Very happy to have chosen to join this private Wanaka Day tour with Rod. I travelled with my parents and younger brother, and Rod accommodated us very well and with care. He took fantastic photos for us, gave us ample time to walk around the stops and have lunch, and gave us suggestions on some additional stops we might be interested in along the way. It was a very customisable tour but even if we didn't have time to explore some further stops (we followed most stops in the standard itinerary) as we still needed to prepare for our flight the next day, we still had an amazing time. Rod also offered to assist us head to the airport the following day which was very helpful, and he was on time as on the tour. Highly recommend this tour with Rod, and many thanks again Rod for helping us make our Queenstown trip this year even more memorable!!!
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Private transportation
- Car Seat On request only
- Curated travel playlist
- Door-to-door pick-up and drop-off are included
- A tailored itinerary that offer complete freedom for views, artisan cafés, or memorable experiences.
- Comfortable and spacious vehicle for a better experience
Excludes
- Meals are not included. However, with a background as a professional chef, your driver is happy to recommend the best restaurants and local dining options in Queenstown.
- Coffee is not included but we can recommend the best ones in Town. and Stops can be arranged
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Traveler pick up offered
Itinerary
Begin your journey with a serene pause at Lake Hayes, where calm waters and soft morning light create elegant, mirror‑like reflections.
Wander through Arrowtown’s beautifully preserved gold‑rush streets, boutique shops, and heritage cottages. A charming stop with timeless character. Optional museum visit available.
Explore this historic riverside enclave and its restored miners’ huts — a quiet, cultural highlight offering depth and atmosphere.
Enjoy a refined break at the iconic Cardrona Hotel. Its rustic façade and alpine surroundings create a perfect setting for a coffee or light refreshment.
A playful, colourful landmark that adds a touch of local personality and fun to the journey — ideal for a quick photo.
Ascend New Zealand’s highest main road and take in sweeping alpine panoramas. Golden hills, deep valleys, and dramatic vistas make this a signature viewpoint. Winter detours may apply.
Discover Wanaka’s stylish lakeside village, home to boutique stores, artisanal cafés, and relaxed alpine elegance. Perfect for lunch, browsing, or simply soaking in the scenery.
Capture the region’s most iconic lakeside moment — the graceful lone willow standing in crystal‑clear waters, framed by mountains. Be aware that Drones is restricted not allowed.
A beautifully serene stop just outside Wanaka. Wander through fragrant lavender fields, enjoy boutique lavender products, and take in the calming, luxurious atmosphere of this charming farm. (Optional and ticket need to be paid separately)
Explore a refined blend of restored historic buildings, lakeside cafés, artisan boutiques, and charming streets that celebrate Cromwell’s pioneering past.
Sample premium Central Otago produce — cherries, apricots, berries — and enjoy the relaxed, authentic feel of this renowned fruit‑growing region. A must‑try here is the famous real fruit ice cream, freshly blended and exceptionally delicious — a sweet highlight of your day.
Visit the birthplace of commercial bungee jumping. Whether watching or participating, the setting blends adrenaline, history, and spectacular gorge views.
Indulge in a tasting at one of Central Otago’s pioneering wineries, celebrated for world‑class Pinot Noir and elegant vineyard scenery. (Optional)
Conclude your journey with a scenic pause at Arthurs Point Bridge. Overlooking the dramatic Shotover River gorge, this historic bridge offers striking canyon views and a refined final photo opportunity before returning to Queenstown.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
Amazing day we had with Rod on our tour around Arrowtown , Cardrona , Wanaka and surrounds . Rod is a professional host and careful driver , great photographer , he took some amazing photos for us , making our day even more special . Very thankful for accomodating our request to go the distillery at Cardrona , which we loved !
If you like a real experience, please book this tour! Very attentive, funny and caring driver. I’m sure you will have the best experience!
We had an amazing experience exploring Wanaka and the surrounding areas with Queenstown Panorama Tours. I went with my family, and from the very beginning, we received incredible attention and care. We were taken to some truly unique and beautiful places that we probably would never have discovered on our own. Everything felt personal and well planned, and we never felt rushed. One thing that really stood out was the extra effort with the photos and videos. We came home with some absolutely amazing shots and videos of our family, which made the experience even more special and gave us memories we’ll keep forever. The service was excellent from start to finish, with great attention to every detail. The price is also very reasonable considering the quality of the tour, the personalised experience, and the level of attention you receive. I would 100% recommend Queenstown Panorama Tours to anyone visiting the area, especially families looking for something more personal and unique. We will definitely book again next time!
