Queenstown Day Tour: Arrowtown, Shotover Jet & Gibbston Valley

Five to seven hours of Queenstown's extremes: gold-rush history, jet-boat adrenaline, and world-class wine.

A full-day guided tour of Queenstown covering Arrowtown, Lake Hayes, Gibbston Valley and the Shotover Jet, with private transportation and a live English or Hindi-speaking guide. You walk the 19th-century cottages and Chinese Settlement of the historic gold-mining town, ride a jet boat through the Shotover River canyons at high speed, taste award-winning Pinot Noir in the region's largest wine cave, and return to Queenstown's lakefront for free time to explore at your own pace.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Queenstown and Surroundings

• Pick up in Queenstown
• Visit historic Arrowtown
• Ride the Shotover Jet
• Relax at Lake Hayes
• Wine tasting in Gibbston Valley
• Explore Queenstown city centre

Stops and time spent at each 2 stops

1. Lake Wakatipu 20m
2. Lake Wanaka 30m

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• bottled water.
• WiFi on board.
• live guide in English or Hindi.
• hotel pickup and return to Queenstown.

Times

• Every day No fixed time

Before you book

Group Private

Live guide English and Hindi

Audio guide English and Hindi

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included.

Ages Adult (2 and older) · Infant (under 2): free

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Stroller-friendly Infant seats available Pets welcome Public transport nearby Infants must sit on laps

Operated by Ultimate New Zealand Tours Limited

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Traveler reviews

5.00 ★★★★★ Exceptional 3 verified traveler reviews

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The experience

The day starts in Arrowtown, a short drive from Queenstown, where the gold rush of the 1860s left behind tree-lined streets and 19th-century cottages that still stand on Buckingham Street. You walk through the reconstructed Chinese Settlement, a village of humble huts built by miners who came seeking fortune, then follow the Arrow River if time allows: a quiet stretch where willows dip into the water and the stories of gold panners linger. The contrast between this preserved past and the modern resort town you'll return to frames the whole tour.

The Shotover Jet is the centerpiece: a jet boat that races through the dramatic Shotover River Canyons at high speed, performing 360-degree spins and weaving through narrow rock gorges with canyon walls just meters away. The turquoise water and sheer rock faces make the ride as visually striking as it is thrilling. After that intensity, Lake Hayes offers the opposite: still water that mirrors the surrounding mountains, a habitat for black swans and paradise ducks, and a place to breathe before moving on. The lakeside walk or scenic lookout gives you time to settle.

Gibbston Valley, known for Pinot Noir, brings you to a working winery with New Zealand's largest wine cave, where barrels mature in cool, atmospheric conditions. You taste award-winning vintages and learn how the region's unique climate and rocky hillsides produce some of the world's finest wines. The contrast of lush vineyards against dry, rocky slopes is the landscape itself. The day ends back in Queenstown's city centre, where you have free time to walk the lakefront, browse boutiques for New Zealand wool and greenstone jewellery, or eat at one of the local restaurants with views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Hindi.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 2): free.

What is the Shotover Jet ride actually like?

The Shotover Jet is a high-speed jet boat that races through narrow Shotover River canyons, performing 360-degree spins and weaving between rock walls just centimeters away. The ride is thrilling and the canyon scenery (turquoise water and sheer rock faces) is dramatic throughout.

Can I skip the jet boat and do the rest of the tour?

The tour includes the Shotover Jet as part of the itinerary, but you can confirm options for modifications when you book. Contact the operator directly about whether alternatives are available for that portion of the day.

How much time do I get to explore Arrowtown?

Arrowtown is your first stop after pickup from Queenstown. You walk the historic streets, visit the Chinese Settlement, and have time for the Arrow River Walk if the schedule allows, though the exact duration depends on the day's pacing and group size.

Is the wine tasting included, and what if I don't drink alcohol?

Wine tasting in Gibbston Valley is part of the tour. If you prefer not to taste, you can still visit the winery and its cave. Let the operator know your preference when booking so they can plan accordingly.

What is Lake Wakatipu, and why is it important to Queenstown?

Lake Wakatipu is an 80-kilometer glacial lake surrounded by mountain ranges like the Remarkables, and it is the geographic and cultural heart of Queenstown. According to Māori legend, it was formed by a giant's burning heart, and its waters shift color from deep sapphire to turquoise depending on light and season.

Will I have free time in Queenstown at the end of the day?

Yes, the tour ends in Queenstown's city centre with free time to explore the lakefront, shops, galleries, and restaurants at your own pace before your return to your accommodation.