South Island Tours

Experience a Franz Josef Glacier heli-hike as you explore ice caves and other glacial terrain with a professional guide.  Then don provided boots, jacket and ice axe for a guided hike past deep crevasses and towering ice-blue pinnacles before the return chopper ride down. Choose from seasonal departure times to suit your schedule.

Upon reaching Milford Sound, board a luxurious catamaran. Peer through panoramic windows of a luxury coach while you travel through the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park with a guide, before a memorable sightseeing cruise by Mitre Peak and the magnificent cliff-side waterfalls of Milford Sound.

Travel from Queenstown to the much-loved UNESCO-listed Milford Sound. Your guide will ensure you make the most of your trip with commentary along the way—pointing out scenic viewpoints and areas where Lord of the Rings was filmed. Once you reach Milford Sound, you won’t have to worry about waiting in visitor lines as entrance tickets are included. Enjoy a Milford Sound Discovery Cruise where you’ll see stunning views of waterfalls and Mitre Peak. You’ll also have free time to explore the waterfalls of Lake Marian on foot.

Dunedin is a city full of culture and history and also conveniently close to wildlife reserves and unspoilt nature. See both sides of the city in one day on this small-group tour. Take in the central sights, such as the Railway Station and the steepest street in the world, Baldwin Street. Stroll through the manicured gardens of Larnach Castle on the way to the Otago Peninsula, home to albatross, seals, penguins, and sea lions.

Cruise the spectacular waters of Milford Sound, passing colonies of fur seals, tumbling waterfalls, and soaring cliffs. You’ll explore on a boat whose viewing decks and glassed-in cabins are ideal for sightseeing in any weather, traveling all the way from Mitre Peak to the Tasman Sea. Make your own way to Milford Sound, or opt for round-trip transport from Queenstown by glass-roofed coach, with sightseeing, short hikes, and narration along the way.

Marlborough’s wines are treasures that have only come to light in a relatively short space of time. Jimmy has worked in the Marlborough wine industry for 20 years in a variety of roles including work in viticulture,cellar, sales and as a wine tutor. He loves the region and has a strong knowledge of all aspects of the business. Through industry contacts he is able to help you look behind the label and discover the delights of this beautiful wine region.

Swap the cruise port for the Dunedin countryside on a half-day shore excursion that includes the Otago Peninsula. Your sightseeing tour covers highlights of the city center such as the Dunedin Railway Station, then travels to several village suburbs, stopping en route at scenic lookouts and for a beachside view of basking sea lions. Enjoy the personalized attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to 19 people.

Kids and adults can learn to ski or snowboard at Cardrona Alpine Resort in Queenstown. Spend your ski holiday upright on the slopes with two group 2- to 2.5-hour lessons, perfect for first-timers. This package includes a beginner lift pass with a ski or snowboard equipment rental. Upgrade to include clothing, helmets, goggles, and gloves for one day.

Enjoy the ultimate alpine adventure by going on a guided snowshoeing experience in the Remarkables Mountain Range. You won’t have to worry about buying special equipment as snowshoes, walking poles, and all technical equipment is provided. You’ll have fun and hike along picturesque areas such as Jagged Edge Ridge. Going on a guided tour is a safe and enjoyable experience, as you won’t get lost and can focus on the stunning views.

Bundle & save! Make life simpler & grab your lift pass & rental gear in one easy package with Cardrona! We have a huge range of ski & snowboard gear available to rent. You can collect your rentals for this package in Queenstown, Wānaka, or at Cardrona Alpine Resort. Treble Cone has performance rentals only available to collect on mountain. Collect rentals in town before you head up Treble Cone instead otherwise extra charges will apply. Includes ski lift pass & ski/snowboard rental giving access to all lifts from 9am until 4pm.  Valid for use at Cardrona Alpine Resort (June 11- October 16) & Treble Cone (June 25- Sept 25) during 2022 winter season.

Enjoy uninterrupted views of glacier-carved cliffs on a Milford Sound cruise aboard the Maiden of Milford, a 3-deck vessel. This sightseeing cruise through one of the South Island’s most stunning natural wonders takes you past vivid waterfalls to frolicking dolphins and New Zealand fur seals. Meet at the pier or opt for a round-trip coach tour of UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park from Queenstown, and stop for photographs and some short nature walks en route to Milford Sound.

