Top South Island Sightseeing Tours - page 5

Get aerial views of Franz Josef Glacier on this seriously scenic helicopter flight, including a 2-minute snow landing. Take fantastic photos of the pinnacles and sheer crevasses as you pass parts of the glacier and mountains you couldn’t access any other way. Multiple departure times throughout the day make for a flexible outing, and you'll learn more about the national park and its mountains as you fly above them.

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.

Witness towering mountains, dense forests, and craggy coves, all on one boat ride on this cruise of Lake Whakatipu. Listen to facts about local wildlife and the area’s delicate ecosystem as you gaze at the Southern Alps, Bob’s Cove, and Mount Earnslaw, or simply relax at the onboard café and bar as you sail across the lake.

Spend a day experiencing the best of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula without having to rent a car on a private guided tour. Enjoy a flexible itinerary with stops at Baldwin Street, Signal Hill, Otago University, Dunedin Railway Station, and the Royal Albatross Centre on the windswept Otago Peninsula. Hotel or port pickup transfers from Dunedin or Port Chalmers are included for your convenience.

Enjoy a 2-hour stargazing experience with an experienced guide. We keep the tour to a maximum of 10pax adults for best experience. Learn about the night sky, see constellations, and use a 16" telescope to see planets and stars. Snack on a platter of nibbles and sip on a hot drink while you stargaze. Get picked up from your accommodation in Lake Tekapo and be driven to a private stargazing site out in the farm with zero light pollution. Sit back in a comfortable moon chair and wrap yourself in a warm blanket. Use a modern 16” telescope to see the night sky for deep sky objects. Take a photo of you and your friends & family under the stars! *Please note: we can only cater snack platters provided we are given 48 hours notice before the tour. We can cater non-allergen, vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free and gluten-free platters. **Pickups are only offered to accommodation locations within Lake Tekapo township

Soar through the sky on this 55-minute scenic Helicopter experience through the Mt Cook and Westland National Parks flying over the Fox, Franz Josef and Tasman Glacier, included a glacier landing (10-15 minutes). The ultimate way to see the Southern Alps and a bucket list flight. Check in closes 45 minutes prior to the flight time.

Get out of Christchurch for the day and explore some of the most majestic landscapes in the South Island on an easy small-group day tour. Leaving Christchurch early in the morning, you’ll head to the mountains. Stop to enjoy the views at Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki, and take short walks on the Hooker Track and the Tasman Glacier (New Zealand’s longest). See and do a lot on a full-day tour.

Escape the ordinary with a fully private, customizable 6-hour day trip from Queenstown to Glenorchy. Experience some of New Zealand’s most stunning landscapes — from tranquil lakes and hidden bays to iconic viewpoints and peaceful alpine trails. Whether you want to capture perfect photos, enjoy short walks, relax at cozy cafés, or simply soak in nature, this trip is tailored entirely to you. - A 6 hour private tour tailored to your interests and schedule - Explore local gems like Moke Lake, Bennetts Bluff & Glenorchy’s red shed - Optional walks at Bob’s Cove or Glenorchy Lagoon - Comfortable travel in modern, clean vehicles - Hosted by friendly local guides who know the area inside out - Flexibility to add or skip stops — your trip, your way - Perfect for couples, friends, families, and photographers Unforgettable views, total freedom, and personal touches — this is how Glenorchy is meant to be explored.

So why not join us as we travel to this region and beyond, experiencing the best of what the South Island has to offer. Escaping the hustle and bustle of Tāhuna Queenstown, this 1 way trip adventures via the Lindis, Lake Pukaki, Aoraki Mt Cook Village, and Lake Tekapo, before arriving in Ōtautahi Christchurch. You will be driven in comfort by our modern, comfortable Mercedes Sprinter (or similar) packed with the extras to make the trip that bit easier. Led by our fun, knowledgeable, and passionate tour guides, this journey is one you will never forget! *Please note that all QUEENSTOWN TO CHRISTCHURCH bookings from the 1st of November onwards no longer stop at Kawarau Gorge. This will instead be replaced by a stop at Wānaka.

Master the art of taking dramatic landscape photographs on this half-day photography tour. Starting your tour in Queenstown, head to the charming settlement of Glenorchy, famous for its beautiful views. Here you will be able to photograph a range of natural scenery, including snow-capped mountains, ancient forests and pristine lakes and rivers.

