Top South Island Shore Excursions

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. Mt Cook & Hooker Valley Hike Tour, this small group, fully-guided day trip combines all of the key highlights in the area with the famous Hooker Valley Hike. 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.

Catering exclusively for cruise ship passengers, this half-day all-inclusive coach tour of Christchurch fits in more than most visitors can see or do in a weekend on their own. Combine a visit to the renowned International Antarctic Centre with a narrated, air-conditioned excursion around several of the Garden City’s most historic and picturesque sites, plus learn about the devastating 2010 and 2011 earthquakes as you travel.

Take a break from Queenstown on a trip into the mighty Southern Alps. Spend the day at Mount Cook Village, in the shadow of Aoraki Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s tallest mountain. Spend the day as you like with free time, whether it’s hiking, jet-boating, or visiting the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Center. Opt to be dropped at the start of the Hook Valley Track or upgrade to a heli-hiking experience.

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.

Dunedin is the second-largest city on New Zealand’s South Island, renowned for its picturesque seafront and beautiful public gardens. On this tour, take in the highlights of the city including the "steepest street in the world" and the Dunedin Railway station, before exploring the Otago Peninsula. Then, visit Larnach Castle, New Zealand's only castle, where you enjoy a lovely cafe lunch in the garden.

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.

Make the most of a travel day between Christchurch and Queenstown by taking an action-packed tour through the Southern Alps. Instead of just catching an uninteresting long-distance bus, take a guided tour via Mt. Cook, the Tasman Glacier, and the scenic Mackenzie Country. Admire the views along the way and make plenty of stops. The tour ends in Queenstown.

From the soaring spires to the sweeping beaches, experience the best of New Zealand's most fascinating wee city with an experienced local guide. On this small group tour (max. 8 pax) you will visit Dunedin's most impressive, unique and charming sights, including the only castle in the country: Larnach Castle. With an entertaining mix of story telling, beauty, wildlife and charm our tours provide visitors with an unforgettable experience and a fantastic insight into our hometown - Otepoti Dunedin. Auch auf Deutsch!

First-time visitors to Christchurch will enjoy a fun half-day overview tour of the city with a small group of travelers. See many of the central city’s highlights, including riding the scenic tramways, punting on the River Avon, and riding the gondola for sweeping views. Learn more about Christchurch than you would touring independently.

See some of Dunedin’s main attractions on this short city tour. Designed for those arriving into Port Chalmers on cruise ships, this tour is open to everyone and only operates on cruise ship days. Take in the views of the city from Signal Hill, visit the Botanic Gardens and see Baldwin Street - the steepest residential street in the world. See impressive architecture including the iconic Octagon and the Railway Station.

Cruise ship passengers can make the most of their limited time on land with a small-group tour of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula. Learn about local history, culture, and nature at city-center highlights, including the Dunedin Railway Station, the University of Otago, and the Octagon. Then head out to the beautiful Otago Peninsula to admire the views and visit Larnach Castle.

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.

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.

Make the most of your time in port in Christchurch with a half-day shore excursion that takes in all the highlights. Explore downtown Christchurch, stroll around Monavale Gardens, and learn how the city was rebuilt after the devasting earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Continue along the scenic Summit Road, stopping to admire the views from the Sign of the Takahe, and stop at Riverside Market for a lunch break (own expense).

Race through the native forest canopy and see the rolling Nelson countryside from the sky in this unique flying fox experience. The Skywire is one of the longest flying foxes in New Zealand and can reach speeds of around 60 miles per hour, and this package gives you the chance to experience that speed first-hand as you rocket up and down Cable Bay hillside, through the trees and valleys.

- Hop on and off at 26 popular Marlborough locations without having to drive yourself - Knowledgeable drivers provide all information, easy to use map and timetable - Enjoy the freedom of hopping on and hop off at as many destinations as you please - stay as long as you like! - See some of the best wineries, breweries, museums and much more! - An awesome idea for groups of friends, couples or singles alike Please note a child ticket is 12years and under.

Arthur’s Pass – A National Park located deep in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. You will be traveling on the Great Alpine Highway through the ever-changing remarkable landscapes. This tour highlights an example of great engineering, spectacular waterfalls, and famous filming locations. The day will begin with a collection from your chosen accommodation before we hit the road towards Arthur’s Pass, our knowledgeable and friendly guide will point out those stunning views along the way. While on this tour with us, you will see a variety of green fields rugged mountain ranges, lush forests and ice-fed lakes and rivers! There are plenty of stops along the route, so we won’t be spending all day in the van Although it is pretty comfy. You can hop on a Jetboat and grab an action thriller tour of where it all began or walk through the thick forest and check out a waterfall. Of course, we will also stop at those must-see Instagram-worthy spots too!

Visit several wineries in the Marlborough wine region on a half-day tour from Picton. Enjoy wine tasting at each location, and learn about New Zealand's prolific wine industry from your guide on this comprehensive wine tour.

Begin your amazing day with a pickup from one of our very friendly team members. Sit down and relax for the 45-min drive to the Waipara Region. Waipara is a picturesque valley in the north of Christchurch. This is one of New Zealand’s premier wine regions where pinot noir and riesling grapes do very well here. We will visit a series of cellars and tasting rooms, which may include Waipara Hills, Pegasus Bay, Waipara Springs, and Torlesse Wines (wineries are subject to change without notice depending on availability). We are all about the experience, so we want to make sure that you have 100% worry-free tastings of NZ's finest wine. Lunch, tastings, and snacks and photographer are included so all you need to do is join us, seat and enjoy your day. We are super flexible and the day is all about you. Want to make a stop or do something extra just let us know With Cheeky Wine Tours you will alwyas See More, Do More & Spend Less

Spend your time in port in Akaroa on a small-group shore excursion, sea kayaking around the harbor. Bask in the scenery of remote bays and inlets, and catch a glimpse of local marine life, including penguins, orcas, and endangered Hector’s dolphins. You’ll paddle for three hours with a guide through the basin of an extinct volcano and stop for a snack and swim at a coastal beach. This tour departs within walking distance of the cruise port.

Let someone else take care of logistics while you experience the beauty and rich heritage of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula. Spend the first part of the morning exploring parts of Dunedin, then take a scenic drive along the Otago Peninsula, stoping at one of the world’s only mainland colonies of Royal Albatross.

Dunedin City is a wildlife wonderland, and this morning or afternoon cruise is a great way to see these native birds and marine animals close-up. Instead of wearing yourself out on a tramp across the peninsula, cruise through the Otago Harbour and past Taiaroa Head in a custom-built boat with a heated cabin and open deck for scenic photos. Look out for albatross, blue penguins, sea lions, dolphins, and more while listening to onboard commentary from your skipper/guide.

This is a tour by bus around some of the main attractions of Dunedin. It is aimed at cruise ship passengers and only runs on cruise ship days The tour stops at all locations mentioned with a chance to get off and have a walk around. Comfortable vehicles and a commentary is provided. A full refund will be offered if at the conclusion of the tour the customer is dissatisfied with any part of the experience that is within the operator's control so long as the issue is raised first with the operator before any third party. (Subject to tripadvisor complying with operator request)