Sightseeing Cruises
1–2 hours
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Recommended by 95% of travellers
95% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$69
per adult
Million Dollar Cruise
Million Dollar Cruise
Million Dollar Cruise
4.7
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Full view
About
A unique 1.5-hour scenic cruise on Lake Wakatipu, featuring breathtaking views, fascinating stories, and genuine Kiwi hospitality. Spot native wildlife, admire architecture, and glide over crystal-clear waters en route to the historic Kawarau Falls Dam. A unique escape from the fast-paced Queenstown experience. Licensed bar on board serving local beers and wines.
Tours and Tickets by Million Dollar Cruise
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4.7
1,650 reviews
Excellent
1,310
Very good
266
Average
40
Poor
12
Terrible
22
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tashus_11
Auckland, New Zealand15 contributions
Apr 2022
Great 'skipper/commentator'. He was humorous, but sensitive to the needs of his passengers, he has complete knowledge of the lake both historically and nautically. We learned a lot from this peaceful interesting trip. 90 minutes was not too long, it was just right
Written 15 April 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.
Great to hear that you found our commentary interesting and had a nice peaceful trip on our cruise.
Written 19 April 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Expedition641333
1 contribution
Jun 2020 • Couples
This was a wonderful trip and Captain Wayne was a truly awesome captain and tour guide. His thorough knowledge of the area and enthusiasm for showing passengers the best possible views and experience far exceeded my expectations.
The boat was also clean and appeared very well maintained. On a cold winter's day the cabin is warm inside and still offers stunning panoramic views with the large windows, or go on top to the large open deck.
Overall I highly recommend this tour to anyone in Queenstown.
The boat was also clean and appeared very well maintained. On a cold winter's day the cabin is warm inside and still offers stunning panoramic views with the large windows, or go on top to the large open deck.
Overall I highly recommend this tour to anyone in Queenstown.
Written 1 June 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.
Traveler50297271348
Wellington, New Zealand2 contributions
Nov 2021
Can thoroughly recommend this company. Price was reasonable for Queenstown and the information given was interesting. Trip lasted for 90 minutes, very relaxing sitting back and viewing some of the homes on the waterfront and interesting to learn about the several islands of Willow Trees and how they came about. Water is so clear and the depth varies depending on channels down at the Frankton end.
Written 26 November 2021
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.
lananadu07
Vienne, France455 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
Captain Dan is friendly, welcoming, makes a lot of comments and allows interested tourists to take the helm but the cruise disappointed me. I thought I'd go further down the lake. In fact, we mainly observe houses.
Lack of luck the weather spoiled in the middle of the cruise and the mountains were hidden by clouds.
Probably more pleasant to do in clear weather.
Lack of luck the weather spoiled in the middle of the cruise and the mountains were hidden by clouds.
Probably more pleasant to do in clear weather.
Automatically translated
Written 28 November 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.
Miss Rodger
Auckland, New Zealand6 contributions
Nov 2020 • Family
We had a fabulous morning on the water with Wayne. Awesome commentary with history and fun facts. Loads of photo opportunities with incredible scenery. Wonderful service with our Captain Wayne and the bar is a great touch.
Written 29 November 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.
Oh so that was your wee dog - his name was Teddy I think? really cute driving the boat!!! Great that you felt you had wonderful service from Wayne.
Written 24 January 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
StephenTarawa
Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand45 contributions
Jan 2013 • Family
There may be a million dollar view on this cruise but as a local I'd rather not support a business or promote it from now on we're the reception staff have a real bad attitude. It only takes one bad egg to spoil it for the rest of us who work so dam hard in this town. I'm talking about the older man who takes the bookings at the front of house down on the wharf who really needs a lesson in treating people with a little respect and common courtesy. My partner and I are not in the habit of writing bad reviews unless we really felt it was necessary to do so and for a valid reason. We are well known in the local community here and both of us deal with customers everyday. People who know us well know that we wouldn't make a story like this up. We only asked for the locals discount rate and if it was available still only because in the past we've received this twice already. When we had mentioned where we both worked this time, his response back to us was and I quote "You don't give me discounts when I go into your stores so why should I give a discount to You"!...ummm OK? Attitude!!! Listen there's a certain way to deal with people in the public here and especially if your speaking to a local. A simple 'sorry guys we don't have the locals discount rate anymore' would've been more sufficient and we probably would've left it at that. The thing that really ticked us both off and the main reason why we wrote on the Tripadvisor feedback was when we turned to walk away we over heard him say to his colleague next to him "Oh, they were only after a Free Ride!" mate you could've at least waited until we were out of hearing range. I said to my partner, OMG! did you just hear what I just heard? there was no misunderstanding on our part or anything lost in translation. Asking for the locals discount rate is not asking for a free ride!
