Beneath the soaring peaks and serene lakes of New Zealand’s South Island, Queenstown, Arrowtown and Wanaka offer outdoor adventure with a strong sense of history. On Remarkable Scenic Tours you travel through these renowned destinations in one day along with enjoying a drink in the famous & historic Cardrona Hotel.
Stroll through the 19th-century gold-mining settlement of Arrowtown. Pass the fertile vineyards of Gibbston Valley and Kawarau Gorge, admire spectacular views along the Crown Range road, and enjoy free time to explore Wanaka at your leisur
An exclusive, Queenstown Tourism specialist, we do the driving so you can enjoy the scenery. We offer premium small group tours specialising in Queenstown, Arrowtown, Wanaka, Private Tours, Guided Tours & Sightseeing. Experience Breath taking scenery, historical architecture and much much more!
Price: $129 per person Child: $65 ( Age 5 to 14 )
Duration: 3 Hours approx
Departs: 1.00 pm to 4.30 pm
Pick Up: Departs central Queenstown hotels & The Station Building (corner of Camp & Shotover St Queenstown)
Leave Queenstown and take a scenic drive past the famous Shotover River. Back in the 1860’s it was the richest gold-bearing river in the world but now is known for the world famous Shotover Jet.
Historic Arrowtown: In Arrowtown your tour will include an informative drive past the Chinese Village, the old Goal and the lookout whilst pointing out the best photo locations not to be missed. Once in the Main Street of Arrowtown you will have approximately one hour free time to explore as everything is within walking distance. Enjoy a 10% discount on entrance fees to Lakes District Museum and Art Gallery.
Crown Terrace View Point: Wind up one of New Zealands most famous roads boasting some incredible views, you will step out and soak these up and grab a photo or three.
Lord of the Rings and the Bungy Bridge: Views over the world’s first commercial bungy operation opened at the Kawarau bridge in 1988, and has been credited with pioneering Queenstown’s reputation as “the adventure capital of the world.”
You can photograph this historic bridge and look down at the excited throngs of bungy jumpers, while we show you where The Gates of Argonath stood in The Lord of the Rings / Pillars of the Kings movie (this time you really are on a movie set!).
The Bungy Bridge: Walk the historic Kawarau bridge built in 1880
Gibbston Valley & Kawarau Rapids: Travelling into the Gibbston Valley, you’ll gaze upon vineyard after vineyard; in a rugged setting that has lent itself to the production of award-winning Pinot Noir wine. Stop for a photo of the stunning Kawarau rapids
Lake Hayes (the mirror lake): Stop at the stunning Lake Hayes for scenic photos of the surrounding mountains.
Views over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu: At the end of your tour you will head back to Queenstown for a truly amazing photo stop of New Zealand’s most beautiful town.
When you book this tour please choose a pick up location closest to your accommodation.
Price: $189 pp (adult) $110 pp (children 5-14)
Duration: 5 Hours approx
Departs: 11.30 am to 5.00 pm
Pick Up: Departs central Queenstown hotels & The Station Building (corner of Camp & Shotover St Queenstown)
Includes: 4 Regions & 8 amazing stops
Tour includes afternoon beverage
Arrowtown: Your day begins in historic Arrowtown; a site swarmed firstly by European gold prospectors in the 1860’s, then by 5000 Chinese who were invited to try their luck amongst the leftovers! You’ll walk amongst the tiny restored cottages of their settlement and wander down the main street of this exquisite little town with its charm of historic buildings that will make you feel like you walked on to a movie set.
Wanaka: Historically used by Maori as a pathway to greenstone sites and later by goldminers for accommodation close to Cardrona claims, today Wanaka has branded itself as a lifestyle reserve; rich in family adventures, eco-tours, recreational trails and nearby skifields, it is surrounded by huge mountains and massive glaciers. We will lead you to the Reflection Tree, which grows within the lake. It is obsessively photographed across every season, and you will see why.
Then will have one hour of free time to wander Wanaka at your whim, maybe you’ll look around the shops, sit and have an icecream by the lake, or go for a walk along the lake path? The choice is yours. We recommend choosing an easy lunch option from one of the nearby cafes and taking advantage of the views
Crown Range: As we head back towards Queenstown, we will take the Crown Range home. As New Zealand’s highest sealed road, the Crown Range is usually covered in snow in winter and boasts some incredible viewing platforms. You will step out and soak these up and grab a photo or three.
