Top South Island Adventure Tours - page 9

The only helicopter experience that combines a Milford Sound flyover with two incredible landings — a remote alpine peak and the cinematic Earnslaw Burn showcasing a hanging glacier.

What better way to start your Alps to Ocean adventure than with a scenic flight through the Southern Alps to gain the perfect overview of the area! This Aoraki / Mount Cook scenic flight includes a helicopter flight along the entire length of the mighty Tasman Glacier. All our helicopter tours include a commentary from the pilot. They are passionate about their backyard and will show you the hidden treasures of the national park that only a local expert can. Fly the full length of the Haupapa/Tasman Glacier before landing to get a sense of its scale and grandeur. Once airborne again, we transfer you and your bike across the Tasman River to Rotten Tommy, the starting point of your cycle journey. If you would like to book just an A2O transfer, call our Aoraki Mount Cook office for trip and flight advice to make the most of your Aoraki adventure.

Gain exclusive access to the remote Paradise Valley with a local guide, starting with hotel pickup in Queenstown. You’ll drive to secluded lookout points for the ultimate photo op and have plenty of options for exploring on foot. You may recognize scenery from filming locations for The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings movie series. Listen to your guide’s informative anecdotes about regional history, culture, and geography. The flexible itinerary lets you set the pace and choose from a variety of activities. Visit an operational wool shed where sheep are shorn; view Diamond Lake flanked by Mt Alfred and Mt Earnslaw; or search for black swans and paradise ducks at Lake Reid. Spend time in Glenorchy village, first surveyed in 1864 and featuring gold mining, sawmilling, farming, and what may be the world’s smallest library.Finish with the return drive to Queenstown and drop-off at your hotel. Please note this is a private booking and you book for 1-4 passengers or 5-10 passengers.

Journey over the mesmerizing Tasman Glacier Lake, taking in breathtaking views while following the path of the Tasman Glacier. Experience the grandeur of Aoraki / Mount Cook, New Zealand's tallest peak and land on a pristine glacier. Traverse the majestic Southern Alps, crossing to the West Coast. Take in the spectacular scenery and witness the mighty Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers for the ultimate glacier experience.

Experience the stunning beauty of Milford Sound / Piopiotahi from both above and at ground level. This unique tour combines a scenic helicopter flight over Fiordland National Park with an alpine landing, allowing you to explore the majestic landscapes surrounding Mitre Peak. Enjoy a guided 30-minute walk along the Milford Sound shoreline with an informative pilot, providing insights into the region's natural wonders. Complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off ensure a seamless journey. - Scenic helicopter flight with two landings, including one in Milford Sound - Guided 30-minute walk to capture picturesque views - Informative pilot commentary enhances your understanding of the area - Allow 2.5 hours, including check-in and safety briefing

Embark on the ultimate Kaikōura helicopter whale watching tour for a unique wildlife and scenic adventure. Fly over the Kaikōura Whale Sanctuary and Hikurangi Marine Reserve, where you’ll spot majestic marine life including sperm whales, humpback whales, blue whales, orcas, and other migratory species. The helicopter’s manoeuvrability offers incredible views of the whales and dolphins, with close-up photo opportunities you can’t get from boats. Keep an eye out for playful Dusky dolphins and New Zealand fur seals near the shore. Continue the adventure north along the rugged Kaikōura coastline and land in the Seaward Kaikōura Ranges. From this exclusive mountaintop location, enjoy 360-degree views of Kaikōura Peninsula, the Pacific Ocean, and surrounding mountains—an unforgettable experience for photographers, nature lovers, and adventure seekers.

Begin your journey in Queenstown, heading toward Cromwell, where you’ll pass through the iconic orchards and vineyards. From there, drive up to Lindis Pass, surrounded by golden tussock hills and dramatic mountain ranges. Next, stop in Omarama, and then continue on to Twizel, known for its clear skies perfect for stargazing. Finally, take the route along Lake Pukaki, with its turquoise waters, all the way up to Mount Cook Village, where you’ll be immersed in the beauty of Aoraki/Mount Cook. - Scenic drive alongside the picturesque Lake Wakatipu. - Designed for groups of four, ensuring an intimate experience. - Explore the stunning landscapes at your own pace. - Car included for easy transportation throughout the tour.

Embark on a Legendary Lord of the Rings Journey from Queenstown, this exclusive LOTR tour takes you deep into the Southland region, home to some of the most breathtaking and sought-after filming locations in Middle Earth. Our journey heads to Te Anau, where you’ll uncover the haunting beauty of the Anduin River and the Dead Marshes. From there, venture to the stunning Mavora Lakes, where cinematic magic meets unforgettable moments. Discover which fearless actor famously broke two toes near the edge of Fangorn Forest and relive the dramatic Breaking of the Fellowship as Frodo and Sam take their fateful steps toward Mordor. You’ll gear up for adventure with the largest collection of authentic, licensed LOTR props, including swords, axes, helmets, and even original scripts. Step into the shoes of your favorite characters, and let the spirit of Middle Earth guide you. This is an epic quest you’ll be talking about long after you leave the Shire!

