- 1Four operators run quad and off-road rides near Queenstown: Off Road Adventures, Nomad Safaris, Oxbow Adventure Co in Gibbston and The Cardrona on the Wānaka side of the Crown Range.
- 2Minimum ages differ: 6 for Off Road Adventures' kids' session with a parent riding, 14 for its Above the Skyline quad tour, and 16 at Nomad Safaris and for The Cardrona's Mountain Experience.
- 3Quads need no driver licence and carry one rider each; Off Road Adventures' self-drive buggies need a full licence and a driver aged 18 or over.
- 4Prices change, so check current prices with the operator; Off Road Adventures prices its buggies per buggy, not per person.
01 / Short answer
ride a quad, a buggy or a passenger seat near Queenstown
Can you go quad biking in Queenstown? Yes. Off Road Adventures says its private 650 acre park is about 5 minutes from town, Nomad Safaris rides on Queenstown Hill station, Oxbow Adventure Co runs a passenger off-roader in Gibbston, and The Cardrona runs quad tours on the Wānaka side of the Crown Range. The real choice is who in your group can ride: ages, licences and the number of riders per machine differ by operator, so start with those rules.
02 / Compare the rides
Which quad or buggy ride suits my group?
| Ride | Who can ride | Licence and rules |
|---|---|---|
| Off Road Adventures: Above the Skyline quad tour | Riders 14 and over; about 1 hour of riding. | No licence; one rider per quad; minimum 2 riders; card on file for a security bond. |
| Off Road Adventures: kids' family quads | Children 6 to 13 on 50cc or 90cc quads; about 45 minutes. | At least one parent or guardian must ride too; watching only is not offered. |
| Off Road Adventures: Beyond the Skyline 4x4 quads | Experienced riders 18 and over; 2 hours. | Check the experience rules with the operator. |
| Off Road Adventures: self-drive buggy | Drivers 18 and over; passengers from 4; 1 hour of buggy time. | Full driver licence shown on the day; card bond; priced per buggy. |
| Off Road Adventures: guide-driven buggy | Passengers from 4; 1 or 2 hour options. | No licence, no bond and no driving. |
| Off Road Adventures: quad and buggy combo | From age 6, with a paying adult; 30 minutes on each. | Quad time is on the training ground. |
| Nomad Safaris: Queenstown Hill quads | Riders 16 and over; about 2 to 2.25 hours on the quads. | Good English; a credit or debit card at check-in. |
| Oxbow: Ultimate Off-Roader | Passengers at least 1.2 metres tall; a 15 minute ride. | Oxbow's driver drives; pregnant women cannot ride. |
| The Cardrona: Mountain Experience | Riders 16 and over; 2 hours. | One rider per quad; minimum group of 2 riders. |
03 / Ages and licences
What are the age and licence rules for quad biking in Queenstown?
These are each operator's own rules, read on their sites.
- Children
Off Road Adventures takes children 6 to 13 on smaller quads, with at least one parent or guardian riding a 250cc quad. The Cardrona's River Run is a 1 hour family ride for ages 6 and over, and it says under 6s can ride as passengers in a 6 seat buggy driven by a guide.
- Teens and adults
Off Road Adventures' Above the Skyline tour starts at 14. Nomad Safaris and The Cardrona's Mountain Experience start at 16.
- Driver licence
Off Road Adventures says its quads need no licence because they run off road on private land. Its self-drive buggies need a full driver licence, NZ or international, and a driver aged 18 or over.
- English and fitness
Off Road Adventures asks quad riders for conversational English and to be physically fit and healthy. Nomad Safaris asks for a good command of English.
- Bonds and cards
Off Road Adventures takes a Visa or Mastercard for a security bond, charged only if there is damage. Nomad Safaris needs a credit or debit card at check-in. Check the amounts with each operator before you book.
- Solo riders
Off Road Adventures' quad tours need at least 2 riders, and it asks solo riders to contact it first. The Cardrona also sets a minimum group of 2 riders.
04 / Where they ride
Where do the quad bike tours ride, and how do I get there?
5 minutes
Off Road Adventures
Queenstown Hill
Nomad Safaris
Gibbston
Oxbow Adventure Co
Cardrona
The Cardrona
05 / Not driving
sit back if you would rather not drive
What if someone in your group does not want to drive? Book a passenger ride instead of a quad. Off Road Adventures' guide-driven buggies need no licence, no bond and no driving, take passengers from age 4, and ask only for minimal English. At Oxbow in Gibbston, the Ultimate Off-Roader is driven by Oxbow's own driver for a 15 minute ride.
06 / Weather and clothing
What should I wear, and do the tours run in rain?
- Clothes
Off Road Adventures asks for long trousers, closed-toe shoes and socks. Oxbow says enclosed shoes are essential. The Cardrona asks for closed-toe shoes.
- Gear provided
Off Road Adventures provides a helmet, goggles, gloves and wet weather gear. Oxbow provides protective outerwear. The Cardrona provides helmets and makes them mandatory.
- Sunglasses
The Cardrona says sunglasses can be worn only once your helmet is fitted.
- Rain and snow
Off Road Adventures says it runs all year, in rain, shine or snow, and may delay or cancel if conditions are unsafe. Oxbow says most activities run in rain, with a decision on the day. The Cardrona says it rides in all weather.
- Cancellations
Off Road Adventures sets its cancellation window by group size. Read the terms before you book.