Half-Day Skippers Canyon 4WD Adventure from Queenstown
Queenstown, New Zealand
Trip Type: 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours
Duration: 4 hours
Half-day heritage tour that follows the rugged and once treacherous Skippers Road. Travel the road that was hacked by hand into the sheer cliff sides of the Shotover River Valley. As your experienced guide navigates the awe-inspiring canyon, you can relax and enjoy numerous historic sites along the journey, including a century old suspension bridge and the township of Skippers. Gain an insight into the local heritage through photos and relics in the restored schoolhouse before trying your hand at gold panning.
More About This Activity All 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours →
Half-day heritage tour that follows the rugged and once treacherous Skippers Road. Travel the road that was hacked by hand into the sheer cliff sides of the Shotover River Valley. As your experienced guide navigates the awe-inspiring canyon, you can relax and enjoy numerous historic sites along the journey, including a century old suspension bridge and the township of Skippers. Gain an insight into the local heritage through photos and relics in the restored schoolhouse before trying your hand at gold panning.
The Skippers Canyon 4WD tour begins by picking you up at your local Queenstown accommodation and heading out of town towards Coronet Peak Ski field. Take in panoramic views over the Wakatipu Basin, as you head up the mountain. Enter into Skippers Canyon and travel to Lighthouse Rock for a dramatic lookout over the canyon. Continue following in the footsteps of adventurers and discoverers as this historical winding road brings you to the historic Skippers Bridge – a perfect photo opportunity.
After carefully negotiating the bridge, the road continues into the old township of Skippers. Long since abandoned, several original buildings remain waiting to be explored. During a pause for refreshments in the township, immerse yourself in the history of this place as the restored schoolhouse and old homestead divulge a wealth of information through photos and artifacts from early days of this settlement. The nearby cemetery depicts a more gloomy and dangerous life for these gold prospectors.
On the return journey, stop at Deep Creek where you can test your luck panning for gold in one of the richest gold bearing rivers in the world.
After carefully negotiating the bridge, the road continues into the old township of Skippers. Long since abandoned, several original buildings remain waiting to be explored. During a pause for refreshments in the township, immerse yourself in the history of this place as the restored schoolhouse and old homestead divulge a wealth of information through photos and artifacts from early days of this settlement. The nearby cemetery depicts a more gloomy and dangerous life for these gold prospectors.
On the return journey, stop at Deep Creek where you can test your luck panning for gold in one of the richest gold bearing rivers in the world.
« Go Back