This small group Franz Josef Heli Hike Adventure offers a unique glacier experience, including a scenic helicopter flight, lunch, and drinks. You'll fly from Franz Josef over lush rainforest, landing at 1200m on the glacier. You'll explore the glacier for up to 6 hours with a guide. With a small group size of 1 guide to 4 guests, the adventure can be customized to your preferred level of difficulty.

Beat the crowds with our signature flight that includes Milford Sound, Lake Quill, Mt Tutoko, Skippers Canyon and our exclusive landing location, the Earnslaw Burn.

You choose the trail to be biked and nzbiketrails picks you up, and your group (up to 11 riders), for a Private Tour which we aim to be a highlight of your holiday. We ride every day during the year (except xmas Day and Anzac Day). Whether it is Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter/Ski Season your family will enjoy a brilliant experience. The nzbiketrails Guest Experience Manager will host your day, share a little history with you on the way, brief you on the trail/bikes, make sure that you are comfortable before you ride off with your seats at the right height. Your actual ride is 'Self-Guided'. You will have a direct mobile number to your Guest Experience Manager for any support required and on many trails you will see them along the way. If any of the group get tired we can arrange additional pickups and take them to meet you at the next location if possible. nzbiketrails is a Qualmark Gold accredited tourism operator and we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional experiences

See an enormous range of New Zealand highlights and have unforgettable experiences over 11 days on this tour. See both the North and South Islands, visit secluded natural spots and big cities, take in truly spectacular scenery, enjoy a thrilling range of adventure activities from jet boating to zip-lining, and much more. This is the perfect way to see the whole country in less than two-weeks, at an affordable price.

The Christchurch to Queenstown journey takes you from the incredibly flat Canterbury Plains right through to the dramatic mountains of the Southern Alps. The area is out of this world beautiful! This tour gives you the opportunity to absorb the wild beauty, starting in Christchurch you'll travel into the heart of the Mt Cook National Park. After a full day of exploration, on the final afternoon, hop on board the coach to Queenstown, New Zealand's adventure capital. This is an Independent coach tour, where you travel on a combination of touring coaches and sightseeing services with commentary and/or point to point coaches which may not have commentary. You will be with different people on each part of the tour and different drivers. You have free time to explore on your own and are free to choose where and when to eat, meals are not included unless specified.

The Wanaka Max experience delivers an exceptional aerial adventure, featuring two alpine landings, including the breathtaking Coromandel Peak on Mt. Roy (if available). At 4,000 feet, enjoy panoramic views over the turquoise waters of Lake Wanaka, the charming township, and the majestic peaks of Mt. Aspiring National Park. Glide above the pristine Matukituki River and witness the unique 'lake within a lake' on Mou Waho Island. This scenic flight allows you to absorb the rugged beauty of Lake Hawea and Stevensons Arm, all while a skilled pilot shares insights about the stunning landscapes below.

On our private Glacier Explorer flight, you'll fly over the Franz Josef Glacier and then into the Southern Alps to enjoy the included 10-minute snow or alpine landing for photos. Snow levels on the landing site do vary seasonally on this flight. Total experience time: approx. 25 minutes. Please allow an extra 45 minutes on top of your flight time to allow for checking in, transport to the helicopter, loading, unloading, and returning to our office. Please note that while this is a private flight, you may share the check-in and van travel with other passengers on other flights. The total weight of the passenger load must be within the helicopter's weight and balance requirements.

Glacier Country Helicopters is a local, family owned and operated company based in Franz Josef, on the West Coast of New Zealand. Husband and wife team Gus and Poppy started the company in January 2014 and you'll generally find one of them out flying most days. On our PRIVATE Ultimate Discovery flight you'll see the three "big" glaciers. You'll fly over the Franz Josef, Fox & Tasman Glaciers and fly into the Southern Alps to see Mount Cook and enjoy the included 15-minute snow landing for photos. Total experience time approx. 45 minutes. Please allow an extra 45minutes on top of your flight time to allow for checking in, transport to helicopter, loading, unloading and to return to our office. Please note that whilst this is a private flight, you may end up sharing check in and van travel with other passengers on differing flights. Total weight of passenger load must be within the helicopter's weight and balance requirements.

