Guided Walks Queenstown New Zealand
Queenstown Guided Nature Walks
will introduce you to the diversity of New Zealand's flora and
fauna, outstanding scenery, plus a wine and food tour option to
sample the flavors of Queenstown's Central Otago region.
All of these walks are selected for their natural
beauty, and will appeal to all those interested in nature, birds,
photography and magnificent landscapes.
All tours include pick up from accommodations and a
privately guided option if you do not wish to travel with a small
group.
Choose from;
Lakeshore,
Forest & Bird Half day
Walk and wine trail full day
(includes Lakeshore, Forest & Bird)
Miners Forest Retreat Half
day
Magical Trip to Paradise
Half day
Ultimate Nature Experience
(incl. Dart River Jet)
Lakeshore,
Forest & Bird Half day
The
'Lakeshore Forest & Bird' guided walk is a unique nature
interpretative experience taken at a leisurely pace through native
beech forest, with morning or afternoon tea/coffee on the
lakeshore to the sounds of native birdcalls and surrounded by
majestic mountains.
The track is good but uneven and winds around the lakeshore with
the option of a steeper climb to a lookout with magnificent views
in all directions.
This
half-day guided walk is most suited to a morning departure and is
our easiest walk. It combines the best of native flora and fauna
with magnificent lake and mountain views. Native birds are readily
seen and heard, in and around the edges of the forest.
DURATION: 3 to
4 hours (optional)
WALKING TIME:
2 to 3 hours (optional)
WALKING DISTANCE:
2 to 5kms (optional - easy walking)
TRACK:
Well-formed - flat surface - some steps
HIGHLIGHTS:
Spectacular lake and mountain views. Variety of bird life close at
hand and easy to view
This
is an excellent walk for people interested in birds and/or
photography, and has magnificent lake and mountain views.
Guided Nature Walk & Wine Tour
(8:00am to 5:00pm includes vineyard lunch)
A leisurely Lakeshore Forest & Bird guided
nature walk through a New Zealand native forest, followed by
Boutique Wine Tour through the boutique vineyards of Central
Otago.
Guided Nature Walks and
Appellation Central Wine Tours
have come together to bring you this exclusive full day tour where
you’ll see real drama in the scenery, hear the pristine silence of
the high country, savor the scent of pure clean air and feel the
pulse of the heart of Central Otago wine region.
GUIDED NATURE WALKS ‘LAKESHORE FOREST AND BIRD’
This morning walk takes in a part of the old bridle path; all but
forgotten and only known to a few locals. It is our easiest walk &
combines the best of native flora and fauna with magnificent lake
and mountain views. Native birds are readily seen and heard in and
around the edges of the forest.
Walk start/finish: 8am to midday daily (all
year)
Walking time: 2 to 3 hours (optional)
Walking distance: 2 to 5kms (optional - easy walking)
Track: Well-formed - flat surface - some steps
Highlights: Spectacular lake and mountain views
Variety of bird life close at hand and easy to view
Then in the afternoon
APPELLATION CENTRAL –BOUTIQUE WINE TOUR
Enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting among the boutique vineyards
and spectacular scenery of Central Otago, a perfect introduction
to the wine region. Friendly and knowledgeable guides offer an
understanding of the unique Central Otago wine growing conditions
and wines offered and our small groups of 10 people ensure an
interactive & sociable afternoon.
Wine Tour start/finish: 12 pm, returning 5pm
Daily (all year)
-
Tasting
at 4 wineries in the Gibbston Valley, Cromwell and Bannockburn
regions
-
A
delightful platter style lunch at Carrick Winery restaurant
-
A
stunning drive through the Kawarau Gorge whilst learning about the
early pioneering history of this rugged region
-
View
the historic Kawarau Bridge and the original AJ Hackett Bungy jump
Total
Time: Allow 9 hours
Minimum numbers:
Two persons (adult) or equivalent price
What
you bring:
What we
provide:
-
All
transport to and from Queenstown accommodation
-
Friendly and knowledgeable local guides
-
Snacks
- including tea/coffee biscuits
-
Winery
lunch and tastings
-
Interpretative commentary of flora, fauna, history, geology, and
Central Otago’s viticulture
Small
day packs and some wet weather gear available on loan while on the
walk.
A Privately guided option is available for a totally personal
experience
Miners Forest Retreat Half
day
In the late 18th century a treasure house of gold was first found in
the streams and hills around Lake Wakatipu, and like a magnet the
discovery brought thousands to the area from all over the world.
