Mount Cook & Queenstown Day Tours

Mount Cook

New Zealand’s highest mountain, Mount Cook (Aoraki in Māori) towers 3,724 metres into the sky, providing a stunning backdrop to the beautiful Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park in the centre of the South Island. Declared a World Heritage park in 1986, it boasts over 30 peaks 3,000 metres or higher. It also has five of New Zealand’s largest glaciers, including the Tasman Glacier at 21km in length. Scenic flights over the park provide unparalleled views of the Southern Alps. The region is also renowned for its clear, starry nights and was designated a Dark Sky Reserve in 2012 – the first in the southern hemisphere and the world’s largest, encompassing a 4300 km2 area.

Queenstown

South of Mount Cook, past the distinctive tussock land of the Mackenzie Country and the vivid blue glacier-fed Lake Tekapo, is the world-renowned tourist destination of Queenstown. This lake and alpine resort is New Zealand’s adventure capital, with things to see and do in Queenstown in all seasons. From bungy jumping to wine tasting, Lord of the Rings film locations to historic gold mining towns and jet boating on the Shotover River, there are activities and attractions in Queenstown to whet every appetite. Sitting close to four excellent skifields, Queenstown is also home to boutique shops and a wide variety of bars and restaurants, making it a great spot to relax and spend time.

Queenstown is the home of bungy jumping – if you dare, launch yourself into the air from the Kawarau Bridge, 43 metres above the Kawarau River. Keep your adrenaline levels high with a jet boat trip on the Shotover River, where the dramatically narrow canyons and high speed ride will take your breath away. Movie buffs will want to visit the Kawarau Gorge, where scenes from The Lord of the Rings were filmed. Queenstown is part of the Central Otago wine region, where some of New Zealand’s best wines are made, especially Pinot Noir. In neighbouring Arrowtown you’ll feel you have stepped back in time to the 1860s when this historic goldmining town was booming. And of course Queenstown is the starting point for most day tours to Milford Sound, New Zealand’s most famous natural attraction.

9 Day Tours to experience

Experience the grandeur of New Zealand's highest mountain on a day tour from Christchurch to Mount Cook, ending in Queenstown.
  • 11 hours
  • Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
  • Lake Tekapo

from $350 NZD

Travel up the South Island and through the Southern Alps to stand at the foot of Aoraki / Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain.
  • 11 hours 50 minutes
  • Mount Cook scenery
  • Glacier lake views

from $350 NZD

Travel to spectacular Mount Cook on a half-day sightseeing tour from Christchurch and stay on in Mount Cook Village to soak up the view.
  • 5 hours 20 minutes
  • See NZ's highest mountain
  • Stunning high country scenery

from $250 NZD

See some of the South Island's most impressive scenery on a one-way day tour from Mount Cook to Christchurch.
  • 5 hours 10 minutes
  • Complimentary hotel drop-off
  • Stunning South Island Views

from $250 NZD

See some of the South Island's most impressive mountain scenery on a one-way day tour to Mount Cook in the Southern Alps.
  • 4 hours 45 minutes
  • Complimentary pickup/drop-off
  • Stunning South Island Views

from $250 NZD

Soak in the South Island's stunning mountain scenery on a one-way day tour from Mount Cook to Queenstown
  • 4 hours
  • Complimentary hotel drop-off
  • Free Wi-Fi on board coach

from $250 NZD

Travel across the South Island from Queenstown to Fox Glacier on a full-day coach tour through amazing natural scenery.
  • 7 hours 30 minutes
  • See The Southern Alps
  • Full-day Sightseeing Tour

from $147 NZD

Spend a day surrounded by New Zealand's scenic highlights, crossing through the Southern Alps from Queenstown to Franz Josef on the West Coast.
  • 8 hours 5 minutes
  • Free Cancellation
  • Full-day Sightseeing Tour

from $155 NZD

Escape into the wild on a jet boat safari, walk through ancient forest and marvel at the astounding mountain views made famous by the Lord of the Rings films.
  • 4 hours
  • Mt Aspiring National Park
  • Jet boat ride, forest walk & 4WD tour

from $322 NZD

Free cancellation

You'll receive a full refund if you cancel at least 2 hours in advance of your tour experience.