Skippers Canyon 4WD Gold Heritage Tour

Journey deep into Queenstown’s gold-rush country on a four-hour 4WD adventure through the rugged landscapes of Skippers Canyon. Travel the historic canyon road high above the Shotover River, take in dramatic viewpoints, hear stories of the miners and families who once called this remote valley home, and try your hand at traditional gold panning at Deep Creek.

Where Queenstown’s Gold-Rush History Meets 4WD Adventure

The adventure begins as you leave Queenstown and climb towards the entrance to Skippers Canyon, with sweeping views across the Wakatipu Basin along the way. From here, the historic Skippers Road winds into a landscape of steep cliffs, rocky valleys and the Shotover River far below. Stops at scenic viewpoints provide time for photographs while your driver-guide shares stories of the pioneers, prospectors and mining communities drawn into this isolated country during the gold-rush era.

Gold mining may have transformed the canyon generations ago, but traces of that remarkable period can still be found throughout the landscape. See historic mining areas and learn about the scale of the operations that once took place here before stopping at Deep Creek for a hands-on taste of gold-rush life. With guidance and equipment provided, you can try traditional gold-panning techniques yourself — a fitting finale to a half-day journey combining Queenstown history, remote scenery and the adventure of travelling one of the region’s most memorable backcountry roads.