Top South Island Multi-day Tours

View Franz Josef Glacier and experience a Milford Sound cruise on this 4-day semi-independent tour of New Zealand's South Island. You’ll travel by coach from Christchurch to Queenstown via the Canterbury Plains, Aoraki/Mt Cook and Lake Tekapo, then motor up the west coast to Greymouth before riding the TranzAlpine train on the return to Christchurch. Listen to narration on board as the driver highlights this scenic region from picturesque mountain peaks to deep fiords. Overnight accommodation and round-trip hotel transport are included.

A Kaikoura whale-watching cruise and dolphin swim are the highlights of this delightful 2-day nature tour, round-trip from Christchurch. Your marine experience includes a visit to a New Zealand fur seal colony and suiting up in snorkel gear to swim alongside the amazing dusky dolphins. Stay overnight with 5-star accommodation in this tiny coastal town after a scenic drive by coach through North Canterbury, and stop for complimentary wine tasting on the return journey.

A great way to experience the extraordinary TranzAlpine train journey and visit the West Coast glaciers. Hailed as one of the greatest train journeys in the world, the TranzAlpine train journey will take your breath away! Scenic highlights include views from the train, the wild West Coast, visiting Franz Josef Glacier, seeing Lakes Wanaka and Hawea and of course arriving at bustling Queenstown! This is an Independent coach tour, where you travel on a combination of touring coaches and sightseeing services with commentary and/or point to point coaches which may not have commentary. You will be with different people on each part of the tour and different drivers. You have free time to explore on your own and are free to choose where and when to eat, meals are not included unless specified.

**For guaranteed snow landings all year round - please book our 45 Minute Ultimate Alpine Combo - Snow cannot be guaranteed during summer months on this product** A 25 minute flight including an alpine landing, that looks directly at Aoraki Mt Cook and down onto the valley. Explore the valleys and peaks of Aoraki Mt Cook National Park by sky in one of our state-of-the-art helicopters. Fly over the Tasman Terminal Lake and up the Tasman Valley before doing an alpine landing- on a mountain with beautiful views looking directly towards Aoraki Mt Cook and of the National Park. (10-15 minutes landed) Enjoy the comfort, safety, and performance of our AS350 Squirrel Helicopters. Sit back and relax as you watch the gorgeous scenery unfold beneath you. Be sure to take lots of photos to document this one-of-a-kind experience. Our pilots offer informative and interesting commentary throughout the flight to ensure you receive the best possible experience.

The deep waters, soaring cliffs, and thundering waterfalls of Milford Sound are spectacular from all angles, and this half-day tour by air and boat takes in all the highlights. Enjoy thrilling aerial views of the Fiordland National Park on a round-trip flight from Queenstown, and marvel at Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, and Mount Pembroke on a scenic Milford Sound cruise. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

Take a jet boat ride on the Shotover River during an extreme ride, and make use of transport from Queenstown. Experience adrenaline-fueled fun as the jet boat skims the water’s surface at high speed and fishtails into 360-degree spins. Hold on tight as the captain maneuvers the jet boat over rapids and through narrow canyons during one heart-pounding adventure you won’t soon forget.

Located in the heart of Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound forms part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. Explore the stunning fiord by air and water during a half-day excursion. The exhilarating, round-trip helicopter flight from Queenstown includes a glacier or alpine landing. Perhaps spot dolphins, seals, and penguins during an unforgettable cruise.

Experience heart-racing fun on an exhilarating Queenstown jet-boat ride. The expert captain races across Lake Wakatipu, navigates tricky turns on the Kawarau River, and speeds through the shallow waters of the Shotover River. Grab hold of your seat as the jet boat makes 360-degree spins and fishtails on a rollercoaster ride over the water.

Take a window seat for a scenic round-trip flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound, and see the splendor of Fiordland National Park from the air and sea. Board a cruise and pass dramatic waterfalls and Mitre Peak as you travel to the Tasman Sea. Then soar over the Southern Alps on your return.

Join this tour for the unique opportunity to fly in both a Ski Plane and Helicopter! a 45 minute flight including a Tasman glacier (10-15 minutes) then to switch aircraft for the flight home! Flying through the remarkable Tasman Valley and landing on the snow covered peaks with this scenic option is an unforgettable experience and a WORLD EXCLUSIVE FLIGHT with both the ski plane and helicopter! Check in closes 45 minutes prior to the flight time

Explore the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps on this Arthur’s Pass day tour from Christchurch. Travel through the pastureland of the Canterbury Plains to Springfield with your guide. Hop aboard your TranzAlpine train and journey through the Waimakariri Gorge. Explore the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass in the Otira Gorge and enjoy lunch in a local restaurant. Visit a sheep farm, and admire native birdlife in the foothills of the Southern Alps.

Visit three boutique wineries of North Canterbury on a half-day wine-tasting tour with optional lunch. Departing Christchurch, you’ll taste a quality selection of wines in the up-and-coming Waipara wine region, including stops at Pegasus Bay, Waipara Hills, Torlesse Wines and Waipara Springs. Learn from a knowledgeable guide about Waipara’s unique terroir as you sip a range of superior reds and whites.

