Top Queenstown Day Trips

Travel from Queenstown to the much-loved UNESCO-listed Milford Sound. Enjoy live commentary along the way, and many scenic stops to take photos and admire the views. At Milford Sound, you won’t have to worry about waiting in lines as entrance tickets are included. Cruise on the sound and see stunning views of waterfalls and Mitre Peak. Refuel with a tasty picnic lunch in a scenic location.

Arguably the most scenic destination in New Zealand, Milford Sound offers a sweeping landscape of jagged snow-capped mountains, shimmering fjords and lakes, towering waterfalls and emerald greenery. Travel with a small group by coach from Queenstown to Fiordland National Park to explore this lush wilderness, including a boat cruise on the Milford Sound. You also see The Remarkables mountain range, Lake Wakatipu—New Zealand's longest lake, and Lake Te Anau—the South Island’s the largest lake.

Enjoy uninterrupted views of the mountain scenery on the way to Milford Sound in a glass-roofed coach. Your driver will provide commentary along the way, to keep you informed. At Milford Sound, embark on a cruise on the water, all the way out to the Tasman Sea. Interesting commentary is available in several languages. Relax and take in the views as you enjoy a buffet lunch on board.

Experience stunning scenery on an unforgettable day trip to Milford Sound. The pristine Milford Sound is part of the World Heritage Fiordland National Park, in the south west of the South Island, and is famed for its remote atmosphere and rugged beauty. It is New Zealand’s best known fiord and the only one that can be reached by road. Maori are believed to have discovered Milford Sound more than 1,000 years ago, returning seasonally to collect the prized pounamu (greenstone). In the early 1800s John Grono was the first European settler to land in the sound, which he named after Milford Haven in Wales. Described by Rudyard Kipling as the 'eighth wonder of the world', Milford Sound was carved by glaciers during the ice ages. Milford Sound is breathtaking in any weather. Cliffs rise high into the air from the dark waters, mountain peaks scrape the sky and waterfalls cascade downwards, some as high as 1000 metres.

Visit Arrowtown and Wanaka on a half-day tour from Queenstown that explores local history and one of New Zealand’s most exciting adventure destinations. You’ll have time to stroll Arrowtown’s charming main street, built during the town’s 19th-century gold rush, then enjoy an hour of free time to see Wanaka. Walk the gorgeous lake path with views of the Southern Alps, then return to Queenstown through the Crown Range, winding through towering peaks and high passes.

Glenorchy sits at the northern tip of Lake Wakatipu, along a stunningly beautiful stretch of road that runs from Queenstown to the (aptly-named) rural settlement of Paradise further north. Instead of trying to negotiate these unfamiliar (and sometimes dangerous) country roads on your own, get a driver who knows the region on this half-day drive. Spend some time exploring Glenorchy’s shops and cafes, and take advantage of some remarkable alpine photo ops.

Take a break from Queenstown on a trip into the mighty Southern Alps. Spend the day at Mount Cook Village, in the shadow of Aoraki Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s tallest mountain. Spend the day as you like with free time, whether it’s hiking, jet-boating, or visiting the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Center. Opt to be dropped at the start of the Hook Valley Track or upgrade to a heli-hiking experience.

Upon reaching Milford Sound, board a luxurious catamaran. Peer through panoramic windows of a luxury coach while you travel through the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park with a guide, before a memorable sightseeing cruise by Mitre Peak and the magnificent cliff-side waterfalls of Milford Sound.

Depart Queenstown aboard the TSS ‘Earnslaw’ for a cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Travel round-trip by vintage steamship and dig into a gourmet barbecue lunch at the Colonel’s Homestead. Enjoy chef-prepared Central Otago specialties accompanied by salads, desserts, and local cheeses. Don’t miss the sheep shearing demonstration or showmanship by the farm’s sheepdogs.

With waterfalls cascading down mighty cliffs and some of New Zealand’s most impressive natural scenery, Milford Sound is one the South Island’s must-see destinations—but its remote location makes it hard to reach alone. On this tour, spin through the New Zealand countryside in comfort from central Queenstown with your guide. Admire panoramic views from your glass-roof, low-emissions coach, and cruise the calm waters with a picnic lunch included.

