What to do and see in South Island, New Zealand: The Best Sightseeing Tours

Take a leisurely cruise around Paterson Inlet and a 45-minute walking tour in the bird sanctuary of Ulva Island. Your 2.5-hour itinerary departs from Stewart Island and includes a visit to the historic whaler’s base at Prices Inlet and the hidden coves and unspoiled beaches of Paterson Inlet. Your guide provides informative commentary during the scenic cruise. While on board, keep a lookout for New Zealand fur seals and penguins. Please be sure to arrive 20 minutes before your scheduled departure time to check in.

Inclusions: GST (Goods and Services Tax), Catamaran cruise and island tour, Live commentary on board, Local guide, Picnic lunch (must contact operator directly after booking to purchase)

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, Hotel pickup and drop-off

Sail in the crater of an extinct volcano with the rarest dolphins in the world. Long encounters and beautiful scenery. 3 hour trip on a quiet sailboat in nature. You can also see penguins, seals and albatross. The Fox II is a vintage sailboat, almost 100 years old! Made from wood, 2 masts and 6 sails. It is the oldes ketch in New Zealand. Has been in movies, TV shows and is famous all over the world. Visit amazing sea caves, cliffs, waterfalls and venture out into the pacific on this safe, quiet, truely memorable experience. Eco friendly, with minimal carbon footprint. Make the choice for a better future.

Inclusions: Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate and Biscuits, Local wine, beer and nonalcoholic beverages for purchase

Exclusions:

This is a relaxing wine tour for small groups of family and friends who want an exclusive experience. You will travel in a luxury air-conditioned SUV with leather seats, generous legroom, extra headroom, sunroof and USB power. On board there is a free wi fi hotspot, coolbox for food and beverages, wine carrier for purchases and umbrellas. Complimentary bottled water and crackers are also provided. You will discover an amazing range of award winning wines including Pinot Noir, Rosé, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and sparkling wine. You will journey through four distinct winemaking sub regions and visit boutique wineries off the beaten track on this great value wine tasting experience. A platter lunch can be booked in advance on your behalf with expenses payable by you directly to the cellar door. I am a photographer and will take pictures of your memorable day free of charge a send them to you via download link.

Inclusions: Wine tasting fees, Bottled water, Crackers for palate cleansing between tastings, Coolbox for your drinks, food, over 24 wines available for tasting, Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, Wine tasting guide

Exclusions: A platter style lunch can be booked in advance on your behalf with expenses payable by you (from $20 per head) ; platter menus available on request.

Milford Sound is an area of extraordinary natural beauty. It offers a majestic fiord, dramatic and awe inspiring scenery and prolific flora and fauna. This tour with Air Milford allows you to combine the stunning flight to Milford Sound with a beautiful cruise on the fiord. Relax as you enjoy the best of both worlds from above and from the sea.

Inclusions: Live pilot commentary on board, Reserved seating aboard the Nature Cruise of Milford Sound, Hotel pickup and drop-off (centrally located hotels), Coffee and/or Tea

Exclusions: Food and drinks

Premium small group tour including boutique Milford Sound cruise onboard TripAdvisors No.1 rated cruise operator, Cruise Milford, and picnic lunch from Te Anau. There is no better way to see this famous attraction. Highlights: • Milford Sound Cruise with Cruise Milford • Fiordland National Park • Lake Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Hollyford River, Homer Tunnel and Mitre Peak • Wildlife Spotting While the destinations you will be visiting are truly spectacular, Cheeky Kiwi Travel believe it is our small groups, 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. Our tours are led by our famously passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge, and run in modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety.

Inclusions: Small Group & Fully Guided Tour, Cruise Entry, Picnic Lunch, Bottled water, Snacks

Exclusions: Gratuities, Optional extras and activities - please select the tour option you want at time of booking

At the core, we’re a family business with our management team being 5th & 6th generation Banks Peninsula locals. Alongside our family members, we have a passionate team who are committed to you having a once-in-a-lifetime experience! We keep our passenger groups small so that you have more room to move around the boat, and enjoy your cruise without overcrowding or missing dolphin sightings due to a shortage of viewing space. Our boat has a low-lying profile which means you get closer to the wildlife! When you board our boat you’ll be offered a complimentary drink. Choose from beer, award-winning local wine or non-alcoholic options. You’ll also enjoy our famous home-baked treats made from our family recipe and served to you by our delightful onboard crew. We are committed to the conservation of our harbour's environment and wildlife. After all, it’s the centre point of our business. Please note, boarding is 15 minutes prior to departure, with check-in 30 minutes before this time.

Inclusions: A complimentary glass of New Zealand wine, beer or non-alcoholic option, One of our famous home-baked cookies

Exclusions: We do not swim with the dolphins on our tours.

Kaikoura's Original Kayak Operator - Est 1998 New Zealand's only Sea Kayak operator that holds a marine mammal permit to view Whales. Kaikoura's only Kayak operator that holds a marine mammal permit to view Dolphins and Seals. New Zealand's 1st Friend of the Sea sustainable operator for Dolphin and Whale viewing. Traditional double sea kayaks with cockpits and spray skirts for a dry ride and rudders for easy steering. Qualified New Zealand guides. 100% guaranteed to view Fur Seals on all tours. Family Friendly - operating year round. The Wildlife Kayaking tour is the real deal!

Inclusions: Private transportation, Dry bags for camera's, all kayaking equipment, paddle jackets, wet shoes, spray skirts, dry pants, gloves and hats over the winter months.

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Air Milford hosts you on an intimate experience, combining two incredible scenic flights into Fiordland National Park, with a Nature Cruise through the fiord itself. With numbers capped on the boat at 150, and on-board Nature Guides offering personal attention. The “Spirit of Milford” catamaran explores nooks and crannies along the edge of the fjord, nudging into sheer rock faces to examine flora and fauna in detail. Enjoy return flights to Milford Sound so you can enjoy it from all angles.

Inclusions: Live pilot commentary on board, Reserved Seating aboard the Nature Cruise, Hotel pickup and drop-off (centrally located hotels), Coffee and/or Tea

Exclusions: Lunch

For the more discerning wine lover, or simply people who prefer the flexibility of a private tour.  Join one of our trained wine guides on a wine tasting journey to some of New Zealand's most memorable vineyards, at your own pace. Our local knowledge and familiarity with the vineyards of Central Otago is at your disposal for an intimate half or full day's wine experience in a thriving wine region.  Packages are tailor made for you, and we encourage you to advise us of any varietal or vineyard preferences when booking.

Inclusions: Match a glass of wine with your lunch, Wine tastings at a selected number of vineyards stated on each tour type, Bottled water, Knowledgeable Driver Guide with fascinating commentary, Courtesy hotel/port pick-up & drop-off (please contact us if yours is not listed).

Exclusions: Extra alcoholic drinks or wine purchases (available to purchase), Gratuities

Enjoy the natural beauty of the Marlborough Sounds, at the top of New Zealand's South Island, with this indulgent Greenshell Mussel Cruise. The cruise features freshly steamed mussels paired with a glass of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc for the ultimate wine/food match. Relax and unwind while you cruise the tranquil Pelorus Sound and Kenepuru Sound aboard our launch MV Spirit on this half-day tour, departing Havelock. Learn about local history, visit a mussel farm and take in the stunning scenery.

Inclusions: Food tasting, Wine tasting, Live commentary on board, Local taxes

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified