The Remarkables

The Remarkables: Our most recommended tours and activities

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  1. Queenstown: Spirit of Queenstown Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise

  Cruise farther and see more on this 1.5-hour Queenstown scenic cruise. Sit back, relax and enjoy spectacular views of the Remarkables, Bob’s Cove, Cecil Peak and Mt. Earnslaw from the comfort of the Spirit of Queenstown – an environmentally friendly and luxurious cruise boat. Take in panoramic views from the open top deck. Enjoy refreshments, snacks and lunch served in the café on board. Cruise across spectacular Lake Wakatipu as you enjoy entertaining commentary provided by the local skipper.

  It was good. Obviously be better if we were not in level 2.5 Staff were great. Found it hard to hear the commentary but the scenery made up for that. Fantastic value for money too.

  Reviewed by Tarena, 9/19/2021
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  2. Queenstown: Pilot's Choice Helicopter Tour & Alpine Landing

  Enjoy a 20-minute scenic helicopter tour and alpine landing for incredible views of Queenstown from above. Your pilot will choose your flight path and landing location for the best possible experience on the day.

  After pickup from your central Queenstown hotel, enjoy the short drive to the helicopter base at the airport. Meet the friendly crew and check in for your flight.

  Then, take to the skies to marvel at Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown from above. Your experienced pilot will share local insights with you and point out areas of interest.

  Your pilot will choose the best location on the day for your alpine landing. Only a helicopter will be able to land in the remote spot. In winter, you’ll have snow at your feet, and during summer expect stunningly rugged terrain.

  Fly ba...

  Fantastic crew from the ground to the air !! Reply looked after us and made us feel welcome and safe.

  Reviewed by Anonymous, 8/17/2021
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  3. Queenstown: Scenic Alpine Heli-Flight

  This 35-minute helicopter flight from Queenstown is a winning combination. Enjoy spectacular alpine scenery, including Skippers Canyon and the Queenstown Basin, and and make a dramatic landing on one of the region’s stunning alpine peaks, whatever the season. Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters is Queenstown’s leading scenic helicopter flight company, built on a reputation of providing a high standard of professionalism and service. Following a transfer from your hotel and safety briefing, climb aboard your helicopter and head for the skies! The landscapes you will fly over contain many stories of the natural and human history of New Zealand and the Southern Lakes. During your flight you will discover how glaciers and the movement of the earth’s crust formed New Zealand’s unique mountains and valleys over thousands of years. Plenty of evidence also remains of the rich gold mining histo...

  Amazing smooth ride, the pilot was great at telling us about all the points of interest...it was so safe and stunning! The views were breathtaking! It was just perfect! Worth every penny! Thank you so much xx Miri & David

  Reviewed by Miriam, 6/20/2021
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  4. Queenstown & Skippers Canyon: Middle Earth Helicopter Tour

  Enjoy a scenic 45-minute helicopter flight combining the best of Queenstown and Middle-Earth. Take flight with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters, New Zealand aerial film specialists, who have provided the aerial filming for the 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies. Uncover special Middle Earth Locations with your pilot. Follow the path of the Fellowship as you explore the spectacular scenic highlights of Whakatipu Basin and the surrounding area. Discover many recognizable locations from the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies including the rugged Remarkables, Lake Alta, and the crumbly schist slopes used to film Dimrill Dale in which the Fellowship fled towards Lothlórien. Fly over the historic gold mining valley of Skippers Canyon, landing high above the Shotover River which can be recognized as the Ford of Bruinen. Catch a glimpse of the mountain tarn which is featured...

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  5. Panoramic View Helicopter Flight with Alpine Landing

  See how glaciers and the movement of the earth’s crust formed New Zealand's unique mountains and valleys over thousands of years–from the sky! Swoop low over mountain valleys and high above meandering rivers. Plenty of evidence also remains of the rich gold mining history left by Europeans and Chinese gold miners in the late 1800s. Today, many of the local landscapes can be recognized because of their use as film locations. You can even fly over where the Lord of the Rings movies were filmed! The pilots regularly work with film production crews and are happy to share plenty of stories of life on the film set. Finally, for the photo opportunity of a lifetime, alight on a mountaintop with panoramic views of the entire range and its lakes and valleys. These highly experienced, well-known local pilots can’t wait to share with you their extensive knowledge and history of the area while show...

  Right for the word go, the staff were superb. Incredible knowledge of the local area, places to go and things to do. During the experience, I proposed to my partner and the pilot got the whole thing on camera. Couldn't have done a better job.

  Reviewed by Michael, 7/7/2021
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  6. Queenstown Half-Day 4WD Lord Of the Rings Discovery Tour

  Embark on an adventure safari packed with breathtaking scenery, thrilling 4WD action, and LOTR filming locations. Visit the filming locations of Minas Tirith, Misty Mountains, the Pillars of the Kings (Argonath), Gladden Fields, the Ford of Bruinen, and more.  After pick-up from your hotel, journey around the Wakatipu Basin to see The Remarkables, which were used as various mountains throughout the three movies. Travel part way up Queenstown Hill for a bird's-eye view onto Deer Park Heights, which was used for the refugees of Rohan and the Battle of the Wargs scenes. From the viewpoint, head to Kawarau Gorge where the filming took place for the Argonath - 'Pillars of the Kings'. After Kawarau Gorge, travel to Arrowtown where the loss of The One Ring scene at Gladden Fields was shot. Near Arrowtown, you will experience a true off-road adventure. Following a historic gold mining road up ...

  We had the best guide!! He had so much enthusiasm and absolutely loves what he does. A fun filled half day. We saw the back drops of scenes used in filming the LOTR films, drove on an old gold mining road, drove on an old one lane gold mining equipment road through the mountains, panned for gold, and had morning tea riverside. We learned so much! Best half day tour of our month long trip.

  Reviewed by Carolyn, 2/29/2020
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  7. Queenstown Exclusive Helicopter & Private Wine Tour

  Depart Queenstown mid-morning for your first tasting in the Gibbston Valley wine region. Be met after your tasting by your luxury Airbus H120 helicopter for a spectacular one-way, scenic flight over Central Otago wine country and the Southern Alps. After making a spectacular alpine landing, you will have time for photos amidst the dramatic mountain surrounds that form a stunning backdrop to the Central Otago wine region. From there, you'll be met upon landing by your expert wine guide who will continue to give you expert knowledge of the region whilst chauffeuring you by road to various wineries.  The tour includes an optional visit to a picturesque, historic gold mining town (Arrowtown) and courtesy pickup and drop-off in Queenstown. It lasts approximately five hours.