Top South Island Adventure Tours - page 3

Explore the snow-capped mountains, lush forests, and waterfalls of Mt. Aspiring National Park on this thrilling half-day tour. Start with a scenic flight from Makarora over the Southern Alps, You’ll be dropped at a hiking trail beside the Siberia River. Hike at your own pace, for around 4–5 hours. Once you reach the Wilkin River, hop into a jet boat for an adrenaline-inducing ride back to the starting point.

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.

There are so many Lord of the Rings-related sights to take in across the area surrounding Queenstown that it’s tough to know where to start when adventuring solo. Enjoy an in-depth journey exploring filming locations across the region on this full-day small-group tour, including Lake Hayes, Paradise Valley, and Gibbston. Includes the chance to snap photos with replica props from the movies.

It can be difficult to see all of Abel Tasman National Park if you’re pressed for time. Save some time and see some of the park’s many highlights on this full-day sailing tour along the coast. Sit back and relax on board without the strain of hiking through the park. Stop at beaches and islands along the way, with an hour-long stop at beautiful Anchorage Beach for a picnic lunch.

Ride through the Gibbston Valley on a self-guided bike or e-bike tour from Queenstown that includes everything you need for a day of exploring. With a van to take you to the start and meet you at the finish, you can choose the distance you ride. Stop at the many wineries and other boutique food producers along the route, and admire the beautiful views as you pedal.

Travelers short on time in the South Island won’t miss out on exploring the Southern Alps with this easy day tour from Christchurch. Take the train there and a car on the way back. Hop aboard the TranzAlpine train in Christchurch for the ride through the Canterbury Plains, Waimakariri Gorge, and up to Arthur’s Pass National Park. Explore the village, take walks, and visit a farm before returning to Christchurch.

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.

When soaring in a fixed-wing plane from Queenstown to Franz Josef or Tasman Glacier, you may think the one-hour scenic flight is the highlight of this tour. But the best is yet to come. Switch to a helicopter and fly up to a landing point high on the glacier, where you’ll embark on a hike on the snow and ice. Wearing crampons, you’ll explore caves and see remarkable landscapes inaccessible any other way.

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.

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.

Learn to photograph a natural wonder at Skippers Canyon on this half-day private tour from Queenstown. Your guide is also a photographer and gives you expert techniques and tips to capture the stunning landscape as you explore the mountains, river, and rock formations. You’ll also learn about New Zealand history and culture from your local guide. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for convenience.

If you think Queenstown looks good from lake-level, you’ll be amazed at the views from this 20-minute scenic flight above the city, lake, and mountains. In a small group (max. 12) you’ll soar about the Wakatipu Basin while listening to your pilot’s live commentary, highlighting landmarks and points of interest. Spot ski fields, pretty towns like Arrowtown, and get a sense of Lake Wakatipu’s meandering shape from the air.

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.

Channel your inner Hobbit and enjoy outdoor adventure in the heart of New Zealand on this Hobbit barrel run rafting tour on the Pelorus River. Pull on your wetsuit and hop aboard your raft, then drift onto the Pelorus River — made famous in the 2013 movie "The Desolation of Smaug." Stop off at filming locations used in the making of the movie to hear behind-the-scenes stories.

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.

**For Guaranteed snow landings all year round, please book our Mt Cook: Ski Plane & Helicopter Glacier flight** Experience Mount Cook National Park from the sky. Enjoy a 25-minute scenic adventure that includes an alpine landing amongst the mountains. Have exceptional views of Aoraki (Mt Cook) and the surrounding snow-capped mountain ranges right from take off. Be captivated throughout the entire flight. Explore the valleys and peaks of the national park. Journey through the Tasman Valley and over a breathtaking blue glacier lake. Experience an alpine landing in the Southern Alps. Disembark the aircraft and enjoy the elevated alpine landscape before returning to the helicopter to fly back to Mount Cook Airport. Your expert pilot will offer informative and interesting commentary throughout the flight to ensure you receive the best possible experience. *Snow landings occur approx. 75% of the year, however due to seasonality, snow landings cannot be guaranteed all year round.

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.

Cruise port time in Akaroa is limited, and it can be hard to fit in something truly memorable without worrying about logistics. This active shore excursion makes it easy to get straight on the water for a guided sea kayaking experience just steps from the port. Paddle through sheltered bays and inlets inside the basin of an extinct volcano, an area known for its calm conditions and scenic coastline. As you explore, watch for local wildlife such as penguins, orcas, and the rare Hector’s dolphin.

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. The tour ends in Queenstown.

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.

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.

Get ready for a mountain biking adventure. Climb to Grants Peak on your speedy e-bike. From the peak, enjoy 360 degree views of Queenstown’s natural landscape, including the Remarkables and Coronet Peak. You’ll learn all about High Country farming, and the Māori myths and legends that make up Queenstown’s heritage, before zipping back down to Frankton.

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.

Be amazed by the views of the bays, beaches, and mountains of the Marlborough Sounds on this half-hour scenic flight. Many parts of the sounds are difficult to access any other way, so taking a scenic flight is the easiest way of seeing a lot in a short time. Starting in Picton, you’ll fly over Queen Charlotte and Kenepuru Sounds, and catch views of the outer sounds along the way.