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Attraction
Skippers Canyon
Skippers Canyon is a narrow, unsealed former gold-mining road cut into a cliff face above the Shotover River near Queenstown, built by hand in the 1880s. Standard rental car insurance does not cover driving it, so most visitors reach the canyon on a guided 4WD tour, jet boat trip, or bungy stop at the historic Skippers Bridge.
How to get there
Skippers Canyon Road runs about 17.4km from the sealed Coronet Peak Road near Queenstown to Skippers Campground, tracing the Shotover River gorge. Standard rental car agreements exclude this road, and it is unsuitable for towed vehicles or campervans. Most visitors book a guided 4WD tour, jet boat trip or bungy jump departing from Queenstown with transport included; independent driving requires a specific 4WD hire that permits the route, and drivers should confirm this with the rental company beforehand.
Approximate location
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Quick answers
- Can I drive to Skippers Canyon myself?
- Standard rental car insurance excludes Skippers Canyon Road, so self-drive access needs a specific 4WD hire that permits the route. Most visitors instead join a guided 4WD tour or jet boat trip from Queenstown.
- How long is Skippers Canyon Road?
- The unsealed road runs about 17.4km from Coronet Peak Road to Skippers Campground, following a narrow cut above the Shotover River gorge that was carved by gold miners in the 1880s.
