Queenstown earned the adventure capital title on land just as much as in the air or on the water, the Wakatipu Basin and the hills around it are riddled with old gold mining tracks, Lord of the Rings filming locations and enough backcountry to keep a quad bike or dirt bike busy for days. Some of these adventures are built for the whole family, others need a driving licence and a taste for speed. Here is what is actually on offer around Queenstown, on wheels or on a wire.
Lord of the Rings 4WD touring and gold panning
The Half Day Queenstown Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour with Nomad Safaris takes in The Remarkables as the Misty Mountains, Deer Park Heights where the Battle of the Wargs was filmed, and the Kawarau Gorge's Pillars of the Kings location, before an off road run along the Arrow River with a stop for gold panning. Child rates apply from four to 14, with kids under four riding free, and morning or afternoon tea is included. Allow four hours.
Family quad biking at Cardrona
The River Run Family Quad Bike Tour runs along the Cardrona River about 45 minutes from Queenstown, with one on one training so no previous riding experience is needed. Children aged six and over can drive their own quad bike, while younger kids ride along with a parent in a six seater off road buggy. Allow one hour of riding time.
Quad biking on Queenstown Hill
The Nomad Safaris Quad Biking Tour heads onto exclusive trails on Queenstown Hill, riding a fully automatic ATV with unobstructed views back over the town and lake. This one is strictly for riders 16 and over with a valid driving licence, a learners or provisional licence is fine, and no pillion passengers are allowed on a rider's own bike. Allow two and a quarter hours of riding time.
Ziplining above Bob's Peak
The Ziptrek Ecotours Kea Tour launches from the top of the Skyline Gondola for six ziplines through native forest, with the final and steepest line reaching speeds of up to 70 kilometres an hour. Child rates apply from six to 14 years, with a minimum weight of 30 kilograms, and anyone 14 or under needs to ride with an adult aged 15 or over.
Frequently asked questions
Which Queenstown land adventure works best for younger kids?
The River Run Family Quad Bike Tour at Cardrona is built specifically for families, with kids six and over driving their own quad bike and younger children riding in a buggy with a parent.
What is the minimum age for quad biking with Nomad Safaris?
Riders must be 16 or over with a valid driving licence, a learners or provisional licence is accepted, and no passengers are allowed on a participant's own bike.
Do we need a driving licence for the 4WD Lord of the Rings tour?
No, this is a guided tour where an experienced Nomad Safaris driver takes the wheel, so no licence is needed and children from age four can join.
How fast do you go on the Ziptrek Kea Tour?
The steepest of the six ziplines reaches speeds of up to 70 kilometres an hour, with a minimum rider weight of 30 kilograms and child rates from age six.
Can beginners try quad biking or dirt biking around Queenstown?
Yes, the River Run Family Quad Bike Tour and the Nomad Safaris Queenstown Hill tour both include full training and no previous experience is required, though age and licence rules still apply.
Local tip: if your group has a mix of ages, book the Lord of the Rings 4WD tour together, then split off so the teens and adults can add a quad biking or ziplining adventure afterwards.
Book your Queenstown land adventure above and get properly into the backcountry, on four wheels or six ziplines.