Queenstown, known for its stunning landscapes and thrilling activities, serves as an ideal base for day trips. From exploring the iconic Milford Sound to the charming vineyards of Gibbston Valley, there’s an adventure for every traveler. This guide covers the best day trips around Queenstown, offering tips to help you enjoy each destination with ease and excitement.
Day trip prices from Queenstown typically range from NZD 260 to NZD 675 per person, depending on the destination and inclusions such as meals or guided tours.
Time at each destination depends on the tour itinerary but usually ranges from four to 13 hours. Some stops may offer additional activities, allowing extended exploration time if preferred.
Yes, most day tours include transport between all stops on the itinerary. Guided tours ensure convenient travel, so you can relax and enjoy the journey without needing separate transport.
Yes, once you reach a stop, you are allocated enough time to explore on your own.
While most tours cover major expenses, additional costs may include meals not specified in the itinerary, optional attractions or activities, or souvenirs.
Dress in layers suitable for changing weather conditions. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for outdoor activities, along with a waterproof jacket if you're visiting Milford Sound where rain is common.
Yes, many day trips from Queenstown are family-friendly, with activities that cater to all ages. Some tours, like those to wildlife parks or lakes, are particularly enjoyable for children.
Smoothly driving Stunning view Nice service on the board
Informative commentary, such a beautiful, magical place to visit.
It was once in lifetime experience.. very scenic view... shuttle transfer was very smooth... everything was exactly the same as promised
Loved the cruise. The coach driver Brendan was fab
Well organized, super driver/guide Food could be better Coordination on WhatsApp would be appreciated to avoid misunderstandings for the pick up
Brian, the bus driver! A font of knowledge about what we saw along the way plus extra info on farming & fishing, very very interesting to get an insight on that aspect. Great sense of dry humour too. He is a very experienced driver! The ride and the boat trip were spectacular but Brian was the cherry on the cake! 🙂
Tour was great and tour guide was exceptional. Full of interesting facts and humerous as well. He really made the tour for us. Please thank him. Luke
Good good -Safe trip with your driver.
Clean, well-staffed vessel. Great info provided by the captain. Beautiful scenery! I only wish the cruise was longer!
Inclusions
Exclusions
The driver "Gordon" gave us a very pleasant trip with entertaining stories, stops with beautiful panoramas ... and a dream cruise that met our expectations . The schedules were all respected. Thank you, I highly recommend
Good evening, a little difficult to find the meeting point and especially to find the bus company. It should be specified that the meal is included in the day. Very nice experience and fabulous day. Thank you for everything. Yours sincerely, Dominique Jean-Jacques and Sandra
It was a good day! Cruise was 2 hours, not 3, but that was adequate. Bus travel was somewhat shorter than advertised. All that aside, it was a very good day. RealNZ was a great provider! Thanks.
Ticketing was excellent and the scenery was magnificent
EXCELLENT DRIVER AND BREATHTAKING VIEWS
Very punctual tour. The driver was happy and knowledgeable with her commentary and a very good driver. Foggy day but we saw the waterfalls on the way back. Great day and recommend everyone do at least once in their lives.
A very nice experience and well guided tour, our guide told us a lot of interesting facts about the region Many nice photo stops. The boat tour was just great. I would recommend the tour to others.
It was an amazing experience cruising through the beautiful mountains and waterfalls.
Bus driver friendly and informative. Felt very safe with his driving. Majestic scenery and so many interesting land formations on both bus and boatrip.
Amazing nature, good information! Good to go there early in the morning before it gets to crowded. Some hints: - the meeting at 8.30 am is a bit to early, we only left from Te Anau at 9 am. - I didn't know about the included lunch, would have been good to announce it.
The bus driver Scarlet was exyremely informative and made us feel welcome. The boat trip was great even though it was drizzling
It was a unique experience. The bus trip to Milford Sound with stops in between, e.g. Mirror Lakes, was a great opportunity to take some unique photos. The boat trip in Milford Sound in fine weather was great. We sailed very close to a waterfall. Simply fantastic
Fantastic coach tour guide Sebastian with lots of beautiful stops (and toilet breaks!) along the way then a stunning beautiful boat trip with an excellent pack lunch.
