ATV Riding in Queenstown: Quad Bike + Buggy Combo

Two machines, one afternoon: 30 minutes driving, 30 minutes riding the terrain.

This 90-minute combo in Queenstown pairs a self-drive quad bike session on a private 35-acre training ground with a guided buggy ride through the 650-acre Adventure Park. No licence or prior experience is needed. Your guide adjusts the quad bike portion to your level and then drives you through elevated terrain with views over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. Return transfers from central Queenstown, full safety gear, and complimentary photos are included.

The experience

What's the difference between driving an ATV yourself and riding as a passenger in one? This combo answers that by giving you both in the same afternoon. You start with 30 minutes on a quad bike in a dedicated 35-acre training area: no licence required, and the guide walks you through the controls and adjusts the pace to match your comfort. The trails are purpose-built, so you're learning on terrain designed for it, not figuring things out on the fly. Once you've built confidence on the quad, you swap into the passenger seat of a 1000cc Honda buggy and let your guide handle the real off-road work: climbs, corners, rugged sections across the 650-acre Adventure Park.

The buggy ride is where the landscape opens up. You'll reach elevated viewpoints above the Shotover River canyon with views across Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and Coronet Peak: the kind of vantage point you don't get from the road. Your guide stops for photos and handles the technical driving while you take it in. The whole session runs 90 minutes from the time you check in at the central Queenstown shop. Transfers out to the riding site and back to town are included, so you're not arranging transport or timing around anything else.

Full safety gear (helmet, goggles, gloves) comes with the package, plus wet weather gear if the day calls for it. The guide is there throughout both segments, coaching on the quad bike and narrating the buggy section. Children from age 6 are welcome, and the activity suits all fitness levels. The only requirement is conversational English to follow the safety briefing and the guide's instructions.

What’s included

• Self-drive quad biking on a private 35-acre training ground with guide instruction.
• 30-minute guided buggy ride through the 650-acre Adventure Park with panoramic viewpoints.
• full safety equipment including helmet, goggles and gloves.
• wet weather gear if required.
• return transfers from central Queenstown.
• complimentary photos from the session.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 15:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (14 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 13 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 5

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Off Road Adventures Queenstown Ltd.

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to try both driving and riding in one session without committing a full day: the 90-minute window and included transfers from town centre mean you can fit it between other plans. The shared group format keeps the cost down. If you prefer the quad bike or buggy alone, or want a private session, check for those options separately.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (14 to 17 years); Child (6 to 13 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

Can I ride the quad bike if I've never done it before?

Yes. The quad bike portion starts in a dedicated training area with a safety briefing and lesson on the controls. Your guide adjusts the session to your comfort level, so beginners build confidence on purpose-built trails before moving to the buggy ride.

What happens during the buggy ride part?

The buggy ride is 30 minutes with your guide driving a 1000cc Honda through the 650-acre Adventure Park. You sit as a passenger while the guide tackles climbs, corners, and rugged terrain, stopping at elevated viewpoints above the Shotover River canyon for views over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.

Do I need a driver's license to ride the quad bike?

No licence is needed. The quad bike is self-drive on a private training ground, but it's designed for beginners with no prior experience. Your guide provides instruction and adjusts the ride to your level.

What's included in the price?

The package includes both the quad bike and buggy ride, return transfers from central Queenstown, full safety equipment (helmet, goggles, gloves), wet weather gear if needed, and complimentary photos from the session.

How long is the whole experience?

The total time is 90 minutes: 30 minutes on the quad bike, 30 minutes in the buggy, plus check-in and the short drive to and from the riding site in Queenstown.