WAIKAIA
BUSH RD
PRIVATE TOURS
JOIN QUEENSTOWN'S MOST EXPERIENCED 4WD
GUIDE ON A PRIVATE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE TOUR
WAIKAIA BUSH ROAD
PRIVATE PASSENGER TOUR
P R I V A T E F U L L D A Y A D V E N T U R E
WAIKAIA BUSH
WHY CHOOSE US ? Del has 30 years of 4WD experience All tours are PRIVATE Travel in a safe, modern Land Rover
This is a big day.
From Queenstown we head west through the Kawarau Gorge to historic Bannockburn. From Bannockburn we start climbing steeply to 1280m on the Duffers Saddle Road, providing commanding views over Lake Dunstan and Cromwell. We negotiate the old gold mining tracks and trails traversing the Old Woman and Old Man Ranges which run from north-west to south- east, creating a rain shadow that blocks and absorbs southerly fronts, making Central Otago New Zealand’s driest area. Attaining the height of 1740m we start travelling through the Kopuwai Conservation area, with stunning Central Otago vistas on our left, and the Nevis Valley and Hector Mountains on our right.
Unlike our Kopuwai tour which exits via the Obelisk Rock, this tour proceeds onto the Waikaia Bush Road, Piano flat and Waikaia. Once we hit the ridge the countryside has commanding views over the Garvie and Umbrella mountains. Rock tors are a common feature in this landscape adding to the dramatic views.
From the ridgeline we descend via a zigzag track down through stunning beech forest at Piano Flat beside the Waikaia River and onto Waikaia township, Lumsden and back to Queenstown.
This tour can be shortened on request.
This is a big day.
From Queenstown we head west through the Kawarau Gorge to historic Bannockburn. From Bannockburn we start climbing steeply to 1280m on the Duffers Saddle Road, providing commanding views over Lake Dunstan and Cromwell. We negotiate the old gold mining tracks and trails traversing the Old Woman and Old Man Ranges which run from north-west to south- east, creating a rain shadow that blocks and absorbs southerly fronts, making Central Otago New Zealand’s driest area. Attaining the height of 1740m we start travelling through the Kopuwai Conservation area, with stunning Central Otago vistas on our left, and the Nevis Valley and Hector Mountains on our right.
Unlike our Kopuwai tour which exits via the Obelisk Rock, this tour proceeds onto the Waikaia Bush Road, Piano flat and Waikaia. Once we hit the ridge the countryside has commanding views over the Garvie and Umbrella mountains. Rock tors are a common feature in this landscape adding to the dramatic views.
From the ridgeline we descend via a zigzag track down through stunning beech forest at Piano Flat beside the Waikaia River and onto Waikaia township, Lumsden and back to Queenstown.
This tour can be shortened on request.
This is a big day.
From Queenstown we head west through the Kawarau Gorge to historic Bannockburn. From Bannockburn we start climbing steeply to 1280m on the Duffers Saddle Road, providing commanding views over Lake Dunstan and Cromwell. We negotiate the old gold mining tracks and trails traversing the Old Woman and Old Man Ranges which run from north-west to south- east, creating a rain shadow that blocks and absorbs southerly fronts, making Central Otago New Zealand’s driest area. Attaining the height of 1740m we start travelling through the Kopuwai Conservation area, with stunning Central Otago vistas on our left, and the Nevis Valley and Hector Mountains on our right.
Unlike our Kopuwai tour which exits via the Obelisk Rock, this tour proceeds onto the Waikaia Bush Road, Piano flat and Waikaia. Once we hit the ridge the countryside has commanding views over the Garvie and Umbrella mountains. Rock tors are a common feature in this landscape adding to the dramatic views.
From the ridgeline we descend via a zigzag track down through stunning beech forest at Piano Flat beside the Waikaia River and onto Waikaia township, Lumsden and back to Queenstown.
This tour can be shortened on request.
FULL DAY TOUR
WAIKAIA BUSH ROAD
This is a big day. A great day out away from the crowds.
This is a very remote tour.
Due to the length of this trip please contact us before booking.
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PRIVATE TOUR
2 Adults : NZ$640pp
3-4 Adults : NZ$450pp
5+ Adults : POA
Child : NZ$55
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TESTIMONIALS
Do it!
