Top South Island Full-day Tours - page 3

Don’t worry about organizing a hire car to get between Queenstown and Christchurch; make your travels as seamless and worry-free as possible by letting someone else drive on this small-group tour. As well as being able to relax and enjoy the views, you can learn as you ride, thanks to onboard commentary. Places showcased on the route include Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo, the Church of the Good Shepherd, and the Southern Alps.

Ride to Gibbston Valley wineries on a self-guided bike tour from Queenstown that includes everything you need for a day of exploring. With a van to meet you at the start and finish, you can choose the distance you ride, stopping at some of the taverns, cafes, and eight wineries along the route. You’ll have the option to be off the road for much of the day, with access to the scenic Arrow River Trail, Miners Trail, and Gibbston River Trail, enjoying great views of the vineyard-filled Gibbston Valley.

Upon reaching Milford Sound, board a luxurious catamaran. Peer through panoramic windows of a luxury coach while you travel through the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park with a guide, before a memorable sightseeing cruise by Mitre Peak and the magnificent cliff-side waterfalls of Milford Sound.

Central Otago is the world’s southernmost wine-making region, known for its pinot noirs and stunning high-altitude wineries. On this day long tour around this distinctive wine region, taste a wide range of wines – including pinot noirs and chardonnays – at up to six of the region’s boutique vineyards.

The limited passenger numbers on our modern Mercedes Sprinter Vans make for a much more personal experience. It also allows us to stop more often for photos and short walks than the big 50-seater coaches (up to 12 stops along the way). We connect with Milford Sound's only boutique small boat cruise. Passenger numbers on the cruise are limited to 50% of the boats capacity.

Cruise Milford Sound from Te Anau during this full-day tour to the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park. See the crown jewel of New Zealand’s South Island by luxury coach, stopping en route at the Mirror Lakes before boarding a cruise on luxurious catamaran journey past waterfalls and steep-walled pinnacles such as famous Mitre Peak.

Be amazed by the dramatic landscapes of Fiordland on this full-day tour by boat and by air. If you’re short on time in the area, this combo tour makes it easy to see a lot in one day. Enjoy a cruise on Milford Sound–beautiful in any weather–and a scenic flight over Fiordland National Park and back to Queenstown, seeing views you couldn’t experience any other way.

Embark on a cruise of Doubtful Sound in New Zealand, starting from Te Anau or Manapouri. Travel by coach to Manapouri Lake for a short boat ride, followed by a bus trip over Wilmot Pass. En route, stop for alpine views of the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park, before taking in the dramatic landscapes, soaring peaks, and wildlife of Doubtful Sound.

Travel deep into the heart of the Southern Alps on an easy full-day trip from Christchurch. Sit back and admire the views as someone else drives you from the Canterbury Plains and into the mountains. Stop to admire the views of Lake Tekapo, check out the Tasman Glacier, and hike in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. Plus, learn more about the area from your guide’s fun commentary.

Discover the jewel in the South Island’s crown on this full-day Abel Tasman National Park hiking tour with cruise. Travel from Nelson to Kaiteriteri with your guide, then hop aboard your water taxi. Cruise along the coastline toward the heart of the park and the start-point of your trek. Follow hiking trails through the dense forest and learn about the local environment. Stop for lunch at Torrent Beach.

For those looking to explore one of New Zealand's most scenic drives, the Premium Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Tour from Te Anau is the perfect option. Join knowledgeable and experienced guides on a journey through lush rainforests, glacier carved valleys, and alpine lookouts, with plenty of opportunities for short walks and photo stops along the way before embarking on your cruise. Enjoy complimentary tea, coffee, and lunch as you take in the stunning scenery and learn about the fiord's fascinating history and wildlife from the welcoming crew. Finish with a refreshing dance under the Stirling Falls before heading back to Te Anau.

Join a Doubtful Sound cruise from Queenstown and discover this alpine gem nestled in the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park. Traveling by coach, take a ferry across Lake Manapouri and cross over Wilmot Pass for your catamaran cruise. Admire the fiord’s vivid beauty as you search for dolphins, fur seals, and penguins amid a dramatic landscape of soaring granite peaks and crystal-clear waters. 

Make the most of a travel day and let someone else do the driving so you can admire the views. This transfer-come-tour will get you from Christchurch to Queenstown via Tekapo and Mount Cook. Instead of just sitting in a bus all day, get out and explore Geraldine, Lake Tekapo, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, and other points of interest along the way.

Explore Marlborough wines on a half-day wine tour from Blenheim with tastings at four or five handpicked wineries, and round-trip transport from your hotel. Learn about the history and terroir of the wines you taste, and enjoy the flexibility and personalized experience of a small-group tour.

Discover some of New Zealand's finest wines on a full-day tour of the Central Otago wine region from Queenstown. Visit multiple wineries, sip wine in Australasia's largest wine cave, enjoy a gourmet lunch, and sample locally made cheeses. You also visit the Cromwell Heritage Precinct and learn about the Otago Gold Rush. Numbers are limited on this small-group tour that includes wine tastings, lunch, transportation, and hotel transfers.

When your cruise ship docks in Christchurch, benefit from a full-day tour that combines a half-day city tour of Christchurch with a visit to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Take in the city’s historical landmarks and rebuilding efforts underway since the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Then head to the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve for a guided tour that includes viewing of endangered kiwi birds and other New Zealand wildlife.

Explore the Milford Sound on a full-day tour from Queenstown with a combination of a scenic coach ride, 2-hour sightseeing cruise, and return flight over the pristine mountain wilderness.

Travel by TranzAlpine train to Arthur's Pass National Park, riding across the Canterbury Plains, then winding through the Waimakariri Gorge and into the heart of the Southern Alps on a day trip from Christchurch. Disembark at Arthur’s Pass Village, where you’ll explore the rainforests and mountains on short walks. This small-group tour limits the group size, ensuring a more personalized experience.

While in the Southern Alps, don’t miss the chance to experience the views on this fully guided day trip including not one but two scenic helicopter flights. Be amazed by the views of Aoraki Mt. Cook and the Tasman Glacier, then set foot on the glacier for a hike with a difference. Guides will accompany you the whole way and tell you about the natural and cultural significance of the places you visit.

Milford Sound is an unmissable destination in the South Island, and you can experience it at its best on this easy small-group tour from Queenstown. Traveling there in a luxury bus with panoramic scenic windows, you can focus on the views rather than have to drive. Whatever the weather, Milford Sound is always beautiful. Return to Queenstown by air, saving time and maximizing the scenic views.

Enjoy an easy day trip from Te Anau to Milford Sound without driving yourself through the distractingly beautiful landscape. Admire the mountain views en route, then board your cruise boat on Milford Sound. Get a close-up view of waterfalls and wildlife from a small boat. Later, descend 33 feet (10 meters) to an underwater observatory to see black coral and more.

Learn the secrets to great wine on this full-day wineries tour of the Marlborough region, with a winemaker as your guide. Visit 4–6 wineries in New Zealand’s largest wine-producing region. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of a working winery and sample wine at every stage of its production. Wine-tasting fees are included and there will be time for you to enjoy a leisurely lunch at one top winery restaurant (extra cost).

Mt Cook Bus Tour & Ultimate Alpine Experience, this small group, fully guided bus tour to Mt Cook combines all of the key highlights of Mt Cook with scenic flights in a helicopter and a ski plane including a Tasman Glacier landing plus free time to do other optional activities of your choice. 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. 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, complementary refreshments and many other pleasant surprises ensure our tours are an experience to remember.