Top Things to Do in South Island

We compared all 576 experiences in South Island so you can choose in minutes: real prices, verified reviews and our editorial picks.

★4.8 576 experiences from NZ$ 14.54 ✓Free cancellation on most experiences

All tours (1–20 of 576)

Milford Sound & Fiordland: Small Group Cruise from Queenstown
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Most booked
Milford Sound & Fiordland: Small Group Cruise from QueenstownSmall group tour from Queenstown to Milford Sound with cruise and picnic lunch. Visit Mirror Lakes, Homer Tunnel, and Mitre Peak in Fiordland National Park.
3,812 reviews
4.93★
Duration
13h
start times · Every day
2
Live guide ENPickup optionalFree cancellationfromNZ$ 369per person
Milford Sound Small Boat Cruise & Mitre Peak Views
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Travelers' pick
Milford Sound Small Boat Cruise & Mitre Peak ViewsSmall-group Milford Sound cruise in Fiordland with wildlife, waterfalls & complimentary refreshments. Max 75 passengers, uncrowded experience, UNESCO World Heritage site.
3,265 reviews
4.90★
Duration
1h 45m
start times · Every day
9
Live guide ENFree cancellationfromNZ$ 189per person
Kaikoura: Whale Watching Boat Tour & Sperm Whale Encounters
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Travelers' pick
Kaikoura: Whale Watching Boat Tour & Sperm Whale EncountersWhale watching boat tour in Kaikoura with 95% success rate and 80% refund guarantee. See sperm whales year-round on catamarans with experienced guides.
3,055 reviews
4.47★
Duration
3h 30m
start times · Every day
3
Live guide ENFree cancellationfromNZ$ 179per person
Shotover River Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown: 360° spins through river canyons
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Travelers' pick
Shotover River Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown: 360° spins through river canyons25-minute jet boat ride through Shotover River canyons with 360° spins and high-speed manoeuvres. Professional drivers navigate waters only Shotover Jet can access.
2,902 reviews
4.84★
Duration
25m
start times · Every day
24
Live guide ENPickup optionalFree cancellationfromNZ$ 204per person
Milford Sound: Premium Small Group Tour & Cruise from Queenstown
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Travelers' pick
Milford Sound: Premium Small Group Tour & Cruise from QueenstownMilford Sound day trip from Queenstown with 1hr 45min cruise, picnic lunch & photo stops. Groups capped at 15, Mercedes van with WiFi. Around 13 hours door to door.
2,677 reviews
4.90★
Duration
13h
start times · Every day
3
Live guide ENHotel pickupFree cancellationfromNZ$ 419per person
Akaroa Dolphins & Seals: 2-Hour Harbour Cruise with Wine
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★Top rated
Akaroa Dolphins & Seals: 2-Hour Harbour Cruise with Wine2-hour dolphin & seal cruise in Akaroa Harbour with complimentary wine, homemade treats & DOC permit. Small groups, high sighting success rate.
2,293 reviews
4.96★
Duration
2h
start times · Every day
3
Live guide ENFree cancellationfromNZ$ 140per person
Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly from Queenstown: Scenic Flight & Fiord
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Travelers' pick
Milford Sound Fly-Cruise-Fly from Queenstown: Scenic Flight & FiordFly over the Southern Alps to Milford Sound, cruise the fiord, and return by a different route. Includes hotel pickup, 2-hour cruise, and tea & coffee. Around 5 hours.
2,255 reviews
4.95★
Duration
4h 30m
start times · Every day
3
Live guide ENPickup optionalFree cancellationfromNZ$ 895per person
Milford Sound: 2-Hour Small Boat Cruise with Wildlife Views
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Travelers' pick
Milford Sound: 2-Hour Small Boat Cruise with Wildlife ViewsHear the thundering Bowen Falls, spot seals and dolphins, and cruise close to Mitre Peak on this 2-hour Milford Sound tour. Includes tea, coffee, and child-friendly options.
1,645 reviews
4.83★
Duration
2h
start times · Every day
4
Live guide ENFree cancellationfromNZ$ 179per person
Queenstown: Lake Wakatipu 90-Minute Scenic Cruise & Remarkables
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Travelers' pick
Queenstown: Lake Wakatipu 90-Minute Scenic Cruise & Remarkables90-minute Lake Wakatipu cruise from Queenstown with views of The Remarkables, Kawarau Falls, and lakeside homes. Live captain commentary, licensed bar, daily departures.
1,588 reviews
4.76★
Duration
1h 30m
start times · Every day
3
Live guide ENFree cancellationfromNZ$ 79per person
Lord of the Rings tour Queenstown: Film locations with costumes
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Travelers' pick