Highlight of our holiday so far. This time in NZ we wanted to get off the beaten track. Absolutely amazing! So completely different from the Queenstown side of the mountains. We are coming back in June 2020 to do it all again in the snow. Can't wait. Highly recommended. If you want a tour without sharing in a group this is perfect.
Rosemary, Australia
My wife and I recently did the Skipper’s Canyon tour with Del as our driver and guide. Del was fantastic - incredibly knowledgeable and experienced and showed us all the best features and views the canyon has to offer. He was great to have a chat with and share a few laughs - we learned so much along the way. My wife doesn’t normally do too well heights or steep drop offs on a bumpy road, but with Del’s experience on that road, she felt very safe and had the best time. We stopped in one of the most spectacular spots I’ve ever had the pleasure to have a delicious morning tea - supplied by Del (he even did an amazing job catering to our dietary requirements). Before going, I was a little concerned about heading out the same way as we came in, thinking that travelling the same route twice would take away from the experience - I couldn’t be more wrong! It was amazing travelling the same picturesque track with a completely different perspective, this was also enhanced by the different lighting and low lying cloud we experienced on the way in. I couldn’t recommend this tour with Del highly enough, we want to come back and do the same trip again, but in winter with some snow - we also want to see all the other trips Del has to offer. This is a must do!
Toby Pickering, Australia
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INFORMATION
- Minimum 2 adults per booking
- Maximum 4 passengers
- Includes morning & afternoon tea
- BYO Lunch
- Optional $25pp packed lunch available
- 8 to 12 hours ex Queenstown
- Includes 15% NZ Goods & Services Tax
Payment can be made direct on the day with credit cards, eftpos or cash.
We can stop off at a suitable cafe / bakery after pickup for clients to purchase their own lunch.
Due to safety with conditions, if it is wet or raining at Piano Flat we will not attempt the zigzag track section before Piano Flat. Instead we will exit as per our Kopuwai tour at the Obelisk and Central Otago.
Different start times can be arranged by request where possible. Pick-ups at local accommodation by prior arrangement.
- INFO
- Minimum 2 adults per booking
- Maximum 4 passengers
- Child (16 and under) $45
- Includes morning / afternoon tea
- Duration up to 4.5 hours
- Includes 15% NZ Goods & Services Tax
Payment can be made direct on the day with credit cards, eftpos or cash.
Different start times can be arranged by request where possible. Pick-ups at local accommodation by prior arrangement.
Skippers Canyon passenger tours operate in rain, hail, snow and sunshine all year around!
- REVIEWS
Do it!
Highlight of our holiday so far. This time in NZ we wanted to get off the beaten track. Absolutely amazing! So completely different from the Queenstown side of the mountains. We are coming back in June 2020 to do it all again in the snow. Can't wait. Highly recommended. If you want a tour without sharing in a group this is perfect.
Rosemary, Australia
My wife and I recently did the Skipper’s Canyon tour with Del as our driver and guide. Del was fantastic - incredibly knowledgeable and experienced and showed us all the best features and views the canyon has to offer. He was great to have a chat with and share a few laughs - we learned so much along the way. My wife doesn’t normally do too well heights or steep drop offs on a bumpy road, but with Del’s experience on that road, she felt very safe and had the best time. We stopped in one of the most spectacular spots I’ve ever had the pleasure to have a delicious morning tea - supplied by Del (he even did an amazing job catering to our dietary requirements). Before going, I was a little concerned about heading out the same way as we came in, thinking that travelling the same route twice would take away from the experience - I couldn’t be more wrong! It was amazing travelling the same picturesque track with a completely different perspective, this was also enhanced by the different lighting and low lying cloud we experienced on the way in. I couldn’t recommend this tour with Del highly enough, we want to come back and do the same trip again, but in winter with some snow - we also want to see all the other trips Del has to offer. This is a must do!
Toby Pickering, Australia
-
HIGHLIGHTS
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Remote adventure at its best !
- Waikaia Bush Road
- Umbrella Range
- Old Man Range
- Obelisk rock
- Potters
- Historic Clyde
- Mitchell’s cottage
- Gold mining history
-
WHY CHOOSE US
- All tours are PRIVATE...its your tour
- Local family business run by kiwis
- Del has been guiding tourists since 1990
- 30 years tourism guiding experience
- It's your trip and we make time for you
- Flexible and personalised experiences
- No buses or vans !!
