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

We’re not everyone’s cup of tea. But we are your glass of wine. Join us on a classic and fun top-rated wine tour in the Gibbston region. Visit four of Central Otago’s finest and off the beaten track cellar doors, including a visit to the famous Gibbston Valley underground wine cave. Taste over 18 spectacular cool-climate wines whilst your charismatic guide and knowledgeable cellar staff educate and amuse you with local winemaking facts and stories. Travel in style in a luxury Mercedes van, enjoy learning how to taste wine through onboard videos and make use of our WiFi and Spotify playlists. We are all about pairing good people with good wine so whether you are an adventure junkie recharging your batteries, an avid sightseer hunting more jaw-dropping views, or a wine enthusiast eager to taste some world-class wines, a wine tour with Altitude Tours is a must. The 5.5 hour Wine Sampler tour departs Queenstown at 10 am and returns around 3:30 pm.

Inclusions: Wine tastings at 4 cellar doors, Guided tour of New Zealand's largest underground wine cave, Optional lunch at a premier cellar door (at your expense), Complimentary bottled water, Complimentary Queenstown hotel transfers, Free Onboard Wifi, Complimentary branded wine glass, Fun Onboard videos

Exclusions: Lunch at a premier cellar door is at your expense

This full-day Milford Sound extraordinaire tour from Te Anau will have you traveling along the spectacular Milford Road. With fun commentary and plenty of local knowledge provided you will have a chance to see keas, seals, dolphins and the Fiordland crested penguin. Visit the historical Gunns Camp and enjoy an amazing morning tea that includes wonderful date scones, tea, coffee and biscuits, chocolates and fruit juice. Experience an amazing 20-minute walk to the Chasm. You will have the chance to do the most spectacular 30-minute walk to Milford Sound. It is the Marian Cascade which is a continuous cascading waterfall draining from a glacier fed lake. Your day will be topped off with a 2-hour cruise on the famous Milford Sound.

Inclusions: National Park fees, Coffee and/or Tea, Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Local guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off from Te Anau, Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Drinks, Lunch, Hotel Pick up from Manapouri (available by special arrangement. Additional costs may apply)

Enjoy a friendly, small group (maximum 15 people) day excursion to Milford Sound from Te Anau, including a small boat cruise along the full length of the fiord and out to the Tasman Sea. Our relaxed timetable ensures plenty of opportunities for guests to enjoy short walks, photographic stops and exploration with the nature guide. Plus, from November to April guests can select 2 ½ hours hiking (unguided) on the renowned Routeburn Track to Key Summit.

Inclusions: Afternoon or morning tea, Local driver/guide, Te Anau accommodation pickup and drop-off (if advised), Sightseeing boat cruise, Guided and Self-Guided Walking tours, Modern air conditioned minivan (max 15)

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, Queenstown pick ups - the tour departs from Te Anau

Premium small group tour including boutique Milford Sound cruise with Cruise Milford, the number 1 Trip Advisor rated cruise company, and picnic lunch from Queenstown. There is no better way to see this most famous of attractions. Highlights: • Milford Sound Cruise with Cruise Milford • Fiordland National Park • Lake Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Hollyford River, Homer Tunnel & Mitre Peak • Wildlife Spotting While the destinations you will be visiting are truly spectacular, Cheeky Kiwi Travel believe it is our small groups, our guides, the journey and little details that set our tours apart. Secret stops, wildlife viewings, specially designed vehicles and other pleasant surprises ensure our tours are an experience to remember. Our tours are led by our passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing stories and background knowledge, and run in modern, comfortable minibuses that are packed with extras, ensuring your comfort and safety.

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

Exclusions: Alcoholic beverages (available to purchase), Gratuities, Optional extras and activities - please select the tour option you want at time of booking

Explore spectacular Dunedin city and Otago Peninsula on this full-day small group tour (6 people max). Visit Baldwin St (steepest street in the world), the University of Otago and Dunedin’s famous Scottish heritage sites. Then we will travel alongside the picturesque Otago harbour and take a coffee break at the beautiful and historic Larnach Castle. We then head across to Sandfly Bay and take the track down to the viewing platform to spot local wildlife. We then drive through typically rugged and beautiful Otago wilderness to Hoopers Inlet swamp to observe the unique birdlife. We then drive to Tairoa Head to visit the penguin colony at Pilot Beach and the albatross sanctuary.

Inclusions: Hotel (Dunedin City) / Port Chalmers pickup and drop-off, Entrance fee ($17) to Larnach Castle Garden, Private transportation

Exclusions: Lunch

Rated as one of the Top 10 Experience in New Zealand for 2019 & 2020. Join this tour for an uncrowded boutique small boat cruise on Milford Sound. The only cruise company at Milford Sound to limit passenger numbers on-board, they offer comfortable luxury lounge style seating and superb customer service, an unforgettable experience is guaranteed. The smaller boats will get you up close and personal with the local wildlife like seals, dolphins and penguins in their marine habitat.

Inclusions: Complimentary coffee, tea and biscuits on-board all sailings

Exclusions: No food sold on-board the cruise, Parking fee ($20 for 5 hours)

The Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre presents two world-class exhibitions. The first is the original ‘Knights of the Sky’ exhibition, featuring Sir Peter Jackson's own collection of WWI aircraft and artifacts. The story of aviation in the Great War is brought to life in sensational sets created by the internationally acclaimed talent of WingNut Films and Weta Workshop.  The second is the new exhibition ‘Dangerous Skies’ features stories from World War II. These are tales of daring, valour and tragedy stretching from the British Isles to the forests of Germany, an embattled but courageous Russia and the steaming hot jungles of South East Asia. Two of the star attractions are a twin engine bomber, the world's only flyable Mk1 Avro Anson and a Griffon powered Mk.XIVe Spitfire. Women also feature more prominently in this exhibition and the Battle of Stalingrad is the stage for an immersive experience that is both entertaining and chillingly thought provoking.

Inclusions: Guided tour if option selected

Exclusions: Transportation to/from attractions

Fly from Queenstown to Milford Sound and enjoy a spectacular view of the mountains, lakes and waterfalls of Fiordland National Park. Surrounded by some of the most magnificent scenery in the world, you’ll board your cruise and travel the length of the fiord out to Tasman Sea. Complete your journey with an unforgettable flight over the dramatic Southern Alps back to Queenstown.

Inclusions: Flight and Cruise, Light refreshments, Live commentary on board, Hotel pickup and drop-off, All taxes, fees and handling charges

Exclusions: Lunch - Picnic Lunch available for purchase for $21 per person