Fans of the Lord of the Rings movies won’t want to miss this fun half-day tour to various filming locations in the Southern Alps. You’ll enjoy exclusive access to private Arcadia Station and will also visit the beautiful Mt. Aspiring National Park. Be amazed by the natural beauty while reliving your favorite movie scenes. Don an LOTR costume and sword too, if you like.

As well as its stunning countryside, Central Otago in New Zealand is known for its world-class wine and adventure tourism. This ‘hop on, hop off’ bus tour lets you experience some of the best wineries and attractions at your own pace without the hassle of driving. Come away knowing a bit more about this slice of paradise, with commentary along the way to educate and entertain you.

If you’re short on time but want to see the most impressive landscapes of the Southern Alps, this twelve-hour group guided tour packs in the best. Starting in Queenstown, you’ll travel over the Lindis Pass into Canterbury and onward to dazzling Lake Pukaki and Mt. Cook Village. Enjoy views of New Zealand’s highest mountain and spend free time exploring the village of the same name.

Be amazed by the dramatic landscapes of Fiordland on this full-day tour by boat and by air. If you’re short on time in the area, this combo tour makes it easy to see a lot in one day. Enjoy a cruise on Milford Sound–beautiful in any weather–and a scenic flight over Fiordland National Park and back to Queenstown, seeing views you couldn’t experience any other way.

While the destinations you will be visiting are truly spectacular, we at Cheeky Kiwi Travel believe it is our small groups, our guides, the journey and the little details that set our tours well apart. Secret stops, wildlife viewings, specially designed vehicles, complementary refreshments and many other pleasant surprises ensure our tours are an experience to remember. Mt Cook & Hooker Valley Hike Tour, this small group, fully-guided day trip combines all of the key highlights in the area with the famous Hooker Valley Hike. Led by our famously passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge and run in modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety.

The glacial waters, soaring cliffs, and thundering waterfalls of Milford Sound are spectacular from all angles, and this half-day tour takes in all the highlights. Enjoy thrilling aerial views of the Fiordland National Park on a round-trip flight from Queenstown, and marvel at Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, and Mount Pembroke on a scenic Milford Sound cruise. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Take a window seat for a scenic round-trip flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound, and see the splendor of Fiordland National Park from the air and sea. Board a cruise and pass dramatic waterfalls and Mitre Peak as you travel to the Tasman Sea. Then soar over the Southern Alps on your return.

Travel from Queenstown to Arrowtown for a self-guided bike tour on the Queenstown Trail. The bike rental staff provides tips for your ride and directions for the basic route, which covers about 18 miles (30km) of varied terrain and hills. Mountain bike, helmet, and detailed trail map are provided, along with options for additional stops. Suitable for active people who enjoy a challenging bike ride.

Taste your way through the Gibbston Valley wines on a wine tour from Queenstown that includes wine tastings. Sampling a variety of Gibbston Valley wines ensures you a great overview of local flavors, and round-trip transport from central Queenstown means you can enjoy each tasting without worrying about driving at the end of the day.

Join a Doubtful Sound cruise from Queenstown and discover this alpine gem nestled in the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park. Traveling by coach, take a ferry across Lake Manapouri and cross over Wilmot Pass for your catamaran cruise. Admire the fiord’s vivid beauty as you search for dolphins, fur seals, and penguins amid a dramatic landscape of soaring granite peaks and crystal-clear waters. 

While in the Southern Alps, don’t miss the chance to experience the views on this fully guided day trip including not one but two scenic helicopter flights. Be amazed by the views of Aoraki Mt. Cook and the Tasman Glacier, then set foot on the glacier for a hike with a difference. Guides will accompany you the whole way and tell you about the natural and cultural significance of the places you visit.

Ride to Gibbston Valley wineries on a self-guided bike tour from Queenstown that includes everything you need for a day of exploring. With a van to meet you at the start and finish, you can choose the distance you ride, stopping at some of the taverns, cafes, and eight wineries along the route. You’ll have the option to be off the road for much of the day, with access to the scenic Arrow River Trail, Miners Trail, and Gibbston River Trail, enjoying great views of the vineyard-filled Gibbston Valley.

Milford Sound is an unmissable destination in the South Island, and you can experience it at its best on this easy small-group tour from Queenstown. Traveling there in a luxury bus with panoramic scenic windows, you can focus on the views rather than have to drive. Whatever the weather, Milford Sound is always beautiful. Return to Queenstown by air, saving time and maximizing the scenic views.