Lake Wakatipu Tours and Activities

Arguably the most scenic destination in New Zealand, Milford Sound offers a sweeping landscape of jagged snow-capped mountains, shimmering fjords and lakes, towering waterfalls and emerald greenery. Travel with a small group by coach from Queenstown to Fiordland National Park to explore this lush wilderness, including a boat cruise on the Milford Sound. You also see The Remarkables mountain range, Lake Wakatipu—New Zealand's longest lake, and Lake Te Anau—the South Island’s the largest lake.

Experience heart-racing fun on an exhilarating Queenstown jet-boat ride. The expert captain races across Lake Wakatipu, navigates tricky turns on the Kawarau River and speeds through the milky waters of the Shotover River. Grab hold of your seat as the jet boat makes 360-degree spins and fishtails on a rollercoaster ride over the water.

Cruise from Queenstown to Walter Peak High Country Farm and venture out on horseback with an expert guide. You'll board the vintage steamship TSS ‘Earnslaw’ for a round-trip ride across Lake Wakatipu then have morning or afternoon tea at the Colonel’s Homestead. Numbers are limited for a small-group experience on the horse trek, with views of the Remarkables mountain range.

Take to the skies on a 50-minute Queenstown helicopter flight that includes a snow landing on Jura Glacier. Soar above Lake Wakatipu’s northern shores and discover unparalleled views of New Zealand’s Southern Alps from an aerial perspective. After your pilot lands atop the glacier, snap photos of surrounding alpine peaks, such as Mt Aspiring, before the return helicopter ride over glacier-fed lakes and the Rees and Dart River valleys.

This Segway tour of Queenstown covers a lot of ground in less time. Embark on a 1- or 2-hour tour aboard your personal transporter. Your guide leads you around the shores of Lake Wakatipu, passing natural landmarks along the way. Select from various departure times throughout the day. This small-group tour is limited to eight people to ensure personalized attention.

Soar to new heights on a 20-minute helicopter tour and alpine landing in the Remarkables, a mountain range that dominates the eastern skyline of Queenstown. Hover up close to the eponymous peaks and land 5,046 feet (1,538 meters) above Lake Wakatipu with unparalleled views stretching all the way to the Southern Alps. Your six-passenger helicopter flight includes hotel pickup and drop-off.

Upon reaching Milford Sound, board a luxurious catamaran. Peer through panoramic windows of a luxury coach while you travel through the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park with a guide, before a memorable sightseeing cruise by Mitre Peak and the magnificent cliff-side waterfalls of Milford Sound.

See firsthand if Paradise Valley lives up to its name by prebooking this tour from Queenstown. Along with visiting movie locations used in Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, catch views of the Dart River and Mt. Aspiring National Park. Take a few optional hikes, explore a trail above Diamond Lake, and stop by a sheep-shearing farm. During this guided tour, you’ll also get to ride a 4WD off the beaten path to see the area used as Middle Earth in LOTR.

Enjoy an off-road adventure in the wild of New Zealand on this half-day Wakatipu Basin 4-wheel drive tour from Queenstown. Cruise along off-road routes toward the Remarkables mountain range — widely used in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Admire panoramic views over Deer Park Heights and the Kawarau Gorge, and then head onward to the historic gold-mining settlement of Arrowtown. Traverse bumpy river crossings along the Arrow River, and pan for gold on the riverbank. Then gaze over the Wakatipu Basin from Coronet Peak en route back to Queenstown.

Get introduced to one of New Zealand’s Great Walks with a 2.5-hour hike on the Routeburn Track. This half-day tour departs Queenstown for the awe-inspiring scenery of Mt Aspiring National Park. Walk across a swing bridge and follow your guide at a relaxed pace through a beech forest lush with ferns and mosses. Experience the tranquility of the Routeburn River and its waterfalls while you learn about native birdlife and cultural history.

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Queenstown and head along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to the aptly-named Paradise. On this half-day tour deep into Otago, experience New Zealand life outside of the urban centers. Stop at a local farm to feed the local animals and watch a genuine sheep-shearing demonstration; stroll around the picturesque film-making hotspot Glenorchy; drive all the way out to the isolated parks and historic buildings in Paradise. Make sure to take lots of photos of this scenic region!

Soar above the clouds and majestic mountain peaks of Mt. Aspiring and Fiordland National Park for a truly bird’s-eye perspective of New Zealand’s celebrated alpine scenery. On this compact scenic flight from Queenstown, enjoy views of at least five major glaciers, each lesser-known than the heavily-visited Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers further north. This flight also showcases the deep, densely-forested fiords of Milford Sound.

