Skippers 4WD Adventure Tour

Duration: 4 hours return from Queenstown
Departs: 8:15am & 1:30pm
Departure Point: 37 Shotover Street, Queenstown
Group Size: Maximum 6 passengers per vehicle
Minimum Age: No minimum age

Experience one of Queenstown’s most spectacular backcountry adventures on our Skippers Canyon 4WD Tour. Travel deep into historic Skippers Canyon along the legendary Skippers Road, hand-carved into sheer cliff faces high above the Shotover River.

Your experienced driver/guide will navigate this incredible road while sharing stories of the pioneers, adventurers and gold miners who once lived and worked in this remote landscape. Along the way, enjoy spectacular views across the Wakatipu Basin and Skippers Canyon, with stops at historic mining sites and dramatic viewpoints.

Travel to Lighthouse Rock for impressive views across the valley, discover the scale of the historic gold-mining operations at Maori Point, and view the historic Skippers Suspension Bridge.

You'll also stop at Deep Creek to try your hand at gold panning in the Shotover River, once known as one of the richest gold-bearing rivers in the world. Gold is still found here today, so you never know your luck!

Fans of The Lord of the Rings may also recognise several filming locations along Skippers Road.

Highlights

• Travel the legendary Skippers Canyon Road
• Experience spectacular views over Skippers Canyon and the Shotover River
• Visit Lighthouse Rock and historic mining locations
• View the historic Skippers Suspension Bridge
• Try your hand at gold panning in the Shotover River
• Discover the fascinating history of Queenstown's gold-mining pioneers
• See the scale of historic mining operations at Maori Point
• Spot locations featured in The Lord of the Rings
• Travel in a fully equipped 4WD vehicle
• Professional, experienced local driver/guide
• Light refreshments included

What We Provide

We'll provide everything you need for your Skippers Canyon adventure, including:

• Fully equipped 4WD vehicle
• Professional driver/guide
• Gold-panning equipment
• Light refreshments
• Transfers
• Selected accommodation pickups

What to Bring

Please bring:

• Water bottle
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• Camera or phone
• Warm layers in cooler weather
• A sense of adventure!

Pick-Up & Drop-Off

The main departure and return point is our Info & Track / Info & Snow shop at 37 Shotover Street, Queenstown.

Free pickups are also available from selected Queenstown accommodation. Please confirm your preferred pickup location when booking.

Please be ready 10 minutes before your scheduled departure time.

Group Options

Our standard Skippers Canyon tours accommodate a maximum of 6 passengers per vehicle.

Private Charter
If you'd prefer a more private experience, you can book an entire vehicle exclusively for your group, with a maximum of six passengers.

4 Pax Max
Choose our 4 Pax Max option to guarantee everyone in your group a window seat. Your vehicle will be limited to a maximum of four passengers, with each guest enjoying their own window seat.

Standard tours accommodate up to six passengers and do not guarantee a window seat throughout the experience. Our guides encourage seat rotation so everyone has an opportunity to enjoy different views during the tour.

Children

Our Queenstown 4WD tours are suitable for all ages, with no minimum age requirement.

Infants aged 0–3 years travel free, while children aged 4–14 years receive the child rate.

Child and booster seats are available on request when booking.

Skippers Bridge Closure

Access over Skippers Bridge is currently closed due to long-term maintenance and safety works, and there is currently no expected reopening date.

Due to the bridge closure, access to the historic schoolhouse and cemetery is also unavailable. Our tours continue to operate to permitted points within Skippers Canyon, with alternative scenic and historical stops included.

Important Information

Your safety is our priority. Occasionally, we may need to alter the tour itinerary due to conditions outside our control, including high water levels, adverse weather or road conditions.

This may mean we are unable to cross certain rivers, access particular roads or travel the full length of Skippers Canyon. Where possible, alternative scenic and historical stops will be included.

Please review our full Weather Cancellation Policy before booking. Tours operate subject to weather, road and operational conditions. If your preferred date or departure time is unavailable, please contact our team and we'll be happy to help.