Top South Island Adventure Tours - page 3

See two remarkable glaciers from the air on a 30-minute helicopter tour of Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier. Lift off from a helipad at Fox Glacier twon, then fly across ice falls, formations, and crevasses on your way to Franz Josef Glacier, and touch down on a glacial snowfield for a photography session. Departures are available throughout the day for this 30-minute helicopter tour of two New Zealand glaciers.

The deep waters, soaring cliffs, and thundering waterfalls of Milford Sound are spectacular from all angles, and this half-day tour by air and boat takes in all the highlights. Enjoy thrilling aerial views of the Fiordland National Park on a round-trip flight from Queenstown, and marvel at Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, and Mount Pembroke on a scenic Milford Sound cruise. Hotel pickup and drop-off, and lunch are included for a truly seamless experience.

Take in views of Mt. Cook (Aoraki) and the Southern Alps from a vantage point that most travelers miss on this small-group helicopter tour. Fly above the snow-capped peaks, taking in Fox Glacier, the Franz Josef Glacier, and much more before landing for a quick opportunity to explore the pristine wilderness on foot.

The best way to see Milford Sound is by helicopter and this aerial adventure from Queenstown takes you into the heart of Fiordland National Park. Soaring high above the cruise boats, fly the length of the stunning fiord all the way to the Tasman Sea, see the famed Mitre Peak, and then make a landing on a wild beach.

Take in the truly magnificent views of Franz Josef Glacier and surrounds with this helicopter flight. See lush rainforest, the amazing glacier, and the impressive Southern Alps mountain range. Part of this flight time is an alpine landing (approximately 10 minutes) where you get to land on top of a peak and pause to take in the dramatic scenery.

Enjoy a 2-hour stargazing experience with an experienced guide. We keep the tour to a maximum of 10pax adults for best experience. Learn about the night sky, see constellations, and use a 16" telescope to see planets and stars. Snack on a platter of nibbles and sip on a hot drink while you stargaze. Get picked up from your accommodation in Lake Tekapo and be driven to a private stargazing site out in the farm with zero light pollution. Sit back in a comfortable moon chair and wrap yourself in a warm blanket. Use a modern 16” telescope to see the night sky for deep sky objects. Take a photo of you and your friends & family under the stars! *Please note: we can only cater snack platters provided we are given 48 hours notice before the tour. We can cater non-allergen, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free and gluten-free platters. **Pickups are only offered to accommodation locations within Lake Tekapo township

The UNESCO World Heritage–listed landscapes of Milford Sound are even more spectacular from above. Take to the skies on a round-trip flight from Queenstown; spot natural wonders such as Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls from the air and enjoy unbeatable aerial views of the mountains, lakes, sounds, and fjords of Fiordland National Park.

Take a break from the hectic Queenstown streets with this trip into the mighty Southern Alps. Spend the day at Mount Cook Village, nestled in the shadow of Aoraki Mount Cook, New Zealand’s tallest mountain. Enjoy free reign to set your own schedule, whether it’s hiking around the Alps or learning more about the mountains at Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Center. Enjoy stunning sights on the way up the mountains, including super-blue Lake Pukaki No-fuss hotel transfers are available from select Queenstown hotels *PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS TOUR IS UNDERGOING AN ITINERARY CHANGE FROM THE 1ST OF NOVEMBER 2026 AND WILL INSTEAD TRAVEL VIA WĀNAKA, OMITTING THE KAWARAU GORGE STOP. STOPS AT JACKONS ORCHARD WILL ALSO BE REPLACED ON THE ALTERNATE ITINERARY.

The cliffs, fjords, and waterfalls of Milford Sound are among the most impressive natural wonders of New Zealand’s South Island. This tour is ideal for those short on time, including round-trip flights from Queenstown and up to two hours of free time at Milford Sound. Enjoy spectacular aerial views over the Fiordland National Park, Mount Aspiring National Park, and Lake Wakatipu; then touchdown to hike around the Sound with views of Mitre Peak and Lady Bowen Falls.

For a full day of adventure and nature, join this pack-rafting experience. Set on the mighty Matukituki River, just a short drive from Wānaka, you’ll start by walking to a waterfall and then gearing up for your paddle. Learn the basics of paddling before climbing aboard your lightweight, stable, two-person rafts and taking in the mountains and glaciers of the Mt. Aspiring National Park. All guests must be able to swim to participate.

Make the most of a travel day between Christchurch and Queenstown by taking an action-packed tour through the Southern Alps. Instead of just catching an uninteresting long-distance bus, take a guided tour via Mt. Cook, the Tasman Glacier, and the scenic Mackenzie Country. Admire the views along the way and make plenty of stops, including brief stops at Wānaka and Cardrona. The tour ends in Queenstown.

