New Zealand · TOURS

15 Queenstown Tours & Day Trips Worth a Whole Day

165 tours  ·  from $30 a head

Everything with a guide, a boat or a coach seat attached, in one list. The 15 below are the ones worth a whole day, each priced and timed.

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

2.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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Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown - Cruising Milford Sound from the water
Milford Sound Tours, Queenstown Day Trips, Queenstown Scenic Flights, Queenstown Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown

3.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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Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown - Isengard Lookout brings the film setting into focus
Lord of the Rings Tours, Queenstown Day Trips, Queenstown Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown

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

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

Travel from central Queenstown to Glenorchy, Mt. Aspiring National Park and Isengard Lookout on a 4.5-hour tour capped at 11 people. Your guide connects film locations with local stories, and you can try on costumes and swords. Morning or afternoon picnics are provided. Guides have included Amy, Tristan, Max, Dan and Tom, but your assigned guide can vary.

“We all want to watch the movies or read the books after touring with Tristan. He made each filming site exciting and provided great insight into the filming and history of the movie and characters.”

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Queenstown Segway Tour - Following Queenstown Bay and the lakefront
Queenstown Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Queenstown Segway Tour

5.Queenstown Segway Tour

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

Ride along Lake Wakatipu and through Queenstown Gardens on a guided Segway tour, with a lesson and practice time before you set off. Guide Kevin is praised for clear instruction and local stories. Choose a one-hour bay ride or a two-hour route that reaches farther along the lake and includes a short off-Segway activity.

“Kevin had a well planned route that covered a variety of terrains and locations. We learned some things about Queenstown too!”

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Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau - Through the Homer Tunnel to The Chasm
Milford Sound Tours, Queenstown Day Trips, Te Anau Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau

6.Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,198 reviews · from $185

Spend about nine and a half hours on a guided trip from Te Anau to Milford Sound, with pickup, scenic stops, morning tea and a two-hour nature cruise included. Walk at Mirror Lakes and The Chasm, and look for keas, seals, dolphins and Fiordland crested penguins. Groups are capped at 16, and guides have included Tania, Andy and Gary.

“Great tour to do for the day! We liked going in a smaller group. We stopped at lots of beautiful places on the way there. Our guide considered the weather so we would have the best views and experience. We got to Milford Sound before the Queenstown day trippers did so it was nice and quiet. We were one of the first boats on the water. The cruise is wonderful, getting up close with beautiful views and some nice commentary and info. Would highly recommend this tour from Te Anau”

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Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour - The punt and the glow worm grotto
Te Anau Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour

7.Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 960 reviews · from $80

From RealNZ’s Te Anau office, cruise across Lake Te Anau to Cavern House, hear how glow worms live, then follow a footpath beside an underground river and ride a small punt into the dark grotto. Guides such as Anne, Emmy and Josh have been praised for clear, friendly explanations. Expect low cave sections and occasional drips.

“Tour to glowworm caves starting in Te Anau. You first sail over the lake with beautiful views followed by a app. 30 minutes - 1 hour tour through the caves. The cave tour is amazing and you are guaranteed to see plenty of glowworms. Read more”

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Queenstown: Queenstown Lake Cruise and Walter Peak Farm Tour - Walter Peak: animals, skills, and a rural welcome
Queenstown Farm Tours, Queenstown Lake Cruises, Queenstown Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Queenstown: Queenstown Lake Cruise and Walter Peak Farm Tour

8.Queenstown Lake Cruise and Walter Peak Farm Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 950 reviews · 3h 30m · from $80

Cruise from Queenstown to Walter Peak aboard the TSS Earnslaw steamship or Spirit of Queenstown catamaran, then join a guided farm tour with animal encounters and sheepdog and shearing demonstrations. Tea is served at the farm. The 3.5-hour outing includes a nature guide, with farm hosts such as Josh and Mia leading the demonstrations.

“Great guide, and farm show, and tea time, nice transportation.”

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From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach Tour and Cruise - Short walks and photo stops make the drive count
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From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach Tour and Cruise

9.From Te Anau: Milford Sound Coach Tour and Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 868 reviews · 8 hours · from $110

From central Te Anau, ride a coach through Fiordland National Park with photo stops and short walks, then cruise the full length of Piopiotahi/Milford Sound. Your day includes live commentary and a picnic lunch. Guides such as Sebastian, Scarlet and Robyn have led recent trips, though your guide will depend on the departure.

“well organized, nice bus and boat. affordable way to experience this magnificent place. there were at least two buses of 50-60 people that met up with boat. so there are a lot of people but it's a very large boat. bagged lunch provided with chicken pie. free hot drinks. overall good value. I got on at Te Anau. queenstown is an extra 4-5 hours on bus!!! I suggest spending a night or two in Te Anau, nice little town.”

