Skippers Canyon 4WD

Nomad Safaris offers a complete 4WD tour into the historic Skippers Canyon. The Nomad Safaris Skippers Canyon adventure is a half-day heritage tour that travels along the rugged and treacherous Skippers road.

As your guide navigates along this awe-inspiring canyon you will visit many historic sites such as the historic Skippers suspension bridge and the historic township of Skippers. Visit the restored school house where you will gain a real insight into the local heritage through photos and histories of life in this tough environment

British Automobile Association voted Skippers Canyon road as one of the 25 most scenic roads in the world. Travel the road that was hacked by hand into the sheer cliff sides of the Shotover River Valley. This is an exciting adventure the whole family will enjoy

Trip Details
The Skippers Canyon 4WD tour departs from Queenstown heading out towards Coronet Peak. As you head up the peak towards the entrance to this spectacular canyon there are stunning panoramic views of the Wakatipu Basin.

After entering Skippers Canyon we will travel to Lighthouse Rock, which gives a dramatic lookout over the entire canyon. Follow in the footsteps of many adventurers and discoverers as this historical winding road brings you to the historic Skippers Bridge, which provides a stunning photo opportunity.

Carefully travelling over the bridge, the road continues into the historical township of Skippers. Long since abandoned, much of the original building still remains, waiting for you to explore it.

Indulge in morning or afternoon tea at the Skippers School building. Immerse yourself in the history of this stunning place as the restored school house divulges a wealth of information through photos and artefacts from the early days of this settlement. The cemetery nearby depicts a more gloomy and dangerous life for these gold prospectors.

Returning along the road you will stop at Deep Creek where you can immerse yourself in the heritage of the local area by turning your hand to a spot of gold panning. Our trained guides will teach you techniques to successfully pan for gold on one of the richest gold-bearing rivers in the world. Some may also recognise spots along the Skippers Road as being featured in The Lord of The Rings.

What are your child rates/ Child ages?
We do have child rates available. Infants (0-3 years) travel for free and children (4-14 years) travel at a discounted price.
Can my child come on this tour?
Our 4WD tours in Queenstown welcome all ages; there’s no minimum age requirement. We provide child and booster seats upon request at booking.
Weather Cancellation Policy
Weather cancellation policy Outback New Zealand Limited (t/a Nomad Safaris, Info & Track, Info & Snow) We, Outback New Zealand Ltd, are committed to the protection of our employees, clients & property from accidental injury or damage from work carried out by, and on behalf of, the business. We, Outback New Zealand, adopt health, safety, and welfare as a fundamental business objective. In meeting this commitment, management will comply with all legislative requirements and take all practicable steps to: ● Provide a safe place of work, safe equipment, and proper materials. ● Activities are reviewed by competent staff (internal technical advisors). ● Establish and insist that safe work methods be always practiced. ● Provide supervision and training. ● Ensure employees and clients understand and accept their responsibility to promote a safe and healthy place of work and are part of the safety management process. ● Comply with all Health and Safety Legislation. ● Prevention of serious harm. ● Continually improve. As part of this commitment, we reserve the right to delay or cancel any tours or activities if weather conditions are not suitable. This decision will be made by the Operations Manager or a delegated representative. Guides and Drivers are also authorized to modify their routes, or shorten a tour if weather conditions unexpectedly change. Reasons for this could include, but are not limited to: • Excessive rain causing risk of flooding • Extreme high winds • Snowfall closing roads • Excessive Ice on roading network • Risk of lightning strike during tours • Weather related State of Emergency declared by authorities • Any other extreme environmental or weather event, Such as Earthquake, Landslide, Wildfire, Tsunami, Cyclone, Volcanic Eruption. Weather Cancellation policy v 1.2 Feb 2024
Disclosure of Risk 4WD
Outback New Zealand Limited (t/a Nomad Safaris) Disclosure of Risk for Four Wheel Drive Tours. Wakatipu, Glenorchy, Skippers Canyon, Macetown, Gold Seeker, Essential Queenstown, Private Charter We, Outback New Zealand, are committed to the protection of our employees, clients & property from accidental injury or damage from work carried out by, and on behalf of, the business. We, Outback New Zealand, adopt health, safety, and welfare as a fundamental business objective. In meeting this commitment, management will comply with all legislative requirements and take all practicable steps to: ● Provide a safe place of work, safe equipment, and proper materials. ● Activities are reviewed by competent staff (internal technical advisors). ● Establish and insist that safe work methods be always practiced. ● Provide supervision and training. ● Ensure employees and clients understand and accept their responsibility to promote a safe and healthy place of work and are part of the safety management process. ● Comply with all Health and Safety Legislation. ● Prevention of serious harm. ● Continually improve. Whilst we undertake all reasonably practicable steps to minimize, remove, or isolate risks during our tours, it still exists as it does in everyday life. Risks you may be exposed to during your tour include, but are not limited to: • Motor vehicle accident including collision with other vehicles, stationary objects, or the land, rollovers, or vehicle fires. • Your own failure to heed safety warnings, both Verbal and Written • Actions of other road users or members of the public which could cause harm. • Risk of falling from alighting the motor vehicle. • Risk of falling or injury due to uneven, loose, or slippery terrain. • Risk of drowning. • Risk of injury or death due to natural events such as Earthquakes, Landslide, Flash Flooding, Treefall, Wildfire, Lightning, Blizzards, Volcanic Eruption, Tsunami, Cyclones, and any ongoing consequences of these events Disclosure of Risk 4wd v 1.2 Feb 2024

“Worth every cent” Amazing drivers and nature is just beautiful! Seeing pictures of the road we were going to, I was a bit nervous, but the drivers are so skilful and they really know what they're doing. If you want to go to Skippers Canyon, this is the company to go with!
~ Anna K, Oslo, Norway  
“Amazing heart-pounding trip”
They take you to places that I will never drive. The road to skippers canyon was terrifying yet exciting - so glad we did that trip. The young lady who drove us was a superb driver and very knowledgeable. If you are scared of heights don't look down. ~ Abu K, Baltimore, Maryland
“Thanks NOMADS and Graham. Great fun, stunning views”
I really enjoyed my trip with NOMADS, we had a great bunch of friendly people on board and the driver Graham was an awesome guy, very informative and great fun. The drive up the mountains was an experience and the views were incredible. We got lots of opportunities to stop and take photos whilst admiring the views all around.
We couldn't actually get into the skippers' canyons due to the slip that had happened on the mountain so instead at the end of the tour we went down to the rivers and drove through them in the 4x4 which had us all screaming with laughter. This more than made up for not getting into skippers canyon. Thanks again guys!
~ Kelly T, United Kingdom