Top South Island Eco Tours - page 2

The sunken river valleys, forested cliffs, and sandy bays of the Marlborough Sounds are one of the best places in New Zealand to spot dolphins in their natural environment, but increased tourism can often put wildlife at risk. This 4-hour cruise from Picton is run by certified Department of Conservation operators, allowing you to interact with dusky, bottlenose, and orca dolphins in a safe, fun, and eco-friendly way.

Take in aerial views of the home of one of the world's largest marine mammals on this scenic helicopter flight in Kaikōura. Search for sperm whales, dolphins and have a better chance at seeing baleen whales. Get panoramic views of the South Island's rugged east coast. See whales feeding further offshore, away from the tourist boats.

Go off the beaten track on a 4WD tour outside Queenstown and traverse the private farmland of Mt Earnslaw Station. Your informative guide offers a variety of options for exploring the high country, including a visit to the gold-mining town of Glenorchy in Paradise Valley. Numbers are limited to a maximum of four passengers on this small-group, customizable tour to ensure personalized attention.

Wander the charming village of Akaroa, and opt for either a harbor cruise or dolphin swim on this small-group tour from Christchurch. Start with a scenic drive through the magnificent Banks Peninsula where you’re treated to summit views of Akaroa Harbour, the Canterbury Plains and the distant Southern Alps. Sample locally made cheeses at a cheese factory, explore Akoroa and enjoy a cafe lunch before a nature cruise or dolphin swim alongside Hector's dolphins. Numbers are limited to eight people for a personalized experience.

Situated on the picturesque shores of Lake Whakatipu, Walter Peak High Country Farm is the perfect place to spend a relaxing few hours. The Walter Peak Eco Experience allows you to immerse yourself in nature and learn about conservation throughout New Zealand. Begin your trip with a 45 minute cruise aboard the Vintage TSS Earnslaw, an integral part of Queenstown’s pioneering history and to this day a Queenstown icon. You will be greeted by our rural host upon disembarking the vessel, who will give you a tour of the stunning Restaurant Garden and showcase the beautiful native plants. You will then have the opportunity to have a hands on role in Walter Peaks land restoration project by planting a native tree or shrub from our nursery. Next savour a delicious morning/afternoon tea made with local ingredients in the old charming woolshed. The Eco Tour is the perfect adventure for those who want to give back to the environment while immersing themselves in New Zealand’s native scenery.

Embark on a celestial journey at the iconic historic Akaroa Lighthouse with our Solar Explorer. Experience the awe-inspiring spectacle of the Sun through our Solarscope, specially designed for safe solar observations. You'll witness mesmerizing phenomena such as solar flares, prominences, and sunspots, revealing the dynamic nature of our nearest star in vivid detail. This unique daytime stargazing adventure offers an immersive blend of scientific discovery and celestial wonder against the backdrop of the Akaroa sky. Accompanied by our knowledgeable guides, delve into the intricacies of solar science for an educational and awe-inspiring journey. Book your Solar Explorer adventure now and forge a deeper connection with the cosmos!

Embark on a scenic mostly downhill or flat 40-kilometer bike ride, on the Great Taste Trail from Spooners Tunnel to Nelson. Feel the wind in your hair as you cycle amid the splendid scenery past vineyards and hop gardens, free-range chicken farms, and meandering streams. Cross Waimea River on a swing bridge. To start your adventure we will transfer you from our Nelson Airport depot at Nelson Airport to the start of the ride at the top end of the 1.4 km Spooners Tunnel, the longest disused rail tunnel in New Zealand open for cycling. Enjoy a 10-kilometer downhill thrill at the start of your ride. Along the way, enjoy the great “tastes” of the trail as you pass through Wakefield and Brightwater, home of great pies, cafes, and craft beer at local artisan brew pubs, At Appleby do a wine tasting, taste local cheeses, or a fresh berry ice cream or a craft beer. Then take a complimentary tour at Pics Peanut Butter world before heading back to Nelson Airport to finish your tour.

Get the cameras ready for one of the best glacier experiences in New Zealand. Climb up the Franz Josef Glacier, crossing the main divide at Centennial Hut to land on New Zealand’s longest glacier, the Tasman Glacier. Take in breath-taking views of Mount Tasman and Aoraki Mount Cook, rich with uninterrupted scenery you have to see to believe. Then hop back onboard, cross back over Climber Col Pass and enjoy the spectacular views of Franz Josef Glacier before arriving back at Franz Josef Heliport.

This exciting new product is the only one of its kind in New Zealand and is in collaboration with renowned Marine Mammal Biologist Dr Krista van der Linde who represents Kaikoura Marine Mammal Foundation. We depart in our Eurocopter and head out to explore the Hikurangi Marine reserve where the whales reside close to the Kaikōura coastline, during this time Krista will be happy to share her broad knowledge of all things marine with our guests and answer any questions they may have during the tour. After, we will head to Karaka lobster for a crayfish lunch owned by local family who are a 3rd generation fishing family who catch the crayfish that Kaikōura is named after and famous for. After lunch, we will depart and your pilot will give your guests a personal tour of the damage caused by the devastating 2016 Kaikōura Earthquake where they will be shown large landslides, rivers that have been diverted by fault lines, and other interesting sights before the conclusion of the experience.

Embark on an expedition across New Zealand's South Island, commencing from the historic Christchurch Railway Station. Prepare for an unforgettable day of exploration aboard the renowned TranzAlpine Railway, renowned as one of the world's most scenic train journeys. Highlights: Panoramic Train Journey: Departing from Christchurch, indulge in sweeping vistas of Canterbury's plains and distant peaks. Otira Viaduct Lookout: Witness the Otira Viaduct, an engineering marvel spanning the rugged Otira Gorge, offering breathtaking views of the Southern Alps. Devil's Punchbowl Waterfall: Guided hike to witness the majestic Devil's Punchbowl waterfall, where crystal-clear waters cascade down sheer rock faces. Visitor Centre Exploration: Dive into the fascinating history and natural wonders of Arthur's Pass at the visitor center, uncovering insights into the region's flora, fauna, and Maori legends. Kea Encounter: Keep a lookout for the playful kea, the world's sole alpine parrot.