Day Trips
6+ hours
Free cancellation
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$558
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Private Discovery Day Tours
Private Discovery Day Tours
Private Discovery Day Tours
5
Full view
About
Discover the Paradise Valley dwarfed by Mount Earnslaw, in the heart of Middle Earth 4WD to 1680 feet above sea level on Mount Alfred and soak in the views over Diamond Lake and the Dart River Valley. Mount Earnslaw Station is a 15000 acre sheep and beef cattle farm set in this unique scenic environment. Small groups experience this unique property with exclusive excess, LOTR movie location sights included.
Glenorchy, New Zealand
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Improve this listingTours and Tickets by Private Discovery Day Tours
Day Trips
7–8 hours
Free cancellation
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from
$273
per adult
4WD Tours
4–5 hours
Free cancellation
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Recommended by 93% of travelers
93% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$168
per adult
Day Trips
7–8 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$330
per adult
Day Trips
7–8 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
from
$273
per adult
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
149 reviews
Excellent
142
Very good
6
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Sani
1 contribution
Aug 2020 • Couples
Charles is an excellent friendly guide with tons of interesting knowledge. We took the tour to Skippers Canyon and very glad we did! The views were absolutely breathtaking. My partner suffers from quite severe motion sickness but Charles' smooth handling of the treacherous terrain meant that my partner was comfortable the entire time. We learnt so much of the local gold mining history and bit of LotR and other film facts too. Thanks again!
Written September 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sophie301
Silver Spring, MD57 contributions
Jan 2020
My family and I travelled through New Zealand over the New Year. During our stay in Queenstown, we took two tours with Charles Fraser's organization. One was led by Charles and one was led by his very lovely wife. Charles took us on a tour to Milford Sound complete with the tickets to sail once we arrived. He is a proud, knowledgeable New Zealander with a broad background that he shares with candor and generosity. Our second tour was with Charle's wife. She took us to see several sites, on glorious hike and on a thorough visit to a working sheep farm. Each day we were provided with a delicious picnic lunch. Both days were so informative, comfortable and pleasant. I highly recommend this group!
Written March 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review Sophie, the world has changed now as I respond to your review. Remember your memories of NZ despite the issues you and your family may now have to deal with, we will all be living in a different world when we emerge from this crisis....
Take care and stay safe ...Charles
Written March 27, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rollingstone41
Auckland, New Zealand12 contributions
Mar 2022
I booked a private day tour with Charles so I could combine various aspects of his tours into one full day. As a Kiwi who's travelled extensively overseas, and also here within NZ, I was overwhelmed with the stunning scenery I saw during this unique tour and actually felt quite proud of our great wee country. From Paradise Valley, to Mount Earnslaw Station (to which Charles has exclusive access!), and a taster of the Routeburn track, the scenery is truly second to none! Charles pinpointed our various spots on a map and pointed out the vistas, which lay before us, in a Lord of the Rings book he'd brought along. It is so obvious why this part of the world was chosen for such movies as The Hobbit, Narnia, Wolverine and even a Lindt Swiss chocolate advert!
I was really taken by Charles' knowledge in general and genuine interest, and would not hesitate to thoroughly recommend Charles from Private Discovery Day Tours if you are after a fantastic day out, which is truly small group (or a private tour as I did).
Sandy
I was really taken by Charles' knowledge in general and genuine interest, and would not hesitate to thoroughly recommend Charles from Private Discovery Day Tours if you are after a fantastic day out, which is truly small group (or a private tour as I did).
Sandy
Written March 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charles H
Sarasota, Florida, USA13 contributions
Feb 2020
The full day Paradise Valley trip with Private Discovery Tours was perhaps the highlight of a New Zealand vacation I'd been dreaming of for decades. When Charles Frazier picked up my friend Jeff and me at the Azur Lodge outside Queenstown, we knew immediately we were in for a great day. Charles, as affable and engaging a guide as you could hope for, grew up in this region, and with his farming background has a deep love for the landscape. He shared his knowledge of the area's history, culture and geologic formation as we drove along the dramatic road toward charming Glenorchy. In his 4WD vehicle, we then headed into spectacular Lord of the Rings country, climbing high above the valley for a stunning view of the mountain scenery. We also wound our way through a high-country sheep and cattle farm, to which Charles has exclusive access.At one point, we encountered a farmer attempting to move hundreds of sheep from one pasture to another, with the help of some persistent sheep dogs.It was the New Zealand of my dreams! Our day also included a brief forest walk, and a lovely outdoor lunch at a Glenorchy cafe. A great day, in great company!
