QUEENSTOWN
Lake, mountains, and everything in between.
The 15 most popular cruises & boat tours in Queenstown. What each day is really like, who runs it, and what you will pay.
Cruise Lake Whakatipu to Walter Peak for a wood-fired gourmet BBQ buffet, colonial farm setting, and a sheep-dog show.
Most Popular“Wonderful trip across the lake on the steamer. Fantastic buffet lunch at the homestead, followed by an entertaining sheep shearing and sheep dog show. Great day out made even better by glorious sunny weather! Would definitely recommend”
A high-speed small-group jet boat on the Shotover River: rapids, tight canyon walls, and full 360 spins from Queenstown.
“Loved the experience, well run, nice captain with a great sense of humour and gave us extra loops qhile we where waiting for the second boat. Would highly recommend this experience”
Small-group Milford Sound day from Queenstown with a premium van, picnic lunch, and a 1hr 45min cruise with wildlife and waterfalls.
“Length of drive, clothes to wear. Mcamy was great and very informative. Lots of toilet stops and a really great day out. A must.”
Fly from Queenstown to Milford Sound, cruise the fjord by boat, then return by air for more alpine views in about 4.5 hours.
“What a fabulous way to spend an afternoon. The booking process was very easy and there were regular updates throughout the time before the tour. Confirming the weather on the day was also easy. As for the flight and cruise itself, absolutely magnificent. Flying over snow capped mountains, seeing lush green valleys and through steep…”
1-hour jet boat from Queenstown’s Main Town Pier across Lake Wakatipu, then the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers with 360° spins.
“exciting, adrenaline filled and memorable..we absolutely loved it”
Coach from Queenstown to Milford Sound with glass-roof views, key photo stops, and a 2-hour cruise led by nature guides spotting seals and waterfalls.
“Was a great tour and the driver Deanne was excellent”
Queenstown to Milford Sound by plane and boat in 5 hours with guaranteed window seats, a 2-hour cruise past Mitre Peak and waterfalls.
“Milford Sound from the air is absolutely unforgettable. I was blessed with perfect weather on the day of my visit, and taking the plane was definitely the right choice. The aerial views were truly breathtaking, even more so than the cruise, and the whole experience was very efficient and smooth. I highly recommend this to…”
Queenstown’s 90-minute Lake Wakatipu scenic cruise with live captain commentary, great photo stops, and a warm cabin option.
“Relaxing, informative and entertaining. Excellent value for money. A very friendly and welcoming captain and assistant.”
Ride the historic coal-powered TSS Earnslaw on a 90-minute Lake Wakatipu cruise from Queenstown, with engine-room access and views.
“Great experience on steam powered ferry boat. Beautiful day and well preserved boat. Even see stokers shovelling coal to the boilers. Sorry we didnt do the meal experience as venue is magnificent viewed from ferry deck”
Extreme jet boat on Queenstown’s Shotover River with up to 90 km/h speed, 360 spins, and canyon thrills plus optional roundtrip shuttle.
“It was a fun experience! It includes a good mix of thrill and getting to view the scenery. Be warned that the wind is quite fast and cold, so dress warm and maybe wear a ski mask if you are sensitive to fast winds. We got to do a lot of fun 360s and the…”
Steamship ride across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak for a farm BBQ lunch, sheep-shearing show, and lakeside views.
“Get there early to queue up boarding, in order to get a good seat, near an open window as the steam engine heats the top enclosed deck.”
Cruise Lake Whakatipu by steamer or catamaran, then tour Walter Peak Farm for animal shows and afternoon tea.
“Enjoyed the tea. It was great they could accommodate our dietary needs. The tour of the farm, and the show comprising of the sheep shearing and sheep dog was interesting. We also had great views of the mountains on the cruise. Just a tad sad the TSS Earnslaw was under maintenance so we could not…”
Milford Sound Coach and Cruise from Queenstown is a 12-hour day trip with hotel pickup, lunch, and a catamaran cruise through Piopiotahi.
“This is a long bus ride with several stops for a "Kodak" moment. Restroom stops are approximately 2 hours apart, so be aware. There is a toilet on the bus. Overall this was an enjoyable and memorable trip. Kudos to the driver, Brian, for getting there and back safely.”
Ride Skippers Canyon Road then blast up the Shotover River on a jet boat with 360-degree spins, views, and LOTR scenery.
“Don’t book a jet boat ride with any other company in Queenstown - this is more that just the jet boat ride! Brilliant 4WD trip out to skippers canyon on skippers road before an exhilarating boat ride up the river and back. Super fun trip out - would 100% recommend”
Fly from Queenstown to Milford Sound, cruise UNESCO fjords with lunch, then return by air. Fast, scenic, and well run.
“Antony was a calm and reassuring and great tour guide! We had a wonderful time. Well worth the cost!”
From the lake to the fiord, every way to fill a day.
