- 1For a guided day, Remarkable Scenic Tours' small group Arrowtown & Wānaka Highlights Tour is from NZ$199 an adult, leaving central Queenstown at 10:00am and returning around 4:20pm, over the Crown Range with a drink at the Cardrona Hotel and about an hour each in Wānaka and Arrowtown.
- 2For your own vehicle and guide, Remarkable Scenic Tours' private tours cost NZ$1,280 for up to 5 guests (about 6 hours, with Arrowtown) or NZ$1,700 for up to 5 (about 8 hours, more Wānaka time), with pick up from your Queenstown accommodation.
- 3On your own, SkyDrive's shuttle from Athol Street was from NZ$49 each way for one adult on a 2 December date; the 9:00am bus and the 4:15pm bus back are timetabled to leave about 5 hours 50 minutes in Wānaka (our arithmetic). Skydive Wānaka adds a Queenstown return transfer four days a week, NZ$399 for a 9,000 foot jump.
- 4Every price here was read on the operator's own website on 7 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
- Remarkable Scenic Tours' small group day over the Crown Range, 10:00am to around 4:20pm.
Check dates, pickup and inclusions on the booking page. We may earn a commission if you book.
01 / Compare
Which Wānaka day trip from Queenstown should I book?
| Operator and product | How you travel, total day and time in Wānaka | Operator price (7 Nov 2026) and, in our view, best for |
|---|---|---|
| Remarkable Scenic Tours: Arrowtown & Wānaka Highlights Tour | Small group in a European style van over the Crown Range, from a central Queenstown meeting point (no hotel pick ups). Total day: 10:00am to around 4:20pm. In Wānaka: About one hour of free time, plus the Wānaka Tree, time allowing; about an hour in Arrowtown too. | From NZ$199 an adult, NZ$120 for ages 6 to 16; an online booking fee is added at checkout. No children under six. Best for: A guided day at the lowest tour price. |
| Remarkable Scenic Tours: Arrowtown Wānaka Private Tour | Your own vehicle and guide, from your Queenstown accommodation, via the Crown Range, Cardrona, Wānaka and Arrowtown. Total day: About 6 hours, 10:00am to around 4:30pm. In Wānaka: Free time on the lakefront and at the Wānaka Tree. | NZ$1,280 for up to 5 guests, NZ$1,750 for 6 to 11. Best for: Families and small groups who want hotel pick up and their own pace. |
| Remarkable Scenic Tours: Wonders of Wānaka Private Tour | Your own vehicle and guide, from your Queenstown accommodation, via the Crown Range and the Cardrona Hotel; Arrowtown is not normally included. Total day: About 8 hours, 9:00am to around 5:00pm. In Wānaka: The most time of the tours here, with room for a paid attraction. | NZ$1,700 for up to 5 guests, NZ$2,300 for 6 to 11; a credit card fee applies. Best for: A full day in Wānaka itself. |
| SkyDrive: Queenstown to Wānaka shuttle | Scheduled shuttle from Athol Street to the Wānaka lakefront, four times a day each way, some via the Crown Range and some via Cromwell. Total day: 9:00am out and the 4:15pm back, both via the Crown Range, timetabled 9:00am to 5:40pm on 2 December. In Wānaka: about 10:25am to 4:15pm on the timetable, on your own. | From NZ$49 each way for one adult on a 2 December date. Best for: The lowest cost, with no guide. |
| Skydive Wānaka: tandem skydive with Queenstown return transfer | Transfer from the NZONE Skydive Centre, 35 Shotover Street, to Wānaka Airport, which it says takes about 1.5 hours; from 6.45am on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Total day: Allow up to 6 hours. In Wānaka: The airport and the jump, not the town. | NZ$399 (9,000 feet), NZ$489 (12,000 feet) or NZ$595 (15,000 feet), each with the transfer. Best for: A skydive over Lake Wānaka without a car. |
02 / Small group
What is a small group Wānaka tour from Queenstown like?
Remarkable Scenic Tours runs the one small group day tour from Queenstown to Wānaka compared here. Its page sets out a loop of the Crown Range, Cardrona, Wānaka and Arrowtown in roughly six hours.
- The road
It drives up the Crown Range, which it calls New Zealand's highest sealed road, and stops for photos at the summit. Its FAQ says the route crosses the Crown Range when conditions allow.
- The stops
A drink at the historic Cardrona Hotel (a local beer or a non alcoholic ginger beer, included), the Wānaka Tree, then about one hour of free time in Wānaka and about one hour in Arrowtown.
- Food
Lunch is not included. Remarkable Scenic Tours says there is time to buy food in Wānaka, and gives each guest a map of its favourite places to eat and shop.
- Getting there
Guests meet at a central Queenstown departure point and are dropped back there; there are no hotel pick ups. A minimum number of guests is needed for the tour to run.
- Children
Ages 6 to 16 travel at NZ$120. Remarkable Scenic Tours does not take children under six on this group tour.
03 / Private
Is a private Wānaka tour from Queenstown worth it?
