Top Queenstown Tours: Sightseeing & Cruises – What to do in Queenstown

Queenstown, right, that adventure capital nestled snugly in New Zealand’s South Island, maybe it has this magnetic pull on people. People are drawn in by its amazing scenery and that promise of pure excitement. We are going to see those awesome tours, sightseeing trips, and cruises that show you why it has that sort of rep. Maybe you’re looking for thrills, views that stretch forever, too its almost as if the tours around here have things that suit everyone.

1. Shotover Jet Boat Ride

So, if you are a bit of an adrenaline junkie, a must do really is the Shotover Jet Boat ride, because they say it is like the original jet boat adventure. Very, very close to Queenstown, too, its almost that it is like hurtling through narrow canyons at seriously high speeds; it becomes quite an awesome thrill. This is no calm boat trip, this is white knuckle all the way!

That is, those skillful drivers make use of some crazy maneuvers, narrowly avoiding hitting the rock faces. People very often will feel their hearts racing. What do people get? Besides that surge of adrenaline? That’s easy, a memory etched on their brain.

That Shotover Jet, because its been around since the ’60s, really is almost that its got to be considered a New Zealand icon, is that right? Because it mixes some of the amazing natural beauty of the Shotover River, right, with that kind of madcap invention of the jet boat, you know, it brings an intense ride. The area’s dramatic landscape adds plenty, its a kind of visual feast while you are going really quick. In a way, the tour operators put a big stress on being safe, in a way too, but then the overall thing feels really dangerous! Safe but scary, if you can imagine such a thing!

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2. TSS Earnslaw Vintage Steamship Cruise & Walter Peak Farm Tour

Because you fancy something different, you could, you know, chill out with the TSS Earnslaw Vintage Steamship Cruise paired with the Walter Peak Farm Tour. Imagine yourself gliding on this antique steamship over Lake Wakatipu, that almost makes a nice, relaxed contrast to a few of the high octane thrills on offer around these parts.

It is, very much a scenic cruise gives stunning views, seemingly all around, with those mountains and clear water that really reflect the light so wonderfully. Once you arrive, by the way, at Walter Peak High Country Farm, they show you a bit of farming life, that is if you like animals and seeing sheep shearing or even just enjoying those gardens. People like the food. At the Colonel’s Homestead Restaurant people can eat well while soaking up that view. Typically this type of tour blends relaxation with a tiny dip into New Zealand’s farming heritage.

The Earnslaw herself, so, really almost feels like stepping back in time, anyway, with her steam engines hissing, seemingly, too it’s almost like she brings you back into a bygone era. Arguably this cruise gives one of those gentle experiences to see those postcard scenes. Meanwhile that farm visit is very informative; this allows the tourists, it really does almost feel as if it lets the tourists experience rural life; it also allows people to connect with a bit of culture. They stress that conservation thing too, typically, with that farm committed to keeping those heritage buildings. What’s the main deal? Probably this blend of history, scenery, and cuisine.

Read our full review: TSS Earnslaw Walter Peak Farm Tour Full Review and Details

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3. Queenstown Skyline Gondola and Luge

Then that Skyline Gondola, with that Luge, arguably it could be just that classic Queenstown experience to take in those stunning views without hardly having to try. That gondola takes you really high above the town. Once up there you might find that 220 degree view is like no other around these parts. People say you will have photo opportunities for sure. Oh, and, by the way, there is the Luge.

People might want to whizz down that Luge track, that is by the way they steer these little carts down the hill! This allows for a little something very interactive for everyone, anyway, because that gondola and the Luge provide a bit of lighthearted fun, that may appeal to people of all ages.

Because that Luge offers various tracks for a few different skill levels, really is it, is that right? Very fun activity gives both gentle curves plus more exciting sections to accommodate people from small kids right up to, actually, well grown up thrill seekers, in fact. And the views from the top are just awesome; a thing people must see, as such they provide awesome viewing options so the scenery, almost, can be admired from several viewing platforms. You have options for refreshments so too you will find the cafe and restaurant mean it’s possible to enjoy food with that amazing scenery as a backdrop, and that always helps, alright?

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4. Milford Sound Day Trip

Because Milford Sound feels a bit remote, seemingly, in a way too, I feel as if those full day trips make seeing that place easy. You might find, actually, lots of bus tours that transport people from Queenstown to the fiord, and some can be rather luxurious with panoramic windows and information. While they are going you get to appreciate a few of the prettiest vistas this country provides. Once they are actually there people board a boat to cruise near cliffs and waterfalls.

Seemingly seeing Mitre Peak appear on that horizon feels amazing. Those cruise operators, often anyway, explain this geology or point out the local wildlife. People do tend to rate Milford Sound as one the best sightseeing experiences within New Zealand and people come away wowed.

During a long coach journey over, actually, there are photo opportunities, naturally. And this may include taking a break at places such as the Mirror Lakes to capture reflective scenery, by the way. That coach trip offers views as great as that end destination, is that it, is that right? Seemingly Milford Sound, that is carved out from glaciers, shows you just how rugged and raw New Zealand is, really, isn’t it? You will discover loads and loads of waterfalls too, right? They cascade down walls so this almost provides a kind of atmospheric, visual feast that stays with visitors long after they leave. Cruises often, by the way, get quite close to a few of the waterfalls giving the people on the boat a proper drenching should they wish to get really close! These cruises also allow visitors too to see wildlife so its really common to spot seals and penguins along those rocky outcrops.

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5. Queenstown Wine Trail

Now the Queenstown area, by the way, gives tourists options for experiencing wine, alright, around the Gibbston Valley, almost as if its an added bonus to the landscapes this place has to show off. Local wine tours, well they generally get you visiting a few vineyards while some guides fill tourists in regarding wine cultivation around this area. Those vineyard owners show you just how it tastes. Some tours will tag on some meals made with the local ingredients as well.

By tasting wine, with some brilliant panoramas right in the background, seemingly, these Queenstown wine tours cater for visitors who are not only after local tastes; maybe someone really is after beauty itself?

That central Otago region, seemingly well known as it is, typically it cultivates cool climate wines; this all seems set amongst these beautiful settings, actually anyway, alright, with various tours running the whole time. Visitors can experience, obviously anyway, that famous Pinot Noir along with great whites in wineries or boutique vineyards. Almost a standard tasting generally lets people try at least five or six local wines, very often with vineyard workers who really get to share a little about winemaking techniques too, you know. Many places go to the added effort of coupling this with those food options with food pairings becoming common. Almost needless to say wine and cheese goes amazingly well.

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