The 10 Best Nature & Wildlife Tours in Queenstown, South Island

April 2, 2022 Florencio Paulino

Staggering beauty and heart-pumping thrills await in the resort town of Queenstown, which is also known for its Hobbits—much of the Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed in the area. Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Queenstown for the kayaking, bungee jumping, jetboating, white-water rafting, hiking and skiing. More mild-mannered adventurers can take a quiet cruise through nearby Milford Sound, part of the Fjordland National Park World Heritage area, or sample South Island pinot noir from one of the region's 75 wineries.
Restaurants in Queenstown

1. Skippers Canyon Jet

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5.0 based on 1,330 reviews

Skippers Canyon Jet

Come with Skippers Canyon Jet and experience unbeatable value as you are taken on a spectacular guided tour of Skippers Canyon followed by a thrilling jet boat ride through the narrowest canyons on the Shotover River. Discover a land rich in gold mining history and breathtaking scenery just a short distance from Queenstown. Skippers Canyon Jet is the must do jet boat trip in Queenstown.

2. Guided Walks New Zealand

Excellent
91%
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8%
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5.0 based on 450 reviews

Guided Walks New Zealand

"EVERY STEP A STORY....” It’s our privilege to take you into some of the most beautiful and spectacular areas in the Queenstown and Fiordland region to experience everything from glacial valleys and majestic mountains to beautiful lakes and pristine rainforest. Our friendly, knowledgeable local guides ensure you have the time to enjoy the whole experience nature has provided. We’ve chosen our range of walks for their natural history, scenic beauty, remote locations and varied terrain. We’re proud of our company's reputation for providing friendly, informative and personalised guided walks for small groups, and working to make Guided Walks NZ the most memorable part of your New Zealand experience. Why choose Guided Walks NZ? The answer’s simple – we’re the only guiding company permitted to walk "off track" in the National Park. This means we avoid the crowds and experience a true 'wilderness' walk, letting you see and touch the real New Zealand. Guided Walks since 1868

3. Paddle Queenstown

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94%
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5.0 based on 134 reviews

Paddle Queenstown

Take the journey into the Queenstown back country with our breath-taking kayak or SUP experience to the stunning Moke Lake. Located just 20 minutes from Queenstown this quiet and peaceful setting allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of town and immerse yourself in a beautiful rural New Zealand environment surrounded by mountains. One of our friendly guides will pick you up from Queenstown and drive you in comfort to Moke Lake. Along the way you’ll get a knowledgeable (perhaps even funny) commentary about the local region and feel free to ask any questions. Once at Moke Lake we’ll run through a few safety features and let you paddle off at your own pace! When you return we’ll have a few kiwi refreshments waiting for you.

4. Moonlight Stables

Excellent
97%
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5.0 based on 240 reviews

Moonlight Stables

Join us on an exciting horse trek riding through specacular country on a deer and sheep station overlooking the moontains and river. Only 15 mins drive from Queenstown. Enjoy our responsive horses and meet a truely local family. A real kiwi experience! Your trip will be personalized to your riding ability to ensure the best possible experience. Your safety is our priority.

5. Ziptrek Ecotours

Excellent
85%
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12%
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5.0 based on 2,214 reviews

Ziptrek Ecotours

Ziptrek Ecotours is NZ's #1 Original Zipline tour and offers an exhilarating eco-adventure situated 450m (1500ft) above Queenstown. You'll hang out in magnificent treehouses, breathe pristine mountain air and glide through the treetops on a series of ziplines with spectacular views. Your knowledgeable guides will manage everything technical, while you enjoy a thrilling tour with an environmental focus.

6. Queenstown Tours

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5.0 based on 51 reviews

Queenstown Tours

Welcome to Queenstown Tours - we are Queenstown's specialist for customised private wine tours and personalised sightseeing tours for the single traveller, couples and small private groups. Explore the region's famous cool-climate wines, boutique wineries, breath-taking landscapes and fascinating history with a customised private guided tour to suit your travel style. Discover and experience the essentials of Queenstown, Arrowtown, Skippers Canyon, Gibbston Valley and Central Otago for yourself with an exclusive private tour, without the crowds, with that personal touch.

7. Alpine Luxury Tours

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99%
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5.0 based on 151 reviews

Alpine Luxury Tours

Alpine Luxury Tours creates unforgettable customized luxury tours with a private guide for people who dream big and demand the best. We show people New Zealand in ways they never thought were possible. Our experienced team of local experts go above and beyond to provide truly unforgettable, luxury experiences. Based in Queenstown New Zealand, our local knowledge enables exclusive access to some of New Zealand’s most stunning destinations. Through the eyes of our local guides, we love being able to share them with you Family owned and operated, we take pride in luxury and environmental practices above all else. Our bespoke tours regularly see guest take to the skies and the seas in privately chartered helicopters, planes and cruise vessels – each available at a moment's notice. Because when your trip to Queenstown is an all-access-pass to stunning vistas and adventurous activities, who better to show than people who have called it home for decades?

8. Time 2 Go!

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5.0 based on 38 reviews

Time 2 Go!

Enjoy a Kiwi perspective from a New Zealander lucky enough to live and work in Queenstown! We'll meet you at our favourite café for a catch up. Share with us highlights from your tour around NZ so far. Ask us questions and collect vouchers for future arrangements. Afterwards visit an Art Gallery and/or the Queenstown Gardens along the way we'll share useful local tips like where to park the car for free! We also design itineraries tailor-made trip to suit your personal interests, tastes, travelling style and budget to visit every corner of New Zealand. You'll get all the local tips and tricks you'd only know about if you lived here, plus suggestions on where to wine and dine, or take detours to unique sights along your way. With New Zealand in sight - it's Time 2 Go!

9. Arrow Expeditions

Excellent
88%
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13%
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5.0 based on 8 reviews

Arrow Expeditions

"Adventure, Our Specialty" Culture | Nature | Sights | Fun | Value Operating throughout New Zealand, we specialize in iconic areas and locations within the South Island and in particular the wilderness or outdoor adventure areas provided by the Fiordland, Southern Lakes and Southern Alps regions. We focus on independent travelers and private groups seeking personalized and unique adventure experiences that capture the essence of the environment or activities. Our value, fun and adventure seeking customers pursue the extra sense of adventure or the element of difference, that can only be found in experiences that little further off the beaten track, or in a diversity of activities not routinely available. OUR PROMISE: A SAFE, PERSONAL AND MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE Adventure & Sightseeing tours for everyone, that last longer, are more meaningful, and create lasting memories.

10. Queenstown Guided Expeditions

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5.0 based on 7 reviews

Queenstown Guided Expeditions

Queenstown Guided Expeditions is an adventure company with a difference - offering private, customised tours departing from Queenstown, New Zealand. Explore the extraordinary landscape of Central Otago, learn the history of Queenstown, or take in the local art scene while sipping on the finest pinot noir, all from the comfort of a luxury 4x4 with your own knowledgeable driver-guide.

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