Top 10 Day Trips from in South Island, New Zealand

Waterfalls, deserted beaches, coastal rainforest, and rare wildlife can all be found in the Catlins. Explore this remote part of the South Island on a private day trip from Dunedin. You'll learn about early Maori inhabitants and European settlers from your personal guide, who has a Department of Conservation (DOC) concession with access to unforgettable places.

Inclusions: Gratuities, GST (Goods and Services Tax), National Park fees, Light refreshments, Professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Exclusions: Lunch

This is your chance to photograph one of the most spectacular and majestic places on Earth; Queenstown and the Southern Lakes. This full-day private photography tour will take you to the iconic locations you see in brochures as well as those special spots only a local would know, to explore and capture the beauty and splendor for yourself. This tour is designed for photography enthusiasts and your guide is a passionate landscape photographer, with years of local knowledge. Enjoy 8-9 hours of visiting some of the most interesting and beautiful destinations close to Queenstown and around the Southern Lakes. The weather in this amazing region is constantly changing bringing many moods that to the mountains, lakes, rivers and forests. Whatever the conditions we always know where to take you to and how to capture unique scenes of outstanding natural beauty.

Inclusions: Private tour for small-groups or individuals, Flexible itinerary, Advice on creative composition and using your camera, Local photographer guide, Comfortable 4WD, Light refreshments, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Exclusions: Lunch (Opportunity to buy lunch), Camera (Nikon D5100, available to rent)

After being picked up from your hotel in Queenstown, you will take one of the most beautiful road journeys in New Zealand to the Western end of Lake Wakatipu, led by a knowledgeable local guide.The world-renowned Routeburn Track provides stunning variation in vegetation, bird species, and topography as it climbs 6.5 kilometers one way, on a moderate fitness trail through gorges and valleys. This is small group tour with a maximum of 6 people that you will be spending the 7 hour day with. Your lunch sandwich, wrap or bread roll is an additional cost, afternoon tea / coffee fruit and cookies are included.

Inclusions: GST (Goods and Services Tax), National Park fees, Afternoon tea & cookies, Fresh fruit, Bottled water, Professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Coffee and/or Tea

Exclusions: Lunch is not included, a stop is made at a local bakery for you to select a bread roll, wrap or salad.

This tour provides an alternative to large coach transfers between Christchurch and Queenstown ( or in reverse ) and is a more intimate journey than flying. The trip takes you across the Canterbury farming plains and eventually through the foothills to the Southern Alps. Further south the route takes you through the iconic MacKenzie Country, named after an infamous sheep rustler and past the glacially formed lakes Tekapo and Pukaki. Tekapo boasts a famous lakeside chapel while beyond the headwaters of Pukaki is New Zealand's highest mountain, Aoraki Mt Cook. Photographic opportunities abound though weather permitting. From here the trip passes through the world renowned gliding area of Omarama and into the dramatic landscape of the Lindis Pass. The drive continues past Lake Dunstan and into the Kawarau Gorge, site of the world's first bungy and home to award winning wineries.

Inclusions: Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Bottled water, Lunch, Coffee and/or Tea

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase, Gratuities

Start the day with collection from your location at 12pm for the Blenheim area. 1/2 day wine tour with lunch lasting about 5 hours. Start with a beautiful winery lunch (at own cost) and tasting then visit another 3 or 4 wineries in the afternoon. All standard tasting fees included. A fun afternoon while being educated by our experienced guides. Enjoy the various grape varieties and wines that Marlborough has to offer while taking in the gorgeous scenery of the Wairau Valley.   Learn about the history of the region and maybe challenge yourself on varieties of grapes and types of wines you may not be familiar with. During the tour your guide will introduce each of the wineries and give the history of the region. Time permitting a talk in the vineyard discussing the way Marlborough tends the vines. If you have any special requests please enter these during the booking process.

Inclusions: All standard tasting fees at wineries visited, Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Lunch is an extra cost to allow personal selection

Travel in a small group from Christchurch, on a day trip to Aoraki Mount Cook – the tallest mountain in New Zealand. Visit the picturesque Church of Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo and admire stunning alpine views from turquoise colored Lake Pukaki. Savor a scrumptious buffet lunch at the Hermitage Hotel and enjoy a scenic walk in Mt. Cook National Park to see the Tasman Glacier. Visit the Alpine Lavender farm in a pristine environment of crystal clear skies; snow capped mountains, and turquoise colored lakes of glacial melt.

