Top South Island Bus Tours - page 8

Make the most of a travel day between Queenstown and Christchurch with a narrated coach tour via Aoraki Mt. Cook. View Otago’s rugged mountain and farm terrain as you cross the Lindis Pass to Mt. Cook Village, at the base of New Zealand’s highest mountain. Make several stops, including at Lake Tekapo’s Church of the Good Shepherd. The trip can also be taken in the opposite direction, starting in Christchurch.

Explore the world-renowned Marlborough wine region on a full-day wine tour that goes behind the scenes at several acclaimed New Zealand wineries. Talk with respected winemakers, taste award-winning reserve-grade Marlborough wine, see the vineyards, and stop for a gourmet lunch at a winery restaurant. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Blenheim or Picton can be arranged at an extra charge, or meet at a central Blenheim location.

While in the Southern Alps, don’t miss the chance to experience the views on this fully guided day trip including not one but two scenic helicopter flights. Be amazed by the views of Aoraki Mt. Cook and the Tasman Glacier, then set foot on the glacier for a hike with a difference. Guides will accompany you the whole way and tell you about the natural and cultural significance of the places you visit.

This is the ideal tour for wine lovers. Spend a day going on a wine tasting journey to some of the best vineyards in Central Otago. You won’t have to worry about organizing transport as hotel transfers are included. Various tailor-made packages are available, including options with a helicopter flight or golf along with your winery tours. Enjoy the ultimate stress-free day with lunch and wine tastings included.

On this half-day tour, experience two unique sides of the Wanaka area: the wine made from grapes grown in the whenua (land), and the culture of the tangata whenua themselves—the indigenous Māori who live on the land. Visit four boutique wineries in Wanaka, Tarras, and Cromwell, sampling various wines and a platter of local produce. Receive the manaaki (hospitality) of the local Māori community and experience a stirring live haka.

This half-day tour is not just a superb introduction to the Central Otago wine-growing region: it’s also an invitation to experience the culture and manaaki, or hospitality, of the local Māori community. Start with a traditional Māori greeting and receive the power of the ceremonial haka in a picturesque Otago location. Then visit several local wineries across the region to sample popular wines and enjoy a cheese platter.

Designed for cruise ship travelers docked at Lyttelton, depart the port and head out to see a working sheep farm and the charming Christchurch City. Watch sheep dogs muster the sheep, learn about wool production and try some home baking. Then take in the highlights of Christchurch’s city center, seeing the rebuild underway since the earthquakes in 2010 and 2011.

There are so many filming locations attached to the Lord of the Rings movies to explore near Queenstown that it can be tough to know where to start. Discover far more than you could alone on this full-day small-group tour, while learning facts that you won’t find in guidebooks. Take in Mavora Lakes, Fraser’s Beach, Te Anau, and much more.

Surround yourself with the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps, including Aoraki/Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain, on this day trip from Christchurch. There’s no need to self-drive and be distracted by the views. Travel by coach into the MacKenzie Basin, stop at Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki, and enjoy views of the Tasman Glacier on a short hike. Includes lunch at the Hermitage Hotel, plus morning and afternoon tea.

*Lord of the Rings* fans will feel like they're on Middle Earth during this air tour. Fly above beautiful Queenstown, and see the spots filmed for the fictional places of Isengard, Amon Hen, Lothlorien; then land on a glacier alongside the Misty Mountains and get a sense of what it might be like to cross The Redhorn Pass.

Explore New Zealand's premier wine region on this morning wineries tour from Blenheim. Visit four wineries, each internationally acclaimed for their red and white wines, particularly sauvignon blanc grapes that flourish in the sun-drenched alluvial soils of Marlborough. Stroll through the vines and contemplate the meaningful things in life. The practical things, like your round-trip transport and hotel pickup, are all taken care of for you.

Sheep farming is an important activity in New Zealand but it can be hard for tourists to experience this first-hand. Visit a working sheep farm in rural Canterbury on a day trip from Christchurch to learn more. Enjoy morning or afternoon tea and watch a sheep-shearing demonstration. Upgrade to include wine tasting at a local vineyard, where you can sip various vintages. Includes hotel transfers from centrally located hotels.

Avoid the risk of drinking and driving when you hop on board this handy wineries shuttle from central Queenstown. Choose from two departure times to suit your schedule. The comfortable minibus visits 11 wineries in the Arrowtown and Gibbston Valley area, giving you the flexibility to hop on and off where you like. Indulge in some regional specialties without having to choose a designated driver.

