All South Island Tours &amp; Excursions in 2026

Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown

13 hoursFree Cancellation

The TranzAlpine train is often referred to as one of the world’s most scenic train journeys, and this tour will allow you to experience it. Enjoy the convenience of a day trip where all transport is taken care of— round-trip transfers in a luxury minivan, and a TranzAlpine train ticket are included. See Canterbury Plains, the Southern Alps, Lake Pearson, and get the chance to walk in Arthur’s Pass National Park.

(3,609)

from $225

TranzAlpine Train, Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill Day Trip

10 hoursFree Cancellation

(491)

from $243

Located on the eastern shores of New Zealand’s South Island, Kaikoura is famous for the spectacular array of marine wildlife living off its shores—but to see the best of it, you have to take to the waves. On this tour, cruise into Kaikoura’s deep waters by speedy catamaran with running commentary throughout from your guide, and spot dolphins, seals, and sperm whales in their natural habitat.

Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat

3 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.5

(3,034)

from $110

TranzAlpine Train Journey from Greymouth to Christchurch

4 hours 50 minutes

4.3

(202)

from $146

Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour

2 hours 15 minutesFree Cancellation

4.5

(1,122)

from $79

Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike

4 hoursFree Cancellation

4.6

(659)

from $563

Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown

25 minutesFree Cancellation

Ride a train through the Southern Alps on a remarkable scenic journey aboard the TranzAlpine from Christchurch to Greymouth. Enjoy views of native beech forest, snow-sprinkled mountains, the powerful Waimakariri River, and Arthur's Pass National Park from a comfortable carriage and open viewing deck. For getting the history and context of the landmarks along the railway, GPS-triggered audio commentary is available through headphones at every seat.

(2,841)

from $125

TranzAlpine Train Journey: Christchurch to Greymouth

4 hours 50 minutes

4.3

(353)

from $146

Discover volcanic landscapes and breathtaking scenery on New Zealand’s South Island on this Akaroa day trip from Christchurch and avoid the need to self-drive. Ascend the Banks Peninsula for beautiful views over Akaroa Harbour and the volcanic crater. Sample locally made cheeses and admire colonial architecture around Akaroa. Cruise by catamaran into the harbor, where diverse marine and bird life thrives, including rare Hector’s dolphins. Hotel transfers are included.

Akaroa Full Day Sightseeing Tour from Christchurch

9 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

4.6

(301)

from $165

Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown

4 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Experience one of the South Island’s finest natural attractions on a Milford Sound cruise, boarding straight from the sound. A more intimate experience is guaranteed because the boat is only filled to half its capacity. Get up-close views of New Zealand fur seals, dolphins, and Fiordland-crested penguins while enjoying complimentary coffee, tea, and biscuits as you listen to the skipper’s narration.

(1,465)

from $121

Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience

1 hour 45 minutesFree Cancellation

Glenorchy sits along a stunningly beautiful stretch of road from Queenstown to the (aptly named) rural settlement of Paradise. Instead of trying to negotiate these unfamiliar country roads on your own, get a driver who knows the region on a half-day trip. Spend time exploring Glenorchy’s shops and café, take advantage of some remarkable alpine photo ops, and see some of the locations where scenes from famous movies were filmed.

(3,196)

from $115

Special Offer

Glenorchy & Paradise Half-Day Scenic Tour from Queenstown

4 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Round-trip flights between Queenstown and Milford Sound save you hours of road-travel time in Fiordland National Park. Following a scenic flight with views of snow-covered peaks, remote valleys, and waterfalls, touch down for a cruise on Milford Sound. Traveling by both air and water takes you to dramatic places you'd miss by sticking to the road. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for selected central Queenstown accommodations.

Milford Sound Flight and Cruise Tour from Queenstown

4 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

(2,167)

from $485

Mount John Observatory Stargazing Experience, Tekapo

1 hour 45 minutesFree Cancellation

4.3

(187)

from $137

Avoid the risk of driving to Milford Sound yourself and being distracted by the views. This group tour from Queenstown makes it easy—and safe—to visit the must-see natural attraction for a day. After a handy hotel pickup, embark on a dramatic journey through mountains, gorges, and the incredible Homer Tunnel. Make scenic stops along the way. Cruise Milford Sound in a catamaran, looking out for wildlife along the way.

Milford Sound Coach and Cruise tour from Queenstown

Milford Sound Coach and Cruise tour from Queenstown

12 hoursFree Cancellation

4.7

(955)

from $168

Crisp mountain air and glacier-carved valleys, Milford Road never disappoints

Discover one of the jewels in the crown of New Zealand's spectacular South Island on this full day Milford Sound hiking tour with cruise. Travel along the Milford Road from Te Anau and enjoy panoramic views over the beautiful countryside. Enjoy a relaxing boat cruise through the fjord and out to the Tasman Sea, and gaze over soaring clifftops and plummeting waterfalls. Afterwards, enjoy short guided walks and explore Fiordland's spectacular natural scenery with a local nature guide.

