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A vehicle parked by a lake with mountains in the background. 1
A vehicle on a snow-covered path with mountains in the background. 2
A vehicle on a snow-covered mountain road. 3
A group of people on a wooden raft near a truck on a gravel beach with mountains in the background. 4
A winding road through a mountainous landscape with a group of vehicles and people. 5
By Off Road Holdings Ltd.

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
Free cancellation available
Price is P 38,557 per traveler* *Get a lower price by selecting multiple travelers
See tickets

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 4h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Selective hotel pickup

Overview

  • Go private – your vehicle, your guide, your route.

    Explore iconic viewpoints and rugged backcountry tracks in a private 4x4, with an expert guide sharing the stories behind the landscape. We tailor the day to your interests. Allow 4 hours.

    Pricing is per vehicle: one LandCruiser Troop Carrier (up to 6 guests) or Toyota Prado (up to 4 guests).

    Choose your tour option (we fine-tune on the day):

    • Whakatipu Highlights – best all-rounder with big scenery and top viewpoints; optional Lord of the Rings stops.
    • Skippers Canyon – legendary gold-rush backcountry with dramatic canyon views, including Skippers Bridge and Shotover River viewpoints.
    • Māori Mythology & Local Legends – story-led viewpoints with real local meaning – mythology, whakapapa, and Whakatipu history.
    • Glenorchy & Paradise – cinematic lake road and mountain backdrops (least off-road).

    Return transfers around Queenstown and complimentary photos included. Runs year-round. 100% Kiwi owned and operated since 1989.

Activity location

  • Skippers Canyon
    • Skippers
    • Queenstown, New Zealand

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • 61A Shotover Street
    • 61A Shotover Street
    • 9300, Queenstown, Otago Region, New Zealand

Check availability

Glenorchy & Paradise (up to 6)

  • Activity duration is 4 hours4h
    4h
  • English

Glenorchy & Paradise (scenic): Lake Whakatipu scenic drive: braided rivers, open plains, film locations + photo stops - our least off-road option.
Ultimate 4x4 (up to 6 people): Private Toyota LandCruiser Troop Carrier
Private pick-up and drop-off
Pickup included

Language options: English
Price details
P 28,151.69 x 2 TravelersP 56,303.38
Total
Price is P 56,303.39
Until Mon, Nov 16

Mäori Mythology (up to 6)

  • Activity duration is 4 hours4h
    4h
  • English

Mäori Mythology & Legends: Story-led tour: Māori mythology, local Kiwi legends and standout viewpoints around Queenstown - relaxed and conversational.
Ultimate 4x4 (up to 6 guests): Private Toyota LandCruiser Troop Carrier
Private pick-up and drop-off
Pickup included

Language options: English
Price details
P 28,151.69 x 2 TravelersP 56,303.38
Total
Price is P 56,303.39
Until Mon, Nov 16

Skippers Canyon (up to 6)

  • Activity duration is 4 hours4h
    4h
  • English

Skippers Canyon (historic): Historic gold-rush backcountry: Skippers Road, Bridge, Māori Point, Heaven & Hell Gates + Lord of the Rings locations.
Ultimate 4x4 (up to 6 guests): Private Toyota LandCruiser Troop Carrier
Private pick-up and drop-off
Pickup included

Language options: English
Price details
P 28,151.69 x 2 TravelersP 56,303.38
Total
Price is P 56,303.39
Until Mon, Nov 16

Whakatipu Highlights (up to 6)

  • Activity duration is 4 hours4h
    4h
  • English

Whakatipu Highlights (popular): Top spots around Queenstown: Skippers Canyon, Remarkables, and Arrowtown or Moke Lake + optional Lord of the Rings locations.
Ultimate 4x4 (up to 6 guests): Private Toyota LandCruiser Troop Carrier
Private pick-up and drop-off
Pickup included

Language options: English
Price details
P 28,151.69 x 2 TravelersP 56,303.38
Total
Price is P 56,303.39
Until Mon, Nov 16

Glenorchy & Paradise (up to 4)

  • Activity duration is 4 hours4h
    4h
  • English

Glenorchy & Paradise (scenic): Lake Whakatipu scenic drive: braided rivers, open plains, film locations + photo stops - our least off-road option.
Comfort 4x4 (up to 4 guests): Private Toyota LandCruiser Prado
Private pick-up and drop-off
Pickup included

