A true 4x4 off road adventure which explores the historic gold mining town of Macetown. Long since abandoned after the gold rush Macetown has now been transformed into a Department of Conservation reserve. Ride the rugged road in the safety of our 4x4 that ensures excitement and adventure crossing the Arrow River some 25 times each way. Immerse yourself in the history of this precious region by panning for gold and letting our knowledgeable guides teach you about the hardship and exhilaration these miners faced. 

Trip Details 

The Macetown 4WD tour departs from Queenstown heading out to Arrowtown. Once in Arrowtown you will be shown the historic Chinese Settlers Village and the filming location of the Ford of Bruinen in the Lord of the Rings. 

En route to Macetown you cross the Arrow River some 25 times before reaching Macetown. On the Macetown track you will pass through Soho Creek and Britannia Terrace. Both locations provide landmarks and insightful stories into the history of this interesting area. 

Upon arrival in Macetown you will be taken to the heritage site of Smith’s Bakehouse, which has recently been restored by the Department of Conservation. Explore the gold mining settlement and learn the history of Needham’s Cottage. Not far beyond Macetown is Anderson’s Battery. Learn about the only stamping battery with an iron frame in Otago. 

Leaving Anderson’s Battery you will start making your way back to Arrowtown along the Macetown Track. Try your hand at gold panning on the Arrow River as our guides teach you the techniques to pan for gold and feel the excitement that drew many people to this area. 

At Macetown experience true off road driving as our experienced guides show you what these 4x4s can do. But rest assured with one of the founding members of Tread Lightly! NZ you will be with one of the most responsible 4WD tours around. This off road adventure really puts the 4x4s through their paces making it so much more than other heritage tours. 

If your preferred date and time are unavailable, please feel free to contact us.

Important: get in touch if you need to cancel between 7 days and 24 hours prior to your tour: res@nomadsafaris.co.nz

Check out our Weather Cancellation Policy, Disclosure of Risks and FAQs

IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Please, read the following. 

Outback New Zealand Limited (t/a Nomad Safaris) Disclosure of Risk for Four Wheel Drive
Tours. 

Wakatipu, Glenorchy, Skippers Canyon, Macetown, Gold Seeker, Essential Queenstown,
Private Charter
We, Outback New Zealand, are committed to the protection of our employees, clients &
property from accidental injury or damage from work carried out by, and on behalf of, the
business. We, Outback New Zealand, adopt health, safety, and welfare as a fundamental
business objective.
In meeting this commitment, management will comply with all legislative requirements and
take all practicable steps to:
● Provide a safe place of work, safe equipment, and proper materials.
● Activities are reviewed by competent staff (internal technical advisors).
● Establish and insist that safe work methods be always practiced.
● Provide supervision and training.
● Ensure employees and clients understand and accept their responsibility to promote a
safe and healthy place of work and are part of the safety management process.
● Comply with all Health and Safety Legislation.
● Prevention of serious harm.
● Continually improve.
Whilst we undertake all reasonably practicable steps to minimize, remove, or isolate risks
during our tours, it still exists as it does in everyday life.
Risks you may be exposed to during your tour include, but are not limited to:
• Motor vehicle accident including collision with other vehicles, stationary objects, or the
land, rollovers, or vehicle fires.
• Your own failure to heed safety warnings, both Verbal and Written
• Actions of other road users or members of the public which could cause harm.
• Risk of falling from alighting the motor vehicle.
• Risk of falling or injury due to uneven, loose, or slippery terrain.
• Risk of drowning.
• Risk of injury or death due to natural events such as Earthquakes, Landslide, Flash
Flooding, Treefall, Wildfire, Lightning, Blizzards, Volcanic Eruption, Tsunami, Cyclones,
and any ongoing consequences of these events
Disclosure of Risk 4wd v 1.2 Feb 2024