Combine our Half Day in Middle Earth with a second Half Day Adventure into another part of Middle Earth with our partner company. We have a 1 hour lunch break back in Queenstown and change buses for the afternoon tour. Morning and Afternoon Tour itineraries are interchangeable and can be switched due to availability or weather conditions. You will be visiting the Skippers Canyon Lookout (weather permitting), Arrowtown, The Gibbston Valley, Glenorchy and Paradise. You will admire LOTR locations such as The Ford of Bruinen, The Gladden Fields, Pillars of the Kings, Ithilien, Isengard, Beorn's House, Lothlorien, Amon Hen and more!

Enjoy a relaxed afternoon on Lake Te Anau on a tour that combines a cruise and guided nature walk in Fiordland National Park. Board an historic motorized yacht at the wharf for a relaxed cruise with afternoon tea. After a bush walk with mountain views, set sail for the return. This cruise is limited to 16 passengers to ensure a comfortable, personal experience.

Channel your inner Hobbit and enjoy outdoor adventure in the heart of New Zealand on this Hobbit barrel run rafting tour on the Pelorus River. Pull on your wetsuit and hop aboard your raft, then drift onto the Pelorus River — made famous in the 2013 movie "The Desolation of Smaug." Stop off at filming locations used in the making of the movie to hear behind-the-scenes stories.

Make the most of the pristine night skies over the Mackenzie Basin with this observatory experience tailored for first-time stargazers. Watch the night sky through one of Cowan’s Observatory’s telescopes, finding stars, constellations and other hidden secrets with the help of one of the observatory’s knowledgeable astronomy guides. With discounted tickets for visitors aged 17 and under, this is a great way to introduce children to the wonders of the Milky Way.

This 20-minute scenic helicopter flight takes you soaring above Franz Josef Glacier with a snow landing at the top — the perfect opportunity to get up close to a glacier in the South Island. You’ll be captivated as you lift off and fly up and over towering ice formations before a soft landing in a snowfield. Admire Mt Cook/Aoraki, New Zealand’s highest peak, from the glacial summit.

Get views of Christchurch Adventure Park from the vantage point of a chairlift with this pass. Purchase your ticket in advance to guarantee a smooth experience; hop on the lift and head to the summit for a short walk and some photo ops. Enjoy views over the Pacific Ocean and New Zealand's Southern Alps before descending on your own time.

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.

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.

Marlborough is New Zealand’s largest wine region, and also famous for the scenic waterways of the Marlborough Sounds. Discover both on this full-day small-group tour without the risk of self-driving. After a pickup from Picton or Blenheim, visit several wineries for expert-led wine tastings. Tuck into a light lunch before setting sail on a Marlborough Sounds cruise, admiring the views as you sample delicious local salmon and greenshell mussels.

Discover Dunedin City and the Otago Peninsula on this small-group tour of the area's highlights. Walk up the world’s steepest street, explore the picturesque botanic gardens, and admire grand city architecture. Enjoy a scenic drive around the Otago Peninsula, followed by a guided tour at the Royal Albatross Centre, including a short documentary, talk, and a walk to the viewing platform to observe albatrosses up close.

Gaze out at the tall mountains, lush rainforests, and crashing waterfalls of Milford Sound on this cruise through the fjord. Enjoy a glass of champagne and a lunch crafted from locally sourced canapes while you keep an eye out for the various species of wildlife that call the area home.

For a full day of adventure and nature, join this pack-rafting experience. Set on the mighty Matukituki River, just a short drive from Wānaka, you’ll start by walking to a waterfall and then gearing up for your paddle. Learn the basics of paddling before climbing aboard your lightweight, stable, two-person rafts and taking in the mountains and glaciers of the Mt. Aspiring National Park. All guests must be able to swim to participate.

Cruise port time in Akaroa is limited, and it can be hard to fit in something truly memorable without worrying about logistics. This active shore excursion makes it easy to get straight on the water for a guided sea kayaking experience just steps from the port. Paddle through sheltered bays and inlets inside the basin of an extinct volcano, an area known for its calm conditions and scenic coastline. As you explore, watch for local wildlife such as penguins, orcas, and the rare Hector’s dolphin.

New Zealand’s fantasy landscapes have long enchanted photographers and filmmakers, and now’s your chance to capture your very own postcard-worthy shots. Accompanied by a professional photographer, this private full-day tour from Queenstown offers spectacular views of natural wonders like Skippers Canyon, Lake Wakatipu, and the Remarkables Range, as well as "The Lord of the Rings" filming locations, historic gold mines, and heritage sites.