Experience 4WD – U Drive

The Nomad Safaris 4WD Experience operates on a purpose-built test track incorporating the natural terrain on Queenstown Hill, before progressing onto the Macetown Road through the Arrow River.

Obstacles and challenges include banked turns, ditches, poles and even a slalom course! Once on the river, our instructor will teach you the best routes and what to look out for. Learn to 4WD like a pro!

This half-day 4WD tour is a unique experience where you can learn truly valuable skills, surrounded by spectacular rugged scenery in the New Zealand high country. An opportunity not to be missed!

Do I have to have driven a manual vehicle before? Yes, you have to hold a current manual Full drivers licence. All of our vehicles are manual and if you have not driven them before this will impede on your experience.

How long do I get to drive for? This varies based on your ability and the number of people driving. It can be anywhere between 2-3 hours

Where will I be driving? You will be off-roading on Queenstown Hill on unpaved roads, rocky terrain, some obstacles and the possibility of river driving, depending on ability

Can I bring someone who can’t/doesn’t want to drive?
Absolutely, we can fit up to 6 people in our vehicles so you could have up to 5 passengers. Passengers prices are $245 for adults and $99 for kids.

Important Information: Tour Itinerary Adjustments
Your safety is our top priority. In certain situations, it may be necessary to alter the tour itinerary due to conditions beyond our control, such as high water levels or adverse road conditions. This could mean we are unable to cross rivers or drive certain roads or drive the full length of roads like Skippers Canyon. When booking, please understand that these adjustments may be required. Please also see our full weather cancellation policy.

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Disclosure of Risk – 4wd Experience

Nomad Adventures Limited (t/a Nomad Safaris) Disclosure of Risk for 4wd Experience Self Drive Tour

We, Nomad Adventures Limited, 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, Nomad Adventures Limited, 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 veering from the track, rolling or flipping the vehicle, collision with other vehicles, stock, stationary objects, or the land; rollovers, vehicle fires, or mechanical failure.
• Your own failure to heed safety warnings, both verbal and written.
• Risk of falling or injury due to uneven, loose, or slippery terrain.
• Dangers associated with the working farm, including unpredictable actions of stock or wildlife.
• Actions of other users of the property.
• Actions of other tour participants or members of the public.
• Risk of drowning.
• Risk of injury or death due to natural events such as earthquakes, landslides, flash flooding, treefall, wildfire, lightning, blizzards, volcanic eruption, tsunami, cyclones, and any ongoing consequences of these events.

Disclosure of 4wdExp v 1.2 March 2024

Weather Cancellation Policy

Weather cancellation policy Nomad Adventures Limited (t/a Nomad Safaris, Info & Track, Info & Snow)

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 v1.2 – Feb 2024

“Living Our Defender Dream”
My husband and I chose the Self-Drive 4WD experience for an arvo in Queenstown. Our guide Gerard was enthusiastic and a great teacher! He knew we were looking at the Defender market and explored with us the many features unique to the defender. We then went to a great off-road track to learn 4WD skills with the incredible view of Queenstown in the background. It was great to learn some tips as we practised on the 4wd obstacle course. Then onto river crossings .... At least 5 in the one river, each crossing slightly different! The Land Rover Defender handled brilliantly. 5/5 stars for Gerard n his Defender!! We totally recommend him n the self drive module :) – Pippa, Adelaide, Australia
“Land Rover driving experience”
I have gone on the Nomad Safaris driving trip three times in the last two years. I have found the experience of driving the vehicles on the man made course and the Arrow river absolutely exhilarating. The drivers have a huge knowledge of off road driving and this trip is beneficial to every driver who goes on it. If you have ever wondered what it is like to go off road in a 4x4 then the 4WD trip is the one to do. – David S, Wellington
“Land Rover Driving Experience-one life, live it!”
We had a great morning with our expert instructor Tim up on Queenstown Hill and traversing the river en route to Macetown. Tim's knowledge of, and sensitivity towards, the local environment, his expertise with Land Rover Defenders and his enthusiasm and good nature meant that our trip was the highlight of our holiday. In the past, we've participated in Land Rover driving experiences at the factory, Eastnor Castle and elsewhere - but nothing compares to Nomad Safaris! One life, live it! – Sonofther, Wales, United Kingdom