We are extremely professional and pay attention to detail
Extremely comfortable expedition class vehicles for exclusive passenger tours
- HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights of this half day include:
- Dels 30 years Skippers guiding experience
- We go further !
- Hells and Heavens Gates
- Lighthouse Rock
- Historic gold mining relics
- Shotover River
- Major Lord of the Rings locations
- Engineering marvel Pinchers Bluff
- Traversing Skippers Bridge (1901)
- Skippers School (1879)
- Skippers Cemetery
and much more..
- WHY CHOOSE US
- All tours are PRIVATE
- Local family business run by kiwis
- Del has been guiding tourists since 1990
- 30 years Skippers guiding experience
- It's your trip and we make time for you
- Flexible and personalised experiences
- No buses or vans !!
We are extremely professional and pay attention to detail
Extremely comfortable expedition class vehicles for exclusive passenger tours
-
HIGHLIGHTS
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Remote adventure at its best !
- Waikaia Bush Road
- Umbrella Range
- Old Man Range
- Obelisk rock
- Potters
- Historic Clyde
- Mitchell’s cottage
- Gold mining history
-
WHY CHOOSE US
- All tours are PRIVATE...its your tour
- Local family business run by kiwis
- Del has been guiding tourists since 1990
- 30 years tourism guiding experience
- It's your trip and we make time for you
- Flexible and personalised experiences
- No buses or vans !!
We are extremely professional and pay attention to detail
Extremely comfortable expedition class vehicles for exclusive passenger tours
- HIGHLIGHTS
Includes all the highlights from the Skippers Canyon and Glenorchy half day tours.
-
INFORMATION
- Minimum 2 adults per booking
- Maximum 4 passengers
- Includes morning & afternoon tea
- BYO lunch, optional $25pp packed lunch available
- 8 to 12 hours ex Queenstown
- Includes 15% NZ Goods & Services Tax
Payment can be made direct on the day with credit cards, eftpos or cash.
We can stop off at a suitable cafe / bakery after pickup for clients to purchase their own lunch.
Due to safety with conditions, if it is wet or raining at Piano Flat we will not attempt the zigzag track section before Piano Flat. Instead we will exit as per our Kopuwai tour at the Obelisk and Central Otago.
Different start times can be arranged by request where possible. Pick-ups at local accommodation by prior arrangement.
-
REVIEWS
Do it!
Highlight of our holiday so far. This time in NZ we wanted to get off the beaten track. Absolutely amazing! So completely different from the Queenstown side of the mountains. We are coming back in June 2020 to do it all again in the snow. Can't wait. Highly recommended. If you want a tour without sharing in a group this is perfect.
Rosemary, Australia
My wife and I recently did the Skipper’s Canyon tour with Del as our driver and guide. Del was fantastic - incredibly knowledgeable and experienced and showed us all the best features and views the canyon has to offer. He was great to have a chat with and share a few laughs - we learned so much along the way. My wife doesn’t normally do too well heights or steep drop offs on a bumpy road, but with Del’s experience on that road, she felt very safe and had the best time. We stopped in one of the most spectacular spots I’ve ever had the pleasure to have a delicious morning tea - supplied by Del (he even did an amazing job catering to our dietary requirements). Before going, I was a little concerned about heading out the same way as we came in, thinking that travelling the same route twice would take away from the experience - I couldn’t be more wrong! It was amazing travelling the same picturesque track with a completely different perspective, this was also enhanced by the different lighting and low lying cloud we experienced on the way in. I couldn’t recommend this tour with Del highly enough, we want to come back and do the same trip again, but in winter with some snow - we also want to see all the other trips Del has to offer. This is a must do!
Toby Pickering, Australia
- INFO
- Minimum 2 adults per booking
- Maximum 4 passengers
- Child (16 and under) $199
- Includes morning and afternoon tea
- Duration up to 8.5 hours
- Includes 15% NZ Goods & Services Tax
Payment can be made direct on the day with credit cards, eftpos or cash.
Different start times can be arranged by request where possible. Pick-ups at local accommodation by prior arrangement.
Additional Waikaia Bush Road tour images (click on first image to open gallery)
FULL DAY PRIVATE TOUR
WAIKAIA BUSH ROAD
This full day expedition provides an opportunity to explore the Waikaia Bush Road, a fairly rugged 4WD track requiring a reasonable amount of off road experience to safely traverse. From the serene Waikaia river, lush beech forest, tussock plateaus, gold mining and massive rock tor covered scenery, this road provides access to the beautiful Umbrella and Old Man Ranges.
