Overview
This 7.5-hour tour has it all, comfortable luxury tour van, highly enjoyable commentary and stunning locations. Being a loop tour, you will never see the same scenery twice.
Highlights
- Bungy jumping and Lord of the Rings locations
- Fruit tasting and morning refreshments in Cromwell
- Multiple famous photo stops on the journey to Wanaka
- Relaxed free time at Wanaka’s gorgeous lake front to enjoy the many great cafes and shops
- With our help take amazing photos of the Wanaka Tree
- Plenty of time to explore Arrowtown, the Chinese Village at your own pace
Your day begins with views over the world's first commercial bungy operation opened at the Kawarau bridge in 1988, and has been credited with pioneering Queenstown's reputation as "the adventure capital of the world." You can photograph this historic bridge and look down at the excited throngs of bungy jumpers, while we show you where The Gates of Argonath stood in The Lord of the Rings / Pillars of the Kings movie (this time you really are on a movie set!).
Travelling deeper into the Gibbston Valley and along the Kawarau Gorge, you'll gaze upon vineyard after vineyard; in a rugged setting that has lent itself to the production of award-winning Pinot Noir wine. As we twist through the gorge, the river rushes below, and on the banks opposite you will spot some more gold prospecting shacks clinging to the rocks near ancient goldmines.
We will arrive into "new" Cromwell and reveal the secrets that lay beneath the man-made lake and the Clyde Dam beyond it...a dam that divided a town and changed the landscape forever. We visit Jones fruit stall a iconic Cromwell orchard were you will sample local fruits and maybe meet the legend herself Mrs Jones. Next we treat you to a classic morning tea - a hot drink and a slice.* in local cafe with free WiFi.
Cromwell was first walked upon by Maori traders and hunters, then European shepherds, gold seekers and dam builders. You will take in its wild hills and look onto the waters of the beautiful Clutha River and Lake Dunstan as we head towards our next destination.
Historically used by Maori as a pathway to greenstone sites and later by goldminers for accommodation close to Cardrona claims, today Wanaka has branded itself as a lifestyle reserve. Rich in family adventures, eco-tours, recreational trails and nearby ski fields, it is surrounded by huge mountains and massive glaciers. We will lead you to the Reflection Tree, which grows within the lake. It is obsessively photographed across every season, and you will see why.
Then you will have one hour of free time to wander Wanaka at your whim, maybe you'll look around the shops, sit and have an icecream by the lake, or go for a walk along the lake path? The choice is yours. We recommend choosing an easy lunch option from one of the nearby cafes and taking advantage of the views.
As we head back towards Queenstown, we will take the Crown Range home. As New Zealand's highest sealed road, the Crown Range is usually covered in snow in winter and boasts some incredible viewing platforms. You will step out and soak these up and grab a photo or three.
But before you do...we still have one famous stop to make. Built in 1863 to service gold prospectors, offering them accommodation, and a place to stop and seek refreshment is Cardrona Hotel. It is one of New Zealand's oldest pubs, and possibly the most well-known (it has been much photographed internationally). Pop in and explore, and we'll shout you a beer or soft drink to enjoy in the beer garden or by the fire. You've worked for it.
Your day ends in historic Arrowtown; a site swarmed firstly by European gold prospectors in the 1860's, then by 5000 Chinese who were invited to try their luck among the leftovers! You'll walk among the tiny restored cottages of their settlement and wander down the main street of this exquisite little town with its charm of historic buildings that will make you feel like you walked onto a movie set.
Languages
English
