South Island Tours and Activities
What stories will unfold as you trace the coastline or follow the trails of South Island? This region invites you to explore its breathtaking landscapes and rich Maori culture. Consider browsing for guided hikes or scenic boat tours along its shores.The best South Island tour packages
In the heart of South Island lies Fiordland National Park and the stunning Southern Alps. Enjoy local cafés serving artisanal coffee in vibrant towns like Queenstown and Nelson.
1.8 hours
4.9 (2735)
Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience
$108.75
13 hours
4.91 (2623)
Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown
$212.04
13 hours
4.9 (2263)
Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise
$230.27
5 (1904)
Milford Sound Boutique Small-Boat Cruise
$95.85
2 hours
4.96 (2022)
Akaroa Dolphins ~ Harbour Nature Cruise
$78.98
25 minutes
4.83 (2378)
Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown
$111.54
4.5 hours
4.94 (1596)
Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly Tour from Queenstown
$452.64
4.8 (1737)
Milford Sound Cruise with Optional Lunch
$81.98
3.5 hours
4.45 (2845)
Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat
$109.05
2 hours
4.82 (1460)
2-Hour Milford Sound Scenic Cruise
$102.68
2 hours
4.94 (1218)
Queenstown Segway Tour
$60.15
9 hours
4.96 (1130)
Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau
$181.66
4.5 hours
4.93 (1162)
Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown
$120.82
1.5 hours
4.75 (1432)
Queenstown: Lake Wakatipu Scenic Cruise (90 Minutes)
$48
3.5 hours
4.71 (1418)
NZONE Skydive Queenstown
$218.12
3.5 hours
4.77 (1133)
Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise
$96.6
1 hour
4.94 (829)
Queenstown ATV Quad Bike Adventure Tour
$193.81
2 hours
4.83 (891)
Small-Group Zipline Adventure in Queenstown
$72.3
9 hours
4.96 (671)
Full-Day Milford Sound Tour with Cruise and Walks from Te Anau
$188.74
2 hours
4.98 (646)
Jet Boat Journey through Fiordland National Park - Pure Wilderness
$124.55
5 hours
4.95 (654)
Milford Sound Flight and Cruise ex Queenstown (incl Lunch)
$507.87
9 hours
4.93 (669)
Premium Milford Sound Tour, Cruise & Lunch from Te Anau
$181.66
6 hours
4.97 (592)
Award Winning Premium Wine Tour Queenstown Tasting at 4 Wineries
$161.01
5.5 hours
4.86 (654)
Boutique Wine Tour - visit Central Otago, 4 Wineries & Lunch
$169.51
4.8 (678)
From Te Anau: Milford Sound Day Trip with Cruise, Walks & Return Transfers
$115.9
4.5 hours
4.96 (523)
Milford Sound Day Tour with Scenic Cruise from Queenstown
$455.07
12 hours
4.7 (702)
Milford Sound Coach and Cruise tour from Queenstown
$148.85
4 hours
4.88 (540)
Heli Hike Fox Glacier
$467.37
5 hours
4.51 (882)
Taieri Gorge Scenic Railway Journey from Dunedin
$96.6
5 hours
4.99 (447)
Half-Day Level 2 Waterfall Climbing from Wanaka
$227.84
2.3 hours
4.48 (898)
Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour
$78.38
1.5 hours
4.95 (452)
Guided Evening Penguin Viewing Otago Peninsula, Dunedin, New Zealand
$33.42
1 to 3 days
4.53 (778)
Christchurch Hop-On Hop-Off Tram
$24.3
4 hours
4.94 (420)
Clearwater Wildlife Tours (small group 10max) Otago Peninsula
$136.7
4 hours
4.74 (540)
Dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm and Cruise from Queenstown
$120.91
6 hours
4.93 (421)
Full-Day Marlborough Wine Tour Including Wine Tasting
$133.67
1 hour
4.7 (564)
KJet Queenstown Jet Boat Ride on the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers
$90.53
3 hours
4.96 (404)
Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura
$82.02
4 hours
4.74 (508)
Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience
$186.32
3 hours
4.82 (444)
Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura
$97.21
12.5 hours
4.68 (525)
Milford Sound Premium Coach & Cruise from Queenstown with Lunch
$209.61
4 hours
4.58 (593)
Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike
$495.41
13 hours
4.65 (529)
Milford Sound Day Tour with Scenic Cruise from Queenstown
$193.21
1.3 hours
4.82 (425)
Speight's Brewery Tour & Guided Tasting
$27.34
3 hours
4.9 (378)
Small-Group Kayak Adventure from Franz Josef Glacier
$90.53
4.6 (555)
From Queenstown: Milford Sound Day Trip with Cruise, Walks & Return Transfers
$138.95
7 hours
4.73 (444)
Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise from Manapouri
$212.04
5 hours
4.87 (375)
Glenorchy & Paradise Half-Day Scenic Tour
$114.83
10 hours
4.83 (388)
TranzAlpine Train, Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill Day Trip
$249.1
12.5 hours
4.43 (664)
Milford Sound Day Tour from Queenstown
$157.48
Cities in South Island
Most popular destinations close to South Island
Day trips in South Island
Abel Tasman National Park
- Duration: full-day loop
- Highlights: Kayaking, golden beaches, and lush forests
- Best for: Nature lovers and adventure seekers
Franz Josef Glacier
- Duration: realistic ONE-WAY time: 2 hours
- Highlights: Guided glacier hikes and breathtaking scenery
- Best for: Hiking enthusiasts and photographers
Lake Tekapo
- Duration: realistic ONE-WAY time: 3 hours
- Highlights: Stunning lake views, observatory stargazing opportunities
- Best for: Stargazers and peaceful retreat seekers
5 hours
4.95 (654)
Milford Sound Flight and Cruise ex Queenstown (incl Lunch)
$507.87
10 hours
4.91 (304)
Milford Sound Small Group Tour from Queenstown with Scenic Flight
$546.2
9 hours
4.8 (250)
Arthur's Pass Discovery and TranzAlpine Train - Small Group Tour
$543.77
4 hours
4.93 (163)
Half-Day Milford Helicopter Flight and Cruise from Queenstown
$868.82
9 hours
4.89 (167)
Premium Milford Sound Tour Including Cruise, Flight & Lunch
$500.64
17.5 hours
4.81 (120)
Milford Sound Overnight Cruise Fiordland Jewel
$819.61
7.5 hours
4.89 (88)
Arrowtown Wanaka Private Day Tour from Queenstown
$1032.87
6 hours
4.93 (70)
Tasman Glacier Heli-Hike Tour from Queenstown
$1153.77
9 hours
4.79 (63)
Milford Sound Coach, Cruise and Flight Sightseeing Tour from Queenstown
$574.96
12 hours
4.75 (65)
Mt Cook Small Group Tour & Heli Hike Combo from Queenstown
$646.45
8 hours
5 (44)
Mt. Cook Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air
$515.83
4 hours
4.83 (42)
Everything Queenstown 4 Hour Private Tour
$516.43
7 hours
4.97 (32)
Private Guided Tour of Dunedin City Heritage and Unique Wildlife and Scenery
$1063.25
6 hours
5 (29)
Private boat charter in Abel Tasman National Park
$1944.22
6.5 hours
4.93 (30)
Full-Day Premium Queenstown Wine Tour
$933.23
6 hours
4.86 (29)
Franz Josef Glacier Helihike ex Queenstown
$1153.77
9 hours
4.26 (39)
Milford Sound Coach and Cruise Tour from Queenstown with Flyback
$519.47
8 hours
4.95 (21)
Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air
$515.83
5 hours
4.11 (35)
Full-Day Alpine Heliski Adventure
$972.11
4 hours
4.94 (18)
Milford Sound Helicopter Flight and Cruise from Queenstown
$1245.52
4 hours
4.83 (18)
Half day Private Tour of Dunedin City Highlights and Peninsula Scenery
$729.08
6 hours
5 (15)
Private Marlborough Winery Tour
$516.43
6 hours
4.92 (12)
Christchurch City and Beaches Private Tesla Tour
$546.81
7 hours
4.9 (10)
Chef's Private Otago Wine tour with gourmet lunch from Queenstown
$637.95
6.5 hours
5 (9)
Christchurch Highlights Tour (Full Day Private)
$728.48
5 hours
4.86 (7)