Breathtaking scenery around every corner , with commentary and that was just the coach trip from Te Anau into Milford Sound! Coach Drive Camilo was on point with his historical knowledge and because he was so well versed in the latest wild life arrivals, we got to see a Shag nesting in a tree at one stop at the mirror lakes. He took an awesome photo of my husband and I at another stop with magnificent mountainous scenery behind us. He was funny, we'll informed and got us to our cruise exactly on time. The PureNZ cruise through amilsford Sound was the bucket list experience complete with hilarious and informative commentary, our chicken pie lunch was delicious and the baby sea lions lounging on rocks beneath cascading waterfalls was picture perfect. Bonus vista of a massive cruise ship up close and our brief but exciting venture out of the Sound into the teeth of a Tasman Sea westerly was the icing on the cake!
Great weather, great buys driver who gave out fantastic information.
Bus driver was excellent giving us excellent commentary on the area, cruise was excellent as again was the commentary,
well organized and the service is awesome
Inclusions
Full-day tour to Milford Sound from Te Anau
2-hour Milford Sound cruise
English-speaking driver/guide
Round-trip transfers with stops for short walks
Complimentary tea & coffee on-board
The nature was the best. Flight was fantastic. Cruise was OK, but better and bigger cruises also were available, but in more cost. The experience was incredible during my trip in New Zealand 😊😊. Thanks for headout for making everything better.
The flight was absolutely unique and we had two great pilots in Nikita and Jake. We found the cruise rather boring because there was simply too little to see. We've seen more exciting fjords.
Great experience. I would recommend to anyone.
Amazing experience, one of our favorite from the trip so far. We had perfect weather for the flight and boat trip and were able to see fur seals, penguins and get up close to the waterfalls.
The trip was cancelled at the time for pick up due to weather. The operator telephoned and advised we'd receive a full refund. Still waiting for money to be returned Support page not helpful
Inclusions
Full-day or half-day tour of Milford Sound from Queenstown (based on option selected)
Small-group experience
Round-trip flight transfers from Queenstown (if option selected)
One-way coach to Milford Sound (if option selected)
Return flight transfer to Queenstown (if option selected)
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Live commentary
2-hour Milford Sound cruise
Complimentary tea, coffee, & water on cruise
Exclusions
Well organized, super driver/guide Food could be better Coordination on WhatsApp would be appreciated to avoid misunderstandings for the pick up
Tour was great and tour guide was exceptional. Full of interesting facts and humerous as well. He really made the tour for us. Please thank him. Luke
Absolutely wonderful! It was so nice to be a smaller group for this adventure. The little van was really confortable for the trip. Our guide Collin was awesome. His explanations on the culture and the region made the 5 hours to get there fly by and the stops were great to relax and enjoy fjordland park. 100% recommended.
Beautiful enrobe to Milford. The lady driving the our van was also very sweet
Inclusions
Small group guided tour
Tour guide
Round-trip transfers
Milford sound cruise
Cruise entry
Minibus
Start from Queenstown.
The following stops will be included on the way to and back from Milford Sound.
Minibus
Cruise
These are the sights you can look out for during the cruise:
Milford Sound
Mitre Peak
Pop's View Lookout
Return to Queenstown
Amazing!!..A very different and profound experience..
Fantastic experience the whoke journey was amazing and informative we we very lucky with beautiful weather however this impacted the number of waterfalls . the team were very interesting and knowledgeable which kept the experience engrossing. Just loved it
Very well organized and informative. In particular, enjoyed the narration by Chris as we drove from Te Anau to Manapouri and back. Great guy!
Inclusions
Full-day Doubtful Sound Wilderness tour
Knowledgeable nature guide
Coach transfers from Te Anau to Manapouri
3-hour Doubtful Sound cruise
Lake Manapouri cruise
Coach trip over Wilmot Pass
Complimentary tea & coffee
Exclusions
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.