An experience designed with inclusion in mind

The Goldrush Tour travels on Skippers Road, a narrow and remote backcountry road with uneven surfaces, steep drops and sections of winding road.

Guests remain seated in the vehicle while travelling along the route and must be able to travel safely within the vehicle’s seating arrangements.

The standard vehicle carries up to 11 guests plus the driver.

Guests with access requirements are encouraged to contact me before booking so that I can discuss the vehicle, seating arrangements and any assistance that may be required.

This is particularly important for wheelchair users, as the available passenger capacity may change when wheelchair accommodation is required.

There is no need to provide unnecessary personal or medical information. The information requested is simply to make sure the vehicle and arrangements are suitable for your needs.

Bookings can be made online through the normal booking system, or you can contact me directly if you would like to discuss your requirements before booking. Please note that phone calls are not always possible, however if a text/email is not possible then please leave a voicemail and I will call back at a more convenient time.

The Goldrush Tour is a historical sightseeing tour, heading down the famous Skippers Road and into Skippers Canyon where we follow the Shotover River and discover the regions rich past.

The tour generally takes approximately 3½–4 hours.

Guests are collected from the designated central Queenstown pickup points and welcomed before boarding the vehicle. Once everyone is settled, the tour begins with a drive through the Queenstown Gorge, where stories of the gold rush era begin to play, before travelling towards Skippers Canyon.

The route includes photo locations such as the Plain Table, Lighthouse Rock, Bells Hill, Māori Point and Skippers Saddle, with some other stops available depending on time.

The tour reaches approximately 15 km into Skippers Canyon, turning around at Māori Point. The slow pace of travel allows time to take in the scenery and history of the area.

The final part of the experience includes a stop at the historic Gantley’s Tavern in Arthur’s Point, where guests can enjoy a complimentary drink before returning to Queenstown.

The majority of the experience is spent seated in the vehicle. Guests are able to leave the vehicle at selected stops, so there are periods of getting in and out of the vehicle and walking short distances over rough outdoor surfaces. All photo stops are within 10 metres of the vehicle, so guests with limited mobility are still able to enjoy the views if they wish to remain seated.

The tour operates in an outdoor environment and conditions can change throughout the day.

Toilet facilities: There are no toilet facilities within Skippers Canyon. There can be up to 3 hours between available toilet stops. Guests who need regular access to toilet facilities should take this into consideration and use the toilet before entering the vehicle.

The route includes:

• A narrow, winding backcountry road

• Uneven and sometimes rough road surfaces

• Outdoor photography stops

• Variable weather conditions

• Short periods of standing and walking at some stops

• Getting in and out of the vehicle during the tour

Comfortable clothing and suitable footwear are recommended.

Guests should bring clothing appropriate for the weather conditions on the day, sun cream and water. Weather in the mountains and canyon can be different from conditions in central Queenstown.

If you have a particular need relating to weather, temperature, walking distances, toilet access or time outside the vehicle, please discuss this with me before your tour.

I can discuss individual requirements with guests before the tour and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to help make the experience more comfortable.

This may include:

• Discussing the most suitable seating arrangement

• Allowing additional time when getting in or out of the vehicle

• Discussing wheelchair accommodation in advance

• Supporting guests with vision impairments through the detailed audio experience

• Discussing specific requirements before arrival so there are no surprises on the day

Because the tour is operated by a small local business, guests can speak directly with the person operating the tour rather than having to explain their requirements to several different people.

The Goldrush Tour uses individual headphones for the onboard audio experience.

The audio includes detailed documentary-style stories about the history of Skippers Canyon, supported by music and sound effects. The audio is GPS-triggered along the route and very simple to use, allowing guests to listen to the stories as the tour progresses and is provided in 8 languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, French, German and Italian.

Individual headphones and devices have volume controls, allowing guests to adjust the volume to their preference.

The audio experience can be particularly useful for guests with hearing impairments who are able to use individual headphones.

Guests with vision impairments can also experience the historical storytelling through the detailed audio content.

The standard Goldrush Tour vehicle is a 12-seat Toyota HiAce carrying up to 11 guests plus the driver.

The vehicle has full-time 4WD, air conditioning, upgraded suspension and tyres designed for rough terrain.

The journey is deliberately taken at a slow pace because of the nature of the road and passenger comfort.

Service dogs are welcome, subject to the available space in the vehicle.

Please let me know when booking if you will be travelling with a service dog so that I can make sure the seating and space available in the vehicle are suitable.

Feedback about accessibility is welcome.

If there is something that made your experience easier, something that could have been explained more clearly or something that could be improved, please let me know directly.

As a small business, feedback from guests is valuable in helping me understand different access needs and improve the experience for future visitors.

Please contact me directly with any feedback or suggestions.