Written February 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It was pleasure to show you some unique locations we have access to and share stories , history and points of interest with you both. Another great day in Paradise!!
Thank you Charles
Written February 23, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jannessa C
1 contribution
Oct 2024 • Couples
My husband and I had such a great time on our trip. Charles was our guide, and he was friendly, knowledgeable, and extremely accomodating! When he heard that I'm a big Lord of the Rings fan, he made sure to point out every location we went near – and made sure to stop at each for pictures! He was lovely to chat with and we learned a lot about the area that had nothing to do with the Lord of the Rings – which we loved, because we wanted to learn about the land and history and culture too. The tour itself was amazing! We saw some beautiful views of Glenorchy, the Arrow River, Queenstown, and all the surrounding places in-between. We never felt rushed or like we were being inconvenient. My favorite spot was getting to see the location where they filmed Isengard! Charles took us to a spot on the river where you could see mountain-for-mountain the exact location in the film. So cool and breathtaking! The tour was so relaxing and beautiful and interesting, I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to get away from the hustle of Queenstown and see some beautiful sights.
Written October 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
June P
Los Angeles, CA5 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
We had a wonderful time with Private Discovery Tours! We did a multi-day tour that took us throughout Queenstown and the surrounding regions, including Glenorchy, Milford Sound, Routeburn, Dunedin, and Te Anau. Charles, Lynette and Belinda were beyond amazing with our teenage boys. They somehow figured out how to connect and balance their interests, personalities and other common teenage boy antics. Could not have asked for a better situation! We would use them again in a heartbeat to explore other areas of South Island. Such a beautiful country and what a great group of people at Private Discovery Tours!
Written February 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
airamyh
115 contributions
Aug 2020
I had a really great time. It didn't feel like a tour, but rather someone local showing me all the good spots. I had originally gone on this tour via an air bnb experience, but I liked it so much that I did a different tour with Charles but through his company. Definitely recommend this if you're wanting a less touristy experience.
Written August 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
emile80
Rotterdam, The Netherlands1 contribution
Feb 2011
I did this trip on my last day of a 5 week tour of New zealand : after having seen so many beautiful spots, I did not think it could be any better. But Charles Fraser of RD tours showed me places and views in complete silence which were absolutely stunning.
I will not forget "the lunch with a view " up the mountain.
An must if you want tosee the splendour of that part of New Zealand
I will not forget "the lunch with a view " up the mountain.
An must if you want tosee the splendour of that part of New Zealand
Written May 30, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CharlotteBredie
Zoetermeer, The Netherlands1 contribution
In the last week of my stay in New Zealand, I wanted te see some more of the South Island before I would go home. RD Tours made it possible for me to make a two day tour. The first day to the Catlins (to see beautiful nature, waterfalls, sea lions at close range and penguins who came ashore) and the next day the Milford Sound cruise including lunch (to see beautiful mountains, large waterfalls, dolphins and seals). Charles had arranged everything, a comfortable car, a good cup of coffee in the morning, a lot of background information, a delicious lunch, a raincoat, a binocularsan to have a good look at the penguins and an overnight in Gore. I'm very glad I did this tour.
Written July 12, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
janet155019
Toronto, Canada13 contributions
This is the way to do it - RD Tours arranged five wonderful days for us from Omaru, to Dunedin and Otago Peninsula, then down to all the most beautiful beaches and waterfalls in the Catlins. Guide Charles is astute, articulate, knowledgeable, a good driver and a pleasure to be with. And he found all the best spots for sea lions and penguins. Great food, great wine, incredible scenery.
Written November 23, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nrfthnh
Singapore, Singapore
How do I contact you? And what are your rates and which tourism areas you will be bringing us?
Written July 8, 2015
Thank you for your inquiry. We can not list any contact details here on our response sorry.......due to the trip advisor rules.
So please search for our tour company private discovery tours queenstown and you will find rates and descriptions for various shared or private tours.
Or you are welcome to contact us by phone as well for more specific information.
We operate in numerous areas over the South Island specialising in the Queenstown, Glenorchy and Milford Sound regions.
Thank you
Charles
Written July 8, 2015
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