ONE DEFENDER. TWO WAYS TO GO SOHO.
Where Roads End, Stories Begin.
Meet Rangatira — Queenstown's most iconic 4WD. Available exclusively through SOHO Expeditions for private journeys into Skippers Canyon and specialist film, television, photography and branded-content work.
Built for the places ordinary vehicles don’t go, our Land Rover Defender combines character, capability and unmistakable screen presence — backed by local knowledge and access beyond the usual Queenstown experience.
ONE DEFENDER. TWO BRIEFS.
Meet Rangatira.
Queenstown’s most recognisable Defender, Rangatira is a 2013 Land Rover Defender 110 built to belong in the landscapes of Central Otago.
Some days that means carrying a small group of adventurers into Skippers Canyon. On others, it means hitting marks for a camera crew somewhere in the Southern Alps.
It isn't a rental vehicle or a generic tour wagon. It is the heart of SOHO Expeditions — owner-driven, meticulously maintained and built for the mountains around it.
VEHICLE & POWERTRAIN
2013 Land Rover Defender 110
2.2L Turbo Diesel
Long-Wheelbase (110) Platform
Fully Optioned with Off-Road Accessories
Professionally Maintained by Central 4WD
Current Certificate of Fitness & PSV Number
EXPEDITION EQUIPMENT
Darche Ridgeback Rooftop Tent
Darche 270-degree Full Shade Awning with LED Lighting
REDARC Dual Battery System (12V)
Dometic 55L On-Board Fridge/Freezer
STEDI External Lighting
Front Runner Roof Rack & Storage System
Full Recovery Gear
PRODUCTION CAPABILITY
Picture vehicle and hero vehicle use
Repeatable vehicle positioning, resets and continuity
Location transport and crew support
Remote and backcountry access
On-location standby and repositioning
Scouting and recce support
Practical driving for camera and production requirements
PASSENGERS & COMMERCIAL
Private touring for up to four guests
Experienced local driver-guide
Commercially insured operation
Department of Conservation (DOC) concession holder for applicable operations on public conservation land.
Access to selected remote and backcountry locations
Private, flexible itineraries tailored to the group
Scenic stops and photography opportunities along the way
Small-group experience with no shared passengers
Available throughout Queenstown and selected surrounding regions
Bespoke journeys beyond standard routes by arrangement
Suitable for private travellers, couples, families and small groups
Custom pick-up and drop-off arrangements available by request
PRIVATE & EXCLUSIVE
Every booking is yours and yours alone.
PRODUCTION READY
Vehicle and driver prepared for location work.
DOC CONCESSION
Authorised for applicable operations on public conservation land.
FULLY INSURED
Commercially covered for touring and production use.
Explore Skippers.
THE TRUE BACKCOUNTRY EXPERIENCE
PRIVATE SKIPPERS CANYON TOUR
Leave Queenstown behind and travel into one of the region’s most remarkable landscapes aboard Rangatira, our iconic Land Rover Defender.
Skippers Canyon is a place of scale, isolation and history — a narrow road carved into the mountains above the Shotover River, surrounded by raw high country and the remnants of a gold-mining era that shaped this part of Otago.
Our private journey is deliberately unhurried. There is time to stop where the view demands it, explore the places that matter and experience the canyon without the noise of a shared tour or fixed convoy.
Private. Exclusive. GO SOHO.
DEPARTURE
Departing Queenstown at 10:00am.
Allow up to 4.5 hours.
Depart from central Queenstown or enjoy complimentary pick-up and drop-off from selected Queenstown accommodation.
YOUR GROUP
Private journeys are available for two to four guests, keeping the experience relaxed, personal and comfortable.
PRICE
$350 per person
Minimum 2 guests, Maximum 4 guests.
This includes the private Defender, local guide, Queenstown pick-up and drop-off, and the full Skippers Canyon experience.
EXCLUSIVE
NO shared vehicle.
NO strangers joining the trip.
Every SOHO journey is reserved exclusively for YOUR group.
ALONG THE WAY
We’ll also stop deep in the canyon for a relaxed Kiwi tea break — surrounded by considerably better scenery than your average café.
Beyond the Saddle.
THE SKIPPERS CANYON JOURNEY
"Coming to Queenstown was a wonderful surprise as we had no idea it was so beautiful! SOHO Expeditions offered a way to explore the areas many tourists do not know about, which is why we engaged them to help us explore the impressive Skippers Canyon.
As we journeyed with Rob, it became obvious that he was informed and passionate about his home town. He has a breadth and depth of knowledge about its geography, history and local secrets!
Rob is a courteous and likeable young man: nothing was too much for him and it was obvious that his mission was to keep us safe and to ensure we had the best experience possible."