McDougall’s Express Chondola is the perfect way to see the mountain by foot. We have 10 gondola cabins on the new 'combined' lift of gondola cabins & chairs, to get you headed to the top of the mountain in comfort & style! Passes are open-dated and valid for use at Cardrona Alpine Resort from June 11- October 16, 2022.

Venture to Dunedin and escape the crowds when your ship pulls into port. You'll visit beaches on the scenic coastline and learn about the impressive architecture of New Zealand's oldest city on this shore excursion. Stop at several lookouts and search for wildlife in the Otago Peninsula.

This unique and exciting ride will allow you experience Dunedin like no other tour. Enjoy the the freedom of travelling on a V8 trike and get a true feel for Dunedin City and the surrounding areas. This tour will take you to parts of the city that no other shore excursion will cover. Enjoy uninterrupted views of Dunedin's architecture and the smell of salt air at St Clair beach. This is an experience that will overload your senses and is sure to be a highlight of your holiday.

Ski and ride at Coronet Peak with round-trip transport from Queenstown to 692 acres (280 ha.) of great terrain and 1,578 feet (481 meters) of vertical drop. With 25 hotel pickup locations in Queenstown, you’ll be whisked straight from the city to the hill in a comfortable minibus, then meet back up with the driver after a day on the slopes.

Book advance tickets to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve for guaranteed kiwi sightings and up-close access to native New Zealand species. Booking Willowbank Wildlife Reserve tickets online combines the convenience of advance planning with the flexibility to arrive at any time of day, making it easy to fit this wildlife experience into a full day of travel or sightseeing.

Ski and ride The Remarkables Ski Area with convenient, round-trip transport from Queenstown by minibus during the snowy season of June through October. With 25 hotel pickup locations in Queenstown, you’ll be whisked straight from the city to 951 acres (385 ha.) of skiable terrain, then meet a driver for the return trip to Queenstown after a day on the slopes.

Peer at rare yellow-eyed penguins and visit nesting grounds of the northern royal albatross during a full-day tour of the Otago Peninsula and Dunedin. Spend your morning sightseeing in Dunedin’s city center, including highlights of the Octagon, followed by a visit to the gardens of Larnach Castle, with the option to go inside and buy lunch. In the afternoon, immerse in the natural beauty of the Otago Peninsula and the scenic coast along Taiaroa Head. Numbers are limited to 19 people to allow for personalized attention from your informative guide.

The glacial waters, soaring cliffs, and thundering waterfalls of Milford Sound are spectacular from all angles, and this half-day tour takes in all the highlights. Enjoy thrilling aerial views of the Fiordland National Park on a round-trip flight from Queenstown, and marvel at Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, and Mount Pembroke on a scenic Milford Sound cruise. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Exploring the Central Otago countryside on horseback lets you go at a leisurely pace while covering more ground than you could hiking on your own two legs. Enjoy sweeping views of Lake Dunstan and the Mt. Pisa Range from the comfort of your horse. Go at the pace appropriate for your skill and experience level. Young kids can be led, if required.

Enjoy uninterrupted views of the mountain scenery on the way to Milford Sound in a glass-roofed coach. Your driver will provide commentary along the way, to keep you informed. At Milford Sound, embark on a cruise on the water, all the way out to the Tasman Sea. Interesting commentary is available in several languages. Relax and take in the views as you enjoy a buffet lunch on board.

Soar to new heights on a 20-minute helicopter tour and alpine landing in the Remarkables, a mountain range that dominates the eastern skyline of Queenstown. Hover up close to the eponymous peaks and land 5,046 feet (1,538 meters) above Lake Wakatipu with unparalleled views stretching all the way to the Southern Alps. Your six-passenger helicopter flight includes hotel pickup and drop-off.

Arguably the most scenic destination in New Zealand, Milford Sound offers a sweeping landscape of jagged snow-capped mountains, shimmering fjords and lakes, towering waterfalls and emerald greenery. Travel with a small group by coach from Queenstown to Fiordland National Park to explore this lush wilderness, including a boat cruise on the Milford Sound. You also see The Remarkables mountain range, Lake Wakatipu—New Zealand's longest lake, and Lake Te Anau—the South Island’s the largest lake.

Take a jet boat ride on the Shotover River during an extreme ride, and make use of transport from Queenstown. Experience adrenaline-fueled fun as the jet boat skims the water’s surface at high speed and fishtails into 360-degree spins. Hold on tight as the captain maneuvers the jet boat over rapids and through narrow canyons during one heart-pounding adventure you won’t soon forget.