Share this tour
Offered languages
- English
- English
Discover Central Otago on this scenic self-guided audio tour drive from Queenstown Airport to Wānaka, tracing routes once travelled by Māori and gold miners. Pass through the Kawarau Gorge, birthplace of bungy jumping, past Gibbston Valley’s vineyards, and the towering Nevis Bluff. End beside the iconic “That Wānaka Tree.”
During this two-hour drive, you’ll:
• Hear about Bannockburn’s wild gold rush past
• Admire Cromwell’s orchards, giant fruit sculpture, and Lake Dunstan’s new landscape
• Learn why pinot noir flourishes here, what makes lavender fields glow, and why real fruit ice cream is a summer tradition
• Glide past the Pisa Range and through Luggate and Queensberry
Blending history, nature, and quirky local stories, this tour turns a simple transfer into an unforgettable journey
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
The tour starts at Queenstown Airport, Terminal Parking A, near the Rent-A-Car building. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading
The tour end in the parking lot of The Wanaka Watersports Facility.
Itinerary
-
(Pass by)
Pass by this scenic gem, known to Māori as Waiwhakaata or “water that reflects", a stunning lakeside venue with breathtaking mountain views, perfect for unforgettable. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Drive by the world’s first commercial bungy jump, an iconic adventure site where thrill-seekers leap 43 metres from a historic bridge over the stunning Kawarau River Gorge, and find out how the idea traces back to ancient tradition. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Pass by and learn about award-winning wines and gourmet cuisine, nestled among dramatic vineyards in Central Otago’s “Valley of the Vines,” home to New Zealand’s oldest commercial wine cave. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Travel through a corridor that has carried countless journeys long before yours. Sheer cliffs, a restless turquoise river, and rocky terraces make it feel untamed, shaping the stories of Māori, European settlers, and even movie-makers.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Drive by what, at first glance, might look like just another mountain stream tumbling down to join the Kawarau River, but appearances are deceptive.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Drive back in time at this historic Mining Centre, where you can explore historic gold mining sites, try gold panning, and discover how early miners lived and worked along the Kawarau River. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour. preserves the remains of a once-bustling gold miners’ village, offering a glimpse of the tough, makeshift lives of those who rushed here chasing fortune.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Pass by and find yourself learning about one of the most extraordinary landscapes in Central Otago, and the legacy of 1800s gold mining. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Drive along this entirely man-made lake, formed in the early 1990s, which flooded the Cromwell Gorge and forever reshaping the landscape.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Pass by this popular shop and learn how ice cream is a Kiwi summertime staple, with New Zealanders famously ranking among the highest consumers per capita in the world. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The total tour time includes walking the route and passing by the attractions
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Show more
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.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Your guide to the flawless travel experience
Popular Countries
Company
Get our app