Clearwater Private Penguin & Wildlife Tour from Port Otago (5hrs)
$1670.82
6 hours
5 (6)
Private Guided Marlborough Wine Tour From Picton NZ
$1002.49
6 hours
5 (6)
Akaroa Private Day Trip From Christchurch
$726.05
6 hours
4.83 (6)
Exclusive Picton Wine & Scenic Adventure: VIP Cruise Experience
$1294.12
13 hours
5 (5)
Mt. Cook Full Day Private Tour via Tekapo from Christchurch
$777.69
6.5 hours
5 (5)
Private Christchurch & Lyttelton Scenic Day Tour
$900
4 hours
5 (5)
Queenstown: Skippers Canyon - Private 4WD Tour
$972.08
10 hours
5 (5)
Milford Sound Tour: Cruise & Flight
$515.83
8 hours
5 (5)
Private Akaroa Day Tour From Christchurch
$637.95
13 hours
4.6 (5)
Private Mt Cook Day Tour From Christchurch via Lake Tekapo
$1032.87
5.5 hours
5 (4)
Private Tour: Winter Wine and Scenic Delights Tour from Picton
$604.53
5.5 hours
5 (4)
Wines and Views Private Wine Tour of Otago from Queenstown
$1159.33
5 hours
5 (4)
Milford Sound Helicopter and Cruise Tour from Queenstown
$993.92
7.5 hours
5 (4)
Full Day Private Sightseeing Tour from Queenstown
$1032.87
6 hours
4.75 (4)
Private Shore Excursion: Explore Marlborough from Picton
$1151.34
6 hours
4.2 (5)
Private Excursion: Scenic and Seascape Delights from Picton
$1090.59
4.5 hours
5 (3)
Private Lord of the Rings Half Day Tour
$729.08
6 hours
5 (3)
AuthenticAs Paradise - Professional Photography & Exclusive Guided 4WD Tour
$1518.32
12 hours
5 (3)
Lake Tekapo Private Day Trip from Queenstown
$576.58
12.5 hours
5 (3)
Mount Cook Tour: Finish at Queenstown, Christchurch or Dunedin
$1518.32
5 hours
5 (3)
Te Tau Ihu West Coast Wilderness
$4962.02
6 hours
4.25 (4)
Private Wine Gourmet and Scenic Delights Tour from Picton
$969.07
12 hours
4.25 (4)
Full-Day Private Tour Mt.Cook from Christchurch
$1397.41
4 hours
5 (2)
Ridgeway Disk Golf Robot Shooting Axe Throw
$911.35
6 hours
5 (2)
Dunedin Private Tour: City Sights & Otago Peninsula
$1093.63
South Island Expert Travel Tips
- Download a local currency app for easy purchases.
- Bring layers for unpredictable weather conditions.
- Book popular activities in advance to secure spots.
- Check local guidebooks for hidden gems to explore.
- Respect wildlife and maintain distance when observing.
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Outdoor Activities
Food & Drink
Art & Culture
Seasonal & Special Occasions
Tickets & Passes
Activities
Classes & Workshops
Best time to visit South Island
Spring 2025
Spring brings mild temperatures with blooming wildflowers; experience local wine festivals in wineries.
Summer 2025
Warm, sunny days invite outdoor adventures; partake in thrilling water sports at Abel Tasman National Park.
Autumn 2025
Crisp air and fall colors create a picturesque backdrop; explore art galleries during the South Island Art Fair.
Winter 2025
Snow blankets the mountains, perfect for skiing; enjoy the Queenstown Winter Festival celebrating local culture.
FAQs
Do I need a visa to visit South Island?
Visa requirements depend on your nationality; many visitors can stay up to three months without one.
Is it easy to drive around South Island?
Yes, driving is manageable with scenic routes; expect to spend several hours between major attractions.
What is the best way to explore Fiordland?
Guided boat tours are recommended; they offer unique views of the fjords and wildlife.
How much does it cost to visit the glaciers?
Entry to Franz Josef Glacier's walking tracks is free; guided tours typically start around NZ$300 per person.
Can I find vegetarian food options in South Island?
Yes, various restaurants cater to vegetarian diets, particularly in urban areas like Queenstown and Christchurch.