The 10 Best Day Trips from in Queenstown, South Island

After being picked up from your hotel in Queenstown, you will take one of the most beautiful road journeys in New Zealand to the Western end of Lake Wakatipu, led by a knowledgeable local guide.The world-renowned Routeburn Track provides stunning variation in vegetation, bird species, and topography as it climbs 6.5 kilometers one way, on a moderate fitness trail through gorges and valleys. This is small group tour with a maximum of 6 people that you will be spending the 7 hour day with. Your lunch sandwich, wrap or bread roll is an additional cost, afternoon tea / coffee fruit and cookies are included.

Inclusions: GST (Goods and Services Tax), National Park fees, Afternoon tea & cookies, Fresh fruit, Bottled water, Professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Coffee and/or Tea

Exclusions: Lunch is not included, a stop is made at a local bakery for you to select a bread roll, wrap or salad.

The one-hour fixed-wing flight from Queenstown to Franz Josef or Tasman Glacier is certainly spectacular, but the highlight of this trip is the glacier Heli Hike. The experienced guides will take you into a deep part of the glacier via a scenic helicopter flight. The helicopter passes over the deep crevasses of the icefalls and waterfalls to land on the upper Franz Josef icefall or on the Tasman glacier itself. From there you’ll be fitted with crampons for the two hours on the ice, exploring caves and seeing the natural, ever-changing wonder of the glacier in the South Island of New Zealand.

Inclusions: Hiking boots and crampons are provided, Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions:

This is an immersive, fun and educational wine tour visiting five of Central Otago’s finest and off the beaten track cellar doors through the BIG 4 wine regions of Gibbston, Cromwell Bendigo and Bannockburn. Sample over 20 spectacular cool-climate wines and enjoy an (optional) exceptional lunch at the renowned Bannockburn Hotel (additional cost ordered on the day) whilst learning information, stories and facts about the region and wine from your charismatic guide and cellar staff educate. Travel in style with transfers in a luxury Mercedes van, and make use of our complimentary WiFi and bottled water. We have regular cellar doors we visit however we have the flexibility to tailor the tour to suit where possible. If you have specific requests please let us know through ‘special requirements’ at the time of booking and we will do our best to accommodate. Sample itinerary for the day: Kinross, Scott Base, Misha's Vinyard, Te Kano and Cloudy Bay.

Inclusions: Wine tastings at 5 unique cellar door locations, Bottled water, WiFi on board, Complimentary branded wine glass, Complimentary Queenstown hotel transfers

Exclusions: Lunch at premier renown location is at customers expense

This is your chance to photograph one of the most spectacular and majestic places on Earth; Queenstown and the Southern Lakes. This full-day private photography tour will take you to the iconic locations you see in brochures as well as those special spots only a local would know, to explore and capture the beauty and splendor for yourself. This tour is designed for photography enthusiasts and your guide is a passionate landscape photographer, with years of local knowledge. Enjoy 8-9 hours of visiting some of the most interesting and beautiful destinations close to Queenstown and around the Southern Lakes. The weather in this amazing region is constantly changing bringing many moods that to the mountains, lakes, rivers and forests. Whatever the conditions we always know where to take you to and how to capture unique scenes of outstanding natural beauty.

Inclusions: Private tour for small-groups or individuals, Flexible itinerary, Advice on creative composition and using your camera, Local photographer guide, Comfortable 4WD, Light refreshments, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Exclusions: Lunch (Opportunity to buy lunch), Camera (Nikon D5100, available to rent)

On this full-day 12-hour tour you’ll experience the unique alpine landscapes of the Southern Alps as you travel with us from Queenstown through Mackenzie Country and into Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, home to snow-capped mountains, impressive glaciers and New Zealand’s highest peak, Aoraki Mt Cook (‘Cloud Piercer’). Upon arrival, enjoy approx 3.5 hours in Mt Cook Village to explore some of the incredible walks and activities available (at your own expense), or extend your stay and opt for an overnight stay at the Hermitage Hotel. Altitude Mt Cook tours are limited to a maximum of 16 passengers, ensuring small groups so everyone can enjoy the best New Zealand hospitality that we have to offer as well as enjoying lots of fun and informative commentary from your local guide and plenty of off-the-beaten-track visits away from the crowds.

Inclusions: WiFi on board, Bottled water, Live commentary on board, Professional guide, Complimentary Queenstown hotel transfers, On board Kiwi music (download our Spotify playlist!)