-
TESTIMONIALS
Do it!
Highlight of our holiday so far. This time in NZ we wanted to get off the beaten track. Absolutely amazing! So completely different from the Queenstown side of the mountains. We are coming back in June 2020 to do it all again in the snow. Can't wait. Highly recommended. If you want a tour without sharing in a group this is perfect.
Rosemary, Australia
My wife and I recently did the Skipper’s Canyon tour with Del as our driver and guide. Del was fantastic - incredibly knowledgeable and experienced and showed us all the best features and views the canyon has to offer. He was great to have a chat with and share a few laughs - we learned so much along the way. My wife doesn’t normally do too well heights or steep drop offs on a bumpy road, but with Del’s experience on that road, she felt very safe and had the best time. We stopped in one of the most spectacular spots I’ve ever had the pleasure to have a delicious morning tea - supplied by Del (he even did an amazing job catering to our dietary requirements). Before going, I was a little concerned about heading out the same way as we came in, thinking that travelling the same route twice would take away from the experience - I couldn’t be more wrong! It was amazing travelling the same picturesque track with a completely different perspective, this was also enhanced by the different lighting and low lying cloud we experienced on the way in. I couldn’t recommend this tour with Del highly enough, we want to come back and do the same trip again, but in winter with some snow - we also want to see all the other trips Del has to offer. This is a must do!
Toby Pickering, Australia
-
INFORMATION
- This is a private tour, no other passengers
- Minimum 2 adults per booking
- Maximum 4 passengers
- Includes morning & afternoon tea
- BYO lunch, optional $25pp packed lunch available
- 8 to 12 hours ex Queenstown
- Includes 15% NZ Goods & Services Tax
Payment can be made direct on the day with credit cards, eftpos or cash.
We can stop off at a suitable cafe / bakery after pickup for clients to purchase their own lunch.
Due to safety with conditions, if it is wet or raining at Piano Flat we will not attempt the zigzag track section before Piano Flat. Instead we will exit as per our Kopuwai tour at the Obelisk and Central Otago.
Different start times can be arranged by request where possible. Pick-ups at local accommodation by prior arrangement.
-
HIGHLIGHTS
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Remote adventure at its best !
- Waikaia Bush Road
- Umbrella Range
- Old Man Range
- Obelisk rock
- Potters
- Historic Clyde
- Mitchell’s cottage
- Gold mining history
-
WHY CHOOSE US
- All tours are PRIVATE...its your tour
- Local family business run by kiwis
- Del has been guiding tourists since 1990
- 30 years tourism guiding experience
- It's your trip and we make time for you
- Flexible and personalised experiences
- No buses or vans !!
We are extremely professional and pay attention to detail
Extremely comfortable expedition class vehicles for exclusive passenger tours
-
Book Now -
Book Now -
Book Now -
Book Now -
Book Now
Additional Waikaia Bush Road full day tour images (click on first image to open gallery)
Additional videos
FREE CALL & AFTER HOURS
0800 4WD FUN (0800 493 386)
DAYTIME 021 244 3920
FREE CALL & AFTER HOURS
0800 4WD FUN (0800 493 386)
DAYTIME 021 244 3920
4WD Expeditions Limited
PO Box 1046
Queenstown 9348
New Zealand
From New Zealand
Email : info@4WDexpeditions.nz
Freephone & After hours number :
0800 4WD FUN (493 386)
CELL : DAYTIME 021 244 3920
From Overseas / International
Email : info@4WDexpeditions.nz
Phone : + 64 21 244 3920
4WD Expeditions Limited
PO Box 1046
Queenstown 9348
New Zealand
From New Zealand
Email : info@4WDexpeditions.nz
Freephone & After hours number : 0800 4WD FUN (493 386)
Cell : 021 244 3920
From Overseas / International
Email : info@4WDexpeditions.nz
Phone : + 64 21 244 3920
4WD Expeditions Limited
PO Box 1046
Queenstown 9348
New Zealand
From New Zealand
Email : info@4WDexpeditions.nz
Freephone & After hours number : 0800 4WD FUN (493 386)
Cell : 021 244 3920
From Overseas / International
Email : info@4WDexpeditions.nz
Phone : + 64 21 244 3920
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