Top South Island How to Get Around - page 11

Make the most of limited time on land in Dunedin on a small-group shore excursion. After a pickup from Port Chalmers, hop aboard a boat for a nature-filled adventure on the Otago Harbour. Visit a royal albatross breeding colony, watch as New Zealand fur seals swim and play on the rocks, and take in the region’s dramatic scenery. Make use of warm jackets and binoculars on the cruise.

Take a 1.5-hour helicopter tour to Milford Sound from Queenstown, including a landing in Milford Sound and a remote alpine landing. Fly into the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park, soaring over the South Island’s most dramatic scenery, such as Mitre Peak. You'll land in the remote mountains near the fiord. Hear entertaining live commentary from your professional pilot who points out remote alpine lakes and the rugged mountain peaks of New Zealand’s Southern Alps. The round-trip helicopter flight includes hotel pickup and drop-off.

Observing New Zealand fur seals in the wild while you swim alongside them is an experience you won’t soon forget. After a short boat ride offshore from the Kaikoura Peninsula you are soon immersed in their natural habitat. No experience is necessary: just don a wetsuit and snorkel and receive instruction from your guides. Gear is included so you don’t need to bring or rent your own.

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.

See Abel Tasman National Park by both land and sea on this combination sailing and walking day tour. After boarding a water taxi at Kaiteriteri Beach, enjoy scenes of Split Apple Rock and the Fisherman and Adele Islands. Land at Anchorage Bay and take a scenic walk around the Pitt Head loop, perhaps stopping for a swim at a secluded beach. Look out for local wildlife, including dolphins and seals.

Discover the natural wonders of Lake Mapourika on this half-day kayaking adventure. Paddle across the lake's glassy waters against a backdrop of the Southern Alps, then hike through the ancient Jurassic age rainforest of the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary. Lake Mapourika is conveniently located a short distance from Franz Josef village, making this an easy excursion to fit in before or after glacier viewing.

For travelers short on time in Wanaka, this one-hour cruise and walk to Ruby Island is an ideal way to experience the lake and mountains. Glide across Lake Wanaka to Ruby Island in comfort on a luxury catamaran. There, enjoy an easy walk to lookout points that are great places from which to take pictures. Families and senior travelers will enjoy this tour as it’s suitable for all levels of mobility.

See many of the most impressive and interesting sights around Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula in just one day on this tour, specifically designed for cruise ship travelers. Meet your guide at the port and then head out to see New Zealand’s only castle, Larnach Castle, the authentic Chinese Gardens, the fascinating Settlers Museum, the world’s steepest street and much more.

Explore some of Marlborough’s top wineries on an afternoon wine tour from Blenheim with tastings at three or four or carefully selected wineries. Round-trip transport from your hotel is provided so you can avoid the risk of drinking and driving, or the annoyance of designating a sober driver. Learn about the history and terroir of local wines and admire the beautiful vineyard landscape around Blenheim.

Ride a catamaran to Paterson Inlet and take a guided walk at Ulva Island Bird Sanctuary. Your cruise showcases hidden coves and unspoiled beaches with informative commentary. Keep an eye out for fur seals and penguins, then learn about native birdlife and plants that flourish in the predator-free environment of Ulva Island. This tour departs Stewart Island in the afternoon, with the option to include a boxed lunch on board. Numbers are limited, for a small-group experience.

The rarest dolphins in the world live in Akaroa's waters, and you can get close on this eco-friendly sailing tour. Step back in time aboard the Fox II, a vintage wooden sailboat that’s over 100 years old and one of New Zealand's oldest working ketch boats. Glide quietly through the waters, looking out for dolphins, penguins, seals, and albatross but leaving them undisturbed for a memorable wildlife experience.

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.

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’s no need to choose between a leisurely adventure discovering Gibbston Valley’s wineries and a nature-driven biking tour with this full-day small-group e-bike tour. Traverse winding cycle trails and take in the region’s dramatic scenery, stopping at historic and cultural landmarks before relaxing with a glass of wine from a Gibbston vineyard.

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.

Spend an afternoon tasting South Island wines and taking in the scenery of Central Otago on a 4-hour tour from Queenstown. Admire mountain and river views en route, including people bungee jumping from the Kawarau Bridge if you’re lucky. Your guide takes you to three wineries for tastings and a wine cave tour. The tour includes wine tastings and a cheeseboard.

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.

Experience Wānaka from another angle with a cruise across Lake Wānaka to remote Mou Waho Island Nature Reserve. Make an eco-friendly impact by planting a native tree before you leave. Opt to take a guided bush walk to reveal Mou Waho’s hidden secret: another lake, nestled atop the island, with panoramic views of Wānaka and the Southern Alps. Enjoy hot drinks and snacks surrounded by spectacular alpine scenery.

Fly over Christchurch and the Banks Peninsula on a 20-minute helicopter tour that takes in city sights. From an aerial view, you’ll appreciate the scale of Christchurch’s devastation and recovery following the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. Soar above the ruins of ChristChurch Cathedral and see the new sports stadium while the pilot comments on rebuilding efforts. See the suburbs of Sumner and Redcliffe, and view the port of Lyttelton.

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.

Experience some of New Zealand's best wine on this small-group tour from Blenheim. Visit different wineries in Marlborough and learn about the region's unique climate and soil, which make it ideal for grape-growing. Sample a variety of wines, including Sauvignon Blanc, at each stop. Your guide ensures you travel from vineyard to vineyard safely, and also offers a wealth of information about the history of the region and each winery you visit.

During this half-day nature cruise in the Marlborough Sounds, enthusiastic marine biologists point out wildlife including New Zealand fur seals and several species of dolphins: Hector's, bottlenose, and dusky. Spot rare seabirds and learn about the history between Cook and the Māori people of Aotearoa while you’re treated to refreshments on board. Board in Picton and travel up Queen Charlotte Sound to difficult-to-reach Motuara Island and Ship Cove.

Go one step further taking our Milford Sound / Piopiotahi return scenic Helicopter flights and a wonderous 2 hour Milford Sound Cruise with our partners at Mitre Peak Cruises, to experience the Fiordland National Park from the sky, land and water. A remote alpine landing tops off this up close exploration of a UNESCO World Heritage wilderness. Spot wildlife such as seals, dolphins and the Fiordland Crested penguins roaming around Milford Sound. This is an experience you will never forget in the unofficial 8th wonder of the world.

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.