Included in this adventure: • Approximately 120 minutes flight time over the Kahurangi National Park, The Wild West Coast, Abel Tasman National Park, Golden Bay and Farewell Spit • Two-way communication between you and your pilot • 1 x Mountain landing SIGHTS: • Breathtaking mountain landscapes

Milford Sound’s breathtaking landscapes await in this exclusive Heli‑Cruise‑Heli Ultimate experience. Begin your journey with a scenic flight from Queenstown, soaring over Fiordland National Park’s dramatic peaks and lush valleys. After a boutique cruise showcasing Milford Sound’s towering cliffs and pristine waters, enjoy a gourmet two‑course lunch on board. The adventure continues with alpine landings at spectacular locations, including the awe‑inspiring Earnslaw Burn, where cascading waterfalls and panoramic mountain views create a truly unforgettable atmosphere. This luxurious journey offers an intimate exploration of New Zealand’s natural wonders, combining air, sea, and alpine experiences into one seamless adventure—ideal for luxury travelers and nature enthusiasts alike.

Journey through New Zealand's natural wonderland on a 7-day road trip through the South Island. Have the chance to explore some of the best spots in Queenstown, the adventure capital! Whether thats Jumping out of a plane, zipling through the trees or relaxing in the city centre with a hot cocoa. Head to Franz Josef to hike the Glacier or visit an iconic, up-close Kiwi in the Wildlife Centre. cruise through the beautiful Milford Sound and discover the spectacular Tekapo through some of its most famous lakes and hikes, then spend the evening relaxing in the Tekapo Hot Springs.

Discover the newly launched Kawarau Gorge Trail, a spectacular self-guided eBiking experience that connects the magnificent wine regions of Gibbston to those in Bannockburn. The 39km route takes you alongside the stunning Kawarau River, showcasing beautiful rocky outcrops and historic gold mining settlements before joining up to the Lake Dunstan Trail in Bannockburn, for a leisurely ride around the inlet. Choose to top off the Great Ride at Carrick Winery & Cellar Door in Bannockburn with a wine tasting flight & pizza lunch (included if the Winery upgrade is selected). With premium eBike rental and shuttle transfers included from Queenstown, you can explore this intermediate trail at your leisure, traversing across two suspension bridges and venturing through previously inaccessible terrain. Everything is included for a Great Day on a Great Ride!

Explore the stunning Kawarau Gorge Trail on a self-guided eBike adventure that journeys through the heart of Central Otago's wine country. Starting from the Kiwi Journeys hub in Cromwell, enjoy a short transfer to the trail head at Gibbston. From there the trail follows the Kawarau River through to Bannockburn. From the renowned wine region of Gibbston, the trail winds 39km alongside the Kawarau River, showcasing breathtaking views of rocky outcrops, and historic gold mining settlements. Traverse clip-on bridges and ride beneath the Nevis Bluff, all while enjoying the freedom of riding a Premium eBike. Choose to top off the Great Ride at Carrick Winery & Cellar Door in Bannockburn with a wine tasting flight & pizza lunch (included if the Winery upgrade is selected). The tour ends at the Kiwi Journeys depot in Cromwell. Everything needed for the day's adventure is included - the eBike, additional biking equipment and associated shuttle transfers - just turn up and enjoy the ride!

What sets this tour apart is its ability to turn a simple drive into a story-rich journey through the heart of New Zealand wine country. As you wind through Gibbston Valley, your phone becomes your guide — unlocking the voices of winemakers, tales of Māori heritage, and the deep connection between land, people, and wine. It’s more than just a tasting — it’s a chance to experience Central Otago’s soul, one glass and one story at a time. No buses, no crowds — just you, the open road, and the unforgettable beauty of Aotearoa.

This immersive 5 day tour from Queenstown offers you a perfect mixture of travel each day, visiting the majority of the top attractions in New Zealand's South Island. Enjoy optional handpicked activities and places to stay without needing to worry about planning or driving long distances yourself. The itinerary showcases the beauty of the South Island in a relaxed way. Enjoy comfort of a private tour for your group, benefiting from a knowledgeable guide-driver and a vehicle exclusively for your group throughout the tour. Enjoy the flexibility to choose your own desired activities or opt for a range of handpicked 8-9 optional activities, like a scenic helicopter ride, Milford or Doubtful Sound cruise, a unique tour of the Te Anau Glowworm Caves, a scenic gondola ride, thrill jet boating, stargazing in Dark Sky Reserves, the TranzAlpine scenic train ride, and Guided Kayaking or a Whale Cruise, or a Nature Cruise & visiting an Alpaca farm. Start at Queenstown and finish at Christchurch.

Pedal through one of New Zealand’s most stunning wine regions with a rich layer of storytelling guiding your way. This unique biking tour blends scenic beauty with immersive audio commentary — sharing local winemaker stories, wine tasting tips, and Māori cultural insights as you cruise between cellar doors. With GPS-triggered narration and turn-by-turn guidance, you’re free to explore at your own pace while staying deeply connected to the land, the people, and the wines that make Gibbston so special. It’s more than just a ride — it’s a sensory experience from start to finish.