Visit both the Franz Josef Glacier and the Fox Glacier on a single tour on this flight tour that includes a snow landing. Depart from either Franz Josef or Fox villages, to suit your plans. Get up close to the blue ice of these mammoth glaciers and snap unbelievable aerial and ground-level photos. Learn about the glaciology and environment of the area through your pilot's guided commentary.

Escape the crowds with a fully private, customizable 6-hour day trip from Queenstown to Wanaka — including scenic stops in Arrowtown, Cardrona, and Cromwell. Discover historic gold towns, alpine roads, peaceful lakesides, and hidden local gems. Whether it’s spring blooms, summer sunshine, autumn colours, or snowy winter scenes, this journey offers something special year-round — all tailored to you. - A 7-hour private tour shaped around your interests and pace - Visit charming Arrowtown, the Crown Range, Wanaka town, and Lake Dunstan - Stop for optional walks, famous photo spots, or local food & wine - Travel in comfort with modern, clean vehicles - Hosted by friendly local guides who share real stories and insider tips - Flexible itinerary — skip or add stops anytime along the way - Ideal for couples, families, small groups, or solo explorers Breathtaking views, rich history, and total flexibility — this is how Wanaka and its surrounds are best experienced.

Explore the rivers and rainforests of the beautiful South Westland region on this 2-hour Waiatoto River safari from Hannah’s Clearing near Haast. Hop aboard your boat and cruise up the mighty Waiatoto River, admiring the plants thriving on the riverbanks. Enjoy thrilling spins and turns over the rapids and take an optional hike into the rainforest.

Gaze out at the tall mountains, lush rainforests, and crashing waterfalls of Milford Sound on this cruise through the fjord. Enjoy a glass of champagne and a lunch crafted from locally sourced canapes while you keep an eye out for the various species of wildlife that call the area home.

Explore the landscapes that featured in “The Lord of the Rings” movies on this small-group full-day tour. Traveling in a 4-wheel drive enables access to remote locations in the Queenstown area. Get out into the wilderness in the morning, with the chance to dress up in movie costumes and pose with props. Return to town for lunch, then spend the afternoon checking out more sites around Queenstown.

Active travelers seeking an easy, family-friendly outdoor adventure will enjoy this half-day kayaking tour of the Abel Tasman National Park coastline. Departing from Marahau, you’ll paddle to the dramatic Split Apple Rock, enjoying beautiful views along the way. Check out sea caves and look out for birds, including graceful cormorants. This is roughly a three-hour tour.

Get active on a 2–3-hour kayaking tour from Akaroa and enjoy spotting native wildlife. Paddle your way around remote bays, inlets, and sandy beaches; admire the dramatic scenery of the once-active volcanic basin; and end with a refreshing swim. Along the way, look out for some of New Zealand’s rarest wildlife, including Hector’s dolphins, penguins, and orcas.

Soar through the sky on this 55-minute scenic Helicopter experience through the Mt Cook and Westland National Parks flying over the Fox, Franz Josef and Tasman Glacier, included a glacier landing (10-15 minutes). The ultimate way to see the Southern Alps and a bucket list flight. Check in closes 45 minutes prior to the flight time.

New Zealand’s fantasy landscapes have long enchanted photographers and filmmakers, and now’s your chance to capture your very own postcard-worthy shots. Accompanied by a professional photographer, this private full-day tour from Queenstown offers spectacular views of natural wonders like Skippers Canyon, Lake Wakatipu, and the Remarkables Range, as well as "The Lord of the Rings" filming locations, historic gold mines, and heritage sites.

While the Southern Alps are a sight to behold from the ground, they're even more spectacular from above. Take to the skies on this helicopter tour from Queenstown and enjoy dramatic mountain views from a unique vantage point. Journey above Skippers Canyon and the Wakatipu Basin for unparalleled photo ops, and take a break during an alpine landing (weather dependent). Listen to the pilot’s commentary through personal headsets.

See the sheer cliffs of Milford Sound from the air and water on this half-day tour from Queenstown by sightseeing plane and catamaran. Fly over Fiordland National Park, part of a UNESCO-listed landscape, then touch down at Milford Sound for a nature cruise. This tour is perfect for photography and wildlife watching, and hotel pickup and drop-off from centrally located Queenstown hotels is included.

See the Remarkables Mountain Range from the sky and take in expansive views of sparkling Lake Wakatipu on a half-hour helicopter tour, which includes an alpine landing for the ultimate photo ops. Upgrade your experience with a private charter exclusive to your group, with your choice of a Squirrel or a Eurocopter EC chopper.

Soar over Lake Te Anau via helicopter. Soak up views of the Hidden Lakes, the Main Divide and the remote Kepler Mountains before getting dropped off at the Luxmore Hut for your hike. Soak up the amazing views from Luxmore Summit, before descending by foot onto the shores of Lake Te Anau.