Top South Island Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises - page 6

Experience the best of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula without trailing around after a large group when you take an easy small-group shore excursion from Port Chalmers. See city highlights—such as the University of Otago, the Dunedin Railway Station, and Olveston House on a guided tour featuring all original furnishings—as well as Larnach Castle gardens on the peninsula. Note that entrance to the castle interior is not included.

Sit back, relax and let us host your full day Southland adventure from Queenstown to Milford Sound. Enjoy one of the world’s most spectacular drives in a modern glass‑roof coach, travelling along the shores of Lake Whakatipu through countryside to Te Anau. After a refreshing café stop, continue along the dramatic alpine Milford Road, with photo stops and short walks along the way. Step aboard our unique, character-rich vessels for a 1 hr 40 or 2‑hour Milford Sound cruise to the Tasman Sea and admire waterfalls, wildlife and towering mountains. Experienced skippers tailor each cruise to the day’s conditions and wildlife sightings, while specialist nature guides provide live commentary. Spacious vessels feature large windows and open viewing decks for uninterrupted views, and you feel the spray of waterfalls. Bring your own lunch or purchase locally curated food and drinks, including wine, craft beer and barista coffee, on board. After the cruise, return by coach to Queenstown

Step into a powerful jet boat and cruise along the mighty Upper Waiau River from Te Anau on this roughly 2-hour adventure into the heart of Fiordland National Park. Feel the wind rush past you and enjoy unobstructed views of this ancient forested landscape as you head to Lake Manapouri. Enjoy stunts along the way that you could never do in a car or tour bus.

This Doubtful Sound overnight cruise takes you over Manapouri Lake to this South Island gem in the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park. Board the ‘Wanderer,’ a 3-mast motorized boat designed on a traditional scow, and cruise past soaring granite peaks in New Zealand’s second-largest fiord. Learn from an onboard nature guide about wildlife such as fur seals, penguins, and bottlenose dolphins. Then spend the night in a comfortable cabin, including a 3-course dinner and breakfast.

Skip the minivans, the strangers, and the set list of cellar doors on this self-guided tour around the Marlborough wine region. Spend the day cycling around the vineyards and countryside outside Blenheim with your group, dropping in at the wineries and restaurants that you want to visit. If you’re having trouble building an itinerary of your own, get customized recommendations based on your tastes and interests.

Experience the diverse geographical landscapes of the Milford Sound fjord by both land and water on this full-day, private tour from Te Anau. Start your journey by hopping aboard a cruise vessel and exploring the deep-blue waters around the fjord before joining your driver-guide to explore Fiordland National Park (Te Wahipounamu). A great way to explore without having to navigate yourself.

Discover the natural beauty and fresh seafood of the Marlborough Sounds on an afternoon cruise from Picton. Travel by luxury catamaran through the sheltered waters of Queen Charlotte Sound. Taste fresh, locally farmed salmon and Greenshell mussels on board, pairing them with a glass of local wine if you like (own expense). Learn about marine farming in the sounds, and admire the views of otherwise hard-to-reach places.

The Fox and Franz Josef glaciers are New Zealand’s most accessible glaciers, and many visitors find it hard to choose between them. This helicopter tour takes in both with a thrilling flight over snowy peaks and frozen waterfalls, and an unforgettable snow landing overlooking one of the glaciers. You’ll enjoy views of the mountainous landscape that you can’t get any other way.

Enjoy an off-road adventure in the wild of New Zealand while visiting filming locations from the Lord of the Rings trilogy on this half-day excursion from Queenstown. Take in beautiful scenery while you see visit key spots used as the Misty Mountains, Minas Tirith, and the Pillars of the Kings, and stop to pan for gold on the Arrow River.

Explore the coast of Kaikoura from a unique perspective – by kayak. Paddle through protected waters to see an array of wildlife, potentially including dolphins, seals and even whales (in season). With small group sizes and a certified guide leading the way, this half-day tour is perfect for nature lovers who want the chance to get up close with some of New Zealand's most iconic animals.

Milford Sound is an unmissable destination in the South Island, but self-driving can be risky and the return road trip from Queenstown is long. Simplify your visit on this small-group tour from Queenstown. Travel there in a luxury bus with panoramic scenic windows, allowing unobstructed views. Take a relaxing cruise on Milford Sound, beautiful in all weather, then return to Queenstown by air, saving time and maximizing the views.

See more mountains and glaciers from the air on a scenic 45-minute helicopter ride than you can from the ground at Franz Josef. You’ll fly deep into the Southern Alps, where you’ll see Mount Cook and three major glaciers: Franz Josef, Fox, and Tasman. Land on the snow for an up-close encounter and to take some unique photos.