REX & DANI - AUSTRALIA
"Absolutely, the best tour we could’ve dreamt of!
From the moment we were picked up ‘til the time we stopped for muffins and tea overlooking the incredible Shotover River, we thoroughly enjoyed Rob's obvious passion for his backyard.
The best of many highlights for us, was the 4WD drive into Skippers Canyon itself and learning from Rob how this area was once the centre of the gold rush. We even managed to find some small specks of gold in the river!
It sometimes takes a lot to impress this 73-year-old but this tour certainly did that – thank you Rob for such a great experience!"
JAN & MIKE - AUSTRALIA
"If you are after a personalised experience as opposed to the multi group tour this is the one for you. The whole experience in Skippers Canyon with Rob was amazing.
He explained how the road was built, all by hand, how the sluicing for gold changed the topography of the mountains. When, where and who found the gold and how the gold rush changed Queenstown.
The views we absolutely stunning. Photographs doesn’t do justice. Could not recommend this trip more highly."
GILL & MIKE - UNITED KINGDOM
Defender on screen.
YOUR VISION. OUR DEFENDER. AN ICON.
FILM. TVC. STILLS. BRANDED CONTENT
An unmistakable silhouette. A true Queenstown Defender.
Our 2013 Land Rover Defender, Rangatira, is available for film, television, TVC, stills and branded content throughout Queenstown, Central Otago and beyond.
Supplied with an experienced local driver and professionally presented for camera, Rangatira brings genuine character, capability and presence to every production.
From remote backcountry roads to the centre of the frame, whatever the brief calls for, Rangatira is ready to play its part.
RATES ON APPLICATION.
Trusted on location.
DISTINCTIVE BY DESIGN. UNIQUE BY LOOK.
BEHIND SOHO
Local Knowledge Matters.
SOHO Expeditions is built around a lifetime spent exploring Queenstown and the landscapes beyond it.
From years of 4WD guiding and backcountry travel to his current role as a commercial jet boat driver with Shotover Jet, Rob Crawford has spent much of his working life operating in some of Queenstown’s most spectacular terrain.
It’s experience built on knowing the roads, rivers, weather and landscapes — and understanding that great tourism is about far more than simply getting from A to B.
That same approach carries through to SOHO, whether guiding a private journey deep into Skippers Canyon or working alongside a film crew on location.
FAQ
YOUR QUESTIONS, OUR ANSWERS
WHAT CAN RANGATIRA BE HIRED FOR?
Rangatira is available for private Skippers Canyon journeys, film, television, TVC, photography, branded content, editorial work and selected production-support roles.
Whether you're here to experience Queenstown's backcountry or capture it on camera, SOHO combines an iconic Defender, an experienced local driver and access to some of the region's most remarkable landscapes.
Get in touch to book a Skippers journey or discuss your next production.
IS A DRIVER INCLUDED?
Yes.
Rangatira is supplied exclusively with its driver, ensuring the vehicle is operated safely and consistently both on-road and on location for both private tour journeys and production hire.
DO YOU OFFER HALF-DAY OR MULTI-DAY HIRE?
Yes.
Half-day, full-day and multi-day production hire is available, depending on location and project requirements.
Our Skippers Canyon journeys are generally half-day experiences lasting up to 4.5 hours, with extended journeys of up to 6 hours available by arrangement. If you'd like more time in the canyon, let us know and we can create a custom journey and quote.
Production rates are quoted according to location, duration, vehicle use and project requirements.
IS THE SKIPPERS ROAD SAFE?
The Skippers Road is narrow, unsealed and exposed in places, which is part of what makes the journey so memorable.
Your trip is undertaken in our Land Rover Defender with an experienced local driver familiar with backcountry and 4WD conditions. Safety always comes first, and the route is assessed against conditions on the day.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE WEATHER CHANGES?
Skippers Canyon is genuine backcountry, so weather, slips and road conditions can occasionally affect access.
If conditions aren't suitable, we may adjust the journey, reschedule your booking or, where necessary, cancel the trip. Safety will always come first.
DO YOU OFFER TOURS ELSEWHERE?
Skippers Canyon is our primary private journey and the experience we're focused on offering.
That said, Rangatira can travel further afield. If you're looking to explore the Nevis, Queenstown surrounds or somewhere a little more off the beaten track, get in touch and we can discuss a bespoke journey.
IS FOOD OR DRINK INCLUDED ON THE TOUR?
We'll stop deep in the canyon for a relaxed Kiwi tea break with tea, coffee and a light snack.
If you have any dietary requirements, let us know before your trip and we'll do our best to accommodate them.
FIND US ONLINE
YouTube
CONTACT US