Full-Day Milford Sound Tour with Cruise and Walks from Te Anau

9 hoursFree Cancellation

5.0

(777)

from $190

Kaikoura Whale Watch Day Tour from Christchurch

Aerial views of Kaikoura Sperm Whales & Boat

11 hoursFree Cancellation

4.4

(192)

from $226

Take the opportunity to enjoy some guided stargazing with this tour at Lake Tekapo. Peer through a high-tech telescope to marvel at the stars and capture images using our escape 2. Savor hot chocolate, cozy blankets, and roasted marshmallows under the night sky. Listen to enchanting stories and fascinating facts about the celestial wonders from your guide. Plus, take home complimentary photos snapped during the tour.

Chameleon Stargazing Shared Tour

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

5.0

(210)

from $73

Enjoy mountain and lake views from a different angle when you cruise from Queenstown aboard the vintage “TSS Earnslaw” steamship or the modern “Spirit of Queenstown” catamaran across Lake Wakatipu to the Walter Peak High Country Farm. Refuel with a gourmet barbecue lunch featuring Central Otago specialties, salads, desserts, and local cheeses at the Colonel’s Homestead. Learn about local rural life during sheep-shearing and sheepdog demonstrations at the farm.

Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise

3 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

A Milford Sound cruise is a must-do activity in southern New Zealand, but getting there independently can be stressful because of the rugged mountain roads. This full-day tour from Te Anau includes a hotel pickup and picnic lunch, so you don’t need to pack your own. Watch the views rather than the road by going with a guide and driver. See many spectacular sights along the way, including Mirror Lakes.

(1,362)

from $103

Premium Milford Sound Tour, Cruise & Lunch from Te Anau

Premium Milford Sound Tour, Cruise & Lunch from Te Anau

7 hoursFree Cancellation

Travel along the spectacular Milford Road on a full-day Milford Sound tour from Te Anau. See native wildlife such as the endangered kea (an alpine parrot), seals, dolphins, and Fiordland crested penguins. Enjoy short walks to beautiful sights including the Chasm and Marian Cascade, and take a sightseeing cruise on Milford Sound. Includes entrance fees, boat cruise, morning tea, and hotel transfers.

(948)

from $182

Special Offer

Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau

Award Winning Milford Sound Full Day Tour & Cruise from Te Anau

9 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Enjoy two unforgettable experiences combined into one exciting activity: whale watching plus a scenic flight. Kaikoura is famous as a place to go on whale-watching tours, and this tour from the air is a thrilling twist on the more conventional activity. From the air you can really appreciate the size of sperm whales and also get a bird's eye view other marine life, like dolphins, as well as the spectacular coastal and mountain scenery.

Kaikoura: Whale Watching Flight

30 minutesFree Cancellation

Visit Edoras of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ fame on this full-day excursion by 4WD vehicle to the peak of New Zealand’s Mt Sunday. Get a look at exclusive photos of Edoras under construction and learn from a knowledgeable LOTR guide about its transformation from tranquil countryside to mythical capital city of the Rohan people. Pose with replica props from the popular trilogy, such as Aragorn’s sword, Gimli’s axe and the flag of Rohan. Includes round-trip hotel transport from Christchurch plus a picnic lunch with sparkling wine.

(111)

from $134

Lord of the Rings - Journey to Edoras Tour

Lord of the Rings, Journey to Edoras Day Tour from Christchurch

9 hoursFree Cancellation

(378)

from $198

Take a break and escape into nature on this tour of Milford Sound in the World Heritage Fiordland National Park. Relax as you visit one of New Zealand’s notable Fjords, taking in the waterfalls at Mirror Lake and the fresh glacier water at Monkey Walk. Then, take to the water itself with a boat cruise on Milford Sound. Perfect for travelers wanting to immerse themselves in the South Island’s landscape.

Milford Sound Day Tour with Scenic Cruise from Queenstown

Milford Sound Day Tour with Scenic Cruise from Queenstown

13 hoursFree Cancellation

4.6

(565)

from $194

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What are people saying about South Island

Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown

Carolina_M, Aug 2026

Milford sound- amazing day

I had a wonderful experience with this company! Jess, our guide, was absolutely lovely, super helpful, and an excellent guide. We received an eco-friendly bag with our lunch, including a sandwich, an apple, a brownie, a pastry, and a passion fruit juice — everything was absolutely delicious! I was travelling alone, and it was my first day in the city, so this was such a great way to explore and enjoy the day. The weather was also amazing and super sunny! ☀️ I highly recommend this company, without hesitation! 💕

Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour

Caroll_A, Aug 2026

Glimmering worms.

