Glenorchy & Arrowtown Private Tour
A Full-Day Private Tour Combining Glenorchy, Arrowtown, Lord of the Rings Landscapes and Queenstown’s Most Scenic Highlights
Mountains, lakes, gold-rush history, honey tasting, local stories and Lord of the Rings inspired scenery in one relaxed private day.
This 7.5-hour private tour is designed for travellers who want to experience two of Queenstown’s most beautiful and contrasting regions in one day. Travel with your own local guide along the stunning lakeside road to Glenorchy, with the option to focus more on The Lord of the Rings landscapes and filming locations around Glenorchy and Paradise.
You will also explore Arrowtown, Lake Hayes, Buzzstop, the Kawarau Gorge and some of Queenstown’s favourite scenic viewpoints. With a private vehicle and flexible pace, the day can be shaped around your interests, whether you prefer scenic photo stops, local history, honey tasting, gold-rush stories or a more Middle-earth inspired experience.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
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Enjoy a 7.5-hour private tour with your own local guide and comfortable vehicle.
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Travel beside Lake Wakatipu on one of New Zealand’s most beautiful drives, with time for photo stops along the way.
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Stop for sweeping views across Lake Wakatipu, mountain peaks and the road towards Glenorchy.
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Visit the peaceful lakeside village at the head of Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by mountains, rivers and wilderness.
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Stop at one of the region’s most photographed lakeside locations.
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As this is a private tour, the day can be adjusted to focus more on The Lord of the Rings inspired landscapes and filming locations around Glenorchy, Paradise, Arrowtown and the Kawarau Gorge. Your guide can include extra scenic stops, local film stories and time to enjoy the dramatic Middle-earth style scenery.
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Explore the preserved gold-rush streets, boutique shops and historic Chinese settlement.
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Visit the peaceful lakeside village at the head of Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by mountains, rivers and wilderness.
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Stop at one of the area’s most beautiful lakes, often called the “Mirror Lake” for its reflections on a calm day.
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Visit Buzzstop for a local honey tasting and learn more about New Zealand honey and bees.
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Enjoy time for lunch during the day. The cost of lunch is not included in the tour price.
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Visit the historic Kawarau Bridge, known as the birthplace of commercial bungy jumping, and enjoy the dramatic river and gorge scenery connected with the wider Queenstown film landscape.
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Include selected local viewpoints around Queenstown, depending on timing, weather and your interests.
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Because this is your own tour, your guide can adjust the day within the time available.
Pricing & Tour Options
Private group – up to 5 guests: $1,700 NZD
Private group – 6 to 10 guests: $2,300 NZD
RST Signature Tour: POA
Optional attractions additional cost
Winery tastings, meals, drinks, activities, entry fees or other paid experiences are not included.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Private vehicle and local guide: Travel with your own experienced guide for the day.
Queenstown accommodation pick-up and drop-off: Start and finish from your Queenstown accommodation.
7.5-hour scenic touring: Enjoy a carefully planned private tour combining Glenorchy, Arrowtown and Queenstown highlights.
Scenic photo stops: Stops may include Bennetts Bluff, Glenorchy, Lake Hayes, Queenstown viewpoints and the Kawarau Gorge.
Time in Arrowtown: Enjoy free time to wander the historic streets, browse shops or visit the Chinese settlement.
Buzzstop honey tasting: A local honey tasting is included as part of the day.
Lunch stop: Time is included for lunch at Buzzstop. Lunch is at your own cost.
Local commentary: Hear stories about the landscape, gold-rush history, local life and the wider Queenstown region.
Flexible sightseeing route: The route can be adjusted within the time available, depending on your interests, weather and road conditions.
Optional winery stop: A stop in Gibbston Valley can be included if timing allows. Tastings and purchases are additional.
Know Before You Go
Start time: 9:00 AM.
Finish time: Around 4:30 PM.
Duration: Approximately 7.5 hours.
Pick-up: Queenstown accommodation only.
Tour style: Private guided sightseeing tour.
Best for: Couples, families, small groups, photographers, first-time visitors and travellers wanting a scenic private day from Queenstown.
