Skippers Canyon 4WD Tour from Queenstown

Skippers Canyon 4WD Tour

Nomad Safaris offers a guided half-day 4WD heritage tour into the historic Skippers Canyon, following accessible sections of the legendary Skippers Road. Hand-built during the Otago gold rush and carved into the cliffs above the Shotover River, this remarkable route showcases one of the region’s most dramatic landscapes.

Travelling in purpose-built 4WD vehicles, your experienced local guide navigates this awe-inspiring canyon while sharing stories of the pioneers and miners who once lived and worked here. Along the way, you will visit key historic sites and scenic viewpoints, including views of the iconic Skippers Suspension Bridge, and gain insight into the challenging conditions faced by early settlers in this remote environment. This engaging and scenic adventure is suitable for families.

Trip Details

The Skippers Canyon 4WD tour departs from Queenstown, travelling toward Coronet Peak before descending into the canyon. Enjoy a stop at Plane Table for panoramic views across the Wakatipu Basin, followed by a visit to Lighthouse Rock, offering a dramatic lookout over the canyon below.

As the historic road winds deeper into Skippers Canyon, your guide highlights significant gold-mining sites and shares stories of exploration and discovery, with multiple opportunities for photos along the way, including viewpoints of the historic Skippers Suspension Bridge.

Morning or afternoon tea is included and enjoyed in a scenic canyon setting. On the return journey, stop at Deep Creek to try traditional gold panning, learning techniques used during the Otago gold rush on one of the region’s well-known gold-bearing rivers.

Please note access over Skippers Bridge is currently closed due to long-term maintenance and safety works. Due to the bridge closure access to the school house and cemetery is also unavailable. Tours now operate to permitted points within the canyon, with alternate additional scenic and historical stops included.