Skippers Canyon 4WD Adventure Tour
Get ready for one of New Zealand’s most thrilling off-road experiences with our Skippers Canyon Tour. This isn’t just a sightseeing trip — it’s an adrenaline-fuelled journey through one of Queenstown’s most iconic and dramatic landscapes.
Skippers Canyon Road is famous worldwide for its combination of breathtaking scenery and daring driving. Carved by hand into sheer cliffs during the 1800s, this narrow, winding track clings to the canyon walls, offering spectacular views over the turquoise waters of the Shotover River.
On this guided tour, you’ll travel in purpose-built 4WD vehicles designed for navigating this rugged terrain. Your experienced guide will bring the canyon’s history to life, sharing fascinating stories about the region’s gold mining past. The Shotover River was once the richest gold-bearing river in the world, and adventurous prospectors still try their luck today.
The tour takes you deep into the heart of Skippers Canyon, with multiple scenic stops for photos, short walks, and panoramic views of Queenstown’s alpine landscapes. Keep your camera ready — every corner reveals another jaw-dropping vista.
Expect plenty of thrills as your vehicle hugs cliff-edge tracks with sheer drop-offs, all under the watchful guidance of professionals who know every turn of this historic road. It’s the perfect combination of adventure, history, and scenery — a must-do for any visitor to Queenstown.
Please note: Access over Skippers Bridge is currently closed for long-term maintenance. Due to this, the schoolhouse and cemetery are also inaccessible. Tours now operate to permitted points within the canyon, with additional scenic and historical stops included.
Highlights
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Return transport from Queenstown in purpose-built 4WD vehicles
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Expert local guides with engaging commentary
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Fascinating insights into gold mining history with site visits
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Multiple scenic stops for photos and short walks
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Complimentary refreshments
Important Note
This is a rugged adventure tour and is not recommended for anyone uncomfortable with heights or narrow cliffside roads. Tours operate year-round in most weather conditions.
Supplier: Nomad Safaris
