Queenstown: Hop-On Hop-Off Wine & Beer Tour, Small Groups

Summary

Wine flights beer tastings arrowtown strolls and lakeside stops

You’ll ride through Queenstown’s vineyards and breweries with a friendly local driver guiding you between tastings, cheese boards, and Arrowtown strolls. There’s space for spontaneous choices — whether you want pinot noir in a wine cave or just watch jet boats spin on Shotover River. Expect easygoing company, good food options if you’re not drinking, and that feeling of having nowhere else to be for once.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to laugh so much with strangers on a bus — but that’s how our hop-on hop-off wine tour in Queenstown started. Our driver, Pete (who seemed to know every shortcut and story in Central Otago), handed us a map and told us not to overthink the route. “Just follow your nose,” he grinned. So we did. The morning was cool and bright; you could smell the river air as we rolled past Shotover Jet — people screaming with delight as they spun on the water. I almost hopped off there, but wine was calling.

First stop for us: a microbrewery above the canyon, where the hops actually smelled grassy-fresh, not like bottled stuff back home. We shared a platter (cheese so creamy it nearly slid off my fork) and tried to decide if we’d go full wine snob or mix it up with beer. The best part? No pressure — the bus comes every 45 minutes or so, so you just wander out when you’re ready. At Arrowtown I got sidetracked by an old gold-mining lane and lost track of time poking around little shops and watching a couple of locals play lawn games near Ayrburn’s gelato stand.

Later at Gibbston Valley Winery, we ducked into their chilly wine cave for tastings (the pinot noir was earthy and somehow tasted like autumn). There were families with kids running on the grass outside, couples arguing gently about which bottle to buy — all sorts of people doing their own thing. Our group thinned out as some went for lunch at Mora Artisan Kitchen (I still think about that lamb pie), others braved a bungy jump at Kawarau Bridge. I just sat in the sun for a bit with my glass, listening to someone strum guitar nearby.

The whole day felt like drifting between scenes — sometimes lively, sometimes quiet. If you don’t drink, there’s plenty of food or even bowling; nobody judges either way. By evening my phone was full of blurry photos and I’d learned more about Otago wines than I expected (and probably butchered every vineyard name trying to say them right). Would do it again — though maybe next time I’ll actually try jet boating instead of just smelling river spray from the bus window.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hop on Hop off Wine and Beer Tour

• Start at Queenstown
• Visit Shotover Jet for jet boating
• Stop at Canyon Food & Brew micro-brewery
• Enjoy tenpin bowling in Queenstown
• Explore historic Arrowtown village
• Taste wines at The Winery Arrowtown
• Visit Rifters Tasting Room for gin
• Dine or relax at Swiftsure by Man O’ War
• Experience Ayrburn venue with wine flights
• Lunch or tasting at Mora Artisan Kitchen
• Visit Amisfield Restaurant and tastings
• Wine tasting at Nockies Palette cellar door
• Watch or book Kawarau Bridge Bungy jump
• Tour Gibbston Valley Winery and wine cave
• Stop at Gibbston Valley’s old Presbyterian Church cellar door
• Wine tasting at Mt Rosa wool shed
• Visit Waitiri Creek winery cellar door
• Sample wines at Brennan vineyard cellar door
• Enjoy Kinross boutique vineyard and bistro
• Relax at Gibbston Tavern with food and drinks
• Drink at The Crown Pub & Beer Garden
• Visit Frankton Arm lakeside pub
• Try beers at Altitude Brewing lakeside tap room

Top questions

How often does the hop-on hop-off bus run?

The bus visits each stop approximately every 45 minutes.

Is lunch included on this Queenstown wine tour?

No, lunch is not included but there are many eateries along the route where you can purchase food.

Do I need to book tastings in advance?

Some venues require bookings for lunch or large groups; most tastings are walk-in unless otherwise noted.

Can non-drinkers join this tour?

Yes, there are plenty of non-alcoholic activities such as jet boating, bowling, shopping, and food stops.

Is pickup included?

The tour includes pickup by air-conditioned vehicle from a central meeting point in Queenstown.

What is the group size limit?

The maximum group size is 8 travelers unless otherwise agreed upon in advance.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Yes; infants must sit on an adult’s lap and families are welcome at most stops.

Do I need to book each winery separately?

No; most cellar doors accept walk-ins except for larger groups or special lunch/tasting bookings as specified per venue.

What’s included

Your day includes comfortable transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with a knowledgeable local driver who shares stories along the way. You’ll get discounts at select wineries and breweries throughout Queenstown, Gibbston Valley, Arrowtown and more — plus maps to plan your own route between tastings or activities before returning whenever you’re ready.