Language options: English
Price details
P 19,278.37 x 2 TravelersP 38,556.74
Total
Price is P 38,556.73
Until Mon, Nov 16

Mäori Mythology (up to 4)

  • Activity duration is 4 hours4h
    4h
  • English

Mäori Mythology & Legends: Story-led tour: Māori mythology, local Kiwi legends and standout viewpoints around Queenstown - relaxed and conversational.
Comfort 4x4 (up to 4 guests): Private Toyota LandCruiser Prado
Private pick-up and drop-off
Pickup included

Language options: English
Price details
P 19,278.37 x 2 TravelersP 38,556.74
Total
Price is P 38,556.73
Until Mon, Nov 16

Skippers Canyon (up to 4)

  • Activity duration is 4 hours4h
    4h
  • English

Skippers Canyon (historic): Historic gold-rush backcountry: Skippers Road, Bridge, Māori Point, Heaven & Hell Gates + Lord of the Rings locations.
Comfort 4x4 (up to 4 guests): Private Toyota LandCruiser Prado
Private pick-up and drop-off
Pickup included

Language options: English
Price details
P 19,278.37 x 2 TravelersP 38,556.74
Total
Price is P 38,556.73
Until Mon, Nov 16

Whakatipu Highlights (up to 4)

  • Activity duration is 4 hours4h
    4h
  • English

Whakatipu Highlights (popular): Top spots around Queenstown: Skippers Canyon, Remarkables, and Arrowtown or Moke Lake + optional Lord of the Rings locations.
Comfort 4x4 (up to 4 guests): Private Toyota LandCruiser Prado
Private pick-up and drop-off
Pickup included

Language options: English
Price details
P 19,278.37 x 2 TravelersP 38,556.74
Total
Price is P 38,556.73
Until Mon, Nov 16

What's included, what's not

  • Inclusions
    Knowledgeable local guide, dedicated to your group
  • Inclusions
    Knowledgeable and friendly local guides
  • Inclusions
    Pick-up and drop-off to your Queenstown accommodation
  • Inclusions
    Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Inclusions
    Private personalised tour to stunning locations
  • Inclusions
    Complimentary photos
  • Exclusions
    Food and drinks
  • Exclusions
    Personal travel and medical insurance (recommended for international visitors)

Know before you book

    • Specialized infant seats are available
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Suitable for all ages, child seats available upon request
    • Only minimal English is required - your guide does the driving and keeps instructions simple if needed.

Activity itinerary

Skippers Canyon

  • 15m
Included in: Whakatipu Highlights, Skippers Canyon. Queenstown’s legendary backcountry - dramatic canyon scenery, big viewpoints, and a real sense of remoteness. Expect photo stops and story-led guiding through gold-rush country, with landscapes you simply do not see on standard scenic routes. Stopping time varies depending on the itinerary and your interests on the day.

The Remarkables

  • 15m
Included in: Whakatipu Highlights, Māori Mythology. Iconic Queenstown alpine backdrops and high-impact photo stops. These viewpoints deliver wide Whakatipu Basin views, big mountain scenery, and that classic “Queenstown postcard” feeling - with time to stop, shoot, and take it in. Stopping time varies depending on the itinerary and your interests on the day.

Lake Wakatipu

  • 15m
Included in: Whakatipu Highlights, Glenorchy & Paradise, Māori Mythology. Classic lake-and-mountain scenery with multiple lookout angles along the basin. These stops are all about clean photo lines, big views, and local context - from natural history to the stories and legends tied to Whakatipu. Stopping time varies depending on the itinerary and your interests on the day.

Skippers Road (Pass by)

Included in: Skippers Canyon. One of Queenstown’s most famous backcountry routes, shaped by the gold rush and carved into steep country. The drive is part of the experience - tight sections, rugged terrain, and viewpoint potential throughout, including the narrow rock cuttings known as Hell’s and Heaven’s Gates, paired with local history and storytelling.

Skippers Bridge

  • 15m
Included in: Skippers Canyon. A standout historic landmark and a classic photo stop in the canyon. This area brings the gold-rush era to life and delivers iconic Skippers visuals - rugged rock, steep drops, and true backcountry character. Stopping time varies depending on the itinerary and your interests on the day.