Lord of the Rings tour Queenstown: Film locations with costumesVisit Lord of the Rings filming locations across Mt Aspiring National Park from Queenstown in a small group with a local guide.
1,538 reviews
4.94★
Duration
4h 30m
start times · Every day
2
Live guide ENFree cancellationfromNZ$ 219per person
Tandem Skydiving Queenstown: Freefall Over Mountains & Lakes
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Travelers' pick
Tandem Skydiving Queenstown: Freefall Over Mountains & LakesTandem skydive above Queenstown's Wakatipu basin with a certified Tandem Master: 60 seconds of freefall at terminal velocity.
1,479 reviews
4.71★
Duration
3h 30m
start times · Every day
15
Live guide EN · ZHFree cancellationfromNZ$ 379per person
Lake Wakatipu Cruise & Walter Peak Farm: Gourmet BBQ Lunch
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Travelers' pick
Lake Wakatipu Cruise & Walter Peak Farm: Gourmet BBQ LunchCruise Lake Wakatipu on a vintage steamship or modern catamaran to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet BBQ lunch and live sheep-shearing demo.
1,399 reviews
4.77★
Duration
3h 30m
start times · Every day
2
Live guide ENFree cancellationfromNZ$ 175per person
Milford Sound day tour: Fiordland cruise & scenic drive
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Travelers' pick
Milford Sound day tour: Fiordland cruise & scenic driveJoin a 9-hour guided tour from Te Anau along the Milford Road with 15 photo stops, then cruise Milford Sound to see waterfalls.
1,329 reviews
4.96★
Duration
9h 30m
start times · Every day
2
Live guide ENPickup optionalFree cancellationfromNZ$ 315per person
Queenstown Segway Tour: Lake Wakatipu & Gardens
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Travelers' pick
Queenstown Segway Tour: Lake Wakatipu & GardensRide a Segway around Lake Wakatipu and through Queenstown Gardens on a small-group tour with a live guide. Choose 1 hour or 2 hours, departures throughout the day.
1,296 reviews
4.94★
Duration
2h
start times · Every day
8
Live guide EN · ZHFree cancellationfromNZ$ 99per person
Te Anau Glowworm Caves Tour: Lake cruise and underground caves
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Travelers' pick
Te Anau Glowworm Caves Tour: Lake cruise and underground cavesCruise Lake Te Anau to the glowworm caves on the western shore, then drift in darkness beneath thousands of luminous glowworms in the underground cavern.
1,150 reviews
4.52★
Duration
2h 15m
start times · Every day
11
Live guide ENFree cancellationfromNZ$ 129per person
Queenstown: Zipline Adventure Tour & Skyline Gondola Views
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Travelers' pick
Queenstown: Zipline Adventure Tour & Skyline Gondola ViewsFeel your heart race on a Queenstown zipline tour, soaring above Lake Wakatipu with expert guides. Includes all gear and winter extras. Book your spot easily.
1,031 reviews
4.85★
Duration
2h
start times · Every day
30
Live guide ENFree cancellationfromNZ$ 129per person
Milford Sound: Small Group Cruise & Picnic Lunch from Te Anau
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Milford Sound: Small Group Cruise & Picnic Lunch from Te AnauStart in Te Anau, travel through Fiordland’s valleys and lakes, cruise Milford Sound with a local guide, and enjoy a picnic lunch, pickup included.
998 reviews
4.94★
Duration
7h
start times · Every day
2
Live guide ENPickup optionalFree cancellationfromNZ$ 319per person
Dunedin: Taieri Gorge Railway 5-Hour Scenic Train Journey
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Travelers' pick
Dunedin: Taieri Gorge Railway 5-Hour Scenic Train JourneyHeritage train journey through 10 tunnels and 12 viaducts, including Wingatui Viaduct. Live commentary, onboard café, and walk across Deep Stream Bridge from Dunedin.
993 reviews
4.51★
Duration
5h
Every day
09:30
Live guide ENInstant confirmationfromNZ$ 169per person
Christchurch Hop-On Hop-Off Tram: 18 stops, all day
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Best value
Christchurch Hop-On Hop-Off Tram: 18 stops, all dayRide the Christchurch Tram on a newly extended track with live driver commentary, hop off at 18 stops around the inner city.
987 reviews
4.55★
Duration
1d
Every day
10:00
Live guide ENFree cancellationfromNZ$ 42per person
Milford Sound Day Trip from Queenstown: Coach & Cruise
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Travelers' pick
Milford Sound Day Trip from Queenstown: Coach & CruiseFull-day coach and cruise from Queenstown to Milford Sound with guided stops, lunch and two-hour fiord cruise. Around 12 hours, small groups.
983 reviews
4.70★
Duration
12h
start times · Every day
4
Live guide ENPickup optionalFree cancellationfromNZ$ 275per person
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