Nomad Safaris, Queenstown’s 4WD specialist, offers small, personalised tours into the spectacular New Zealand backcountry, with either half or full-day tours using a fleet of modern off-road 4 WD vehicles.
Nomad Safaris 4WD tours encompass everything from Lord of the Rings tours to historical gold mining tours.
Our 4WD tours explore locations around the Wakatipu basin, including Arrowtown, Glenorchy and Paradise and backcountry locations, such as Skippers Canyon and Macetown.
Qualmark Enviro Gold – working towards sustainable tourism. We respect the environment we visit and are actively involved in the care and preservation of heritage areas. Half-day and full-day tours include hotel transfers and refreshments. Max. 6 people per guide.
Price: $490 per person – Child $215 pp
Departs: 8:00 am
Duration: 8 Hours approx.
The scenic Glenorchy safari offers breathtaking mountain and forest views along the shore of Lake Wakatipu towards Glenorchy and the Paradise Valley.
Visit the filming locations for Isengard, the Ithilien Camp, Lothlorien & Fangorn forest, the Seat of Seeing/ Battle of Amon Hen, and many more.
En route from Glenorchy, follow the Dart River to the spectacular filming location for Isengard. This location offers stunning views of Mt Earnslaw. Heading to Paradise, discover the place for the Forrest of Lothlorien.
Leaving Glenorchy and heading towards Queenstown, you will stop at 12 Mile Delta to explore the location of the Ithilien Camp.
Visit the filming locations of Minas Tirith, Misty Mountains, the Pillars of the Kings (Argonath), Gladden Fields, the Ford of Bruinen and more.
Travel on a historic gold mining road, following the Arrow River, and stop for a refreshing morning or afternoon tea and the opportunity to try your hand at gold panning. Take in the spectacular panoramic views over the Wakatipu Basin.
Price: $245 per person – Child $99 pp
Private Charter: $1225
Departs: 8:00 am or 1:30 pm
Duration: 4 Hours approx.
For faithful Lord of the Rings fans, this is the trip where Nomad Safaris does take you There and Back again.
This scenic sightseeing tour includes recognisable filming locations and stunning natural scenery. The Glenorchy Safari of the Scenes takes you from Queenstown to Glenorchy, stopping at breathtaking viewpoints.
En route from Glenorchy, follow the Dart River to the spectacular filming location for Isengard. This location offers stunning views of Mt Earnslaw.
Heading to Paradise, discover the area for the Forrest of Lothlorien.
Leaving Glenorchy and heading towards Queenstown, you will stop at 12 Mile Delta to explore the location of the Ithilien Camp.
The Safari of the Scenes – Glenorchy includes locations from Xmen Origins: Wolverine and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.
Price: $245 per person – Child $99 pp
Private Charter: $1225
Departs: 8:15 am or 1:30 pm
Duration: 4 Hours approx.
The perfect tour for those who want the thrills of an off-road adventure and to discover exciting Lord of the Rings filming locations.
The Wakatipu Basin tour takes you to The Remarkables, filmed as various mountains throughout the trilogy, including the Misty Mountains.
Travelling part way up Queenstown hill, you get a bird’s eye view of Deer Park Heights, which was filmed for the refugees of Rohan and the Battle of the Wargs scenes.
Travelling from The Remarkables viewpoint, we head to the Kawarau Gorge, where the filming took place for the Argonath, or Pillars of the Kings.
Leaving the Kawarau Gorge, the trip leads to Arrowtown, where the loss of The One Ring at Gladden Fields was filmed.
Near Arrowtown, you will experience a true off-road adventure. Following a historic gold mining road up the Arrow River, you will cross the river many times to get to the Ford of Bruinen.
You can indulge in morning or afternoon tea and try your hand at a spot of gold panning.
From Arrowtown, you will travel to the entrance of Skippers Canyon, with spectacular panoramic views of the Wakatipu Basin and into Skippers Canyon.
Price: $245 per person – Child $99 per person
Private Charter: $1225
Departs: 8:15 am or 1:30 pm
Duration: 4 Hours approx.
The Skippers Canyon 4WD tour departs from Queenstown, heading towards Coronet Peak. As you head up the peak towards the entrance to this spectacular canyon, you will stop at Plane Table, which gives a stunning panoramic view of the Wakatipu Basin.
After entering Skippers Canyon, you will travel to Lighthouse Rock, which offers a dramatic lookout over the entire canyon. Follow in the footsteps of many adventurers and discoverers as this historical winding road brings you to the historic Skippers Bridge, which provides a stunning photo opportunity.
Carefully travelling over the bridge, the road continues into the historical township of Skippers. Long since abandoned, many original buildings remain to wait for you to explore.
Indulge in morning or afternoon tea at the Skippers Schoolhouse. Immerse yourself in the history of this stunning place as the restored schoolhouse divulges a wealth of information through photos and artefacts from the early days of this settlement.
The cemetery depicts a more tragic and dangerous life for these gold prospectors. Returning along the road, you will stop at Deep Creek, where you can immerse yourself in the local area’s heritage by turning your hand to a spot of gold panning.
Our trained guides will teach you techniques to successfully pan for gold on one of the richest gold-bearing rivers in the world. Some may also recognise spots along the Skippers Road as being featured in The Lord of The Rings.
Price: $185 per person – Child $99 pp
Private Charter: $845
Departs: 8:15 am – 10:30am – 1:30 pm or 3:30 pm
Duration: 2 Hours approx.
Gold Seeker is a fantastic experience in Queenstown’s abandoned gold mining areas. Driving two of the most spectacular Roads in the world, encompassing breathtaking scenery, exhilarating off-road driving, incredible history, great refreshments, and an opportunity to find real “wild” gold.
Near Arrowtown, you will experience a true off-road adventure. Following a historic gold mining road up the Arrow River, you will cross the river many times to get to the Ford of Bruinen.
From Arrowtown, you will travel to the entrance of Skippers Canyon, with its spectacular panoramic views of the Wakatipu Basin and into Skippers Canyon. You can indulge in morning or afternoon tea and try your hand at a spot of gold panning.