The 4 Best New Zealand Canyoning Tours

1.Queenstown Half-Day Canyoning Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 420 reviews · from $154Our pick

Meet Canyon Explorers in central Queenstown for a four-hour guided canyoning trip through ancient beech forest and waterfalls. You’ll zip line, rappel, slide, float, and plunge into clear pools. Guides such as Jay, Lorna, Josh, and Riley are known for calm instruction and encouragement. Gear, transport, hot showers, and light refreshments are included.

“Great way to experience a lot of what makes Queenstown unique. Guides are very upbeat and positive, encouraging you to try things that might be a little outside of your comfort zone. They also take photos so you don’t have to worry about it!”

See canyon dates →The full canyon review

2.Queenstown: Half-Day Canyoning Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 163 reviews · 4 hours · from $124

Spend four hours moving through a Queenstown canyon by zip line, abseil, slide, jump, and swim. Canyon Explorers supplies the equipment, transport, and English-speaking guides, with small groups capped at 12. First-timers are welcome, but you need reasonable fitness, confidence in water, and a weight under 120 kilograms.

“Lorna and Tim were amazing! Definitely would go again - maybe the full day next time. 100% worth the money, probably the best thing we’ve done in Qtown.”

See canyon dates →The full canyon review

3.Half-Day Canyoning in Gibbston Valley from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 93 reviews · from $154

Set out from central Queenstown for a four-hour, beginner-friendly canyoning trip in Gibbston Valley. Your guide provides full instruction before you scramble over rocks, abseil waterfalls, cross wet terrain, and ride natural slides for about two hours. Brig and Dom have earned particular praise for calm, funny, safety-focused guiding. Morning departures include lunch.

“We had a wonderful time with our guide Brig and felt safe the entire time. First time that we had been canyoning and we would all do It again”

See canyon dates →The full canyon review

4.Queenstown: Gibbston Valley Half-Day Canyoning Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 66 reviews · from $117Best value

Trade Queenstown’s streets for a mossy Gibbston Valley gorge on a four-hour canyoning trip with guides such as Stefan and Briggs. You’ll wear a wetsuit, climb, swim, slide and abseil beside waterfalls. No canyoning experience is needed, but you do need water confidence, English, and a medium level of fitness.

“This activity was amazing. Our guide was wonderful and shared his passion for canyoneering. Some parts were scary but I always felt safe! I would recommend this!”

See canyon dates →The full canyon review