queenstown adventure activities
Canyoning Queenstown & Wanaka – Adventure Canyoning Tours
Guided Adventures for Thrill-Seekers
Life is One Big Adventure!
Step out of your comfort zone and into the breathtaking landscapes of Queenstown or Wanaka, New Zealand, for one of the most thrilling adventure activities on offer — canyoning!
Welcome to the heart-pounding world of canyoning! If you’re seeking an unforgettable adventure that combines adrenaline-pumping excitement with New Zealand’s natural beauty, you’ve come to the right place.
Our guided canyoning experiences in Queenstown or Wanaka will take you on an exhilarating journey through crystal-clear alpine streams, towering waterfalls, and lush native bush.
Queenstown or Wanaka are world-renowned for their adventure activities, and canyoning is no exception.
These iconic destinations provide the perfect backdrop for exploring nature’s playground.
Picture yourself abseiling down sparkling waterfalls, leaping into turquoise pools, and sliding through natural rock formations—all in the heart of New Zealand’s outdoor paradise.
We offer a variety of canyoning experiences designed for every skill level, from beginners to seasoned adventurers.
Whether you’re planning a family-friendly outing, a challenging adventure, or something in between, our expert guides ensure a safe and memorable journey.
Canyoning Activities in Queenstown or Wanaka
- Abseiling: Descend alongside pristine waterfalls under expert guidance.
- Jumping: Take the leap into crystal-clear pools for an adrenaline rush.
- Swimming: Immerse yourself in the cool, refreshing waterways.
- Sliding: Experience the thrill of natural water slides carved by centuries of flowing streams.
Canyoning Adventure Trip Options:
Canyoning New Zealand
Gibbston Valley Half Day Canyoning
Canyoning New Zealand - Self Drive
Gibbston Valley Half Day Canyoning
Price: $231 pp minimum age 10+
Duration: 4 Hours
Departs: Trips daily – 9 am & 2 pm
The Gibbston Valley canyon is an incredible half-day adventure with plenty of water-based excitement! Start your journey in downtown Queenstown, where you’ll check in before a scenic 40-minute drive through the beautiful wine country of Gibbston Valley.
Once at the canyon, you’ll be outfitted with top-quality canyoning gear and receive a full safety briefing from your professional guide.
A short 10-minute walk takes you to the canyon’s starting point, where the real fun begins!
Spend approximately 2 hours in the canyon, abseiling down waterfalls of up to 10 metres, sliding down natural water slides, and navigating exciting down climbs.
If you take the 9 am departure, enjoy a delicious lunch at a selection of Queenstown restaurants after your adventure.
Highlights:
- Suitable for all skill levels.
- Photos of your experience are available for purchase.
- Includes a lunch option with the 9 am trip
Price: $189 pp minimum age 10+
Duration: 2.5 Hours approx
Departs: Trips daily – 9:30 am & 2:30 pm
For a flexible and self-paced option, this self-drive adventure is perfect!
Arrive at the Gibbston Valley canyon and embark on a journey of abseiling, sliding, and jumping into stunning crystal-clear pools.
This trip is beginner-friendly and doesn’t require swimming, making it an excellent choice for first-time canyoners or those with lower physical fitness levels.
After the adventure, explore Gibbston Valley’s local wineries, cheeseries, or the Kawarau River tracks.
What’s Included:
- All canyoning equipment.
- Expert guides to ensure a safe and memorable experience.
- Lunch included with the 9:30 am trip.
What to Bring:
- Swimwear, a towel, and a drink bottle.
Canyoning New Zealand
Mount Aspiring Full Day
Glenorchy Paradise
Full Day Canyoning Adventure
Price: $525 pp
Duration: 8 Hours return ( Suitable for 12 years + )
Departing Daily from Queenstown or Wanaka
9. am Queenstown – 9.5 hours return
10 am Wanaka – 8 hours return
This is the most awesome of canyoning tours, big abseils, big jumps and so much beauty!
Hidden within the breathtaking Mount Aspiring National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage site—this full-day canyoning adventure is the ultimate experience for thrill-seekers.
Ideal for experienced adventurers or confident beginners with strong swimming skills, this tour features the biggest jumps, abseils, and natural slides available.
