Top South Island Cultural Tours

Discover Christchurch on a small-group walking tour led by a knowledgeable local guide who brings the city’s story to life. This experience goes beyond a typical sightseeing walk. You’ll hear first-hand accounts of the 2011 earthquake, understand how the city has rebuilt, and explore the ideas shaping Christchurch’s future. As you walk through the central city, you’ll visit key landmarks while also uncovering hidden gems that most visitors miss. Along the way, your guide shares engaging stories, local insights, and personal perspectives that make the experience both informative and memorable. With a small group size, the tour is interactive and relaxed, giving you the chance to ask questions and get tailored recommendations for your stay. This tour is ideal for first-time visitors wanting an authentic introduction to Christchurch, as well as returning travellers looking to better understand the city’s unique character.

This fun walking tour is an ideal way to explore the small city of Nelson. You’ll visit some of the major attractions—including the cathedral, the Queen’s Gardens, and the Suter Gallery—as well as learn about architectural styles and everyday life in the city. Your guide has lived in Nelson all her life, so has a lot of local insight to share.

Take in the sights of Marlborough's wine-country scenery and taste some of the region's best offerings on this full-day tour from Blenheim or Picton. Make several stops at different wineries and taste Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Pinot Noir as well as some lesser-known varieties from the area. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for central locations, making your experience seamless and relaxing.

Like many New Zealand cities, Christchurch has a dual history shared between Māori and European peoples. Explore the city on this small-group walking tour, taking in landmarks and hidden gems that reveal an often forgotten heritage. Along the way, enjoy local food, drinks, and lunch tastings, connecting you to the people and places you’ll see.

Take a heritage-focused tour of Dunedin with a local historian and learn about the city’s fascinating colonial past. Visit the magnificent Dunedin Railway Station, learn about the amazing historic buildings in the ‘Octagon’, see historic Tennyson Street featuring Otago Girls High School, and much more. Your guide will tell fascinating stories about the city that will help you understand the lives of its citizens, past and present.

Explore Christchurch on foot and uncover a city reborn from the 2011 earthquakes into a vibrant mix of heritage and innovation. From the quirky Cardboard Cathedral to Gothic Revival gems, from buzzing New Regent Street to tranquil riverside terraces, every stop reveals resilience, creativity, and charm. Wander through playful spaces like the Margaret Mahy Playground, pause at moving memorials like the Bridge of Remembrance, and soak up art, culture, and flavors at Riverside Market. Along the way you’ll see stunning street art, heritage façades, modern marvels like Te Pae Convention Centre, and lush sanctuaries like the Botanic Gardens. This tour isn’t just about sights it’s a journey through history, recovery, and the unique spirit of Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Explore the city of Dunedin with a knowledgeable local guide who takes you to points of interest where you can stop and have a look around. See the Olveston Garden and the University of Otago. Enjoy views of Otago Harbour from the lookout point on Signal Hill, and visit Baldwin Street. Pickup and drop-off is available from hotels, the cruise port or the Dunedin Railway Station. Numbers are limited to 20 people for a group experience, with personalized attention from your guide.

Visit New Zealand's largest wine cave and taste 3 local wines. Known as “Valley of the Vines”, Gibbston boasts vineyards sandwiched between rugged mountains and the Kawarau River gorge. It is well-known for its pinot noir. See the region's first vines, originally planted in 1983, and hear their backstory as you sip.

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.

Beyond Arrowtown’s idyllic setting along the Arrow River, there’s a complex story of hardship and transformation. On this walking tour, you’ll find out how a quiet pastoral valley became one of the richest goldfields in the world, where a diverse community took root. As you explore the historic main street, secluded pathways, and the remarkable Chinese Settlement, you’ll detect echoes of its dramatic past. You’ll also meet the characters that shaped this unique Central Otago town. The tour begins at the striking ’X Marks the Spot’ sculpture, where you’ll find out how it symbolically anchors Arrowtown’s gold-rush story. You’ll trace the early township layout, wandering streets lined with cottages from the 1800s, and stand where the first gold discoveries triggered a rush that reshaped the region almost overnight.

Swap the cruise port for the Otago countryside on a half-day shore excursion that covers Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula. Your sightseeing tour covers city-center highlights, such as the Dunedin Railway Station, then travels to the wildlife-filled peninsula, stopping en route at scenic lookouts and for a beachside view of basking sea lions. Enjoy personalized attention from your guide on this small-group shore excursion with port transfers.

Discover Christchurch’s vibrant arts and heritage scene on a curated walking tour. This immersive journey takes you behind the scenes of The Court Theatre, where the magic of live performances begins. Explore inside the iconic Christ Church Cathedral and learn about its historic significance and restoration efforts. Walk down Worcester Street Boulevard, connecting key cultural landmarks while observing stunning architecture and street art. Visit the Arts Centre Quad, featuring striking sculptures and the Great Hall, before concluding at the Ravenscar House Museum, showcasing exceptional art. Perfect for culture seekers and history enthusiasts, this tour offers exclusive insights and intimate storytelling. - Behind-the-scenes access to The Court Theatre and its creative spaces - Guided entry into Christ Church Cathedral with insights on its history and restoration - Stroll through Worcester Street Boulevard, - Explore Ravenscar House Museum, home to a remarkable private art collection

Experience the beauty of New Zealand’s Southern Alps on a full-day tour to Arthur's Pass from Christchurch. Travel into the mountains by car, then return in the afternoon on the TranzAlpine scenic train. At Arthur’s Pass visit Castle Hill, Lake Pearson, and the Otira Viaduct, explore the national park, and walk to the Devil’s Punchbowl waterfall. Lunch, snacks, and Christchurch hotel transfers add convenience.

