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Skippers Canyon 4WD Tour: Half-Day Heritage Journey with Gold Panning
4.9
161 Ratings
Queenstown
Embark on a half-day heritage journey through Skippers Canyon, following the treacherous Skippers Road. Explore historic sites, a suspension bridge, and the township of Skippers, before trying your hand at gold panning.
Embark on a half-day heritage journey through Skippers Canyon, following the treacherous Skippers Road. Explore historic sites, a suspension bridge, and the township of Skippers, before trying your hand at gold panning.
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Skippers Canyon - Travel along the rugged and treacherous Skippers road. As your guide navigates along this awe-inspiring canyon you will visit many historic sites such as the historic Skippers suspension bridge and the historic township of Skippers.
- Skippers Township Museum, Skippers Point - Visit the restored school house where you will…
- Skippers Canyon - Travel along the rugged and treacherous Skippers road. As your guide navigates along this awe-inspiring canyon you will visit many historic sites such as the historic Skippers suspension bridge and the historic township of Skippers.
- Skippers Township Museum, Skippers Point - Visit the restored school house where you will gain a real insight into the local heritage through photos and histories of life in this tough environment.
What's Included
- Light refreshments (tea, coffee, hot chocolate, fruit cake and cookies)
- Gold panning
- Selected Queenstown Hotel pickup and drop-off (Surrounding suburbs, Kelvin Heights, Frankton, Arthur’s Point, Fernhill and others, by arrangement only)
- Transport by 4WD vehicle with your driver/guide
- Light refreshments (tea, coffee, hot chocolate, fruit cake and cookies)
- Gold panning
- Selected Queenstown Hotel pickup and drop-off (Surrounding suburbs, Kelvin Heights, Frankton, Arthur’s Point, Fernhill and others, by arrangement only)
- Transport by 4WD vehicle with your driver/guide
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Embark on a half-day historical excursion tracing the challenging Skippers Road. Journey the path that was painstakingly carved into the abrupt sides of the Shotover River Valley. As your skilled guide skillfully threads the breathtaking canyon, you can sit back and appreciate various historic landmarks on the route, including a hundred-year-old…
Embark on a half-day historical excursion tracing the challenging Skippers Road. Journey the path that was painstakingly carved into the abrupt sides of the Shotover River Valley. As your skilled guide skillfully threads the breathtaking canyon, you can sit back and appreciate various historic landmarks on the route, including a hundred-year-old suspension bridge and the Skippers township. Get a glimpse into the local history through pictures and artifacts in the renovated schoolhouse before testing your skills at gold panning.
- A maximum of 6 people per booking
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Location
37 Shotover Street
Shotover Street
Pick up is from Info & Track, 37 Shotover Street. We may be able to offer pick up from your accomodation in central Queenstown, however please contact us on 034426699 to confirm.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(161 Ratings)
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William
Feb 17, 2025
A GREAT MEMORY TO TAKE HOME - I chose a trip out to Skippers Canyon yesterday because of it selling itself as a 4WD experience into rugged countryside with a history. It did not disappoint in any of those aspects.
The rough dirt road in was challenging but an exciting experience to enjoy in the company of a young guide Jono whose driving was simply brilliant as he manoeuvred the vehicle along this road. The bridge crossing was awesome. The fact that traffic could use it both ways added to the challenge and also that is was the only way in and out. I’ve always loved dirt roads and this was one of the most challlenging I can recall.
The history which Jono conveyed about its gold rush days was also hugely enjoyable and a tribute to the courage and enacting of those who battled their way in to this remote corner of the South Island in pursuit of riches. The little that remained in physical terms or relics of their endeavour actually made the story even more real and poignant.
And us having a chance to pan for gold after morning tea had been provided was just great fun, too.
Jono was knowledgeable, good humoured and enthusiastic at all times to help make the morning in such awesome countryside just fly by. And his superb driving shows the company treats this critical part for this trip very seriously, as it should.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Steven_s
Feb 5, 2025
An Adventurous 4 wheel drive excursion through the hills in Queenstown. - Travelling in a modern Toyota V 8 4 wheel drive vehicle is a great experience. The journey takes the traveller deep into the 'mountains' out of Queenstown. Your experienced driver with a wealth of knowledge, will provide you with an interesting history of the landscape and the gold rush period. Early settlers within the vicinity lived under very harsh conditions in search of gold. Don't forget to take your camera.
Review provided by Viator
Michele_f
Jan 28, 2025
Amazing jeep tour - This was a great trip into the back country. Nice to get out of city and see the real area.
Giv did an amazing job driving, and telling us about this beautiful area.mj
Review provided by Viator
Drifly77
Jan 27, 2025
Josh made great outing even better! - They were on time, accommodating, friendly…we just felt good about booking with this company.
Josh , our driver, was friendly, very knowledgeable, helpful. He seemed to read us quickly and suggested things to do and see that we thoroughly enjoyed!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
A4299yaraymondl
Jan 24, 2025
Great experience! - Great tour of the canyon with our driver Josh. He looked after us very well on and off the road, with informative commentary, anecdotes, and good humour. Highly professional and courteous - many thanks for a super experience
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Z1385egkathyj
Jan 21, 2025
SO MUCH FUN - Thrilling ride - Wow George was our able driver and he was full of fun and really wanted his passengers to have a safe but thrilling experience.
We went off road on and through waters of Arrowtown - superb fun we laughed so much
Tag it on to Shotover boat adventure too fun Adrenalin fuelled day
Review provided by Tripadvisor
H7530tnrichardj
Jan 13, 2025
Found gold! - Fantastic trip. High recommend it. The tour guide we had was superb. Entertaining, engaging and knowledgeable, and very safe driver. We even found gold in the river. Good afternoon tea as well.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
H5152pvrobertd
Jan 13, 2025
Great trip, even in the rain! - On a rainy morning in Queenstown, I took Nomad Safaris' 4WD tour to Skipper's Canyon. At least I was in the vehicle most of the time. The road to Skipper's Canyon is not for the faint-hearted. It is very narrow with a sharp drop at the side. It even has a warning. En route, we saw Gorilla Rock.
Skipper's Canyon was famous for its gold mining. As the supply of gold dwindled, so did the population. The Welcome Home Hotel operated from 1908 to 1942. All that remains today is the chimney and the foundation stone. The road follows the Shotover River.
We could not get to the old Skipper's Canyon township, now abandoned. All that remains are a school, a homestead, and a cemetery. As you can see from my photo, the road was closed. We had our morning tea break here. There were nice views from Blue Slip, where the road ended. You can see the closed part of the road.
We saw several goats atop the mountains on the way back. From the beginning of the Skipper's Canyon Road, there is a nice view of the Remarkables. These mountains are a ski resort, but the ski season ended several weeks ago.
Our driver/guide was excellent and her commentary as well as safe driving skills made for an enjoyable trip, even in the rain.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Trup
Jan 1, 2025
This is a "must do" when visiting the area - Our family of ten (including kids ages 10-16) had a terrific experience. Not only were the sights astonishingly beautiful but we had two driver/guides were absolutely first-rate (Roger and Ginnie). Absolutely a must when visiting Queenstown.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Isaac_n
Dec 21, 2024
Not to be missed - Interesting beautiful fantastic views first class guide/driver thoroughly enjoyed the day and glad to have taken it
Review provided by Viator
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