They found a place as rich in natural splendor as it was in
precious metals and set about trying to master the elements in their
quest for wealth.
The men and women of those hard-working, hard-living days are gone
now, but the long-abandoned remains of their lives and work have
become as much a part of the region's history as the scenery they've
blended into.
This half-day guided walk begins in native Beech forest, and the
track climbs through the forest and grassy meadows following a clear
mountain stream. Native birds are readily seen and heard, in and
around the edges of the forest.
DURATION:
4 hours
WALKING TIME:
3 hours
WALKING DISTANCE:
6kms (optional - average fitness required)
TRACK:
Well formed with some short steep sections
HIGHLIGHTS:
Early gold mining history and stone goldminers cottage
Magnificent mountain views
This is an excellent walk for people interested in history, birds
and/or photography and has magnificent lake and mountain views.
Magical Trip to Paradise
Half day
We depart at
8.00am or 1.30pm from your accommodation in a luxury six seat four
wheel drive vehicle and your driver/guide will give a commentary
on the area as you travel.
On the way to Glenorchy, a small town at the north end of Lake
Wakatipu, we pass by the location of 'Amon Hen' and also the site
used to portray 'Ithilien Camp'.
We take the road to Paradise and visit places where scenes of 'Lothlorien'
and 'Isengard' are easily recognisable with the 'Misty Mountains'
as a backdrop and the mighty peak of 'Methedras' towering over the
valley.
On entering the forest we drive on a narrow track through areas
reminiscent of the 'Old Forest' or 'Mirkwood the Great', we cross
streams and traverse golden tussock clearings before arrival at
the Dart River, where we will leave the vehicle for an hour of
easy walking in the forest and clearings surrounded by the 'Misty
Mountains. On return to the vehicle we drive back to Queenstown
arriving around 12.30pm or 5.45pm.
TRIP DURATION:
4 1/2 Hours
WALKING TIME:
1-2 Hours
WALKING DISTANCE:
2-5km (optional - easy walking)
DEPARTURES:
Daily at 8.00am or 1.30pm
HIGHLIGHTS:
Visit secret places few others get to see,
spectacular snow-capped mountains and lake views, variety of bird
life, ancient native beech forest, mosses, lichens, ferns...
This walk is an excellent walk for people
interested in variety, lake, river valley, forests, mountain
views, native birds and/or photography, Lord of thr Rings
locations, it is a half day packed with variety and scenery that
you can take home on film!
Ultimate
Nature Experience (incl. Dart River Jet)
This full day adventure
combines total wilderness walking through ancient beech forest
in the Mount Aspiring National Park, with the "Dart River Jet
Safari" traveling to the start of your guided walk through one
of the most scenic high mountain big river valleys to be found
in New Zealand.
The only way to master the shallow glacial waters of the
Southern Alps is by the Kiwi innovation that revolutionized
high-country transport, the Jet Boat.
The Jet Boat drivers know
their river intimately and their superb skills behind the wheel
complement frequent stops on this unique journey to explain the
geology and lore of the ancient and unspoiled lands you
traverse.
Two fascinating hours and 35km later your guide will meet you at
a secret spot on the banks of the Dart River then lead you on a
very gentle ascent under a canopy of native beech forest where
birdsong supplies an unrivalled, natural soundtrack. This is in
an area where Guided Nature Walks is the only company allowed to
walk through.
DURATION: 8 to 9.5 hours
(optional)
WALKING TIME: 2 to 3 hours (optional)
WALKING DISTANCE: 4 to 9 kms (optional - easy to moderate)
TRACK: Unformed trails easy to moderate walking on leaves and
moss
DEPARTURES: 8.00am
HIGHLIGHTS: Spectacular
snow-capped mountain and lake views. Variety of bird life,
mosses, lichens and ferns, ancient native beech forest which
only Guided Nature Walks is allowed to guide through. Jetboat
35km up a magnificent high mountain big river valley.
Includes all transport and
picnic lunch
MINIMUM NUMBERS: Two persons
(adult) or equivalent price
Privately guided option is
available for a total wilderness experience jet boat not private
except by special request & quote).
All of our GUIDED NATURE WALKS
are selected for their natural beauty, and their difference from
each other. This guided walk is an excellent walk for people
interested in variety, history, lakes, river valleys, forests,
mountain views, native birds and/or photography, it is a
complete day packed with variety and scenery that you can take
home on film!
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