Exclusions: Lunch, Activities are an additional cost

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.

Inclusions: Small Group & Fully Guided Tour, Snacks, Bottled water

Exclusions: Gratuities, Optional extras and activities - please select the tour option you want at time of booking

This isn't your average wine or beer tour! I've carefully sought out the best of the best. These are Queenstown's boutique taste makers. Leave the tourist trail behind and let me take you on a personal journey to meet the folks who's passion, love for their craft and location sets them apart from the rest. Take a place that is widely considered one of the top wine regions in the new world, a recent explosion in craft & microbreweries and add in the pioneering kiwi spirit and you have the perfect recipe for an all out taste adventure. Wine and beer are made, first and foremost to just be enjoyed. So, whether you're the Einstein of wine or just here for a good ol' time, come sip, slurp & savour the best local flavours. **Please Note: I'm not a large commercial operator or tour company and prefer to focus on smaller group sizes as I believe this allows for better connections to be made and a more valuable experience for travellers.

Inclusions: Beer & Food Pairing, 20+ Tastings Included, Environmentally Friendly Water Bottles Provided To All Guests, Snacks, Air-conditioned vehicle, Direct Accommodation Pick-Up/Drop-Off Included, Carbon footprint offset: For each trip, more native trees are planted in the region.

Exclusions:

This exclusive wine tour of 5 wineries is perfect for small groups of family & friends. In Central Otago wine country you'll discover a wide range including Pinot Noir, Rosé, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc. I will pick you up at your accommodation in Queenstown at 11.40 am. Travelling in a premium SUV we head up the Kawarau Gorge to our first wine tasting which takes place at one of the most awe inspiring settings in the winemaking world. We then head to Cromwell where wineries are set amongst the historic remnants of the gold rush era. Here you will visit three wineries and taste distinctive wines in dramatic terrain. At one of the wineries a platter lunch can be booked in advance on your behalf with expenses payable by you directly to the cellar door. We then return to Queenstown and stop at a winery on the way for our final tasting. I am also a photographer; pictures are free of charge and are sent to you via link after the tour.

Inclusions: Bottled water, Over 24 wines available for tasting, Wine tasting fees, Coolbox for drinks & food, WiFi on board, Air-conditioned vehicle, Photos free of charge, Wine tasting guide

Exclusions: A platter lunch can be booked on your behalf with all expenses (from $20 per head) payable by you direct to the vineyard ; platter menus available on request.

This small group day trip includes a stunning boutique Milford Sound cruise with TripAdvisors No. 1 rated cruise provider and an amazing scenic flight back to Queenstown. Highlights: •Milford Sound Cruise with Cruise Milford •Scenic return flight with Glenorchy Air •Fiordland National Park •Lake Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Hollyford River, Homer Tunnel & Mitre Peak •Wildlife Spotting Our tours are led by our passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing stories and rich background knowledge, and run in modern, comfortable minibuses that are packed with extras, ensuring your comfort and safety. 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 and many other pleasant surprises ensure our tours are an experience to remember.

Inclusions: Cruise Entry, Scenic Flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown , Small Group and Fully Guided Tour, Bottled water, Snacks, Picnic Lunch

Exclusions: Alcoholic beverages (available to purchase), Gratuities

Your afternoon craft beer brewery tour will take you to 3 different local craft beer breweries in and amongst Queenstown's mountains, lakes and surging craft beer scene. After your hotel pickup, your 4th generation born and raised local guide, Lewis will comfortably drive you around the surroundings, answering your questions and putting you at ease. Enjoy 13 tastings in your afternoon, thats 4+ included craft beer tastings at 3 stops scattered around the Wakatipu Basin with a beer & food matching lunch at the second stop. Enjoy free time in-between the first and second brewery in Arrowtown. Don't know much about beer? We will do an educational and interactive brewery tour at our third brewery. After the final stop you can be dropped in town at one of our great local Craft Beer Houses if you wish to taste more kiwi Craft Beers. There is Wine or Cider options at each stop or even a local Alcoholic ginger beer. Sound like you? Don't hesitate, book now and enjoy a Brew With a View!

Inclusions: Water available at each stop, Beer matched Lunch which can be swapped for Wine, 13 different Craft Beer Tastings, Hotel Pickup and Drop off or a kiwi Craft Beer Bar, Wine or cider can be substituted at each stop, Allotted free time between the 2nd & 3rd breweries

Exclusions: Extra food and drinks are available at each stop