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Offered languages
- English
New Zealand's highest peak deserves more than a drive-past.
This full-day small-group tour from Queenstown travels north via Kawarau Gorge, before heading through the Mackenzie District to Lake Pukaki and Aoraki Mt Cook National Park. Your guide leads the day with local knowledge, te reo Māori place names, and stories of the land.
At 3724 metres, Aoraki is New Zealand's highest peak and a sacred ancestor to Ngā Tahu iwi. You have two to two and a half hours at the national park: walk the Tasman Glacier Viewpoint Track through the moraines of Haupapa, New Zealand's longest glacier, or explore Mt Cook Village. Scenic flights and Heli Hike available on the day.
Heading home: the Ōmārama Clay Cliffs, High Country Salmon, the Cardrona Hotel (1863), and a Crown Range lookout over Queenstown from the highest main road in Aotearoa.
Lunch, water and snacks included. WiFi and USB charging on board. Group capped at 16. Carbon neutral within the national park.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
06:30 am Kamana Lakehouse
06:31 am Mercure Resort
06:32 am Heritage Hotel Queenstown
06:35 am Rydges Lakeland Resort Queenstown
06:36 am St Moritz Queenstown
06:37 am QT Queenstown
06:38 am Crown Plaza Queenstown
06:39 am Pinewood Lodge
06:40 am Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel
06:41 am The Flaming Kiwi Backpackers
06:42 am Novotel Queenstown Lakeside
06:43 am Nomads Hostel Queenstown
06:46 am Tahuna Pod Hostel
06:46 am Aspen Lodge Backpackers
06:47 am Scenic Suites Queenstown
06:47 am Heartland Hotel Queenstown
06:48 am Holiday inn Express and Suites
06:49 am Ramada Queenstown Central
06:50 am Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront
06:51 am Millenium Hotel Queenstown
06:52 am Copthorne Hotel and Apartments Queenstown Lakeview
06:53 am Swiss Belsuites Ponamu Queenstown
06:54 am Oaks Queenstown Shore Resort
06:55 am The Rees Hotel Luxury Apartments
06:56 am Holiday Inn Queenstown Frankton Road
06:57 am Sherwood Queenstown
06:58 am Airport / Frankton Area
07:00 am Wyndham Garden Queenstown
07:01 am Sudima Queenstown 5 Five Mile
07:30 am Cromwell I-SITE information Centre
Itinerary
-
Queenstown (Pass by)
Depart heading north. Guide introduces the day as we leave New Zealand's adventure capital. Departure: 6:30 AM.
Admission ticket free -
1
We follow the Kawarau Gorge along State Highway 6. The icy blue water and historic Suspension Bridge, birthplace of New Zealand's bungee jumping, are visible from the road. Note from November 1, 2026 this will be replaced with the stop in Wanaka.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
Cromwell (Pass by)
Pass through Cromwell, a Central Otago township known for its vineyards and stone fruit. Views of Lake Dunstan.
Admission ticket free -
2Wanaka
This stop is only included on tours after November 1, 2026. Here the Guide collects lunch while you explore the lakefront, home of #ThatWānakaTree. Views towards Mt Aspiring National Park. Wānaka-based travellers join here.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Omarama
Stop in Ōmārama, "the place of light" in te reo Māori. The nearby Ahuriri Valley was a filming location for Disney's live-action Mulan.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
A man-made lake built for the Mackenzie Basin's hydro-electricity network. Popular for rowing, fishing, and water skiing.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Lake Pukaki
Glacier-fed lake shifting from ice blue to deep aqua. On clear days, Aoraki rises directly from the water's edge.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)
Approximately 40% of the park is covered by glaciers. Nineteen peaks exceed 3000 metres. Options: Tasman Glacier Viewpoint Track or Hooker Valley or Mt Cook Village and Visitor Centre, scenic flights or Heli Hike (sold separately). Collection time 2:15 pm.
2 hours • Admission ticket free -
7High Country Salmon
Feed the fish and buy fresh local salmon. Omitted if the tour is running late.
20 minutes • Admission ticket included -
8Clay Cliff
Ancient glacial formations built into craggy pinnacles. Omitted in bad weather or if running late.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
Lindis Pass (Pass by)
Tussocked valleys in every direction. Merino sheep common in the area.
Admission ticket free -
Wanaka (Pass by)
Drop off Wānaka-based travellers before the Crown Range.
Admission ticket free -
9Cardrona Hotel
Established 1863 to service the Otago Gold Rush. One of New Zealand's most-photographed historic buildings.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
The highest main road in Aotearoa. Panoramic views over Queenstown and the Remarkables.
Admission ticket free -
Queenstown (Pass by)
Drop-off point confirmed with your guide at the start of the day.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- 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
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- 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
- Dress in layers. There is a significant temperature difference between Queenstown and Aoraki Mt Cook.
- Bring a waterproof jacket. Alpine weather can change rapidly.
- Wear closed-toe shoes with grip. The Tasman Glacier Viewpoint Track involves uneven and stony terrain.
- Bring sunscreen. UV is strong at altitude, particularly in summer.
- The Ōmārama Clay Cliffs and High Country Salmon stops are time-dependent and weather-dependent. They may be omitted.
- This tour is not wheelchair accessible. The walks at Mt Cook involve uneven ground and require a moderate level of physical fitness.
- Children aged 7 and under require a child safety car seat. If you need one provided, request it at booking with at least 24 hours notice.
- Service animals are permitted.
- The tour departs near public transportation.
- Wānaka-based travellers: you can join and alight at the Wānaka stop. Select this option at time of booking.
- Not recommended for travellers with serious back conditions, heart conditions, or who are pregnant.
- Expert local guides: deep knowledge of Māori history and the Mackenzie region.
- Lunch, water, Kiwi snacks, WiFi and USB charging all included.
- Wānaka, #ThatWānakaTree, Cardrona Hotel and Crown Range: stops rivals skip.
- Small group: maximum 16 guests & Carbon neutral tour.
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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