Our small-group tours are suited to travellers who want to see the best of Queenstown and the surrounding region without the stress of driving, parking, timing, or working out where to stop.

They are a great option for solo travellers, couples, friends, families, history lovers, photographers, and guests who enjoy a relaxed pace with time for scenic stops, local stories, food, shopping, and exploring.

As Queenstown locals, we know the roads, the best photo stops, the quieter viewpoints, and the little places that can make a day feel more personal. Our tours are also a good choice for guests who have limited mobility, as we keep the day comfortable and help make the experience as easy and enjoyable as possible.

Whether you are visiting Queenstown for the first time or simply want a local guide to bring the region to life, our small-group tours are designed to feel relaxed, friendly, and genuinely memorable.

Yes, on our Arrowtown and Wānaka tour, we include a stop to see That Wānaka Tree, also widely known as #ThatWānakaTree, one of New Zealand’s most photographed lakefront spots.

Your local guide will give you time for photos, help you find the best angle, and share the history of how this simple willow tree became such a well-known Wānaka landmark. Weather, lake levels, and local conditions can sometimes affect the stop, but we do our best to include it whenever possible.

For your website, That Wānaka Tree looks more professional and natural, while #ThatWānakaTree is still useful inside the answer because people may search for it that way.

Our tours do include driving, but the journey is a big part of the experience. Around Queenstown and the wider South Island, some of the most beautiful moments happen between destinations, from alpine roads and lake views to quiet valleys, historic towns, and unexpected photo stops.

The amount of driving depends on the tour you choose. Shorter local tours involve less time on the road, while full-day tours such as Milford Sound naturally involve longer travel times.

Our local guides know these roads well. They understand the distances, the best places to stop, and how to pace the day so it feels interesting rather than rushed. As a guide, we rarely drive for more than around 45 minutes without a stop, whether that is for photos, sightseeing, food, a comfort break, or simply to take in the view.

Along the way, your guide will share local stories, history, scenery, and little details you would likely miss if you were driving yourself. With comfortable vehicles and experienced local guides, the driving becomes part of the tour, not just the way to get there.

The best tour depends on how much time you have, what you would most like to see, and the style of experience you are looking for.

If you want a relaxed day with beautiful scenery, local history, free time, shopping, food stops, and classic Queenstown highlights, our Arrowtown and Wānaka Highlights Tour is a wonderful choice. It includes Arrowtown, the Crown Range, Cardrona, Wānaka, and That Wānaka Tree, with plenty of local stories and scenic stops along the way.

If Milford Sound is on your New Zealand must-see list and you would like a more premium small-group experience, our Jewel in Milford Tour is ideal. This is a full-day journey through Fiordland with luxury vehicle travel, carefully chosen scenic stops, and a Milford Sound cruise aboard the Fiordland Jewel.

If you are travelling with younger children, or you prefer a day shaped completely around you, one of our private tours may be the best fit. Private tours are ideal for families who need more flexibility, extra comfort stops, a slower pace, special interests, limited mobility support, or a more personal experience with their own local guide and vehicle.

A good way to choose is to think about whether you want a relaxed local sightseeing day, a once-in-a-lifetime Milford Sound experience, or a fully private tour designed around your interests.

We appreciate that plans can be affected by unforeseen events, so we recommend you have travel insurance to give you peace of mind. We have a tiered approach to cancellations.

Cancellation of set group and private day tours (tours that don’t include an overnight component):

If you cancel at least 7 days in advance of the scheduled departure, we charge a 15% cancellation fee. If you cancel between 3 and 6 days in advance, there’s a 50% cancellation fee. And if you cancel within 2 days of the scheduled departure, regrettably, the cancellation fee is 100%. Please note that any credit card, bank, or other transaction fees incurred by Remarkable Scenic Tours in the processing of your booking or refund will be deducted from the reimbursed amount.

Bookings for third party activity’s supplied by Remarkable Scenic Tours will be as per Remarkable Scenic Tours payment and cancellation terms and the third party suppliers payment and cancellation terms do not apply.

Cancellation of multiday tours (tours that include an overnight component): Please note that any credit card, bank, or other transaction fees incurred by Remarkable Scenic Tours in the processing of your booking or refund will be deducted from the reimbursed amount.

Cancellation 60 days + prior to the tour arrangements commencing:

Loss of deposit amount. This is the equivalent of 20% of the total tour cost or NZ$250 per person, whichever is the greater amount, plus any other prepaid or advance payment items.

Cancellation 60 - 21 days prior your tour commencement date:

If the tour is cancelled 60-21 days prior to the tour commencement date a cancellation fee of 55% of the total tour reservation net value.

Cancellation 20 - 8 days prior your tour commencement date:

If the tour is cancelled 20-8 days prior to the tour commencement date a cancellation fee of 70% of the total tour reservation net value.

Cancellation 7 days or less prior your tour commencement date:

If the client cancels the tour within 7 days of the tour commencement date a cancellation fee of 100% of the total tour reservation net value.

Bookings for third party activity’s supplied by Remarkable Scenic Tours will be as per Remarkable Scenic Tours payment and cancellation terms and the third party suppliers payment and cancellation terms do not apply.

Click here for our full terms and conditions.

Our Arrowtown and Wānaka Highlights Tour has a minimum age of 6 years, and is a great option for older children who enjoy scenery, history, photo stops, free time in Wānaka, and fun local landmarks along the way.

Our Jewel in Milford Tour has a minimum age of 9 years, as it is a longer full-day experience with more time on the road. Milford Sound is incredible, but it is important that children are comfortable with a big day of travel.

For families with younger children, we usually recommend a private tour. This gives you more flexibility with timing, comfort stops, food breaks, and the overall pace of the day. Your guide can shape the experience around your family, making it easier and more enjoyable for everyone.

Our aim is always to make the day relaxed, safe, and enjoyable for the whole family.

Oh dear, now that would be sad! The timing of the tours means we can't wait around for people.

If you decide not to go please contact so we are not waiting for you to turn up as this is not fair for the other guests waiting to go on the tour.

We would hate to leave you behind. We'll make every effort to find you, but we do need to depart at the designated times. If we can't locate you, there are buses and taxi services back to Queenstown, but you'll need to arrange these and cover the costs yourself.

Very! Our vehicles are modern and have large viewing windows, AC, heating and comfortable seats.

If you had a great time during your tour and would like to express that to your tour guide, a tip is certainly very much appreciated.

Pick-up details depend on the tour you have booked.

For our Arrowtown and Wānaka Highlights Tour, we use one central Queenstown pick-up location: outside Marmolada Café, 43 Camp Street, Queenstown. This helps us keep the tour running smoothly and on time for all guests.

For our Jewel in Milford Tour, we can pick up from central Queenstown or Te Anau accommodation. If you are staying in an Airbnb, private rental, or somewhere outside central Queenstown or Te Anau, please contact us before booking so we can discuss the best option for you.

For our private tours, we pick you up directly from your accommodation, making the day as easy and seamless as possible.