Skippers Canyon 4WD Tour from Queenstown - Queenstown, New Zealand

Discover the beauty of Skippers Canyon on this half-day 4WD tour from Queenstown.

Leave behind the hustle and bustle of Queestown and travel 32 kilometers by 4WD to Skippers Canyon, enjoy short walks, stunning scenery and scrumptious homemade morning or afternoon tea.

You'll be picked up from your centrally located Queenstown hotel. Travel on Gorge Road, pass Arthurs Point Hotel, cross Edith Cavell Bridge following the miners route up towards Coronet Peak with great views over Wakatipu Basin.

Shortly after you reach the saddle at 975 meters (3199 foot) above sea level, the highest point of the journey, opening a first spectacular view of Mount Aurum and what still lies ahead of you. The 4WD vehicle continue to travel along Skippers Road past Hells Gate. Special points of interest are the Zoo of Rocks as well as the old Skippers Road on which the Goldminers used to travel. Travelling down you pass Castle Rock, Bus Scratch Corner and Welcome Home Pub - or better said, pass its remains.

Then on to Bells Hill which gives a second view of the richest River in the World - Shotover River. After passing the well named points of interest such as Pinchers Bluff, Devils Elbow and Deep Creek, the blue skies, the sun, and the River create memorable pictures.

Before heading back to Queenstown, the next stop is the picnic spot. Here everyone will enjoy a cup of coffee or tea with kiwi biscuits and home-made cheese served on crackers while sitting in comfortable chairs. The group can literally sit back and relax looking over the canyon.

For those who are interested in the movie spots of 'Lord of the Rings' this picnic spot will be of special interest, as you look down onto the location of this famous scene where Frodo can escape the Black Riders with the help of Arwen and the forces of the river.