A relaxing boat trip preceded our journey through the amazing tunnels where we witnessed the light show from the glowworms. Nathan was our fantastic guide. He was incredibly patient and attentive to our daughter’s needs. Being disabled, she sometimes requires extra time to process instructions or directions and Nathan was understanding and supportive throughout the experience. His kindness and engaging manner made the experience so much more enjoyable for her and us. Nathan was very informative and interacted in a relaxed and friendly manner. Along with his fellow team members all visitors were made welcome.

Milford Sound Premium Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown

Shalini_S, Aug 2026

An amazing journey!

Excellent intro to Fjordland park and misnomer Milford Sound.! Plenty of stops on the way for loo breaks, and scenic pictures. The journey to Milford Sound was just as amazing as the boat ride there. Ashleigh was an amazing guide and ensured that we saw all the key sites and local wildlife!

Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike

Inez_D, Aug 2026

Mind-blowing

What an amazing trip! Took a helicopter and completed a tour across the ice. Felt otherworldly. Ruby was our guide. She was so capable and cheerful. It was clear that she really enjoyed her job. The scenery was just amazing. Well worth the price. An incredible experience.

Premium Milford Sound Tour, Cruise & Lunch from Te Anau

Sue_A, Aug 2026

Sue and Sarah Milford Sound

Well organised, interesting and engaging tour of the road journey from Te Anua to Milford Sound and back, plus the small boat cruise. Jason was an excellent tour guide. He was very informative and easy to listen to and understand. He was also a good, safe driver. He did his best to make the day enjoyable for our small group.

Milford Sound Flight and Cruise Tour from Queenstown

Hannah_K, Jul 2026

Flying is the way to go!

This was one of the highlights of my trip! Flying to Milford Sound, taking the cruise, and flying back was absolutely worth it. The scenic flight saved so much travel time and offered breathtaking views. We were fortunate to have a beautiful, clear day, and Milford Sound truly lived up to its reputation. Every moment felt majestic, from the towering peaks to the waterfalls and stunning scenery. A special thank you to our pilot, Michael, who was both informative and kind. His commentary throughout the flight added so much to the experience, and he made everyone feel safe and comfortable. I highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting to experience Milford Sound in the most unforgettable way.

Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise

Kendall_W, Jul 2026

This was a great activity...

This was a great activity for the price. We arrived at Walter Peak via the steam boat. The boat ride itself was great. Drinks and food on boat. Can go into the engine room and watch. Had a buffet and farm show on walter peak. Good was good and the farm show was very interesting. Great experience and will definitely do it again if I were to come back to queenstown.

Milford Sound Coach and Cruise tour from Queenstown

Elle_M, Jul 2026

The untouched corner

A long day but absolutely worth it! An amazing experience for my 70+ year old parents, me and my husband and our 6yr old. The coach and boat were both comfortable, knowledge of our driver enhanced the experience and the trip is very well timed so that stops are the perfect length for a refreshment, toilet break or photo opportunity. That part of the world is so untouched that you feel so removed from reality, if only for a day! The flora, fauna and landforms really show all that Mother Nature has to offer

Milford Sound Cruise

Guy_S, Apr 2026

Excellent - particularly capital and crew

Pure Milford - great way to see the sound. The capital and crew were BY FAR the friendliest, most accommodating, and knowledgeable people I've encountered on a short cruise like this. Heck, they will even take your picture without any bother. Boat was clean, free coffee drinks (cappuccino, mocha, etc).

Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown

Valerie_H, Apr 2026

5/5 stars. No notes.

A must do while in Queenstown! My husband and I had the best time on this experience! A quick 10 min drive out of Queenstown, plenty of parking, and really easy to find. There is a lovely brewery/restaurant next to the river to grab a beer/bite before or after the jet boat ride. We didn't eat, but the beers were good! (The food did look good though.) Shotover was running about 10 min behind for the day, so we didn't get on the river at our schedule time, but it was within 10 min. The weather was a perfect fall day, and the sun was out, but it was still a bit chilly on the river. You will get wet, so dress for the experience. Josh, our boat captain, was awesome! He was fun, knowledgeable, and a very skilled driver. He constantly checked-in to make sure everyone was okay and having a good time. You can tell he loves what he does for a living. The views down the river and through the canyons are stunning. The only downfall of the experience is that you can't take photos or videos while the boat is moving. You really have to take it all in and be present in the moment to get the full experience, which is good. The boat gets so close to the rocks and you feel the cold, fresh water on your face -- it is awesome. I would recommend this experience to anyone who visits Queenstown and I would do it again myself.

2-Hour Milford Sound Scenic Cruise

Andrzej_B, Mar 2026

Wow!,,

Top notch trip! We were lucky that it rained overnight so, while it was cloudy and not too warm, the waterfalls were spectacular. A wonderful activity, one not to be missed. A couple of criticisms, however. We were warned that parking could be a problem and that was so true. However, the information about a shuttle operating every 15 mins was not true… there wasn’t one at all. Also, apparently there are several overflow parking lots which staff are supposed to manage.… but we did not see that happen.