Cruise Milford Sound and explore New Zealand’s Fiordland on a full-day trip from Queenstown by luxury coach. See some of the South Island’s most dramatic scenery through the glass roof of the coach, then cruise past towering waterfalls and seal colonies to the Tasman Sea, choosing between open decks and cabins that are comfortable in any weather. With pickup and drop-off at selected hotels in Queenstown, this Milford Sound trip is a spectacular day of scenery and wildlife in Fiordland National Park.

Get sweeping views of the South Island of New Zealand during a 40-minute scenic flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown. The one-way flight offers an aerial perspective on the Southern Alps, Lake Wakatipu, Sutherland Falls, and Milford Track. When your pilot gently lands at Queenstown airport, a driver transfers you to your hotel.

Board the TSS "Earnslaw," a vintage steamship, for an evening cruise on Queenstown’s scenic Lake Wakatipu. Arriving at Walter Peak High Country Farm, you’re treated to a sumptuous barbecue dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead. Sink your teeth into roasted meats and seafood, homemade desserts, and a New Zealand cheeseboard. After dinner, see farm demonstrations or purchase a drink and simply relax in the bar.

The glacial waters, soaring cliffs, and thundering waterfalls of Milford Sound are spectacular from all angles, and this half-day tour takes in all the highlights. Enjoy thrilling aerial views of the Fiordland National Park on a round-trip flight from Queenstown, and marvel at Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, and Mount Pembroke on a scenic Milford Sound cruise. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Travel to the Tasman Sea on a Milford Sound cruise aboard the ‘Milford Mariner’, 'Milford Sinbad', or ‘Milford Wanderer.’ Pass by the world-renowned Mitre Peak and drift alongside rushing waterfalls as you search for wildlife including New Zealand fur seals, dolphins, and Fiordland-crested penguins. An onboard nature specialist provides expert commentary. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available from Milford Sound, Queenstown, and Te Anau by luxury coach.

Enjoy unobstructed views of the Remarkables and the Southern Alps during a catamaran cruise on Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown. Head to the western shore, stopping at Bob’s Cove to soak up the views from New Zealand's longest lake. Listen to the captain’s entertaining commentary about the natural landmarks and wildlife as you relax indoors or on the outdoor decks. You have a selection of morning and afternoon cruises to choose from.

Go Orange offers you an electric ride. Filled with speed, thrills and even more of those famous 360 degree spins. Hold on as we race faster than ever before down Lake Wakatipu. We will get you up close and personal with the lakes edge, skimming past trees and any obstacles in our way and be sure to hold on to your hats as we navigate under not one, but two bridges at speed. Great for families, we can take as young as two years old! Our experience is champion in the jet boat game and we can’t wait to give you the ride of your life.

This Doubtful Sound overnight cruise takes you over Manapouri Lake to this South Island gem in the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park. Board the ‘Fiordland Navigator,’ a 3-mast motorized boat designed on a traditional scow, and cruise past soaring granite peaks in New Zealand’s second-largest fiord. Learn from an onboard nature guide about wildlife such as fur seals, penguins, and bottlenose dolphins. Then spend the night in a comfortable cabin, including a 3-course buffet dinner and breakfast. Join the cruise in Manapouri or include coach transfers from Te Anau or Queenstown.

Milford Sound is one of New Zealand’s most impressive natural wonders, but the fjord’s remote location is around four hours by road from Queenstown. Instead, maximize your time on this tour by plane; enjoy spectacular aerial views of Skippers Canyon, Sutherland Falls, and the Fiordland National Park; and touch down to experience the fjord up close.

Depart Queenstown aboard the TSS ‘Earnslaw’ for a cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Travel round-trip by vintage steamship and dig into a gourmet barbecue lunch at the Colonel’s Homestead. Enjoy chef-prepared Central Otago specialties accompanied by salads, desserts, and local cheeses. Don’t miss the sheep shearing demonstration or showmanship by the farm’s sheepdogs.

Cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm aboard the TSS ‘Earnslaw,’ a vintage steamship. Stroll the lakeside gardens and enjoy a traditional morning or afternoon tea and take a walking tour of the farm. You’ll watch sheepdogs in action and see sheep shearing demonstrations. Treat yourself to home-baked goods and alpine views of the Remarkables mountain range. Savor a delicious afternoon tea and an amble through lakeside gardens before heading back to Queenstown by boat.

Join a Doubtful Sound cruise from Queenstown and discover this alpine gem nestled in the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park. Traveling by coach, take a ferry across Lake Manapouri and cross over Wilmot Pass for your catamaran cruise. Admire the fiord’s vivid beauty as you search for dolphins, fur seals, and penguins amid a dramatic landscape of soaring granite peaks and crystal-clear waters.