- 1For one big thrill, Shotover Jet is NZ$199 an adult for a ride of about 25 minutes, the Shotover Canyon Swing is NZ$309 for a solo swing, NZONE Skydive is from NZ$379 for a 9,000 feet tandem jump, and Skytrek's summer tandem paraglide from Coronet Peak is NZ$369.
- 2For an easier few hours, Skyline Queenstown's gondola with three luge rides is NZ$99 an adult, and RealNZ's 90 minute TSS Earnslaw cruise showed NZ$129 an adult on its booking page for 10 November.
- 3For half a day out of town, Queenstown Wine Trail's Original Wine Tour is from NZ$229 per person for three Gibbston wineries, and Nomad Safaris' Glenorchy Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour showed NZ$315 an adult on its booking page, for 4.25 hours.
- 4Every price here was read on the operator's own website or booking page on 8 November 2026. Prices change, so check before you book. The booking cards on this page show the current booking price, which can differ from the operator's own published price and specials.
Tours that fit this guide
- NZONE's tandem skydive over the Wakatipu basin; NZONE asks you to allow 3 hours.
- RealNZ's 90 minute TSS Earnslaw steamship cruise on Lake Whakatipu.
- A 60 metre freefall from a cliff platform, then a swing; the operator says allow 2.5 hours.
Check dates, pickup and inclusions on the booking page. We may earn a commission if you book.
01 / Compare
Which paid activity in Queenstown should I book?
| Activity, operator and product | How long, and what you do | Operator price (8 Nov 2026) and our pick |
|---|---|---|
| Jet boat: Shotover Jet ride | About 25 minutes through the Shotover River canyons, with 360 degree spins and speeds of up to 90 km/h. Check in 30 minutes before at the river base at Arthurs Point; trips from 9.30am (one Shotover Jet page says 10am) until 4pm. | NZ$199 an adult, NZ$109 a child aged 5 to 15. Our pick for: A short, fast thrill the family can share. |
| Gondola and luge: Skyline Queenstown, Gondola + 3 Luge Rides | The gondola climbs to Bob's Peak above town; the luge is a 1,600 metre track of banked corners and tunnels, with a chairlift back up. Arrive at the gondola base 45 minutes before your luge session. | NZ$99 an adult, NZ$68 a child; the gondola alone is NZ$69 an adult. Our pick for: Views and an easy thrill for most ages. |
| Lake cruise: RealNZ, TSS Earnslaw cruise | A 90 minute cruise on Lake Whakatipu aboard a coal fired steamship in service since 1912, with the engine room open to visitors. The Walter Peak Farm Tour adds the farm and takes about 3 hours 30 minutes with the return cruise. | NZ$129 an adult (16 and over) on its booking page for 10 November; the Walter Peak Farm Tour is from NZ$139. Our pick for: A slow, scenic outing for any age. |
| Canyon swing: Shotover Canyon Swing, solo | A 60 metre freefall from a cliff platform above the Shotover River, then a swing; you pick your jump style on the platform. Transport from 34 Shotover Street. About 2 hours, but the operator says allow 2.5. | NZ$309 solo, NZ$379 solo with photos and video, NZ$618 for a tandem of two. Our pick for: The biggest fright in the shortest time. |
| Skydive: NZONE Skydive, tandem | A tandem jump over the Wakatipu basin, landing at a drop zone at the base of The Remarkables, 20 minutes from its Shotover Street centre. Up to 25 seconds of freefall from 9,000 feet. NZONE asks you to allow 3 hours. | From NZ$379 at 9,000 feet, from NZ$469 at 12,000 feet and from NZ$575 at 15,000 feet. Our pick for: The widest view, if the weather lets you jump. |
| Paragliding: Skytrek, Queenstown Summer Paragliding | A tandem flight with a pilot from Coronet Peak; flights average 10 to 20 minutes. Summer flights run October to early May, every 1.5 hours from 9am to 7.30pm, from 45 Camp Street. Plan 2 hours in summer. | NZ$369. Our pick for: A calm flight with a view, rather than a fall. |
| Wine tour: Queenstown Wine Trail, The Original Wine Tour | Hosted tastings at three Gibbston wineries, with time for a winery lunch at your own cost. 11:40am to 5pm, at most 14 guests, with pick up from central Queenstown or selected accommodation. | From NZ$229 per person. Its Central Otago Wine Tour, four wineries with lunch included, is from NZ$299. Our pick for: Adults who want an afternoon off their feet. |
| Film locations: Nomad Safaris, Glenorchy Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour | By 4WD along the lake to Glenorchy and Paradise, to filming locations for Isengard, Lothlórien and Amon Hen, with a 15 minute return walk, costumes and props, and morning or afternoon tea. 4.25 hours, leaving 8:00am or 1:30pm. | NZ$315 an adult (15 and over) on its booking page. Our pick for: Film fans, and anyone who wants the Glenorchy road with a guide. |
02 / Thrills
Which Queenstown thrill activity should I choose?
