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Top Things to Do in South Island

We compared all 375 experiences in South Island so you can choose in minutes — real prices, verified reviews and our editorial picks.

4.8 375 experiences from NZ$ 20 Free cancellation on most experiences

The unmissables

Most booked
Milford Sound & Fiordland: Small Group Cruise from Queenstown
Top rated
Milford Sound Small Boat Cruise & Mitre Peak Views
Best value
Kaikoura: Whale Watching Boat Tour & Sperm Whale Encounters

Recommended (7)

Top rated (10)

Lake Te Anau scenic cruise & walk: South Fiord from Te Anau
Lake Te Anau scenic cruise & walk: South Fiord from Te Anau★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (170)3hA scenic cruise and guided walk on Lake Te Anau departs from Te Anau township, crosses the lake toward the South Fiord, and includes a comfortable hike through ancient native vegetation and dramatic landscapes. The boat carries you both ways, so the walk stays short and the scenery stays central. Light refreshments, afternoon tea and live commentary from a local guide are included; the crew handles the sails on the return journey while you relax or help out.Is it for me?The walk is comfortable and the boat handles the distance, so this suits anyone who wants to see Fiordland's untouched wilderness without a strenuous hike or a full day away from Te Anau. Boarding and disembarking require mobility, so it works best for travelers who can manage steps onto a vessel.Free cancellationKids −51%fromNZ$ 165View ›
Wanaka: Highest Waterfall Cable Climb & Via Ferrata Level 1
Wanaka: Highest Waterfall Cable Climb & Via Ferrata Level 1★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (124)2hYou climb steel ladder rungs bolted into a waterfall, cross four wire bridges, and reach a mountain picnic spot in about two hours. A professional guide teaches you everything, provides all safety gear, and stays with you the entire way. The route is designed for beginners with basic fitness and no climbing experience. You walk back down a trail to the base, and the whole experience costs less than you'd expect for something that rewires how you see yourself.Is it for me?Right for anyone curious about pushing past their comfort zone without needing prior climbing experience or extreme fitness — the guide handles the technical side, and the two-hour format means you're back in town by early afternoon. Plan for forty-five minutes of real physical climbing, which is what makes reaching the top of the world's highest waterfall cable climb possible.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromNZ$ 205View ›
Milford Sound Day Trip from Te Anau: Private Tesla Tour & Cruise
Milford Sound Day Trip from Te Anau: Private Tesla Tour & Cruise★★★★★★★★★★ 5.00 (122)7h–10hYou’ll ride from Te Anau in a private Tesla with your guide, stopping for morning tea and stories in Fiordland before joining a 2-hour Milford Sound cruise under towering peaks. Expect muddy shoes, local humor, and moments you’ll want to remember long after you’re back home.Free cancellationKids −35%fromNZ$ 385View ›
Wanaka: Highest Waterfall Cable Climb Level 2 (4 Hours)
Wanaka: Highest Waterfall Cable Climb Level 2 (4 Hours)★★★★★★★★★★ 4.99 (492)4hYou'll climb steel ladder rungs next to a vertical waterfall for three hours, cross six bridges, and walk down a mountainside trail — all with a professional guide, full safety gear, and a sandwich included. Expect moderate to high physical demand and a genuine sense of height; this is not a theme-park experience. The 20-minute drive from Wanaka gets you to a private farm where the climb is the real thing, and the guide keeps the safety record clean.Is it for me?A good fit if you're comfortable with heights and have moderate fitness — the three-hour climb is steep and real, which is exactly what makes the views and the sense of achievement worth it. Plan for four hours total, including the walk down, and know that your legs will feel it the next day.Free cancellationTravelers' pickLikely to sell outfromNZ$ 389View ›
Marlborough: Self-Guided Bike Wine Tour with Shuttle & Map
