The 14 Best Wanaka Day Trips from Queenstown

1.Cardrona High Country Pub Trail Horse Riding Trek (Intermediate+)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 261 reviews · from $365Our pick

Ride with a small group of up to seven through Cardrona’s mountain trails, a working cattle farm, and the Cardrona River. Guides such as Summer, Emily, Kelly, and Marley match horses to your ability, with trotting and cantering expected. Finish with a complimentary drink at the historic Cardrona Hotel.

“What an amazing ride. Our guide Summer managed a group of 6 whose riding skills ranged from none to experienced. She did a great job of keeping us together while telling us of the history of the area. Due to our group skill (or lack thereof) Read more”

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2.Arrowtown and Wanaka Highlights Tour from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 252 reviews · from $129Best value

Travel from central Queenstown to Arrowtown and Wanaka in a small group of up to 15. Your guide leads you over the Crown Range, stops at Cardrona Hotel and the famous bra fence, then gives you free time in Wanaka and Arrowtown. Guides including Murray, Chris, Brian, and Mazda are known for clear commentary and careful driving.

“We had a very nice time. Our guide Chris was very informative and took good care. He is very patient and humorous.”

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3.Cardrona Valley Mountain Quad Experience from Wanaka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 233 reviews · from $222

Join a guide such as Phoebe, Summer, Kelly, or Hannah for a two-hour 450cc quad ride through Cardrona Valley. You’ll learn the controls, cross bumpy mountain tracks, see old gold-mining sites, and stop for views between Mount Cardrona and the Pisa Range.

“First timer here. I brought my girlfriend and we had a blast on this ride! Summer and Holly are great guides, and the views along the ride were amazing! Would come back again”

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4.Gold Discovery Trail Horse Trek Cardrona – Most popular!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 151 reviews · from $309

Ride from Cardrona into the valley with a guide such as Phoebe or Val, learning basic horse control before crossing streams, climbing mountain lanes, and hearing gold-rush stories. Beginners are welcome, and groups are limited to seven riders.

“I don’t really write reviews but I’m making an exception for The Cardrona team as they were exceptional! The scenery was epic, and Phoebe kept us entertained with all funny anecdotes of the horse drama and the history of Cardrona. AngRead more”

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5.Arrowtown Wanaka Private Day Tour from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 88 reviews

Travel from Queenstown through Gibbston, Cromwell, Wanaka, Cardrona and Arrowtown in a private, air-conditioned vehicle. Your local guide handles the driving and shares regional stories, with free time in Wanaka and Arrowtown, fruit tasting, photo stops and a drink at the Cardrona Hotel.

“What a wonderful way to start a trip. Tour guide was very knowledgeable about the area and answered all my questions about New Zealand life. I would highly recommend.”

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6.Queenstown to Franz Josef via Wanaka Small Group Day Tour (1-Way)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 45 reviews · from $179

Leave Queenstown at 7:00 am for a 12-hour, one-way journey to Franz Josef with Cheeky Kiwi Travel. You’ll see Cardrona, Wānaka, Lake Hāwea, Blue Pools, Thunder Creek Falls, Ship Creek, Bruce Bay, and Lake Matheson, with lunch, snacks, water, and luggage space included.

“Hanna was so sweet and thoughtful.We were a family of three and thankfully the tour was not called off.West Coast is so beautiful and peaceful.Wanaka,was terrific and photogenic.There were many walking trails in Blue pools walk,Lake Mathson and absolutely loved the experience”

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7.Wanaka Private Day Trip from Queenstown: TravelnGo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews

TravelnGo takes up to four people from Queenstown to Wanaka and back on a private trip of about seven hours. Expect Lake Hayes, Arrowtown, the Crown Range, That Wanaka Tree, Cromwell, Kawarau Gorge, and optional food, wine, and walking stops with a local guide such as Vibhas.

“Superb trip and superb Guide Vibhas..So cool , he even customised this trip to our needs and even showed the extra spots not mentioned in the itinerary.. may your venture grow well guys .”

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8.Private Full Day Photo Tour of Queenstown | Skippers | Glenorchy | Wanaka |Otago

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $322

Aiste Photo Tours & Shoots takes one to four people through Queenstown, Arrowtown, Skippers Canyon, Glenorchy, and Wanaka in a private air-conditioned 4WD. You choose the focus, while local photographer Aiste helps with composition, timing, and camera settings.

“This review is long overdue, but I wanted to thank Aiste for a fabulous day of photography and sightseeing! Participating in a photo tour like this was a new experience for me, and I found it to be truly worthwhile – Aiste was incredibly helpful iRead more”

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9.Mt Aspiring Full Day Canyon ex Queenstown or Wanaka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $309

Travel from Queenstown or Wanaka to Makarora for 3 to 4 hours of guided canyoning in Mt Aspiring National Park. You will swim, scramble, slide, jump and abseil through an alpine canyon with a group of five or fewer. No prior canyoning experience is needed, but you must swim well and handle heights.

“This is an excellent activity!! Easily a top 5 activity i have ever done! I would highly recommend. You should have at least a moderate fitness level and be comfortable over various terrain, but no real experience needed. Brig, our guide, was amRead more”

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10.Private Transfers from Queenstown Airport to Wanaka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews

Book a private transfer between Queenstown Airport and your Wanaka accommodation. Your driver monitors your flight, meets you in the airport transfer pickup area, and drives you directly to your door. Ben, Graham, Warren, and other Wanaka Transfers drivers may handle the journey.

“Great service provided by Ben and great careful driving. Will do this again for door to door service especially at night”

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11.Cardrona First Timer Ski or Snowboard

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $160

Start your first snow day at Cardrona with an English-speaking instructor, rented skis or snowboard gear, a full day of beginner lessons, and return transport from Queenstown. You will also ride McDougall’s Chondola once, then ski a gentle green run or ride back down.

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12.Private Full Day Photo Tour of Queenstown | Skippers | Glenorchy | Wanaka |Otago

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $322

Spend about eight hours with Aiste, a local female photographer, in a private 4WD around Queenstown. Choose one or two longer drives, learn manual camera settings at your level, enjoy lunch and snacks, and receive 5 to 10 professional photographs.

“The Queenstown photo tour was an unforgettable experience. From the serene sunrise light over the lake to exhilarating drive through Skippers Canyon, every moment was picture perfect. I captured so many incredible shots and made lastinRead more”

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13.Private Transfer from Queenstown Central to Wanaka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews

Book a private transfer from central Queenstown to your Wanaka accommodation. Wanaka Transfers takes you over Crown Range Mountain Road and through Cardrona Valley in about 1 to 1.5 hours, using late-model cars, 4WDs, or larger vans for your group.

“Private transfer from Queenstown to Snow Farm NZ and drivers were great, nice, very informative and punctual - vehicle clean and spacious.”

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14.Private Transfer from Wanaka to Queenstown Airport

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews

Book a private Wanaka to Queenstown Airport ride for your group of up to two. Wanaka Transfers collects you at your accommodation, monitors your flight, and takes you directly to the terminal in about an hour. The service also handles airport-to-Wanaka trips and custom destinations.

“Amazing driver, had a great informative conversation and the ride was lovely! Would certainly recommend choosing a private group transfer.”

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