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Queenstown ATV Quad Bike Adventure Tour - Rocky tracks and views over the Shotover
Queenstown 4WD Tours, Queenstown Bike Tours, Queenstown Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Queenstown ATV Quad Bike Adventure Tour

10.Queenstown ATV Quad Bike Adventure Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 842 reviews · from $197

Meet in central Queenstown for a guided ATV ride on a private 650-acre park. After safety instruction and practice, follow rugged trails and hill climbs to views of the Shotover River, Coronet Peak, Central Otago, and the Southern Alps. Helmets, gloves, goggles, wet-weather gear, return transfers, and photos are included. Guides have included Steph, Ollie, Scott, and Lloyd.

“The quad biking experience was hands down the best experience we had in Queenstown. It's more worthwhile if you have at least ridden one before. Lloyd was a fantastic instructor. He tailored the pace of the ride based on our riding abilities. 100% recommend this to anyone interested in going off road.”

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Milford Sound Coach and Cruise tour from Queenstown - Fiordland’s road is more than a way to reach the boat
Milford Sound Tours, Queenstown Day Trips, Queenstown Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Milford Sound Coach and Cruise tour from Queenstown

11.Milford Sound Coach and Cruise tour from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 789 reviews · from $152

Ride from Queenstown through Fiordland National Park, stopping for breaks and photos before a catamaran cruise along Milford Sound toward the Tasman Sea. The roughly 12-hour day includes lunch and refreshments, plus guide commentary on the road. Drivers such as Carl, Hamish, Sebastian, Brian, Graeme, and Ian have been praised, though your guide will depend on the day.

“Mixed review. Not happy with the lunch given. Lunch given at around 2:45pm. Atleast give some good options. The variety of pies could be chicken, veg or steak and cheese. Too poor for the price charged. The travel was good and cruise was lovely. The coach was disappointing as no glass coach. I need a refund. This was not what we were expecting.”

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Premium Milford Sound Tour, Cruise & Lunch from Te Anau - Lake Gunn, the Hollyford and Pops View
Lunch Experiences, Milford Sound Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Premium Milford Sound Tour, Cruise & Lunch from Te Anau

12.Premium Milford Sound Tour, Cruise & Lunch from Te Anau

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 755 reviews · from $185

From Te Anau, join a guided, small-group drive through Fiordland, stopping at Mirror Lakes, Eglinton Valley and other scenic spots before a two-hour Milford Sound cruise. A picnic lunch, water and snacks are included. Guides such as Steve and Jeremy have led trips, but your assigned guide may differ.

“Steve was so knowledgeable made the journey fun and enjoyable. Had a great day and l couldn’t fault anything.”

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Full-Day Milford Sound Tour with Cruise and Walks from Te Anau - Homer Tunnel and the Approach to Milford Sound
Milford Sound Tours, Queenstown Day Trips, Te Anau Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Full-Day Milford Sound Tour with Cruise and Walks from Te Anau

13.Full-Day Milford Sound Tour with Cruise and Walks from Te Anau

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 712 reviews · from $192

From Te Anau, ride a small-group minivan along Milford Road with a local guide, stopping for short walks and views before a two-hour cruise toward the Tasman Sea. Guides such as Jacob, Helen, Geoff, and Hari share local stories and nature notes. Hotel pickup and a picnic lunch are included; the tour lasts about nine hours.

“Fantastic Milford Sound tour! We can’t recommend this tour enough. We had a fantastic day with our guide, Jeff. He was super knowledgable about the area and had a great sense of humour. He really made this day memorable!”

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Milford Sound Day Tour from Queenstown - Mirror Lakes and the Eglinton Valley reward a camera stop
Milford Sound Tours, Queenstown Day Trips, Queenstown Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Milford Sound Day Tour from Queenstown

14.Milford Sound Day Tour from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 678 reviews · from $160

Leave Queenstown at 7:20 am for a full day through Fiordland National Park. A guide drives the mountain roads, stopping at Te Anau, Mirror Lakes and other viewpoints before a catamaran cruise beneath Mitre Peak and waterfalls. Lunch is optional. Guides vary, with Adrian, Ivan and Nick among the names mentioned.

“Positives: Milford sound was beautiful, drive was beautiful, and driver had some great stories and information. The cruise was busy but gorgeous. Good communication about pickup/drop off. Good experience for the price overall as other optiRead more”

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Boutique Wine Tour - visit Central Otago, 4 Wineries & Lunch - Gibbston begins the tasting day
Lunch Experiences, Queenstown Tours, Queenstown Wine Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Boutique Wine Tour – visit Central Otago, 4 Wineries & Lunch

15.Boutique Wine Tour – visit Central Otago, 4 Wineries & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 673 reviews · from $173

Leave Queenstown at 11am for a five-and-a-half-hour small-group tour through Gibbston, Bannockburn, and Cromwell. Tastings at four cellar doors, a shared platter lunch, a local guide, and selected-hotel pickup are included. Guides such as Ben, John, and Phil have led tours, but your guide varies.

“Relaxing tour with a great cross section of wines and outstanding commentary from our driver (Phil).. Lunch at the Carrick winery was excellent, as was the overall experience”

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