Mt Cook Small Group Scenic Day Tour from Queenstown with Lake Pukaki and High Country Salmon
by Cheeky Kiwi Travel
Choose from 3 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.NZ$550Overview
The tour begins in Queenstown, where the guide introduces the day’s route while traveling out of the city. The group drives through Kawarau Gorge, passing the Kawarau Suspension Bridge and Roaring Meg Lookout, with a stop for photos if time and light allow. Next, the tour passes through Cromwell’s fruit and wine region, crosses Lake Dunstan, and continues toward Lindis Pass. At Lindis Pass, the group pauses at the lookout to view the alpine road crossing the Southern Alps. Continuing through the Mackenzie district, the tour stops in Omarama for a break and optional tasting of local chicken pies. The route then turns west to approach Aoraki National Park, with a photo stop at Lake Pukaki to see the lake’s blue waters framed by Mt Cook and the Southern Alps. The operator points out nearby Lord of the Rings filming locations. At Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, travelers have about three hours of free time to walk on local trails such as the Tasman Glacier View Walk or Kea Point Track. Optional scenic flights over the glaciers are available, with pickups and drop-offs arranged by the guide. On the return journey, the group stops at High Country Salmon farm to feed fish and sample fresh salmon, then visits Jackson Orchards for local fruit, ice cream, pies, or a leg stretch. The tour concludes with the return to Queenstown and farewells. The full trip lasts around 13 hours by bus, includes snacks and water, and is conducted in a small guided group. Hikes are self-guided, and a currently closed section of the Hooker Valley Track is noted. Lunch is not included but can be purchased en route. Gratuities and souvenir photos are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Queenstown
The tour starts in Queenstown where the guide introduces the day’s highlights while leaving the city.
Kawarau Bungy Centre by AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand
The route passes through Kawarau Gorge, offering views of the Kawarau Suspension Bridge and Roaring Meg Lookout, with a possible photo stop if conditions allow.
Cromwell
The tour enters Cromwell’s fruit and wine region, crosses Lake Dunstan, and proceeds toward Lindis Pass.
5 min
Lindis Pass
The group stops at the lookout on Lindis Pass, one of three alpine roads crossing the Southern Alps.
15 min
Omarama Sheep Statue
In the Mackenzie district plains, the tour pauses in Omarama for about 30 minutes, allowing time for a break or sampling local chicken pies.
30 min
Lake Pukaki
The tour stops at Lake Pukaki for about 15 minutes to view the lake’s blue waters framed by Mt Cook and the Southern Alps, with commentary on nearby Lord of the Rings filming sites.
15 min
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)
Visitors have approximately three hours of free time in the national park to self-guide walks such as the Tasman Glacier View Walk or Kea Point Track, or take optional scenic flights over the glaciers, with transportation arranged by the guide.
180 min
High Country Salmon
On the return trip, the group stops for about 20 minutes at High Country Salmon farm to feed the fish and sample fresh salmon.
20 min
Jackson Orchards
Near Queenstown, the tour pauses for about 15 minutes at Jackson Orchards to try or purchase local fruit, ice cream, and pies, or for a short walk.
15 min
Queenstown
The tour ends with the return to Queenstown and the conclusion of the day’s activities.
60 min
Meeting point
PICKUP TIME 6:30 AM. If your accommodation is yet to be confirmed, we ask that you select this location for now. You can update this later!
End point
PICKUP TIME 6:30 AM.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Mt Cook Small Group Scenic Day Tour from Queenstown with Lake Pukaki and High Country Salmon
by Cheeky Kiwi Travel
Choose from 3 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.NZ$550Overview
The tour begins in Queenstown, where the guide introduces the day’s route while traveling out of the city. The group drives through Kawarau Gorge, passing the Kawarau Suspension Bridge and Roaring Meg Lookout, with a stop for photos if time and light allow. Next, the tour passes through Cromwell’s fruit and wine region, crosses Lake Dunstan, and continues toward Lindis Pass. At Lindis Pass, the group pauses at the lookout to view the alpine road crossing the Southern Alps. Continuing through the Mackenzie district, the tour stops in Omarama for a break and optional tasting of local chicken pies. The route then turns west to approach Aoraki National Park, with a photo stop at Lake Pukaki to see the lake’s blue waters framed by Mt Cook and the Southern Alps. The operator points out nearby Lord of the Rings filming locations. At Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, travelers have about three hours of free time to walk on local trails such as the Tasman Glacier View Walk or Kea Point Track. Optional scenic flights over the glaciers are available, with pickups and drop-offs arranged by the guide. On the return journey, the group stops at High Country Salmon farm to feed fish and sample fresh salmon, then visits Jackson Orchards for local fruit, ice cream, pies, or a leg stretch. The tour concludes with the return to Queenstown and farewells. The full trip lasts around 13 hours by bus, includes snacks and water, and is conducted in a small guided group. Hikes are self-guided, and a currently closed section of the Hooker Valley Track is noted. Lunch is not included but can be purchased en route. Gratuities and souvenir photos are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Queenstown
The tour starts in Queenstown where the guide introduces the day’s highlights while leaving the city.
Kawarau Bungy Centre by AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand
The route passes through Kawarau Gorge, offering views of the Kawarau Suspension Bridge and Roaring Meg Lookout, with a possible photo stop if conditions allow.
Cromwell
The tour enters Cromwell’s fruit and wine region, crosses Lake Dunstan, and proceeds toward Lindis Pass.
5 min
Lindis Pass
The group stops at the lookout on Lindis Pass, one of three alpine roads crossing the Southern Alps.
15 min
Omarama Sheep Statue
In the Mackenzie district plains, the tour pauses in Omarama for about 30 minutes, allowing time for a break or sampling local chicken pies.
30 min
Lake Pukaki
The tour stops at Lake Pukaki for about 15 minutes to view the lake’s blue waters framed by Mt Cook and the Southern Alps, with commentary on nearby Lord of the Rings filming sites.
15 min
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)
Visitors have approximately three hours of free time in the national park to self-guide walks such as the Tasman Glacier View Walk or Kea Point Track, or take optional scenic flights over the glaciers, with transportation arranged by the guide.
180 min
High Country Salmon
On the return trip, the group stops for about 20 minutes at High Country Salmon farm to feed the fish and sample fresh salmon.
20 min
Jackson Orchards
Near Queenstown, the tour pauses for about 15 minutes at Jackson Orchards to try or purchase local fruit, ice cream, and pies, or for a short walk.
15 min
Queenstown
The tour ends with the return to Queenstown and the conclusion of the day’s activities.
60 min
Meeting point
PICKUP TIME 6:30 AM. If your accommodation is yet to be confirmed, we ask that you select this location for now. You can update this later!
End point
PICKUP TIME 6:30 AM.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.