Marlborough: Self-Guided Bike Wine Tour with Shuttle & Map★★★★★★★★★★ 4.99 (356)7hYou’ll start your day in Renwick with friendly locals who’ll set you up on comfy bikes (with wine panniers!) and give you tips for exploring Marlborough’s cellar doors at your own pace. Taste local wines, snack on cheese platters under the sun, and relax knowing there’s always backup if you need it. It’s less like a tour and more like being let loose in wine country—with just enough help when you want it.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −71%fromNZ$ 70View ›
Jet Boat Adventure on Clutha River from Wanaka
Jet Boat Adventure on Clutha River from Wanaka★★★★★★★★★★ 4.99 (331)1h 15mA small-group jet boat adventure on the Clutha River from Wanaka takes you down the second-longest river in New Zealand through glacial terrain, the famous Snake section, and a rare switchback called Devils Nook, with live commentary and 360-degree spins included. Children from age 4 are welcome; the ride runs about 75 minutes and operates in all weather. A minimum of two people per booking applies.Is it for me?The jet boat departs from Wanaka itself, so if you're staying in town or arriving without a car, you don't need to arrange transport to the river. The small-group format and fixed schedule mean you book once and the timing holds—no coordinating with other travelers or building the day yourself.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −46%fromNZ$ 159View ›
Queenstown Off-Road Buggy Self-Drive Creek Crossings
Queenstown Off-Road Buggy Self-Drive Creek Crossings★★★★★★★★★★ 4.99 (189)1h 30mA self-drive buggy experience near Queenstown puts you behind the wheel of a capable off-road vehicle on real terrain — steep climbs, creek crossings, forest tracks — with a professional guide leading the route and stopping at lookout points over Lake Wakatipu. Training and all safety gear are included, plus return transfers from central Queenstown and complimentary photos taken at the viewpoints.Is it for me?You drive the whole experience yourself, which is what makes this different from a guided tour where someone else handles the wheel — it suits anyone who wants hands-on control of the buggy and the confidence that comes with steering through real terrain while a professional guide navigates the route and calls out the line. The guide stays with you and training is built in, so first-time off-road drivers book this as often as experienced ones do.Free cancellationfrom · per groupNZ$ 639View ›
Kaikoura: Llama Trek Bay Beaches & Seal Colony Walk
Kaikoura: Llama Trek Bay Beaches & Seal Colony Walk★★★★★★★★★★ 4.99 (169)3h 30mYou’ll walk beside your own llama along Kaikoura Bay’s wild coastline, watching seals laze on rocks while your local guide shares stories from Kaikoura’s past. Expect pauses for photos, some gentle llama mischief, free tea or coffee (plus cake), and time to take in those mountain views with salt air on your skin.Free cancellationKids −27%fromNZ$ 249View ›
Godley Head Coastal Hike: 8–10 km Loop with Lunch, Christchurch
Godley Head Coastal Hike: 8–10 km Loop with Lunch, Christchurch★★★★★★★★★★ 4.99 (166)6hA full-day guided hike of the Godley Head Loop Track near Christchurch takes you across an extinct volcano's rim, past WWII gun emplacements and an Antarctic cabin, down to a secluded beach where you eat lunch with seals and dolphins nearby. Hotel pickup within the city centre, a local guide, walking poles, water and a gourmet picnic lunch are included; the walk spans 8–10 km and takes about three hours, with a 20-minute drive to the trailhead and time to rest at a seaside café before you start.Is it for me?Small groups of up to 12 travelers share the van and the guide, so this suits anyone who wants the company and local knowledge without arranging transport or carrying gear. If you prefer to hike alone or with just one or two others, a private guide can be arranged at checkout.Free cancellationfromNZ$ 340View ›
Lake Dunstan Cycleway: E-Bike Rental & Return Shuttle
Lake Dunstan Cycleway: E-Bike Rental & Return Shuttle★★★★★★★★★★ 4.99 (166)5hYou’ll cycle lakeside cliffs from Cromwell to Clyde on an e-bike, pausing for wine at Carrick Winery or coffee afloat on Lake Dunstan. With info boards along the way and a friendly local shuttle back (plus all your gear sorted), you’ll finish tired but grinning — it’s that kind of day.Free cancellationLikely to sell outfromNZ$ 160View ›