In our view, pick by the kind of thrill you want: speed, a fall, height or a quiet flight. The Canyon Swing, NZONE and Skytrek check in or collect you in central Queenstown. Shotover Jet checks in at its Arthurs Point river base, with a free town shuttle for some departures.
- Speed: Shotover Jet
Shotover Jet says it is the only company permitted to operate in the Shotover Canyons, in boats designed specifically for them. Life jackets are provided and mandatory, and you can use lockers for your belongings. It asks you to leave handheld cameras behind; action cameras on a head strap are allowed.
- A fall: Shotover Canyon Swing
The freefall lasts about 4 seconds before you swing for up to a couple of minutes and are winched up. There is no bounce; the fall turns smoothly into the swing. You can go solo or tandem, and change between them at check in.
- Height: NZONE Skydive
Three heights are on offer, with up to 25, 45 or 60 seconds of freefall, a 15 to 20 minute flight up and 3 to 5 minutes under the parachute, by NZONE's figures. Transport from its Queenstown centre to the drop zone is included in the price.
- A flight: Skytrek paragliding
Skytrek flies tandem from Coronet Peak, which it calls the highest commercial take off in New Zealand, with a free shuttle from town. If conditions suit, the pilot may let you take control for a while, and acrobatics near the end are your choice.
03 / Easy days
What can I book in Queenstown without an adrenaline rush?
Four of the eight need no head for heights or speed. In our view they make the slower half of a stay.
- Skyline gondola and luge
The gondola gives views of The Remarkables, Coronet Peak and the town from Bob's Peak. Only your first luge ride has to fall within your 30 minute session; the rest can be used the same day, but not on another visit.
- TSS Earnslaw
RealNZ says the cruise suits all ages and runs regularly through the day from Steamer Wharf, 88 Beach Street. The steamship reaches Walter Peak in 45 minutes, where the Farm Tour adds a sheepdog demonstration and afternoon tea in the woolshed (the Farm Tour also runs on the Spirit of Queenstown).
- Wine tour
Queenstown Wine Trail's itineraries change daily, so the wineries are not fixed in advance. Its Central Otago Wine Tour takes at most 8 guests to four wineries in Gibbston, Cromwell and Bannockburn, from 10:45am to 5pm, with lunch and tastings included.
- Lord of the Rings in Glenorchy
Nomad Safaris visits filming locations, not sets, which it says were removed after filming. Its standard tour takes up to 6 guests in each 4WD; walking is limited to an easy 15 minute return trail, and you can stay near the vehicle at any stop.
04 / Limits
What are the age, height and weight limits for Queenstown activities?
These are each operator's own published rules, read on 8 November 2026. Ask the operator if you are near a limit.
- Shotover Jet
Minimum height 1 metre, which it may raise to 1.2 metres in some river conditions. Children 10 and under ride with a fare paying adult aged 16 or over. There is no weight limit, but you must fit a life jacket. It does not recommend the ride if you are pregnant.
