The Remarkables: Our most recommended tours and activities

Queenstown: Spirit of Queenstown Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise

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.

Queenstown: Pilot's Choice Helicopter Tour & Alpine Landing

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 back to the helicopter base where your tour will conclude with a transfer back to your hotel.

Queenstown: Snowmobiling Experience with Helicopter Flight

3. Queenstown: Snowmobiling Experience with Helicopter Flight

Discover the beauty of the Garvie Mountain Range as your set off on an action-packed adventure on the powder with this snowmobiling tour from Queenstown. Soar over the Hector mountains and Nevis River Valley on a helicopter from Garvie Mountain. Enjoy the convenience of being picked up from your hotel in Queenstown. Sit back and relax on the drive through the countryside on the way to the snowmobiling base camp. Stay warm with the provided winter overalls, gloves, and gloves. Put on your helmet and snowmobile through stunning scenery. Enjoy a full-guided tour with stops along the way for amazing photo opportunities of the spectacular landscape. Delight in a return scenic helicopter flight across the Western face of the Remarkables mountains, and over the Hector mountains and the Nevis River Valley.Feel the thrill of landing and on a snowy plateau on the Garvie Mountain Range. Return to your accommodation in Queenstown at the end of your tour. 

Queenstown: Half-Day 4WD Lord Of the Rings Discovery Tour

4. 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 the Arrow River, cross the river many times to get to the Ford of Bruinen. Here you can indulge in a refreshing afternoon tea and try your hand at a spot of gold panning. From Arrowtown, travel to the entrance of Skippers Canyon for spectacular panoramic views of the Wakatipu Basin and into the Canyon.

From Queenstown: The Remarkables Ski Shuttle

5. From Queenstown: The Remarkables Ski Shuttle

Our small group Remarkables service is set to a scheduled timetable that runs 7 days a week, with 2 services, both leaving at 7:15am. Both services will leave the ski field at 4:00pm. Return is included in the price. Your day will start with one of thr drivers picking you up at an address or accommodation of your choice, as well as other passengers along the way that have also booked for that service time. The driver will greet you and offer to store any luggage you may have in the vehicle’s storage areas. After picking up the remaining customers from their accommodation, the driver will start the journey to The Remarkables – enjoy the Winter morning views! Once you arrive safely and comfortably at the ski field base building, the driver will open the door for you to safely exit the vehicle and will retrieve each person’s gear from the storage area. Your driver will then remind you of your pick up time from the ski field base building that afternoon – time to go and hit the slopes! After what was hopefully a stunning day up on the mountain, your driver will meet you at the ski field base building car park to once again store your gear and safely usher you into the vehicle. Now it’s time to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride back to your accommodation. When you arrive back at your accommodation, your driver will retrieve any gear you have in the storage area and wish you well, until next time! *Please note minimum passenger numbers are required for this tour to operate. *Pick up from Arrowtown or Glenorchy not included. *If your child requires a booster seat please bring one as we do not stock. *In the event of the mountain being closed you will receive a 100% refund or option to change dates.

Panoramic View Helicopter Flight with Alpine Landing

6. 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 showing you the best of New Zealand's amazing scenery.

Queenstown: Scenic Alpine Heli-Flight

7. 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 history left by Europeans and Chinese gold miners in the late 1800s. Land on the roof of Queenstown and jump off to take photos of the wilderness. Your alpine landing will provide excellent photo opportunities. Please note, all trips are subject to favorable weather conditions and availability.

Queenstown & Skippers Canyon: Middle Earth Helicopter Tour

8. 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 alongside the Rohirrim Refugees and share the view Legolas had of the approaching Wargs.

From Queenstown: The Remarkables Ski Area Private Transfer

9. From Queenstown: The Remarkables Ski Area Private Transfer

Indulge in unmatched professionalism and bespoke service with The Remarkables Ski Area's private transfer. Enjoy Wi-Fi and refreshments onboard. You will choose a pick-up and drop-off time from your accommodation and the ski field you would like to go to. Our driver will pick up you up from your accommodation and then will head back down the mountain after you have been dropped off at your chosen ski field. Our driver will come back to the ski field later on to pick you up at your aforementioned time.

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What people are saying about The Remarkables

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 1,053 reviews

Fantastic experience, a must do when visiting Queenstown. The pilot was very friendly and informative of the area. The company also picked us up from our motel and returned us after the experience.

Well worth the money to get a great view of the lake with interesting commentary. Even the teenager who moaned about going said she enjoyed it and declared it ‘very peaceful’.

For first time helicopter travellers with limited funds a great way to experience the freedom of helicopter flight.

Very friendly staff and good service. The view was stunning. This adventure is a must if you are in Queenstown

Amazing lovely cruise!! Gorgeous scenery!!! Highly recommend/ relaxing trip!!