Lowest price (10)

Queenstown: Lake Wakatipu Time Tripper Show & Underwater Observatory
Queenstown: Lake Wakatipu Time Tripper Show & Underwater Observatory★★★★★★★★★★ 4.60 (86)30mYou’ll start right under Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown for the Time Tripper show—a wild animated ride through 90 million years of history and legend. See ancient glaciers form before your eyes, hear stories from locals, then watch real fish and eels glide past in the Underwater Observatory. It’s quick but surprisingly moving—you might leave seeing Queenstown with new eyes.Free cancellationKids −50%fromNZ$ 20View ›
Omaka WWII Dangerous Skies Exhibition Tickets & Entry Info
Omaka WWII Dangerous Skies Exhibition Tickets & Entry Info★★★★★★★★★★ 4.56 (27)45m–7hYou’ll get up close to legendary WWII aircraft and hear stories that don’t make it into textbooks. This isn’t just for aviation buffs—the displays are hands-on and personal, with details that stick with you long after you leave.Free cancellationKids −52%fromNZ$ 25View ›
Christchurch Walking Tour: Hidden Gems & Quake Stories
Christchurch Walking Tour: Hidden Gems & Quake Stories★★★★★★★★★★ 4.91 (35)2hA two-hour walking tour of central Christchurch led by a local guide who shares first-hand accounts of the 2011 earthquake, the city's rebuilding, and its future direction. The small-group format keeps the pace relaxed and interactive, with time for questions and tailored local recommendations. All sites visited are free to enter.Is it for me?The two-hour pace and flat, accessible route suit anyone wanting an authentic introduction to Christchurch without a heavy time commitment or physical strain. If you're a first-time visitor or returning traveler wanting to understand the city's character beyond the guidebook, the guide's personal stories and local insights are what make this walk different from a self-guided walk through the same landmarks.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −100%fromNZ$ 25View ›
Dunedin: Olveston Historic Home Guided Tour & Gardens
Dunedin: Olveston Historic Home Guided Tour & Gardens★★★★★★★★★★ 4.85 (223)1hYou’ll step right into early 1900s Dunedin at Olveston Historic Home with a local guide leading you through original rooms filled with art and family history. Pause beneath stained glass windows, listen to stories about the Theomins, then stroll through peaceful gardens overlooking Otago Harbour. It’s not just facts — it feels personal.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −41%fromNZ$ 27View ›
Gibbston Valley wine cave tour with tastings: New Zealand
Gibbston Valley wine cave tour with tastings: New Zealand★★★★★★★★★★ 4.63 (102)30mA 30-minute tour of New Zealand's largest wine cave at Gibbston Valley includes three wine tastings of current releases and a visit to the original vines planted by founder Alan Brady in 1983. A live guide in English leads the experience, and the cave and all surfaces are wheelchair accessible. Minimum age is 18.Is it for me?Most wine tastings in Central Otago happen in a tasting room where you learn about the wine from a distance. This tour puts you inside the cave where the wine actually sits, so you taste it in the space it comes from and see the original vines that started the region.Free cancellationTravelers' pickfromNZ$ 28View ›
Christchurch: Willowbank Wildlife Reserve & Guaranteed Kiwi Viewing
Christchurch: Willowbank Wildlife Reserve & Guaranteed Kiwi Viewing★★★★★★★★★★ 4.52 (121)1h–3hYou walk through over 50 wildlife species in one location, with guaranteed kiwi viewing in a dedicated house and hands-on time feeding farm animals and native birds. The reserve includes the Big 5 species unique to New Zealand — kea, kaka, takahe, tuatara, and kiwi — all accessible in a single day without needing transport beyond Christchurch.Is it for me?Right for families and wildlife lovers who want to see New Zealand's unique species in one place without arranging multiple stops — the guarantee on kiwi viewing is what makes the trip worthwhile if that's your main reason for coming.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −64%fromNZ$ 37View ›
Christchurch Hop-On Hop-Off Tram: 18 stops, all day
Christchurch Hop-On Hop-Off Tram: 18 stops, all day★★★★★★★★★★ 4.55 (973)1dThe Christchurch Hop-On Hop-Off Tram is a full-day pass for a historic tram circuit through the inner city with 18 stops, live commentary from the driver, and the freedom to get off and explore whenever you want. A full loop takes 50 minutes; trams run roughly every 15 minutes depending on the season. Collect your ticket from the booking office at Cathedral Junction before boarding. The trams can get busy when cruise ships are in port, so arrive early if you want to avoid a wait.Is it for me?Your ticket lasts all day, so you can ride the full 50-minute loop, hop off to spend time in a museum or garden, and board again without buying another pass — the all-day format lets you set your own pace instead of following a fixed itinerary.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −66%fromNZ$ 42View ›
Queenstown: Fear Factory Haunted House & Live Scares
Queenstown: Fear Factory Haunted House & Live Scares★★★★★★★★★★ 4.63 (251)30mYou walk through the old Lockhart Hotel's dark corridors following red lights while live actors create real scares around you. The 30-minute experience works best with friends, though solo runs are possible. If you chicken out, you join their list; if you make it through, you've got a story. It's located in Queenstown's CBD on Beach Street, so no transport hassle to get there.Is it for me?Book this if you want a genuine scare with friends or a solo challenge in Queenstown's CBD without needing transport or planning around opening hours; the 30-minute format fits into an evening and the live-action setup means no two runs feel quite the same.Instant confirmationKids −15%fromNZ$ 44View ›
Dunedin: Speight's Brewery Tour & Beer Tasting
Dunedin: Speight's Brewery Tour & Beer Tasting★★★★★★★★★★ 4.86 (695)1h 15mYou walk through 145 years of brewing history across two floors of the actual working brewery, learn how Speight's makes its award-winning beers, and taste the range in the Tasting Room with a guide explaining each style. The whole experience takes 75 minutes, groups stay small, and you leave knowing how to pour a proper pint.Is it for me?Right for beer enthusiasts or anyone curious about how a working brewery operates, since the tour moves through the actual production floors, not a separate visitor center. Plan for stairs and moderate walking—that's what gives you access to both the historic and modern sides of the building.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −22%fromNZ$ 45View ›
Christchurch Gondola Ticket & Mt Cavendish Summit Views
Christchurch Gondola Ticket & Mt Cavendish Summit Views★★★★★★★★★★ 4.50 (331)2hYou ride a cable car 900 meters up to a volcanic crater rim overlooking Christchurch, the Canterbury Plains, and Lyttelton Harbour. At the summit, you watch a video about the city's history and geology, grab a coffee, or browse the shop. If you add the punt option, you'll need to book your river timeslot before arrival.Is it for me?Pick this if you want a single, high-vantage view of how Christchurch is laid out — the crater, the harbor, the plains, the rebuilt skyline — without needing a guide or spending half a day. The cable car does the work; you just stand and look.Free cancellationTravelers' pickKids −44%fromNZ$ 45View ›
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