See the sheer cliffs of Milford Sound from the air and water on this half-day tour from Queenstown by sightseeing plane and catamaran. Fly over Fiordland National Park, part of a UNESCO-listed landscape, then touch down at Milford Sound for a nature cruise. This tour is perfect for photography and wildlife watching, and hotel pickup and drop-off from centrally located Queenstown hotels is included.

Join this 45-minute Helicopter scenic experience through Aoraki Mt Cook National Park for a helicopter tour like no other! Sit back, relax, and soak in the breathtaking views from the moment you’re airborne. Experience everything Mt Cook National Park has to offer. Glacier landing (10-15 minutes) on the Tasman Glacier, fly to the top of the Tasman Glacier Check in closes 45 minutes to the flight time

Witness the majesty of the Southern Alps from both the ground and the air on this full-day, small-group combination bus, helicopter, and ski plane tour. Most travelers miss the opportunity to see the area from so many different vantage points. Heading out from Queenstown, see the azure waters of Lake Dunstan and Lake Pukaki before spotting Mount Cook’s (Aoraki’s) snow-capped peaks cresting the horizon. Then, hop aboard your aircraft for a flight through the mountains, including a landing at Tasman Glacier.

Take in the truly magnificent views of Franz Josef Glacier and surrounds with this helicopter flight. See lush rainforest, the amazing glacier, and the impressive Southern Alps mountain range. Part of this flight time is an alpine landing (approximately 10 minutes) where you get to land on top of a peak and pause to take in the dramatic scenery.

Spend half a day among the thriving wildlife of the outer Marlborough Sounds on a small-boat wildlife tour from Picton. Spot rare sea birds like penguins and shags, plus a couple of species of dolphin, in Queen Charlotte Sound. Set foot on Motuara Island, a bird sanctuary Island that holds significance to colonial New Zealand history. Your guides are deeply knowledgeable about this area, so make the most of them and ask plenty of questions.

Explore the unspoiled bays of Rakiura Stewart Island on a minibus tour with a local guide. Starting from Oban village, your narrated tour covers Lee Bay, Halfmoon Bay, and Horseshoe Bay. Stop for photos of Paterson Inlet from Observation Rock, and hop off the vehicle for short walks along the hour-long route. As you can’t bring your car to the island, this is a great way to see a lot.

Take in a slice of rustic Marlborough living on this mail boat cruise of Tōtaranui / Queen Charlotte Sound. Life in the sounds is remote, and this tour offers the chance to share in the excitement of mail day. Enjoy a free morning in Picton before spending your afternoon cruising past isolated bays, with a unique route on offer each day. Ask your skipper about the history of the Queen Charlotte Sound, and benefit from their help spotting the wildlife that frequent these waterways.

Discover some of Central Otago’s top wineries on this small-group wine tour from Queenstown. Enjoy guided tastings at three wineries, including Gibbston Valley Winery, Kinross, and a boutique winery in Gibbston. Sample delicious regional wines and cheese, and gain insight into the delicate balances of scent and flavor at play in your glass.

When you have limited time, a delivery cruise is an ideal way to get around the Marlborough Sounds. Get an up-close look at remote homes and resorts while your boat delivers supplies to hidden coves and tucked-away bays. Learn about the ever-popular Queen Charlotte Track and relax while exploring miles of wild coastline.

Explore beyond the glacier at Franz Josef with a scenic cruise on Lake Mapourika. See the snow-capped mountains reflected in the lake on a calm, clear day, as you cruise across the lake to a hidden nature trail through the ancient, untouched rainforest. Visit a kiwi sanctuary and look out for other birds along the way.

Be introduced to one of New Zealand’s Great Walks without having to do the whole thing on a morning or afternoon guided hike on a portion of the Routeburn Track. After a pickup from central Queenstown, head into the mountains of Mt. Aspiring National Park. Follow your guide at a relaxed pace through lush forests and experience the tranquility of the Routeburn River and its waterfalls along the way.

Discover Queenstown’s finest wineries with the flexible, Wine Hopper experience. Unlike rigid tours, our expert local Wine Guides help you customize your day, letting you explore at your own pace through Arrowtown, Queenstown, and Gibbston Valley. Enjoy a relaxed, full afternoon of wine tastings, cheese platters, lunch options, craft beer, or gin experiences, all while soaking in the stunning Central Otago scenery, from mountains and rivers to the charming historic village of Arrowtown. Wine tastings, food, and drinks are purchased directly at each winery, so you’re in control of what you spend and how you enjoy your day. As a top-rated Queenstown Wine Tour, we deliver an exceptional, personalized experience, making us the best way to explore Queenstown’s wine scene. Whether you’re visiting as a couple, with friends, or independently, our family-owned, locally operated service ensures a personal, authentic, and unforgettable experience in New Zealand’s premier wine region.