★★★★★ Amazing Experience with Queenstown Panorama Tours We had an amazing experience with Queenstown Panorama Tours. Everything was well organized, professional, and enjoyable from beginning to end. A special thank you to Rodrigo, who was an excellent tour guide. He was very knowledgeable about the area, friendly, professional, and made us feel comfortable throughout the entire experience. He also took the time to explain the history and beautiful places we visited and made the tour feel very personal. Rodrigo truly made the experience even more special. If you are visiting Queenstown and looking for a private and memorable tour, I highly recommend Queenstown Panorama Tours and Rodrigo as your guide. Definitely a 5-star experience! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you for everything! It was an amazing experience with excellent service. The lake was incredibly clear, and the snow-capped mountains were breathtaking. The famous tree was also very interesting to see. Our guide answered all of our questions clearly and accurately. He also gave us many helpful tips for the rest of our trip. I would definitely book another tour with him next time. Highly recommended!
Rod provided us excellent service in and around Queenstown! A very safe driver, knowledgeable about the area and full of helpful tips. We will definitely use him again the next time we are in the area!
Amazing tour of Wanaka with an amazing guide! Such an amazing area and having a local to show us around was super helpful. That Wanaka tree would have been something we would have missed without a guide! Rod is super friendly and very chill.
Highly recommend Rod .great experince . Rod was very knowledgable and very accomodating and he takes great photos . Thank you Rod it was amazing xx
We had a fantastic day touring with Rod and would highly recommend him to anyone visiting Queenstown. From the moment he picked us up, he made us feel comfortable and the day was relaxed, enjoyable and never rushed. We travelled along the breathtaking Crown Range Road, visited the iconic Cardrona Hotel, explored beautiful Wanaka and Cromwell, and even stopped at Gibbston Valley Vineyard. Every stop was well planned, and Rod was happy to let us take our time and enjoy the scenery. One of our favourite surprises was stopping for delicious real fruit ice cream, which was honestly one of the best we’ve ever had and something we probably wouldn’t have discovered on our own. Rod was friendly, knowledgeable and flexible, sharing local insights while making sure we had plenty of opportunities to stop for photos. If you’re looking for a personalised, stress-free day trip with someone who genuinely wants you to have a great experience, we couldn’t recommend Rod more highly. Thank you for making our day in Wanaka so memorable—we’d happily tour with you again!
We had an amazing Wanaka tour thanks to our driver, Mr. Rod. He was friendly, professional, punctual, and ensured we were comfortable throughout the journey. He shared interesting local information, drove safely, and made the trip enjoyable and memorable. Highly recommend his service to anyone visiting Wanaka. Thank you for a wonderful experience!
We loved our LotR tour! Guide was knowledgeable about all the locations.
Excellent experience from start to finish. Friendly, professional service, great communication, and a well-organised tour. Rodrigo was knowledgeable and made the day both enjoyable and memorable. Highly recommend!
He’s so considerate for everything.I was just chilling to be guided.Really good experience with the tour!
I participated in a tour driving around various places centered around Wanaka Lake. All the places we visited on the tour were truly wonderful, and I was able to spend a fulfilling time enjoying the scenery. It was a wonderful experience that left a particularly strong impression among this trip. And above all, the guide was very friendly and kind. Although I can barely speak English, you diligently picked up what I wanted to say and allowed me to enjoy the tour with peace of mind. Also, we took lots of pictures during the tour. That photo is really good, and I was able to create a wonderful memory. Every time I look back at the photos, I can remember the fun of that time. I used this tour on the last day of my stay in Queenstown. I was worried about what to do with my suitcase after checkout, but when I explained the situation, they let me take the tour with my suitcase in the car, and then they even dropped me off at the airport. Not only was the tour itself wonderful, but your kind assistance until the end was truly helpful.
I would like to highlight my excellent experience, it was incredible and very interactive, definitely recommendations..
Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm EST
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