Shotover River

  • 15m
Included in: Skippers Canyon. Big river-and-canyon scenery tied directly to Queenstown’s gold-rush story. These stops deliver dramatic angles over the Shotover corridor, strong photo opportunities, and guiding-led context about early mining and settlement. Gold-mining relics and remains are often seen along this corridor as part of the Skippers story - perfect for adding tangible heritage without turning it into a separate “stop”. Stopping time varies depending on the itinerary and your interests on the day.

Arrowtown

  • 25m
Included in: Whakatipu Highlights. A heritage gold-rush town with real character - historic streets, river history, and a quick wander option that adds depth beyond the viewpoints. Often chosen as an alternative to Moke Lake within Whakatipu Highlights. Stopping time varies depending on the itinerary and your interests on the day.

Moke Lake

  • 15m
Included in: Whakatipu Highlights. A quiet, photogenic lake setting that feels a world away from town. Expect calm water, mountain reflections, and short scenic stops that suit photography and a slower pace. Often chosen as an alternative to Arrowtown within Whakatipu Highlights. Stopping time varies depending on the itinerary and your interests on the day.

Glenorchy

  • 20m
Included in: Glenorchy & Paradise. A spectacular lakeside gateway to cinematic landscapes. Glenorchy delivers wide valley views, big mountain backdrops, and a relaxed pace with plenty of photo stops - scenery-forward and naturally beautiful. Stopping time varies depending on the itinerary and your interests on the day.

Paradise

  • 15m
Included in: Glenorchy & Paradise. A famous scenic region beyond Glenorchy, known for open valleys, rugged peaks, and a strong “middle-of-nowhere” feel. A great option for big landscapes, relaxed touring, and photo stops in iconic natural settings. Stopping time varies depending on the itinerary and your interests on the day.

Dart River

  • 15m
Included in: Glenorchy & Paradise Braided river landscapes framed by dramatic peaks - one of the reasons this area feels so cinematic. Expect wide-open scenery, strong photography potential, and a different look and feel from the Whakatipu Basin viewpoints. Stopping time varies depending on the itinerary and your interests on the day.

Maori point lookout

  • 15m
Included in: Skippers Canyon. A key location within the Skippers backcountry experience, combining striking canyon scenery with local history. It is a strong stop for photos and guiding-led storytelling, adding depth to the route beyond the views alone. Stopping time varies depending on the itinerary and your interests on the day.

Arrow River

  • 10m
Included in: Whakatipu Highlights. Best known for the Lord of the Rings film connection on the Ford of Bruinen river scene. A fun “recognise it” moment for film fans that pairs naturally with Arrowtown and the wider Whakatipu Basin scenery. Stopping time varies depending on the itinerary and your interests on the day.

Gladden Fields

  • 10m
Included in: Whakatipu Highlights. A small Arrowtown location used for the Gladden Fields scenes. It is a simple, easy stop that adds a fun Middle-earth connection to a Whakatipu Highlights tour - especially when your group wants a film moment alongside the scenery. Stopping time varies depending on the itinerary and your interests on the day.

Lothlórien (Lord of the Rings)

  • 15m
Included in: Glenorchy & Paradise. Natural beech forest on the road to Paradise, used as Lothlorien in The Lord of the Rings. A high-impact stop for atmosphere and photos - quiet, cinematic, and a perfect match for the scenery-forward Glenorchy & Paradise option. Stopping time varies depending on the itinerary and your interests on the day.

Dan's Paddock (Gandalf's Approach to Isengard)

  • 15m
Included in: Glenorchy & Paradise. A classic Middle-earth landscape location in the Glenorchy area, used for Isengard scenes. Expect big valley views and a strong sense of scale - an easy way to blend iconic scenery with a confirmed film connection on the Glenorchy route. Stopping time varies depending on the itinerary and your interests on the day.

Pikirakatahi / Mount Earnslaw

  • 10m
Included in: Glenorchy & Paradise. From Glenorchy, you can look towards the north-western slopes of Mount Earnslaw, featured in the opening sequence of The Two Towers. A simple viewpoint moment with big peak backdrops - ideal for film fans and photographers alike. Stopping time varies depending on the itinerary and your interests on the day.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Skippers Canyon
    • Skippers
    • Queenstown, New Zealand

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    61A Shotover Street
    • 61A Shotover Street
    • 9300, Queenstown, Otago Region, New Zealand

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