Meet in downtown Queenstown and gear up with top-of-the-line canyoning equipment. After a scenic 2-hour drive (or 1-hour from Wanaka),
take a 25-minute hike to the canyon start. Spend 3-4 hours navigating abseils of up to 30 metres, thrilling water slides, and jumps of up to 10 metres (optional).
End the day with a picnic-style lunch before returning to Queenstown or Wanaka.
Highlights:
- Perfect for experienced canyoners or those seeking a challenge.
- Located in a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Includes the biggest abseils and jumps in the region.
What’s Included:
- Pick up and drop off from our central Queenstown location, or Wanaka by prior arrangement
- All equipment including wetsuits, shoes, helmets, harness and descending gear
- The biggest jumps and abseils available from Queenstown
- A delicious picnic-style lunch and refreshments (choose either a vegetarian or meat option
- An experienced and qualified guide
What to bring
- Swimwear and a towel
- A drink bottle of water
Price: $420 pp minimum age 12+
Duration: 7 Hours
Departing Daily from Queenstown
9.00 am – 4.00 pm return
Abseil, climb and explore through spectacular natural rock formations deep in the heart of Paradise.
Discover one of New Zealand’s most secluded and stunning canyoning experiences in the breathtaking Glenorchy region. This full-day adventure is perfect for those who want to connect with nature and explore the raw beauty of the wilderness.
Journey into an untouched canyon carved through ancient stone—accessible only to those who join us on this exclusive guided mission.
The Paradise Glenorchy Full Day Tour is perfect for beginners wanting an epic canyoning experience in a short amount of time.
This experience is all about immersion—abseiling down waterfalls (up to 15 metres), climbing through sculpted rock corridors, and navigating your way across wild terrain.
If you crave connection to wild places and a deeper appreciation for New Zealand’s canyoning landscapes, this one’s for you! Book with us today!
- Abseiling down and through spectacular waterfalls
- Climbing through massive stone walls
- Privilege to incredible scenery in Paradise
- All canyoning equipment
- A professional and experienced guide
- Return transfers from Queenstown
- Picnic style lunch – choose a meat or vege sandwich
- Swimwear and a towel
- A drink bottle of water
- Any medication you might need
Why Choose Canyoning New Zealand?
- Local Experts: With years of experience in the region, our local guides know these canyons like the back of their hands.
- Safety First: Your safety is our top priority. We provide all necessary equipment and comprehensive safety instructions.
- Small Groups: We keep our group sizes small to ensure a personalized experience.
- Eco-Friendly: We are dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of Queenstown and Wanaka for generations to come.
Book Your Canyoning Adventure Today!
Ready to embark on a canyoning adventure you’ll always remember? Book your experience in Queenstown or Wanaka with us now and get ready to explore the stunning canyons of New Zealand like never before.
Take advantage of the opportunity to make your New Zealand visit unforgettable through the heart-pounding thrills of canyoning.
Canyoning NZ - Frequently Asked Questions
What is canyoning in Queenstown & Wānaka?
Guided adventures through narrow canyons where you abseil waterfalls, slide natural chutes, jump into pools and navigate streams—set among South Island alpine scenery.
Is canyoning suitable for beginners?
Yes. Gibbston Valley half-day trips (including self-drive) suit first-timers. You’ll get full instruction, pro guides and all gear.
Do I need to be able to swim?
For the Gibbston trip, no swimming is required. Other trips involve water; confident swimming is recommended—especially on full-day canyons.
What are the age requirements?
Gibbston Valley half-day: 10+. Full-day Mount Aspiring and Glenorchy Paradise: 12+.
How long do the trips take?
Gibbston guided half-day: ~4 hours (incl. ~40-min drive each way; ~2 hours in-canyon).
Gibbston self-drive: ~2.5 hours total.
Mt Aspiring full-day: ~8–9.5 hours with 3–4 hours in-canyon.
Glenorchy Paradise full-day: ~7 hours.
What should I bring?
Swimwear, a towel and a drink bottle. All canyoning equipment is provided (wetsuit, shoes, helmet, harness and technical gear).
Is lunch included?
Yes on selected departures: lunch is included on the 9:00/9:30 Gibbston trips and on both full-day tours (picnic-style).
What happens in bad weather?
Trips are weather-dependent; your booking may be rescheduled or refunded per the operator’s weather policy.
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