Top South Island Day Trips - page 5

Explore the Southern Alps’ thundering waterfalls, "Narnia" film sites, and majestic limestone rocks. Encounter cheeky Kea parrots and pristine mirror lakes on this ultimate alpine adventure.

Explore the highlights of historic Dunedin, second-largest city on the South Island, on a varied 5.5-hour tour. Check out the record-holding steepest street in the world, the University of Otago, and Dunedin Railway station, before heading to the windswept Otago Peninsula. Then, visit Larnach Castle, New Zealand's only castle, with garden access and optional guided castle tour.

Experience the charm, culture, and beauty of Christchurch on a guided day tour through New Zealand's Garden City. Enjoy panoramic views stretching from the coastline across Christchurch and the Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps, offering a unique perspective of the region's stunning natural beauty. Along the way, discover the stories and heritage that have shaped the city, with fascinating local commentary and excellent photo opportunities. This tour includes a stop at our favourite Greenstone Shop, where you will get a short behind the scenes tour with a professional carver and learn about New Zealand pounamu (greenstone) and how it is made. You will also have time to browse these authentic carvings in the shop. A perfect introduction to Christchurch, combining the city's highlights, culture, and spectacular scenery in one memorable experience. Join your local and knowledgable guide and feel good supporting a small local family owned business.

Experience Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park in a small group with a knowledgeable local guide, combining spectacular alpine scenery with the flexibility to explore at your own pace. Travel beyond the main tourist route through the dramatic Kawarau Gorge and Lindis Pass, with scenic stops at Lake Pukaki and opportunities to discover local favourites along the way. Once at Mt Cook, enjoy free time to choose how you experience this remarkable landscape, from walking the famous Hooker Valley Track to simply taking in the views of New Zealand's highest peak. With personalised guiding, plenty of photo opportunities, and a relaxed pace, this tour offers more than just a transfer—it’s a memorable journey into the heart of the Southern Alps.

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.

Home to pristine bays, dense forests, and soaring headlands, the Abel Tasman National Park boasts some of New Zealand’s most beautiful coastal scenery—but to appreciate it fully, you have to take to the sea. On this tour, cruise the South Island’s coastal waters and discover top attractions including Split Apple Rock and the Tonga Island Marine Reserve—with live commentary and optional beach stops.

Explore the magic of Milford Sound on our, unforgettable Milford Sound Day Tour! Discover New Zealand’s pristine beauty as you journey through Fiordland's rugged landscapes, awe-inspiring peaks, and glistening waters. Our carefully curated tour combines the thrill of adventure with moments of serene relaxation, showcasing the unparalleled wonders of this World Heritage site. You’ll be transported in comfort with breathtaking scenic stops along the way, guided by passionate locals who share insights into the area’s geology, history, and wildlife. Capture sweeping views of waterfalls cascading down towering cliffs and glistening fiords that define Milford Sound’s untamed allure. You also have a chance at encountering New Zealand’s iconic seals, playful dolphins, and diverse bird species. Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and let the magic of Milford Sound create lasting memories on this extraordinary day tour. Perfect for nature lovers, families, and adventurers alike!

Explore the scenic waterways of the Marlborough Sounds on a small-group half-day cruise by mail boat from Havelock. The historic Pelorus Mail Boat delivers mail, groceries, and freight to residents along this remote inland waterway where the boat is the main link to the outside world. Hear commentary from the crew about the region, and perhaps have time to disembark at spots along the way (conditions permitting).

Explore the Best of Abel Tasman National Park and Golden Bay in One Day! Your friendly guide will pick you up from your accommodation for a scenic journey across the Waimea Plains and Moutere Hills to Kaiteriteri. From there, enjoy a cruise along the stunning coastline of Abel Tasman National Park, famous for its clear waters, golden beaches, and fur seal colonies. Disembark at Tōtaranui for an adventure through Golden Bay, a region of breathtaking landscapes. Explore sub-tropical rainforests, intriguing rock formations, and pristine beaches. Visit Te Waikoropupū Springs, home to some of the world’s clearest water, and enjoy a gourmet picnic or a meal at a local café. Your return journey takes you over Takaka Hill, past unique granite and marble formations, with panoramic views of Golden Bay, Abel Tasman National Park, and Tasman Bay.

See some of Dunedin’s main attractions on this short city tour. Designed for those arriving into Port Chalmers on cruise ships, this tour is open to everyone and only operates on cruise ship days. Take in the views of the city from Signal Hill, visit the Botanic Gardens and see Baldwin Street - the steepest residential street in the world. See impressive architecture including the iconic Octagon and the Railway Station.

