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Skippers Canyon 4WD Tour (Half-Day)
Badge of ExcellenceQueenstown, New Zealand
- 4 hours
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Let a guide navigate the once-treacherous Skippers Canyon on this 4WD tour, round-trip from Queenstown. The route affords dramatic views over the Wakatipu Basin and Shotover River Valley. You'll cross Skippers Bridge into the namesake township and stop at Deep Creek to try your hand at gold panning. The 4-hour trip includes light refreshments and hotel pickup.
- Half-day 4WD tour of Skippers Canyon from Queenstown
- Enjoy light refreshments and panning for gold
- Choice of morning or afternoon departure
- Hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Small-group tour ensures personalized commentary
What's Included
- Transport by 4WD vehicle with your driver/guide
- Gold panning
- Light refreshments (tea, coffee, hot chocolate, fruit cake and cookies)
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Meeting point
- Queenstown, Queenstown, Otago Region, South Island
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Pickup details
We pickup from all Queenstown area accommodations. If you don't need pick up, meet at Info & Track/Snow at 37 Shotover St, Queenstown.
What To Expect
Meet your guide and small group upon hotel pickup in central Queenstown and board your 4x4 vehicle for a half-day tour, departing in the morning or afternoon. Heading up toward the Coronet Peak ski field en route to Skippers Canyon, take note of the views of the Wakatipu Basin.
Arriving at your destination, the 4WD route features dramatic scenery at a lookout from Lighthouse Rock. Pass by numerous historical sites and learn about the area's gold mining past. You'll find the perfect photo op at the century-old suspension bridge before the road continues into the long-abandoned township of Skippers.
Pause for refreshments and gain insight into the local heritage and early settlement through photos and relics in a restored schoolhouse and old homestead. See the cemetery where gold prospectors were buried. Before the return journey to Queenstown, make a stop at Deep Creek and test your luck panning for gold in one of the world's richest gold-bearing rivers.
Arriving at your destination, the 4WD route features dramatic scenery at a lookout from Lighthouse Rock. Pass by numerous historical sites and learn about the area's gold mining past. You'll find the perfect photo op at the century-old suspension bridge before the road continues into the long-abandoned township of Skippers.
Pause for refreshments and gain insight into the local heritage and early settlement through photos and relics in a restored schoolhouse and old homestead. See the cemetery where gold prospectors were buried. Before the return journey to Queenstown, make a stop at Deep Creek and test your luck panning for gold in one of the world's richest gold-bearing rivers.
Skippers Canyon
3 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Skippers Township Museum, Skippers Point
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Most travelers can participate
- A maximum of 6 people per booking
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
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Reviews
5.0
136 reviews
Dani_M, Feb 2024
The views, breath taking!
Commentary was good as well.
The history is interesting.
Gold panning was cool too, could have spent more time doing this.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience with us, and we hope to welcome you back for more adventures in the future! We're thrilled to hear that you found the views breathtaking during your tour!
Tracey_S, Feb 2024
I really appreciated being picked up from my accomodation out at lower shotover that lessened the stress of finding parking and walking to the central office because of health issues including severe neuropathy in my feet. The information the driver gave was interesting and informative. The drive itself just has its own uniqueness and scenery, just is truely breathtaking and has been etched in the memory while the photos i took are stunning and have been shared within nz and overseas.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
We're delighted to hear that we could make your experience more comfortable. It's wonderful to know that the photos you took captured the beauty of the scenery and that you've been able to share these memories with others both within New Zealand and overseas. Thank you for sharing your experience with us, and we hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable moments in the future!
Elisabeth_T, Feb 2024
Amazing scenery over the shotover river and surrounding mountains and history of gold mining. fun to do more gold panning.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
We're delighted that you had a great time, and we appreciate your feedback. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to see you again for more adventures in the future!
MaryAnn_S, Mar 2023
Peter was an excellent guide and driver. Gave us a complete history of the region. Made everyone feel a part of the tour. Took pictures of each group to have memories for a lifetime. It is evident that he absolutely loves his job.
Hedviga_B, Mar 2024
Pobyt v Queenstownu byl jedno velké dobrodružství. Moc jsme si to užili - cestu kaňonem , jízdu na Shotoveru Jet, plavba lodí- prostě úžasný. A vůbec Nový Zéland je jedna z nejkrásnějších zemí které jsme navštívili.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Thank you for your feedback! See you soon on a next adventure!
From $170.35
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Skippers Canyon 4WD Tour (Half-Day)
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