Cardrona: But before you do … we still have one famous stop to make. Built in 1863 to service gold prospectors, offering them accommodation, and a place to stop and seek refreshment, is Cardrona Hotel.
It is one of New Zealand’s oldest pubs, and possibly the most well-known (it has been much photographed internationally). Pop in and explore, and we’ll shout you a beer or soft drink to enjoy in the beer garden or by the fire. You’ve worked for it.
Price: $239 pp (adult) $179 pp (children 5-14)
Duration: 8 Hours approx
Departs: 9.30 am to 5.00 pm
Pick Up: Departs central Queenstown hotels & The Station Building (corner of Camp & Shotover St Queenstown)
Includes: 6 Regions & 13 amazing stops
Tour includes morning tea and a afternoon beverage.
Lord of the Rings & the Bungy Bridge: Your day begins with views over the world’s first commercial bungy operation opened at the Kawarau bridge in 1988, and has been credited with pioneering Queenstown’s reputation as “the adventure capital of the world.” You can photograph this historic bridge and look down at the excited throngs of bungy jumpers, while we show you where The Gates of Argonath stood in The Lord of the Rings / Pillars of the Kings movie (this time you really are on a movie set!).
Gibbston Valley: Travelling deeper into the Gibbston Valley and along the Kawarau Gorge, you’ll gaze upon vineyard after vineyard; in a rugged setting that has lent itself to theproduction of award-winning Pinot Noir wine. As we twist through the gorge, the river rushes below, and on the banks opposite you will spot some more gold prospecting shacks clinging to the rocks near ancient goldmines.
Cromwell: We will arrive into “new” Cromwell which will make more sense to you as we detour into “Old Cromwell” and reveal the secrets that lay beneath the man-made lake and the Clyde Dam beyond it…a dam that divided a town and changed the landscape forever. You will stroll alongside quaint shops and galleries and view the historical ruins left behind, and we’ll treat you to a classic morning tea – a hot drink, cheese roll and a slice.
Cromwell was first walked upon by Maori traders and hunters, then European shepherds, gold seekers and dam builders. You will take in its wild hills and look onto the waters of the beautiful Clutha River and Lake Dunstan as we head towards our next destination.
Wanaka: Historically used by Maori as a pathway to greenstone sites and later by goldminers for accommodation close to Cardrona claims, today Wanaka has branded itself as a lifestyle reserve. Rich in family adventures, eco-tours, recreational trails and nearby ski fields, it is surrounded by huge mountains and massive glaciers. We will lead you to the Reflection Tree, which grows within the lake. It is obsessively photographed across every season, and you will see why.
Then you will have one hour of free time to wander Wanaka at your whim, maybe you’ll look around the shops, sit and have an icecream by the lake, or go for a walk along the lake path? The choice is yours. We recommend choosing an easy lunch option from one of the nearby cafes and taking advantage of the views
The Crown Range: As we head back towards Queenstown, we will take the Crown Range home. As New Zealand’s highest sealed road, the Crown Range is usually covered in snow in winter and boasts some incredible viewing platforms. You will step out and soak these up and grab a photo or three.
Cardrona: But before you do …… we still have one famous stop to make. Built in 1863 to service gold prospectors, offering them accommodation, and a place to stop and seek refreshment, is Cardrona Hotel. It is one of New Zealand’s oldest pubs, and possibly the most well-known (it has been much photographed internationally). Pop in and explore, and we’ll shout you a beer or soft drink to enjoy in the beer garden or by the fire. You’ve worked for it.
Arrowtown: Your day ends in historic Arrowtown; a site swarmed firstly by European gold prospectors in the 1860’s, then by 5000 Chinese who were invited to try their luck among the leftovers! You’ll walk among the tiny restored cottages of their settlement and wander down the main street of this exquisite little town with its charm of historic buildings that will make you feel like you walked onto a movie set.
*Special dietary requirements can be catered to, just let us know what you need when you make your booking