In our view, yes for a family or a group of four or five, when the price is split and the pick up from your accommodation saves the walk to a meeting point. Remarkable Scenic Tours prices its private tours per group, not per person.
- Arrowtown Wānaka Private Tour
About 6 hours, 10:00am to around 4:30pm, with the Crown Range, Cardrona and the Bradrona fence, Wānaka, the Wānaka Tree, Arrowtown and its Chinese Settlement. NZ$1,280 for up to 5 guests, NZ$1,750 for 6 to 11 and NZ$2,200 for 12 to 18.
- Wonders of Wānaka Private Tour
About 8 hours, 9:00am to around 5:00pm, with more time in Wānaka and room for a paid stop such as Puzzling World, the Lavender Farm or a lake cruise. Arrowtown is not normally included, and the day can return via Cromwell. NZ$1,700 for up to 5 guests, NZ$2,300 for 6 to 11 and NZ$2,950 for 12 to 18. Remarkable Scenic Tours says a credit card fee applies.
- What is extra
Lunch and paid attractions are not included on either tour. A child seat costs NZ$60 on request, and extra touring time is charged on the day.
04 / Shuttle
Can I do a Wānaka day trip from Queenstown by shuttle?
Yes, if you are happy without a guide. SkyDrive, which is part of the Ritchies group, runs shuttles four times a day each way between Queenstown and Wānaka and suggests planning a return day trip. On 2 December its booking page showed buses from Athol Street at 9:00am and 2:30pm via the Crown Range (timetabled at 1 hour 25 minutes with stops) and at 11:00am and 4:40pm via Cromwell, and back from the Wānaka lakefront at 7:30am, 11:00am, 2:00pm and 4:15pm. Taking the 9:00am bus and the 4:15pm bus back leaves about 10:25am to 4:15pm in Wānaka on the timetable (our arithmetic), from NZ$49 each way for one adult. The fare is fixed when you book, and the ticket includes one checked bag and one small carry-on. SkyDrive strongly recommends booking ahead, as walk-ins are not guaranteed when the bus is full.
05 / Skydive
Can I skydive in Wānaka on a day trip from Queenstown?
Yes, on four days a week. Skydive Wānaka says that from 19 October 2026 it runs return transfers from the NZONE Skydive Centre at 35 Shotover Street, Queenstown, to Wānaka Airport, which it says takes about 1.5 hours, scheduled from 6.45am on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. It asks you to allow up to 6 hours for the whole experience. With the transfer, a 9,000 foot jump with up to 25 seconds of freefall is NZ$399, 12,000 feet with up to 45 seconds is NZ$489, and 15,000 feet with up to 60 seconds is NZ$595. Its FAQ gives a minimum age of 6, a minimum weight of 30 kg and a minimum height of 1.2 m, says children 12 and under can jump from no higher than 9,000 feet, and anyone 95 kg or more is assessed by a Tandem Master at the drop zone. This is a skydive day, not a look around town: the transfer goes to the airport.
06 / Weather
What happens if the weather turns or I cancel my Wānaka trip?
Lake Wānaka Tourism says snow chains must be carried on the Crown Range Road in winter, May to October, and that the drive can take much longer then. None of the operators we read publishes what it does when the Crown Range closes: SkyDrive also runs a route via Cromwell, and Remarkable Scenic Tours says its small group tour crosses the Crown Range when conditions allow. Each operator has its own weather and cancellation rules.
- Remarkable Scenic Tours
On its small group tour page it says the tour runs in most weather, that severe weather may change the itinerary, and that if conditions force a cancellation it will offer another date or a full refund. For other cancellations its FAQ says it may offer a different date, another option or a refund in line with the booking terms. The terms document linked from its tour pages (it does not show a date) keeps 15% if you cancel a day tour 7 days or more out, 50% at 6 to 3 days and 100% at less than 2 days; its FAQ says to check the terms shown when you book.
- SkyDrive
If SkyDrive cancels, you can reschedule or get a full refund. If you cancel up to 24 hours before departure you get 80% back; inside 24 hours there is no refund, but you can reschedule online up to 1 hour before departure.
- Skydive Wānaka
Does not jump in strong wind or full cloud. If weather cancels the skydive it will try to rebook you, and if that is not possible you can ask for a full refund. Cancelling yourself is free up to 24 hours before departure; inside 24 hours the fee is 100%.
- 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.
07 / Decide
How do I choose a Wānaka tour from Queenstown?
- Lowest cost
SkyDrive, from NZ$49 each way, if you are happy to plan your own day in Wānaka.
- A guide at a group price
Remarkable Scenic Tours' Arrowtown & Wānaka Highlights Tour, from NZ$199 an adult, if your children are six or older and you can reach central Queenstown.
- Your own pace
The 6 hour Arrowtown Wānaka Private Tour for both towns, or the 8 hour Wonders of Wānaka Private Tour for more time in Wānaka.
- Adrenaline
Skydive Wānaka with the Queenstown transfer, on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Sunday, booked early in your stay so a weather day can move.
- Winter
In our view, a tour or shuttle takes the Crown Range chains question off your hands; check with the operator how it handles a road closure before you book.