Skippers Canyon 4WD Tour (half day)
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Half-day heritage tour that follows the rugged and once treacherous Skippers Road. Travel the road that was hacked by hand into the sheer cliff sides of the Shotover River Valley. As your experienced guide navigates the awe-inspiring canyon, you can relax and enjoy numerous historic sites along the journey, including a century old suspension bridge and the township of Skippers. Gain an insight into the local heritage through photos and relics in the restored schoolhouse before trying your hand at gold panning.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
A maximum of 6 people per booking
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Light refreshments (tea, coffee, hot chocolate, fruit cake and cookies)
Gold panning
Selected Queenstown Hotel pickup and drop-off （Surrounding suburbs, Kelvin Heights, Frankton, Arthur's Point, Fernhill and others, by arrangement only
Transport by 4WD vehicle with your driver/guide
Gratuities
What To Expect
Travel along the rugged and treacherous Skippers road. As your guide navigates along this awe-inspiring canyon you will visit many historic sites such as the historic Skippers suspension bridge and the historic township of Skippers.
Visit the restored school house where you will gain a real insight into the local heritage through photos and histories of life in this tough environment.
Options
Skippers Canyon
Reviews
196 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Stunning scenery....
davidahwolf,
Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Stunning scenery. Different scenery than other tours. Learn history of a specific group of settlers.
Skippers Canyon 4 x 4
GregTowers1,
Nov 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fabulous trip with friendly and informative drivers. This was my second time in Skippers Canyon with Nomad Safaris and well worth it.
Fun guide makes fun trip!
Passport55891664075,
Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We only got to see the first quarter of the Skippers Canyon trip- there were several slips blocking the road and the swing bridge had been closed. But that didn't stop Justin from giving us an all out wonderful half day trip. We went as far as the road allowed- and based on that- we will have to return to Queenstown when the canyon road is fully open because it is beautiful and exciting! Justin more than made up for what we couldn't do by taking us to additional locations- lookout above Queenstown, Arrowtown and more. Justin was an absolutely fun guide- we even photo bombed a bride and groom getting photos made- and we laughed a lot. If you get Justin as your guide, he's a local treasure!
Bad Weather Fantastic Tour
Mike L,
Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The weather was horrible but the tour guide made it a fantastic time. Jenny was very informative, friendly, and knowledgeable and fun. Because of the bad weather and slips on Skipper's Canyon Road we could only drive part of it. Jenny made up for it with alternate routes. It was a great experience.
Stunning drive thru skippers canyon
GoPlaces262580,
Oct 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour guide/driver Hayden was very accommodating and knowledgeable. His extensive training was impressive and certainly comforting during a breathtaking but intense drive.
Awesome
Veronica S,
Oct 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nico was awesome. Let us take as many photos as we liked. Great small group of us and the weather held no rain. The land was great to see the historic trails. And the little adrenaline from the 200ft drop on the side of the road was healthy.
Amazing tour guide!! If you get motion sickness then I do not recommend
Companion36910088649,
Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Justin was an incredible tour guide! He is so knowledgeable about the area and has a great sense of humor. He also took great photos of us from all his years of experience (10 years at the time of writing this). He's very personable, warm, and friendly. And an amazing driver, too! The roads are extremely bumpy and dangerous, but he handled them like an absolute legend. If you get motion sickness, this is not the experience for you unless you have something like a Reliefband or other medication or supplements to help you through it. Highly recommend this trip though! Halfway through, he had tea and coffee and hot chocolate and snacks for us to enjoy!
Loved it
Y6490YAchriss,
Oct 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nick was great, he made an enjoyable scenic drive into a truly memorable day. With interesting stories and local info and hstory
Scary but worth it
407maureenf,
Oct 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Justin is a great guide, he knows so much about this area plus he is friendly and chats away with you on the not so interesting bits. He happily takes photos for you. Even though the ride can be scary Justin was very professional and we all felt safe with him
I was the only one on my tour and am so very happy they allowed this. Jordan was my guide, he was great
210loisb,
Sep 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had a wonderful morning in Skippers Canyon, what a wonderful memory to take home. I’m so glad I was driven on this exhilarating ride. I loved seeing New Zealand from this vantage. Jordan was a great guide
From NZ$306.67
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Operated by Nomad Safaris