There are few places in New Zealand where you’re likely to spot kiwis in the wild, and Stewart Island is one. Improve your chances of spotting this nocturnal bird on a guided tour at dusk. Head out for a pre-sunset cruise, spotting albatross, penguins, and fur seals, before a venture into the bush toward a secluded beach where kiwi are often spotted. For a deeper understanding of New Zealand, upgrade to the culture "kiwi and culture encounter" to hear stories of Maori and European history.

Our tours are about sharing our ancestors cultural stories, and the narrative of the diverse people which now call Ōtautahi Christchurch home. We do this this through meandering through our less known areas sharing gems hidden in plain sight. ​ It’s about getting out and about and walking to your destinations and discovering our Māori and settler heritage and connecting you with the exquisite hard to find local establishments with unique stories to share You will arrive as strangers and leave as friends.

Visit several wineries in the Marlborough wine region on a half-day tour from Picton. Enjoy wine tasting at each location, and learn about New Zealand's prolific wine industry from your guide on this comprehensive wine tour. Includes transfers from central Picton or Picton accommodation, plus all wine-tasting fees. Eat before the tour to fully enjoy the wine-tasting experience.

Make the most of a short time in Dunedin on this action-packed one-hour V8 trike tour of the city and Otago Peninsula. Starting in the central city, pass some of the most beautiful historic buildings and learn about Dunedin’s culture and heritage. Continue your drive out to the peninsula, where you can enjoy views of hills and beaches, and maybe even spot some birds and wildlife.

This special couples pass offers an unforgettable experience featuring gold panning, warm drinks, and a complimentary Shantytown Souvenir Guide. Share in the excitement of searching for gold while enjoying each other's company. Perfect for a unique date idea, this pass lets you create lasting memories together in a fun, interactive setting. Enhance your adventure with the included souvenir guide that brings Shantytown to life.

Ideal for thrill seekers, this experience lets you take a jet boat ride on the Shotover River. Experience adrenaline-fueled fun as the jet boat skims the water’s surface at high speed and fishtails into 360-degree spins. Hold on tight as the captain maneuvers the jet boat over rapids and through narrow canyons during one heart-pounding adventure you won’t soon forget.

Explore Queenstown on a private 4-hour discovery tour combining iconic sights and hidden gems. Begin at Queenstown Gardens, a serene lakeside oasis, then head to Skyline Queenstown Lookout for dramatic panoramic views. Visit Arrowtown, a charming gold-mining village with cobblestone streets and local shops. Continue to Kawarau Bridge Lookout, the birthplace of bungee jumping, offering thrilling views of turquoise waters and rugged cliffs. End at Lake Hayes, where mirrored reflections of surrounding peaks create a picture-perfect finale. Fully customizable, this private tour blends alpine scenery, history, and local life, providing a relaxed and unforgettable half-day journey through Queenstown’s most scenic and memorable spots.

Located in the heart of Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound forms part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site. Explore the stunning fiord in a way few tourists will—by air and water during a half-day excursion. The exhilarating, round-trip helicopter flight from Queenstown includes a glacier or alpine landing. Perhaps spot dolphins, seals, and penguins during an unforgettable cruise.

Queenstown has a dramatic history of transformation. On this self-guided audio tour, you’ll discover how a remote pastoral homestead on the shores of Lake Wakatipu became a chaotic gold rush camp, before evolving into a world-class resort. The tour starts at the Village Green, once the epicenter of the 1862 gold rush that transformed the landscape overnight. You’ll discover how the TSS Earnslaw steamship became the lifeline of remote lake communities and how A.J. Hackett’s first commercial bungy jump in 1988 sparked Queenstown’s reinvention as the “Adventure Capital of the World.” The tour ends at the historic Queenstown Cemetery on Brecon Street, offering panoramic views across the town Rees founded.

Discover Dunedin at your own pace with this immersive self-guided walking tour that blends history, art, and adventure. Wander from the iconic Dunedin Railway Station and Gothic cathedrals to hidden laneways bursting with vibrant street art. Step inside stories of gold rush glory, architectural marvels, and cultural fusion at landmarks like Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, the Chinese Garden, and the University of Otago. Feel the city’s creative pulse in its theatres, murals, and music — even tracing the humble beginnings of the famous band Six60. Stroll through the peaceful Botanic Garden, admire heritage churches, and end your journey with a challenge — conquering Baldwin Street, the world’s steepest! Whether you’re a history lover, explorer, or curious wanderer, Dunedin will surprise you at every turn.