Take in the vast scale of Milford Sound from the air and water with a half-day trip that includes round-trip flights and a catamaran cruise. You’ll board a small plane that accommodates up to 13 passengers, lift off above the ridges and lakes of Fiordland National Park, then cruise Milford Sound all the way to the Tasman Sea. Watch for fur seals and penguins, and pass through the mists of Stirling Falls before meeting the pilot for the return trip to Queenstown.

Gorgeous fiords, magnificent glaciers and other scenic landscapes of the South Island comprise this 6-day semi-independent tour by narrated coach and railway. Travel round-trip from Christchurch and climb aboard the Taieri Gorge Railway and TranzAlpine passenger trains — two of New Zealand's  top-rated scenic rail routes. Catch a complimentary shuttle to the Fox Glacier or Franz Josef Glacier lookout point, cruise on Milford Sound, and ride the Queenstown Skyline Gondola above Lake Wakatipu. Overnight stays allow for plenty of free time to explore at your own pace.

Travelers short on time in the South Island will love this handy two-day tour from Christchurch to Queenstown (or vice versa) via the spectacular West Coast. You’ll travel by train across the Southern Alps, emerging on the West Coast at Greymouth. Travel south through towns rich in history, culture, and natural beauty – including Hokitika and Franz Josef – before crossing the Haast Pass to mountainous Queenstown.

Make the most of your time in Fiordland on a 3-day tour with an overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound. Departing from Queenstown, head to tiny Te Anau, where you’ll visit the glow worm caves and spend the night in accommodation near the lake. On day two, head to remote Doubtful Sound. Many tours only spend a few hours here but you’ll experience the tranquility after the day-trippers have left.

For an adventure-packed trip that will take you to some of the most beautiful places in New Zealand, look no further than this all-inclusive 9-day South Island tour. From stunning glaciers and turquoise lakes, to picturesque towns and dramatic mountain peaks, there's something for everyone on this comprehensive road trip. Plus, with all accommodation and some activities included, you can enjoy the ride rather than making travel plans on the fly.

See an enormous range of New Zealand highlights and have unforgettable experiences over 11 days on this tour. See both the North and South Islands, visit secluded natural spots and big cities, take in truly spectacular scenery, enjoy a thrilling range of adventure activities from jet boating to zip-lining, and much more. This is the perfect way to see the whole country in less than two-weeks, at an affordable price.

The Christchurch to Queenstown journey takes you from the incredibly flat Canterbury Plains right through to the dramatic mountains of the Southern Alps. The area is out of this world beautiful! This tour gives you the opportunity to absorb the wild beauty, starting in Christchurch you'll travel into the heart of the Mt Cook National Park. After a full day of exploration, on the final afternoon, hop on board the coach to Queenstown, New Zealand's adventure capital. This is an Independent coach tour, where you travel on a combination of touring coaches and sightseeing services with commentary and/or point to point coaches which may not have commentary. You will be with different people on each part of the tour and different drivers. You have free time to explore on your own and are free to choose where and when to eat, meals are not included unless specified.

Turquoise lakes, majestic glaciers, dramatic mountain peaks and the picture-perfect towns of Queenstown, Wanaka and Franz Josef. With accommodation and some activities included (see below), our all-inclusive tours are hassle-free, authentic experiences for those short on time. This 10 day South Island tour is the ultimate South Island roadie visiting Kaikoura, Christchurch, Tekapo and back across to Christchurch via the famous Arthur’s Pass.

There are no wild animals on this safari – just tonnes of beautiful snow! It’s an early start on Day 1 as we meet at 6am for breakfast in Christchurch, before we head off to Mt Hutt. Each evening, you are welcome to relax at your accommodation, soak in the local hot tub, cook in, eat out, enjoy the nightlife or even night skiing... whatever takes your fancy. As you build your tour online, you will see many optional activities available to add – but remember, none of these are compulsory. Not sure which activities to choose? No problem. Once you’ve paid a deposit and secured your seat you can add activities anytime until 45 days prior to departure. Activities can also be purchased on tour – just let your tour guide know, they’ll be happy to help. As we can’t always guarantee availability when booking on tour, we suggest if there are any activities you definitely want to do that you pre-book them.

Starting and ending in the “Garden City” of Christchurch, we show you the ultimate highlights of New Zealand’s stunning South Island over 7 action-packed days. From turquoise lakes to towering mountains and glaciers, the South Island’s scenery will blow your mind, and the nation’s adventure capital, Queenstown, has all the adrenalin activities on offer that you could possibly wish for. Activities can be pre-booked or purchased on the road - just let your tour guide know. We can't always guarantee availability when booking on the road, so we suggest pre- booking any activities you especially want to do. As the tour starts early in the morning, you can opt to book accommodation in Christchurch with us the night before the tour – only having to walk downstairs on day 1 makes for a stress-free morning. Accommodation is included on the last night of your tour, but we can also book a few extra nights for you if you would like to extend your stay.

Southern New Zealand is home to some of the most iconic landscapes in the world. Starting in Queenstown, journey to the largest Glacier in the country before riding the famous TranzAlpine train north to Christchurch. On day three explore the beautiful Aoraki Mt Cook National Park before ending your tour in Queenstown. Leave the admin to us and tick off the star-studded southern line up in one package.