Arrowtown Wānaka Highlights Tour
A relaxed small-group day tour from Queenstown to Arrowtown, Wānaka, Cardrona and the Crown Range, guided by locals who know the scenic stops, stories and little details that make this part of the South Island so special.
Pricing: Adults NZ$189; Children (ages 6–16) NZ$110.
We’re unable to take children under six on this group tour.
Free time in Wānaka
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The Wānaka Tree
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Free time in Arrowtown
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Cardrona Hotel
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Bradrona
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The Crown Range
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Free time in Wānaka 〰️ The Wānaka Tree 〰️ Free time in Arrowtown 〰️ Cardrona Hotel 〰️ Bradrona 〰️ The Crown Range 〰️
Get ready to discover the best of Arrowtown and Wānaka with a small-group tour from Queenstown. Stunning views, local stories, and expert guides.
“You’re not just hitching a ride, you’re joining us on a journey we love. Our guides grew up around Arrowtown and the Crown Range, so we share gold‑rush stories passed down through generations and point out little‑known photo spots along the way. We’ll sit together in the historic Cardrona Hotel for a drink, show you our favourite angles of the Wānaka Tree, and build in plenty of time for you to wander at your own pace. With a small group, stunning scenery and guides who treat you like family, this is how we locals explore the South Island.”
✨ Tour Highlights
Crown Range Summit: We’ll drive you up New Zealand’s highest sealed road and stop for our favourite photo spot; in winter you might even get to throw a snowball
Cardrona Hotel:Relax with us at this beloved gold‑rush pub, hear local stories over a drink and soak up its quirky charm
The Wānaka Tree: We’ll lead you to the perfect spot to photograph the iconic lone willow tree on the lake
Wānaka:You’ll have time to explore this lakeside town like a local, browsing shops, grabbing lunch or strolling along the shore
Arrowtown:Wander through the historic gold‑mining village, where we’ll point out our favourite lanes and boutiques
Includes a detailed sightseeing map
Complementary drink at the Cardrona Hotel
Whats Included
Comfortable small‑group transport: ride in a spacious European‑style van designed for intimate, relaxed touring
Insightful local guide: your day is hosted by a friendly, knowledgeable guide who shares stories and insider tips along the way.
Complimentary drink: enjoy a local beer or non-alcoholic ginger beer on us at a beloved alpine pub
Personalised Map: take home a custom map filled with our favourite eateries, shops and hidden gems
Easy meeting point: we’ll pick you up and drop you off at a convenient location in central Queenstown, so you never have to worry about transport
Around one hour free time in the lakeside town of Wānaka: wander along the shore or grab lunch at one of our recommended spots at your own pace
Around one hour free time explore the gold‑rush settlement of Arrowtown: stroll through the charming streets of a historic mining town and its beautifully restored Chinese enclave
Know Before You Go
Pricing: Adults NZ$189; young adventurers (ages 6–16) NZ$110. For safety and comfort we’re unable to take children under six on this group tour.
Booking: An online booking fee of 2.4 % is added at checkout
Daily schedule: Our day together starts at 10:00 AM and we return to Queenstown around 4:20 PM
Meeting point: We’ll meet and finish in central Queenstown, there’s a handy map on this page with the exact spot. Pick‑ups and drop‑offs are only from this central location
Group size: We operate intimate tours and need a minimum number of guests to run. Please check in with us the day before so we can confirm numbers and look forward to welcoming you
FAQs
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The tour fee covers your comfortable transport in a small luxury van, the services of a knowledgeable local guide, a complimentary drink at a historic alpine pub, and a custom map with our favourite food and sightseeing suggestions. Lunch isn’t included, but we allow plenty of time to enjoy Wānaka’s cafés and eateries at your own pace
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This day trip departs Queenstown at 10 AM and returns around 4:20 PM. You’ll have roughly six hours to explore historic Arrowtown, Wānaka’s lakeside charm and the mountain roads in between.
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All guests meet at a central Queenstown pick‑up point; we don’t offer hotel pickups. A map showing the exact meeting location is provided when you book, and your guide will drop you back at the same spot at the end of the tour
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Children aged 6–16 are welcome and travel at a reduced rate. For safety reasons we can’t accommodate children under six
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This is an intimate small-group experience with limited seats, giving you more personal interaction with your guide and a relaxed way to enjoy the day. Because we run with small numbers, we do require a minimum group size to operate, so we recommend checking in with us the day before your tour.
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Dress in layers — the Crown Range can be cool, even in summer — and wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring a camera or phone for photos, a reusable water bottle and some spending money for lunch or souvenirs. Sun protection is also essential in the Central Otago region.
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Lunch is not provided. You’ll have around an hour of free time in Wānaka to purchase lunch at one of our recommended cafés or to picnic by the lake. Your guide will offer suggestions based on your tastes.
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Our tours operate in most weather conditions. The Crown Range is sealed and well maintained, but occasionally severe weather may require itinerary adjustments for safety. If conditions force a cancellation, we’ll offer an alternative date or a full refund.
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There isn’t a toilet on the van, but we make regular stops at points of interest and towns where restrooms are available.
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We can usually welcome guests with limited mobility; however, the tour does involve short walks on uneven surfaces. Please let us know when booking so we can advise on accessibility. Dietary requirements aren’t a problem since meals are at your own discretion during free time.