Immerse yourself in the fascinating history of the Queenstown region with this gold mining tour. Stop in at key towns of the gold rush days including charming Arrowtown, and visit the Goldfields Mining Centre where you will be able to have a go at gold panning yourself. As you travel, learn the history and hear marvelous stories via themed GPS headsets.

Active, nature-loving travelers will enjoy this small-group day tour that includes two of Hokitika’s highlights. Start at the Treetop Walk, where you can follow a 1,476-foot (450-meter) long, 65-foot (20-meter) high steel walkway through the canopy, enjoying the sweeping views. Continue to the dazzling Hokitika Gorge, where you’ll be amazed by the turquoise color of the water. Stretch your legs on a guided walk through the forest.

Experience Queenstown after dark on a private evening tour showcasing alpine scenery and romantic night views. Begin at Lake Wakatipu Waterfront, where sunset colors reflect across calm waters. Continue to the Skyline Queenstown Lookout for panoramic views of the town glowing beneath the night sky. Visit the tranquil Kelvin Heights Peninsula Lookout, a favorite spot for quiet moments and night photography across the lake. If time allows, enjoy a short detour to Arrowtown, where lantern-lit streets and historic charm create a storybook atmosphere. Fully customizable and unhurried, this private ride offers a peaceful, scenic way to experience Queenstown’s magic after sunset.

We are local Dunedin Tour operators with 10 years of business experience focus on the customized Private Tours around Dunedin area and beyond. We offer and provide you the most flexible and personalized Dunedin and Otago Peninsula wild life Tours. We have been providing personalised private tours since 2015, backed by years of experience and now proudly partnering with Viator to serve global travellers recently. We know Dunedin like the back of our hands and we will allow you to enjoy every hidden spots in Dunedin and freedom to move at your own pace. We are friendly ,knowledgeable, reliable and happy to meet new customers from around the world.

Small Group • Max 10 Guests • 6 Hours • Cruise-Friendly Discover Dunedin’s wildlife on a guided small-group experience. Travel in a comfortable Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and visit a pristine private coastal reserve for a guided penguin and wildlife tour, with chances to see yellow-eyed penguins, sea lions, and native birdlife. Enjoy scenic Otago Peninsula views and selected Dunedin highlights along the way. Highlights • Dunedin city highlights with photo stops • Visit Larnach Castle Gardens with panoramic views and time to relax at the café (castle entry not included) • Explore beautiful beaches and coastal scenery • Guided penguin and wildlife experience in a protected coastal reserve, with opportunities to observe Little Blue Penguins, rare Yellow-Eyed Penguins, sea lions, and native birdlife • Royal Albatross Centre area for sea cliff views and possible albatross sightings (entry not included) Flexible ending with return to Port Chalmers or drop-off in the city.

This two day small group adventure showcases the dramatic contrasts of the South Island, from the rugged rainforests and glaciers of the West Coast to the vast open spaces of the Canterbury Plains. Travelling from Queenstown to Christchurch with plenty of scenic stops, stories and memorable experiences, this journey captures the true spirit of Aotearoa. With friendly guides, comfortable transport and time to explore at your own pace, it is the perfect way to discover the heart of the South Island in one unforgettable trip.

While lots of tours help you discover Queenstown’s rich winemaking heritage, not many pair the experience with the chance to sample local beer and gin, too. On this half-day small-group tour, head to a range of popular spots across the region, including a Central Otago winery, a gin distillery in Arrowtown, a brewery near the Shotover River, and much more.

Perfect for photography lovers, enjoy a full-day private photography tour in Queenstown and the surrounding area. Start your day in charming Queenstown and then head further afield. The exact itinerary is up to you, but possible destinations include Arrowtown, Glenorchy, Wanaka, Skippers Canyon and more. Your guide is a local photographer, so will be able to give you lots of advice on how to get the best shots.

Benefit from clear views of the southern sky at night on a star-gazing tour on the Otago Peninsula. Depart from Dunedin in the evening—timing is dependent on the season as the sky needs to be completely dark. Your guide shares Māori stories about the celestial bodies, and serves up a light supper. This area is ideal for viewing the southern lights (aurora australis) under certain conditions.

Combine some of Marlborough's classic activities on this full-day tour: cruising on Queen Charlotte Sound and tasting some of the area's world-renowned wines. Spend the morning out cruising aboard a catamaran, then go ashore to a winery for lunch and wine tasting. Continue the afternoon with more winery visits and tastings.

Take a break from touristy Queenstown and head along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to the aptly named Paradise. On this half-day tour, experience rural New Zealand. Spot filming locations from The Lord of the Rings around Glenorchy and hear stories from Māori history and mythology as you tour the mountainous countryside. Plus, the vehicles have large windows for even better views.