- Skyline luge
Children ride alone from 6 years old and 110 cm tall. From 2 years old and over 85 cm, they can ride in tandem with a responsible adult. Footwear must be worn.
- TSS Earnslaw
Open to all ages. On the booking page children aged 5 to 15 were NZ$64 and infants aged 0 to 4 were NZ$5, each booked with at least one adult. Moving between decks is by narrow stairs only.
- Shotover Canyon Swing
Minimum age 10. A parent or guardian must come along for ages 10 to 13 and sign the form for ages 14 and 15. No minimum weight, but you must fit the harness; the maximum combined weight is 210 kg. Not suitable for expectant mothers.
- NZONE Skydive
From 6 years old, at least 40 kg and 1.2 m tall, with every child assessed on the day. Children 12 and under jump from no higher than 9,000 feet. Anyone 95 kg or over is assessed by a Tandem Master at the drop zone. Its terms add that weight limits vary by drop zone and by day, with a maximum of 110 to 115 kg at most drop zones.
- Skytrek
Maximum weight for paragliding is 120 kg, falling to 110 kg in April and May, including clothes and shoes. Over the limit at check in means no flight and no refund. Its pages, read on 8 November 2026, give no minimum age.
- Queenstown Wine Trail
No children, meaning 17 and under, on its daily small group tours; they can join private tours. Bring a New Zealand driver licence (overseas licences are not accepted), a physical passport or a Kiwi Access or HANZ 18+ card, as wineries may refuse a tasting without one.
- Nomad Safaris
Its booking page prices adults from 15, children aged 5 to 14 at NZ$165, and infants aged 0 to 4 at no charge. Its tour page FAQ gives different bands (infants 0 to 3 free, children 4 to 14), so check a 4 year old's fare with Nomad Safaris.
05 / Weather
What happens if the weather stops my Queenstown activity?
RealNZ notes that Queenstown's alpine weather can be changeable. Each operator has its own rules.
- Shotover Jet
Runs every day except Christmas Day, weather permitting, including in light rain. Heavy rain or flooding can postpone or cancel trips; if it cancels, you get a full refund or a free reschedule.
- Shotover Canyon Swing
Operates in all weather, every day of the year except Christmas Day. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund.
- NZONE Skydive
Very weather dependent. It advises booking the first available slot of your holiday and keeping a back up day free; if it cannot rearrange your jump, you get a full refund. Cancelling up to 24 hours before costs nothing.
- Skytrek
Check the Flight Status on its website an hour before check in; it is generally updated before 8am. Cancelling more than 48 hours out is free, 48 to 24 hours costs 50%, and inside 24 hours the full price.
- Skyline
Hours may vary with weather, maintenance or construction. If the luge closes for weather during your session, your ticket moves to the next available session. Some areas are reached by scaffolding during site upgrades.
- Wine and Glenorchy tours
Queenstown Wine Trail may cancel for weather and refunds in full if you cannot reschedule. Nomad Safaris says weather, river levels and road or track conditions can change the itinerary.
- Booked through a link here
A tour booked through a link on this page has the terms shown on its own booking page, so read them before you pay.
06 / Plan
How do I fit several Queenstown activities into one summer stay?
Book the weather dependent ones first. NZONE advises taking the first available skydive slot of your holiday with a back up day free, and Skytrek posts its flight status each morning. Fill the gaps with activities that run in most weather: Shotover Jet in light rain, the Canyon Swing in all weather, and the TSS Earnslaw, which RealNZ schedules every day of the year outside its annual maintenance. Watch the clock on the long ones: Nomad Safaris' Glenorchy tour leaves at 8:00am or 1:30pm, the Original Wine Tour runs from 11:40am to 5pm, and NZONE asks you to allow 3 hours. In the week to 8 November, Skyline's gondola ran until 9:00pm, which leaves room for an evening ride after a full day. Queenstown Wine Trail is closed on all New Zealand public holidays, so check your dates over Christmas and New Year.