Our most recommended things to do in Cardrona

Cardrona: Mountain Carting at Cardrona Alpine Resort

1. Cardrona: Mountain Carting at Cardrona Alpine Resort

Experience the brand-new adventure sport, mountain carting, aka New Zealand’s most accessible gravity-fuelled activity. The only one of their kind in New Zealand, these 3-wheeled gravity carts are all you need to take on the trails with no previous experience necessary. Take a leisurely roll or race your mates around sweeping bends before taking the chairlift back up to get another lap in. Get your heart racing in this fun-filled, downhill adrenaline activity, no previous experience is required. Sessions last for 2 hours with access to all 3 mountain cart tracks. Once you have worked up an appetite, why not head to the onsite bar to take your pick from the selection of craft beers and local wines as well as a bunch of hot and cold menu options including delicious wood-fired pizzas. Summer operating dates and times: Summer 2023/24: December 15, 2023 – March 3, 2024 (closed Christmas Day). Off-peak 15 – 24 December & 23 January – 3 March 5 days per week (closed Tuesday & Wednesday) 10am – 4pm TGIF (every Friday): 12pm – 8pm Peak 26 December – 22 January 7 days a week 10am – 5pm TGIF (every Friday): 12pm – 8pm Closed Christmas day

From Queenstown: Guided Gin Tour with Tastings

2. From Queenstown: Guided Gin Tour with Tastings

Start your day by meeting your friendly guide at or near your Queenstown accommodation. We then travel around Queenstown and surrounding areas showcasing a talented range of distillers who use our unique environment to produce some of the smoothest and top award-winning spirits in New Zealand and around the world Throughout the afternoon, visit three separate gin and spirit tasting experiences, with each location offering something different, including a distillery tour at the famous Cardrona Distillery. Enjoy a gin and tonic upon arrival, shared platters at two of the locations, and be hosted by a friendly guide and the tasting room staff, who share entertaining local distilling facts and stories. This gin experience has been designed to offer a good mix of education, sightseeing, and fun. There is also flexibility to try other spirits such as vodka, whiskey, and wines throughout, if you want to balance your gin intake. Let us take you on New Zealand’s first gin tour and experience more with Altitude Tours.

Queenstown: Helicopter Flight and Gin Tasting Tour

3. Queenstown: Helicopter Flight and Gin Tasting Tour

Start your afternoon with a pick-up from your Queenstown accommodation and enjoy a special scenic 15-minute helicopter flight. Land on a mountaintop, where the helicopter will shut down for 25 minutes allowing you to enjoy a unique gin-tasting experience while taking in the views of Queenstown. From here, touch down in the Cardrona Valley and you will meet the rest of your group. Throughout the afternoon, enjoy three separate gin and spirit tasting experiences, with each location offering something special, including a distillery tour at the famous Cardrona Distillery. Enjoy a gin and tonic upon arrival, shared platters at two of the locations, and be hosted by an Altitude Tours guide and the tasting room staff, all of whom will educate and entertain you with distilling facts and stories. This gin experience has been designed to offer a good mix of education, sightseeing, and fun. There is also flexibility to try other spirits such as vodka, whiskey, and wines throughout, if you want to balance your gin-take. Let us take you on New Zealand’s first gin tour and experience more with Altitude Tours.

Cardrona: Summer Gondola Sightseeing Pass

4. Cardrona: Summer Gondola Sightseeing Pass

Take the McDougall’s Express Chondola to the top of the mountain and ride in comfort and style. The Chondola starts right beside the base area and in under 4 minutes you’ll be at the top of the mountain. Sit back and watch mountain bikers and carters as they head off down the hill, head out on our alpine walking trails, or snap a selfie at our big swing! Explore the walking trails for a true alpine adventure with 360-degree views at every turn. Take as many photos for the family album as you want before you head back down to base.  Drop by the lounge and soak up the sun on the patio, the ultimate trailside après spot. Refuel with a selection of hot and cold menu options to suit everyone.

Cardrona: Single-Day Mountain Bike Pass and Bike Rental

5. Cardrona: Single-Day Mountain Bike Pass and Bike Rental

Your experience begins as you collect your lift pass at the Cardrona on-mountain ticket office before the lifts open at 10:00AM. From there, take the lift uphill to begin your first downhill descent. There’s no better feeling than taking a breath as you drop in, feeling your heart pumping as you find your flow, lapping all day until there’s nothing left in the tank. This bike park features a variety of lift-accessed downhill mountain bike trails for all levels of rider to enjoy. The trails are suitable for all levels of experience, with flowing beginner trails to National DH level tracks. With some of the longest vertical descents in the country, come and explore this alpine playground. Summer 2023/24: December 15, 2023 – March 3, 2024 (closed Christmas Day) Off-peak 15 – 24 December & 23 January – 3 March 5 days per week (closed Tuesday & Wednesday) 10am – 4pm TGIF (every Friday): 12pm – 8pm Peak 26 December – 22 January 7 days a week 10am – 5pm TGIF (every Friday): 12pm – 8pm Closed Christmas day

Other Sightseeing Options in Cardrona

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What people are saying about Cardrona

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 14 reviews

We had Ethan take us for an amazing afternoon! His knowledge and humour lead to an unforgettable afternoon, we’ll be sure to buy a bottle of Broken Heart Gin when we get back to Aus!

Fantastic experience! Would highly recommend! Amazing tour guide and great value for money