Arrowtown and Wanaka Highlights Tour from Queenstown
Description
Discover Wānaka, Arrowtown and the spectacular Crown Range on a relaxed small-group day tour from Queenstown. Travel with a knowledgeable local driver-guide through dramatic mountain scenery, stopping at a Crown Range viewpoint and the historic Cardrona Hotel, where a beer or non-alcoholic ginger beer is included. Continue to Wānaka for time beside the lake, including a visit to the famous Wānaka Tree, before exploring the gold-rush village of Arrowtown at your own pace. With scenic stops, local commentary and free time in both Wānaka and Arrowtown, this tour is ideal for travellers who want to see more of the region without hiring a car or navigating mountain roads themselves. Please note: Not suitable for children under 6 years old.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Travel across New Zealand’s highest sealed main road, with a scenic stop overlooking the Wakatipu Basin and surrounding mountains. Photo stops depend on weather and road conditions.
Visit one of New Zealand’s most historic hotels and enjoy an included beer or non-alcoholic ginger beer. There is time to explore the garden and photograph the heritage building. Take photos of the legendary Bra fence.
Stop beside Lake Wānaka to see one of the region’s best-known landmarks, framed by the lake and surrounding mountains.
Enjoy free time to walk along the lakefront, browse local shops or purchase lunch from one of Wānaka’s cafés and restaurants.
Explore Arrowtown’s historic main street, boutique shops and gold-rush heritage. Guests can also visit the Chinese Settlement or walk beside the Arrow River.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- We require minimum numbers to run this tour, please reconfirm 18 hours before start time
- Minimum drinking age is 18 years
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Sorry no children under six
- You need to waiting 10 minutes before start time at pick up point.
Reviews(285)
It’s simply a remarkable scenic tour. If you love mountains, lakes and quaint little towns this is the trip for you and if you are lucky enough to have Bill as your driver you will be entertained with his impressive knowledge of the area delivered with a twist of humour. We thoroughly enjoyed this trip.
We had an amazing day trip to Wanaka and Arrowtown. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking, with stunning mountain views and beautiful lakes around every corner. Wanaka was peaceful and picturesque, while Arrowtown was full of charm, history, and gorgeous autumn-like streets. We had plenty of time to explore, enjoy the local cafés and shops, and take in the relaxed atmosphere. It was the perfect way to experience two of New Zealand’s most beautiful destinations in one day. Highly recommend this trip to anyone visiting Queenstown.
Amazing tour that started on time and ended on time. Bill was so knowledgeable of the area and we were very much entertained all throughout the tour. The stops were also very beautiful and it did not feel rushed. 100% will recommend to our friends!
Highly recommended! We were on the Arrowtown and Wanaka Highlights Tour from Queenstown last Friday, 26 June 2026. This tour was on time and did not feel like we were being rushed. Bill, who was our tour guide and driver, was incredibly knowledgeable, entertaining and respectful of everyone. My parents, my wife and I all enjoyed this tour. Would recommend the Remarkable Scenic Tours to my friends, 100%!
The tour very conveniently delivers exactly as described in the itinerary. Our guide gave knowledge and insightful commentary of the surrounding areas as we were driving place to place. Just know that when at the places, it is more of an explore on your own time kind of experience, which is perfectly fine. The tour started with a beautiful photo stop at the Crown Range followed by a brief complimentary drink stop at the Cardrona hotel. Afterwards was a photo stop at #ThatWanakaTree followed by free time at Wanaka, then directly to some more free time at Arrowtown. Overall, the tour meets the expectations and gives a good opportunity to experience more of the South Island.
Great for solo travellers who want to visit Arrowtown and Wanaka in a single day, our driver/guide was very knowledgeable and had some great facts about New Zealand
Brian was an amazing and knowledgeable tour guide, recommend this tour, great day out with lots of sites packed into a super comfortable bus and interesting commentary.
Great experience with skilled, knowledgeable driver. Good pace. Able to spend time in each location. Would recommend.
The tour was lovely with just the right amount of time spent in each spot. We lucked out with a sunny autumn day which made time spent at the lake delightful.
Being able to visit Wanaka & Arrowtown on the same day was an amazing experience. Both places are breathtaking, even more in Autumn. We even got lucky with the weather. What I really enjoyed with this tour is that we were traveling with a small van to all the spots, it was very confortable and we also had some free time in some locations as well. Thank you to Remarkable Scenic Tours for the lovely day. I will remember it for a long time! If you are short on time, this is the tour for you.