This Akaroa shore excursion takes you sightseeing in Christchurch via a scenic drive through the Banks Peninsula. See the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Cathedral Square, and other city highlights before visiting the International Antarctic Centre, where you can learn more about the frozen continent. See penguins, feel the chill of Antarctic winds, and finish with a thrilling ride on an amphibious Hagglund vehicle.

Tucked away in the South Island’s beautiful Fiordland region, Milford Sound ranks among New Zealand’s most impressive natural attractions—but its remote location makes access challenging. On this tour, enjoy round-trip transport from Te Anau to Milford Sound aboard your premium glass-roof coach and admire panoramic views over the countryside scenery. With buffet lunch included, take to the water for a Milford Sound cruise, and discover native wildlife among the towering waterfalls.

Go exactly where you want, at your own pace and without having to compromise with a group, when you join a private guided tour of the Marlborough wine region. Relax and indulge in fine wine and good food in New Zealand’s largest wine-growing region without the risk of self-driving. Select your stops or let the experienced team choose the venues best suited to your needs and interests.

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.

This Akaroa shore excursion takes you on a scenic journey into Christchurch via the Banks Peninsula with a visit to the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Your tour of the ‘Garden City’ includes a stroll through the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and a look at earthquake recovery efforts in the city center. You’ll find exotic critters such as wallabies, gibbons and lemurs at the wildlife reserve, and meet the elusive but iconic kiwi, New Zealand’s national bird.

Active, nature-loving travelers will enjoy this small-group kayaking and hiking tour of the southern part of the Abel Tasman National Park. Starting from Marahau, head out to little Adele Island, where you’re likely to spot fur seals basking in the sun. Continue your adventure on land, hiking to panoramic viewpoints and listening to the birdsong, so far from roads and settlements.

Discover Milford Sound on the original small-group glass-roof tour from Queenstown with Altitude Tours. Travel in a custom-built Mercedes Sprinter featuring an expansive glass roof, panoramic windows, leather seats, Wi-Fi and USB charging. With a maximum of just 15 guests, enjoy a relaxed, personalised experience away from the crowds. Your knowledgeable local guide will share fascinating commentary, local history and hidden gems as you journey through Fiordland National Park, stopping at iconic viewpoints and scenic locations along the spectacular Milford Road. A freshly prepared packed picnic lunch is included to enjoy during the day. In Milford Sound, board a small-group nature cruise and experience towering peaks, cascading waterfalls and native wildlife, including seals, dolphins and, if you're lucky, the rare Fiordland crested penguin. This is Milford Sound at its most personal and unforgettable.

Most people fly from Queenstown to Christchurch. In an hour, they miss everything in between. This full-day small-group tour covers the same distance on the ground: Kawarau Gorge, the Mackenzie Basin lakes, Aoraki Mt Cook National Park and Lake Tekapo. Lunch, water and Kiwi snacks are included. WiFi and USB charging on board. At 3724 metres, Aoraki is New Zealand's highest peak and a sacred ancestor to Ngā Tahu iwi. You have 2-2.5 hours at the national park: walk the Tasman Glacier Viewpoint Track through the moraines of Haupapa, NZ's longest glacier, explore Mt Cook Village, or arrange a scenic flight on the day. From November 2026, Wānaka will replace the Kawarau Gorge stop where your guide collects lunch while you spend time at the lakefront, home of #ThatWānakaTree. The tour ends at Lake Tekapo beside the Church of the Good Shepherd with the Southern Alps behind it. Small group, maximum 16. Carbon neutral within Aoraki Mt Cook National Park. Wānaka pickup available.

Don’t worry about what to do once you arrive at Lyttelton Harbour. On this small-group tour of the Canterbury countryside surrounding Christchurch, you’ll be transported to Sumner Beach to take in ocean views over coffee before tackling the Godley Head Loop, one of the area’s most popular hikes. Enjoy coastal views and historic World War II landmarks before a picnic lunch at Boulder Bay, surrounded by striking vistas of the Southern Alps.

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.

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.

This tour is the perfect way to explore Marlborough's world-renowned wine region. Led by a guide with over 20 years of experience in the industry, you'll get an inside look at some of the area's most iconic wineries. From tastings and tours to behind-the-scenes access, this is a comprehensive way to discover all that Marlborough wine has to offer.

The Marlborough region is known for its wine-making prowess, particularly for its sauvignon blancs and pinot noirs. Sample these and many others without worrying about who will drive on this guided tour of several of the region’s appointment-only wineries. Discover the secrets of winemaking in the region and learn how to taste wine like a true professional. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

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.