Lunch: Lunch can be enjoyed at Buzzstop. The cost of lunch is not included in the tour price.
Honey tasting: A honey tasting at Buzzstop is included.
Optional attractions: Winery tastings, food, drinks, activities and paid attractions are not included unless confirmed in writing.
Weather and road conditions: Some stops may vary depending on weather, road conditions and timing.
Extra time: Any additional touring time may be charged on the day.
Call us on +64 (03) 441 8867 between the hours of 8.30 am and 6.30 pm if you have any questions.
Make It a Lord of the Rings Inspired Tour
For guests who love The Lord of the Rings, this private Glenorchy and Arrowtown tour can be adjusted to include more of the dramatic landscapes made famous by Middle-earth.
Glenorchy is one of the most scenic areas near Queenstown, with mountain views, glacier-fed rivers, ancient beech forest, and wide open valleys that feel like they belong on a movie set. The road to Glenorchy follows the edge of Lake Wakatipu and offers some of the best photo stops in the region.
On request, we can place more focus on The Lord of the Rings filming locations and landscapes around Glenorchy, Arrowtown, and the Kawarau Gorge. This can include extra photo stops, local stories, and time to enjoy the scenery connected with The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and other major films.
Arrowtown and the surrounding river landscapes offer beautiful backdrops that will appeal to film fans, while the Kawarau Gorge adds dramatic scenery, rugged cliffs, and one of the region’s most iconic adventure locations. Together with Glenorchy and Paradise, these areas create a relaxed and scenic Lord of the Rings inspired experience.
This option is ideal for guests who want a private Middle-earth style tour without joining a large group. As this is a private tour, the day can be shaped around your interests, whether you would like more time in Glenorchy, extra photo stops in Arrowtown and the Kawarau Gorge, or a balanced day combining Glenorchy, Paradise, Arrowtown, and the wider Queenstown film landscapes.
FAQs
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Yes. This is a fully private tour with your own vehicle and local guide.
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The tour is approximately 7.5 hours, starting at 9:00 AM and finishing around 4:30 PM..
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Pick-up is from Queenstown accommodation only.
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Yes. The tour can be adjusted within the available time, depending on your interests, weather and road conditions.
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Comfortable walking shoes, a camera, and layers for changing weather. Bring a reusable water bottle and some spending money for optional tastings or shopping.
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Yes, private tours can be tailored to families. Child seats can be arranged on request. There is a charge of $60 NZD for a child seat.
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Yes. The tour includes the scenic lakeside road to Glenorchy, with stops such as Bennetts Bluff, Glenorchy township and the famous red shed.
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Yes. The tour includes time in Arrowtown, where you can explore the historic streets, boutique shops, cafés and Chinese settlement.
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Yes. This tour includes a stop at Buzzstop for honey tasting and lunch.
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No. Lunch is not included in the tour price, but time is allowed for lunch at Buzzstop.
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Yes. A honey tasting at Buzzstop is included as part of the tour.
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Yes. The tour can include a stop at Kawarau Bridge, famous as the birthplace of commercial bungy jumping.
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The Glenorchy Private Tour focuses mainly on the scenic lakeside road to Glenorchy and the village itself. The Glenorchy Arrowtown Private Tour is a longer 7.5-hour tour that combines Glenorchy with Arrowtown, Lake Hayes, Buzzstop, Kawarau Bridge and selected Queenstown highlights.
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Yes. As this is a private tour, we can adjust the day to include more Lord of the Rings inspired locations and landscapes around Glenorchy, Paradise, Arrowtown, and the Kawarau Gorge. This option is ideal for guests who want a relaxed Middle-earth style experience with extra photo stops, local stories, and time to enjoy the dramatic scenery made famous by the films.
Upgrade this Tour to Private Touring at Its Finest in Te Waipounamu
This is our most refined way to experience the South Island, designed for travellers who appreciate genuine comfort, privacy and the freedom to take things at their own pace. Travel with an expert local guide in a beautifully appointed vehicle, where every detail is thoughtfully considered.
Our Signature Tours are about more than just where you go. They are about how it feels to be there, with time to enjoy the scenery, the stories and the moments that make the journey truly special.
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