What to do and see in South Island, New Zealand: The Best Historical & Heritage Tours

Discover the beauty and rich history of Muaupoko, the Otago Peninsula, through a unique cultural lens.Take a journey with us to uncover how the early  Māori and European settlers to this land lived and thrived. Māori, are of Polynesian decent, a sea faring people who travelled to Aotearoa, New Zealand, many centuries ago.  Take a half day journey with Horizon Tours and let our guides tell you stories of those voyages, and how these resourceful settlers thrived in new lands surrounded by unfamiliar flora and fauna.Explore the Otago Peninsula and discover some of the iconic sights of interest as we drive along scenic coastal roads.  Learn how early Māori lived, their customs and traditions. Hear how they interacted with European settlers, and how the two cultures created the landscape you see today. 

Inclusions: Tea and Coffee, Water, Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only), Antipasto lunch included (catered to dietary requirements)

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Join this tour for an elegant cruise on the historic motor yacht "Faith" on Lake Te Anau. This relaxed 3-hour experience includes a guided walk in the Fiordland National Park, a delightful afternoon tea and refreshments, and cruising home under sail. You have 3 uniformed crew hosting you while on board, and 2 nature guides to show you the delights of New Zealand scenery. This option is restricted to 16 passengers to ensure a comfortable, personable experience.

Inclusions: Light refreshments, Afternoon tea, Local guide, Live commentary on board, Local taxes

Exclusions: Gratuities, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Nelson is a stunning, unique city in New Zealand, so whether it’s your first time in Nelson or you’re a seasoned visitor (or local!), our 1.5-2 hour ‘Nelson in a Nutshell’ walking tour will bring this beautiful and diverse city to life. Your tour guide, Dianne, is a ‘born and bred’ Nelsonian, who knows all the hidden gems, and with a unique insight gives you a true flavour of the real Nelson. Discover Trafalgar Street, Christ Church Cathedral, Lord of the Rings Jeweller – Jens Hansen, Queen’s Gardens, Suter Art Gallery, the Centre of New Zealand and so much more in between. Prepare to be impressed!

Inclusions: Water bottles are available and there are refilling stations along the walk, Sun Screen available if required, Tour Guide, Tour commentary, Sanitiser, Disposable Face Mask if required

Exclusions: Lunch, Gratuities

Iconic city sights, Maori sites of significance and a chance to see wildlife are the highlights of this 4-4.5 hour tour, and it starts when we collect you from Port Chalmers, where you’ll meet your guide. We start with a scenic drive that takes in the location of where Dunedin first began for both the early Māori and European settlers, and a look at some of the beautiful iconic sites our city has to offer. We then head out for the Otago Peninsula which delivers spectacular views above the Otago Harbour before winding back down to sea level to arrive at scenic inlets frequented by wading birds. Hear commentary about the nature and the natural processes that shaped the land and learn about Māori, the first people to step ashore here. We’ll take a stroll along a stunning sandy beach where we are often lucky enough to glimpse New Zealand sea lions and fur seals. We finish our tour with a look at Baldwin street, the world's steepest residential street.

Inclusions: Bottled water, Snacks, Air-conditioned vehicle, Pick up/drop off at Port Chalmers (Cruise Ship Terminal)

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Join a small group tour to discover highlights of Dunedin - the oldest city in New Zealand .Our City Tour is a great choice for those who are short on time and want individual and personalised service. It is a short but sweet introduction to our wonderful city of Dunedin. Our two hour City Tour takes in the highlights of Dunedin and still allows plenty of time for you to partake in any other activities that you may have planned.

Inclusions: Bottled water, Air-conditioned vehicle

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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)

Discover top attractions and iconic sites around the city of Dunedin on this half-day city tour. Explore Dunedin with a guide and take in key sites of interest such as the World famous Baldwin Street, University of Otago, Olveston Homestead gardens and Dunedin's Grand Railway Station. Awesome lookouts over Otago Harbour and from Signal Hill. Visit the Octagon (city centre) for some shopping and a bite to eat. All transport to and from the cruise ship wharf is included. Enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to 20 people. Daily departures are available for cruise passengers and city-based passengers.

Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Light refreshments, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Professional guide, Bottled water

Exclusions: Lunch

3 Regions : Queenstown, Arrowtown & the Gibbston  7 Amazing Stops : Queenstown Hill, Lake Hayes, Kawarau Bungy Bridge, Honey tasting, Cheese tasting, Arrowtown & the Chinese Village Small group half day tour around Queenstown plus much much more. We provide fun interesting commentary, help with your photos and give great recommendations for everything from lunch to shopping. Being one of the top rated Queenstown local scenic small group tours your day is going to be amazing. The best way to see the region is with a fun local guide. Visit historic Arrowtown & the Chinese village, make a photo stop at Lake Hayes (the Mirror Lake), the Kawarua bridge bungy jump, enjoy cheese tasting in Gibbston Valley, see the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers, visit a working honey farm and taste honeys including Manuka, enjoy a photo stop over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.

Inclusions: Manuka Honey tasting, Cheese tasting, Small-group guided tour in modern eleven-seat minivan, Central Queenstown pickup and drop-off, Local taxes, Optional wine tasting ($5.00)

Exclusions: Food and drinks

• Take in the diverse landscape of an ancient beech forest, braided rivers and glacier-carved valleys. • Explore the unique flora and fauna and get up close to animals and birdlife. • Explore Gladden Fields, Ford of Bruinen and Argonath, Isengard, Amon Hen, the Misty Mountains and Ithilien in one day • Handle and photograph $15000 worth of weapon and costumes • View "Top Secret" items from the movies • Entertaining and Knowledgeable guides. Your guide will help you relive the action for your camera • Travel in small groups for a personal and interactive experience

Inclusions: Lunch, GST (Goods and Services Tax), Air-conditioned vehicle, Guided Tour

Exclusions: Alcoholic Beverages, No Smoking

Enjoy a personalized small group tour of Larnach Castle and Dunedin City. This is a 6 to 7 hour fully guided tour that lets you explore Dunedin and Larnach Castle at a leisurely pace. Included is a fully guided tour of Larnach Castle's unique interior. Light refreshments and chilled water are included. The tour takes in many interesting buildings and landmarks in Dunedin city such as the Larnach family tomb, the old University and all the main city attractions. The drive to Larnach Castle offers spectacular views from the Otago Peninsula with a lookout stop along the way. On arrival at Larnach Castle, your table will be reserved for lunch at the Ballroom cafe (lunch is own cost). After lunch and the guided tour inside the Castle, your guide will also take you through the award winning gardens offering fantastic views over the Otago Harbour.

Inclusions: Light refreshments, Port pickup and drop-off, Guided tour of Larnach Castle

Exclusions: Lunch