Inclusions: Approximately 3 hrs of free time in Mount Cook National park., Bottled water., Buffet Lunch at The Hermitage Hotel in Mount Cook., Complimentary light refreshments., National Park fees., Pick-up and drop-off from your hotel / apartment in Christchurch included., Transport by air-conditioned late model Mercedes Benz Minivan.

Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)

See spectacular marine wildlife, learn from a conservation expert, discover intriguing Māori history, and explore the geological and biological diversity of our Otago Peninsula. Join us to discover some of the iconic Otago Peninsula's wildlife residents; albatross, penguins, seals and sea lions, all call this place home. This tour is also an excellent introduction to sites of significance to Maori, a fascinating culture that is often overshadowed by Dunedin’s more recent European history. Tour highlights include a boat cruise around Pukekura/Taiaroa Head and other wildlife viewing sites. Forest walk and delicious lunch.

Inclusions: Water, Tea or Coffee, Antipasto lunch included (catered to dietary requirements), Air-conditioned vehicle, Accommodation pick up/drop off is available

Exclusions: While we endeavour to show you many animals along the way, they might have different ideas! We cannot guarantee seeing all species.

This isn't your average wine or beer tour! I've carefully sought out the best of the best. These are Queenstown's boutique taste makers. Leave the tourist trail behind and let me take you on a personal journey to meet the folks who's passion, love for their craft and location sets them apart from the rest. Take a place that is widely considered one of the top wine regions in the new world, a recent explosion in craft & microbreweries and add in the pioneering kiwi spirit and you have the perfect recipe for an all out taste adventure. Wine and beer are made, first and foremost to just be enjoyed. So, whether you're the Einstein of wine or just here for a good ol' time, come sip, slurp & savour the best local flavours. **Please Note: I'm not a large commercial operator or tour company and prefer to focus on smaller group sizes as I believe this allows for better connections to be made and a more valuable experience for travellers.

Inclusions: Beer & Food Pairing, 20+ Tastings Included, Environmentally Friendly Water Bottles Provided To All Guests, Snacks, Air-conditioned vehicle, Direct Accommodation Pick-Up/Drop-Off Included, Carbon footprint offset: For each trip, more native trees are planted in the region.

Exclusions:

This small group day trip includes a stunning boutique Milford Sound cruise with TripAdvisors No. 1 rated cruise provider and an amazing scenic flight back to Queenstown. Highlights: •Milford Sound Cruise with Cruise Milford •Scenic return flight with Glenorchy Air •Fiordland National Park •Lake Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Hollyford River, Homer Tunnel & Mitre Peak •Wildlife Spotting Our tours are led by our passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing stories and rich background knowledge, and run in modern, comfortable minibuses that are packed with extras, ensuring your comfort and safety. While the destinations you will be visiting are truly spectacular, we at Cheeky Kiwi Travel believe it is our small groups, our guides, the journey and the little details that set our tours well apart. Secret stops, wildlife viewings, specially designed vehicles and many other pleasant surprises ensure our tours are an experience to remember.

Inclusions: Cruise Entry, Scenic Flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown , Small Group and Fully Guided Tour, Bottled water, Snacks, Picnic Lunch

Exclusions: Alcoholic beverages (available to purchase), Gratuities

Your afternoon craft beer brewery tour will take you to 3 different local craft beer breweries in and amongst Queenstown's mountains, lakes and surging craft beer scene. After your hotel pickup, your 4th generation born and raised local guide, Lewis will comfortably drive you around the surroundings, answering your questions and putting you at ease. Enjoy 13 tastings in your afternoon, thats 4+ included craft beer tastings at 3 stops scattered around the Wakatipu Basin with a beer & food matching lunch at the second stop. Enjoy free time in-between the first and second brewery in Arrowtown. Don't know much about beer? We will do an educational and interactive brewery tour at our third brewery. After the final stop you can be dropped in town at one of our great local Craft Beer Houses if you wish to taste more kiwi Craft Beers. There is Wine or Cider options at each stop or even a local Alcoholic ginger beer. Sound like you? Don't hesitate, book now and enjoy a Brew With a View!

Inclusions: Water available at each stop, Beer matched Lunch which can be swapped for Wine, 13 different Craft Beer Tastings, Hotel Pickup and Drop off or a kiwi Craft Beer Bar, Wine or cider can be substituted at each stop, Allotted free time between the 2nd & 3rd breweries

Exclusions: Extra food and drinks are available at each stop