I had my family here on holiday visiting from the North Island. I had raved to them so much on how great and wonderful this cruise was and it was such a shame we were met with an unfriendly manner and a real bad attitude at the front desk. If the management acknowledges that we did have a bad experience and accepts any responsibility by saying at least sorry by contacting us personally maybe than we'll think about deleting this Review.
Regards, unhappy locals.
I had my family here on holiday visiting from the North Island. I had raved to them so much on how great and wonderful this cruise was and it was such a shame we were met with an unfriendly manner and a real bad attitude at the front desk. If the management acknowledges that we did have a bad experience and accepts any responsibility by saying at least sorry by contacting us personally maybe than we'll think about deleting this Review.
Regards, unhappy locals.
Written 14 January 2013
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.
sallydickson7052
Devon, UK3 contributions
Dec 2014 • Friends
Well to be frank nice boat trip and good value, its lovely setting. good cometary also. but the captain was very inappropriate with us group of girls, very touchy feely. asking what we are doing later. he would take is fishing etc he is nearly 70. not very flattered as we are all around 30. much more went on but not willing to write it up. lady's BEWARE,,,,,
Written 5 December 2014
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.
We were reminded about this review by an older lady yesterday and advised that we needed to reply as people would think it was about Wayne (even though he is not that old!!)
As soon as we read this review we asked the employee to leave, which he did the next day.
Written 18 January 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
JohnZ05
Paris, France194 contributions
Mar 2012 • Solo
This cruise is completely pointless and uninteresting as the boat goes through Frankton Arm which can be easily accessed by foot or by bike from Queenstown and does not bring anything different of what you can see from the city. And the only views you will have will be over the homes on both sides of the arm. Plus the commentaries of the captain over the values of those houses are irritating. Who gives a **** about the fact that some houses are expensive and some are not? Personnally I do not. Even if it is quite cheap, avoid at all costs as this does not bring anything new, and try to cruise over the other side of the lake.
Written 3 March 2012
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.
Colin G
Auckland, New Zealand38 contributions
We have just returned from a week skiing in Queenstown, and on one of our non-skiing days we decided to go for a mid-morning cruise on Lake Wakatipu. We choose to go with Million Dollar Cruise aboard the "Million Dollar 1".
Our 90min cruise only cost NZ$25 (was discounted from NZ$40). It departed from the Queenstown Wharf and travelled up the Frankton Arm of the Lake to the Willow Islands. The views of The Remarkables and Queenstown were exceptional, and the commentary from the owner/skipper Wayne, was both entertaining and informative.
The boat itself was comfortable and immaculately presented. A well stocked self service bar was available.
We would definitely reccommend this cruise, especially for those with time contraints and/or taking a break from the many adventure sports of Queenstown.
Our 90min cruise only cost NZ$25 (was discounted from NZ$40). It departed from the Queenstown Wharf and travelled up the Frankton Arm of the Lake to the Willow Islands. The views of The Remarkables and Queenstown were exceptional, and the commentary from the owner/skipper Wayne, was both entertaining and informative.
The boat itself was comfortable and immaculately presented. A well stocked self service bar was available.
We would definitely reccommend this cruise, especially for those with time contraints and/or taking a break from the many adventure sports of Queenstown.
Written 9 September 2009
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.
Dave QT
Queenstown, New Zealand13 contributions
I am a Queenstown local and, at times, a discount may or may not be offered for those long-term workers in town. My partner and I have been on the cruise previously at a slightly discounted rate. Today, we asked at the ticket counter if a locals rate was available. The man behind the counter responded rather surly: You don't give me discounts when I go into ****** so why would I give a discount to you? A "No, I' m sorry" would have sufficed. As we turned to walk away, he told his co-worker "They just want to go for free." There is a big difference between asking for availability of a locals discount and wanting something for free.
Written 10 January 2013
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.
How much are the drink's onboard
Written 10 February 2021
We will be in Queenstown on Feb 7 and would love to take this cruise! Is there a time of day you would recommend? Thank you!
Written 6 January 2020
We were advised morning as sometimes the wind comes up in ther afternoon
Written 18 January 2020
The map of the cruise on the website appears to be on an inlet and not the main lake,
Is this true?
Written 21 October 2019
Yes you'll see a lot of houses, not so much nature. Personally I'd go on another cruise, eg Glenorchy side is way more interesting we found.
Written 10 February 2020
What drinks are available on board? Can food be purchased on board? If not, can we bring our own lunch/food on board?
Written 14 June 2017
Million Dollar Cruise
Queenstown, New Zealand
Hi there, sorry if you already been on the cruise, bit of a family crisis going on!! You are more than welcome to byo food. We have a fully licensed bar on board which is cash only and also soft drinks and water.
Written 18 June 2017
Million Dollar Cruise
Queenstown, New Zealand
We sure do and they are free of charge.
See you soon
Written 10 January 2017
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