experience! This was my first time skydiving and I can’t believe I didn’t do it sooner! The team were great at organizing our takeoff. And the views were incredible! I’m very happy that I chose to do it in Queenstown as my destination! I will forever treasure this moment! Highly recommend NZONE and paying for the photo/video package.”

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From Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip - Milford Road: where the journey earns its place
Milford Sound Tours, Queenstown Day Trips, Queenstown Tours, Tour Reviews

From Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip

15.Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,417 reviews · from $152

Ride a glass-roof, air-conditioned coach from Queenstown to Milford Sound, stopping for photos and short walks along Milford Road. Then cruise for two hours toward the Tasman Sea, with live English commentary and chances to spot seals, dolphins, and penguins. Past drivers have included Danny, Dean, and Paulie, but guide assignments vary.

“Guide Brandon was fantastic, the bus playlist was fantastic”

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