Overview
On our Arrowtown and Wanaka Platinum Full Day Tour you view bungy jumpers as they leap from Kawarau Bridge, which is the site of the Gates of Argonath in the Lord of the Rings Movies in New Zealand. Discover the vineyards of Gibbston Valley as well as learning about the history of Cromwell. Travel to Wanaka and the much photographed Cardrona Hotel, before crossing the crown Range back to Arrowtown and Queenstown.
Details
Start: Queenstown (9:10am)
Finish: Queenstown (about 5pm)
Includes:
- x4 historical gold mining locales: the Chinese settlement, Arrowtown, Cromwell and Cardrona
- A visit to one of the country’s most stunning formal gardens, and the chance to buy famous Central-Otago-grown fresh fruit (when in season)
- Morning tea stop in Cromwell at one of our favorite cafés.
- Free time in Wānaka – browse and shop in the picturesque town or enjoy lunch in one of the many great cafes
- Travel back in time to 1863 and enjoy a drink at New Zealand’s most photographed pub, the Cardrona Hotel
- Experience the breathtaking landscape of the Kawarau Gorge, Lakes Dunstan and Wānaka.
- Over 4 hours out of the tour vehicle taking in historic attractions and iconic scenery, including the Wānaka tree
- Also included: Morning refreshments in a cafe (light snack and espresso coffee, leaf tea or hot chocolate)
- Includes: Beer or non-alcoholic ginger beer at the Cardrona Hotel
Please Note
- Attractions like Puzzling World and the Lavender Farm are not available on this tour
- Tour will start around 9:10 am for pick-ups, and finish around 5:00 pm
Pricing:
Cost per person 2022-2023
- Adult: NZ$239
- Child 8-16 yrs: NZ$179
No children 7 years or under allowed on this tour
Currency ConverterOverview
On our Arrowtown and Wanaka Platinum Full Day Tour you view bungy jumpers as they leap from Kawarau Bridge, which is the site of the Gates of Argonath in the Lord of the Rings Movies in New Zealand. Discover the vineyards of Gibbston Valley as well as learning about the history of Cromwell. Travel to Wanaka and the much photographed Cardrona Hotel, before crossing the crown Range back to Arrowtown and Queenstown.
Lord of the Rings and the Bungy Bridge
The world’s pioneer in commercial bungy operation started in 1988 at the Kawarau Bridge, paving the way for Queenstown to earn the reputation as the “adventure capital of the world.” In this tour, begin your day with a view of this historic bungy bridge, taking a photograph of the structure and watching the excited crowd of bungy jumpers below.
In the Pillars of the Kings scene in the Lord of the Rings movie, the Gates of Argonath welcomed the fellowship. As you are in a real movie set, we will point out to you where the imposing gates once stood.
Gibbston Valley
We travel along the Kawarau Gorge and deeper into the Gibbston Valley where you will see vineyard after vineyard unfold as we drive past. While the landscape appears austere, it has proved suitable for growing the celebrated Pinot Noir grapes. We follow the gorge’s sinuous curve, putting you in the best spot to look down below at the rushing river, and eye the opposite banks for a smattering of gold-prospecting shacks perched on the rocks near the ancient goldmines.
Old Cromwell Town
We reach “new” Cromwell which you will understand better as we make our way around “Old Cromwell” and share to you its colourful history buried under the man-made lake and Clyde Dam in the distance – a dam that tore the town apart and transformed the landscape forever. Take a stroll beside charming shops and galleries, inspect the historical ruins left behind, and enjoy a classic morning tea with a hot beverage complemented by a cheese roll and a slice.
Maori traders and hunters were the first to walk upon Cromwell. European shepherds, gold prospectors and dam builders came next. As we make our way to our next destination, admire the rugged hills and the waters of the scenic Clutha River and Lake Dunstan.
Cardrona
Before continuing on, we stop at a local icon first, the much photographed Cardrona Hotel in Wanaka. Constructed in 1863, the hotel provided accommodation to gold prospectors and a venue for refreshment and rest for those traveling on the Crown Range Road. Today, Cardrona Hotel is one of the oldest pubs in New Zealand and perhaps the most popular – it’s often featured in international photographs. We take a break here and look around, and enjoy a well-deserved beverage (beer or soft drink) by the fire or in the beer garden. You earned it.
Arrowtown
Your tour finishes in the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown; a place discovered in the 1860's, firstly by European gold prospectors, and later by Chinese miners who tried their luck with what was left! Take a stroll past the tiny restored cottages owhere they lived, and walk down the main street of this beautiful small town with its historic buildings that will remind you of being on a movie set.
Cost per person 2022-2023
- Adult: NZ$239
- Child 8-16 yrs: NZ$179
No children 7 years or under allowed on this tour
Lord of the Rings and the Bungy Bridge
The world’s pioneer in commercial bungy operation started in 1988 at the Kawarau Bridge, paving the way for Queenstown to earn the reputation as the “adventure capital of the world.” In this tour, begin your day with a view of this historic bungy bridge, taking a photograph of the structure and watching the excited crowd of bungy jumpers below.
In the Pillars of the Kings scene in the Lord of the Rings movie, the Gates of Argonath welcomed the fellowship. As you are in a real movie set, we will point out to you where the imposing gates once stood.
Gibbston Valley
We travel along the Kawarau Gorge and deeper into the Gibbston Valley where you will see vineyard after vineyard unfold as we drive past. While the landscape appears austere, it has proved suitable for growing the celebrated Pinot Noir grapes. We follow the gorge’s sinuous curve, putting you in the best spot to look down below at the rushing river, and eye the opposite banks for a smattering of gold-prospecting shacks perched on the rocks near the ancient goldmines.
Old Cromwell Town
We reach “new” Cromwell which you will understand better as we make our way around “Old Cromwell” and share to you its colourful history buried under the man-made lake and Clyde Dam in the distance – a dam that tore the town apart and transformed the landscape forever. Take a stroll beside charming shops and galleries, inspect the historical ruins left behind, and enjoy a classic morning tea with a hot beverage complemented by a cheese roll and a slice.
Maori traders and hunters were the first to walk upon Cromwell. European shepherds, gold prospectors and dam builders came next. As we make our way to our next destination, admire the rugged hills and the waters of the scenic Clutha River and Lake Dunstan.
Cardrona
Before continuing on, we stop at a local icon first, the much photographed Cardrona Hotel in Wanaka. Constructed in 1863, the hotel provided accommodation to gold prospectors and a venue for refreshment and rest for those traveling on the Crown Range Road. Today, Cardrona Hotel is one of the oldest pubs in New Zealand and perhaps the most popular – it’s often featured in international photographs. We take a break here and look around, and enjoy a well-deserved beverage (beer or soft drink) by the fire or in the beer garden. You earned it.
Arrowtown
Your tour finishes in the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown; a place discovered in the 1860's, firstly by European gold prospectors, and later by Chinese miners who tried their luck with what was left! Take a stroll past the tiny restored cottages owhere they lived, and walk down the main street of this beautiful small town with its historic buildings that will remind you of being on a movie set.
