New Zealand South Island Tours & Trips
It's time to take a boat through the famous Waitomo glowworm caves, where thousands of tiny lights make a living starry sky. Remember to visit the real Hobbiton film set, where Middle-earth comes to life. See New Zealand's amazing volcanic landscapes and roaring waterfalls, get a taste of real Maori culture in a traditional village, and sail across beautiful Lake Taupo. New Zealand is calling you.
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Gonzalo • traveled in January, 2026
5-star trip! The itinerary is excellent and very well planned with different activities for everyone. The guide has extensive knowledge of New Zealand, including places to eat or drink in the different towns, and also knows the history of the places. I highly recommend it.
Southern Voyager - E
Edith • traveled in April, 2025
Excellent service and very responsible
NEW ZEALAND – 10 Days Highlights of North and South Islands - S
Sue • traveled in January, 2026
The trip was excellent for adventure activities.
New Zealand West Coast Adventure
Traveler Photos & Videos from New Zealand South Island tours
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Table of contents
- The best New Zealand South Island tour packages
- Travel New Zealand South Island your way
- Best tour companies for New Zealand South Island tours
- Popular New Zealand South Island Cruise Ships
- Discover New Zealand South Island tours for every budget
- New Zealand South Island tours for every type of group
- Top New Zealand South Island travel itineraries to fit your plans
- Demographics
- Best time to visit New Zealand South Island
- Contact our New Zealand South Island travel experts
The best New Zealand South Island tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaNew Zealand South Island travel expert at TourRadar
Southern Voyager
110 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The itinerary is excellent and very well planned with different activities for everyone.”
Gonzalo, traveled in January
Seven days of South Island wonders stretch from Lake Tekapo's starlit skies to Milford Sound's dramatic fiords. Queenstown's adventure hub, Franz Josef's glaciers, and Mount Cook's alpine terrain await, with centrally located hostels rated 4+ out of 5.
Duration 7 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Franz Josef Age Range Ages 18-39 Operator Wild Kiwi From
- US$1,177+$176 upfront costs
NEW ZEALAND – 10 Days Highlights of North and South Islands
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Excellent service and very responsible.”
Edith, traveled in April
South Island unfolds from Queenstown's Lake Wakatipu to Franz Josef Glacier. The route includes Milford Sound cruise, Mount Cook National Park visit, and TranzAlpine train through Southern Alps. Highlights include guided walks, wildlife spotting, and alpine landscapes.
Duration 10 days Destinations Auckland, Rotorua, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Franz Josef, Christchurch Age Range Ages 8+ Operator Bucket List Group Travel LLC From
- US$3,990
New Zealand South Island Express
8 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tour was excellent, a very good itinerary, and the commentary on the road was very good.”
Hilda, traveled in March
Iconic landscapes unfold across 9 days, rated 4.3/5 by travelers. Social hostels provide bases for Lake Tekapo's dark skies, Queenstown's adventures, and Franz Josef's glaciers. Local guide, transport, and 7 breakfasts included.
Duration 9 days Destinations Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Kawarau Gorge, Milford Sound, Arrowtown, Wanaka, Lake Wanaka, Franz Josef, Lake HaweaSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Intrepid Travel From $1,770
30% Off- US$1,239You save $531
9 Day 'Kaka' South Island Select Tour
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The whole trip had such a good balance of included activities and optional extras, so you could make the experience your own.”
Lauren, traveled in November
Arthur's Pass launches this journey through South Island's highlights. Hooker Valley treks, Milford Sound cruises, and Franz Josef Glacier walks await. Hokitika Beachfront Hotel and Mercure Queenstown host guests, with TranzAlpine train journey included.
Duration 9 days Destinations Christchurch, Hokitika, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Mount Cook Age Range Ages 12+ Operator Stray Travel From
30% Off- US$2,524
New Zealand West Coast Adventure
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Had a great time during first visit to South Island, fantastic choice of places to see and experience.”
Agata, traveled in January
Western treasures of the South Island stretch from Hanmer Springs to Wanaka. Punakaiki's ancient Pancake Rocks, Fox Glacier region's Lake Matheson, and Okarito Lagoon's bird sanctuary dominate seven days of adventures, while historic Reefton and coastal Kumara showcase local culture.
Duration 7 days Destinations Christchurch, Westport, Punakaiki, Kumara, Hokitika, Okarito, Fox Glacier, Franz Josef, Wanaka, Queenstown Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From $2,590
10% Off- US$2,331You save $259
New Zealand: Sweet As South (Westbound)
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great experience for this tour.. would rate this as 5stars.. made new friends along the way.”
Nigel, traveled in February
Heli-rides soar over Franz Josef Glacier while Queenstown pulses with adventure sports and Milford Sound welcomes cruisers. Lake Ōhau Lodge offers Mt. Cook views, historic Arrowtown charms visitors, and Hokitika's greenstone workshops showcase Māori culture.
Duration 9 days Destinations Christchurch, Hokitika, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Haast, Wanaka, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, ManapouriSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18-35 Operator Contiki From $1,634
26% Off- US$1,210You save $424
NZ Adventure 17 Day
46 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The perfect combination of natural beauty, adventurous activities, and making memories with the group.”
Grace, traveled in March
The South Island reveals its beauty from Christchurch to Queenstown. Mount Cook's Hooker Valley track beckons hikers, while Lake Wanaka offers kayaking adventures and Milford Sound showcases majestic fjords. Jet boating thrills and Southern Alps views complement included accommodation and internal flights.
Duration 17 days Destinations Auckland, Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington, Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Wanaka, Milford Sound, Queenstown Age Range Ages 18-45 Operator INTRO Travel From
26% Off- US$2,999
Travel New Zealand South Island your way
More travel styles:
Best tour companies for New Zealand South Island tours
G Adventures and Haka Tours get a lot of praise from our travelers, particularly for their excellent guides. Let me tell you about a few standouts: Summer from G Adventures has made quite an impression - travelers keep mentioning how her enthusiasm rubs off on everyone and she's great at making sure nobody feels left out of the group. Over at Haka Tours, Mike (who goes by Hygi) really knows his stuff about New Zealand. He puts together solid itineraries and you can tell he genuinely loves showing off his country. Our travelers mention how he strikes that nice balance between being organized and keeping things fun. Wild Kiwi does things a bit differently with smaller groups, and their guides Tolan, Robbie and also Mark get mentioned often in the feedback. What makes them special is how they can adjust the day's plans based on what the group wants to do - it's not just following a rigid schedule. The personal touch from these guides seems to make a real difference - it's not just about getting from A to B, but creating an experience where everyone feels part of the group. That's what keeps coming up in the feedback we get from people who've traveled with these companies.
Popular New Zealand South Island Cruise Ships
Discover New Zealand South Island tours for every budget
New Zealand South Island tours for every type of group
Who are you traveling with?
Top New Zealand South Island travel itineraries to fit your plans
Demographics
Solo Travelers117 tours- Couples70 tours
- Young Adults (18 - 39)29 tours
- Seniors (50+)48 tours
Best time to visit New Zealand South Island
- Winter 2025 / 2026
The South Island really comes into its own during winter, with photography opportunities around every corner. Our ski and snowboard tours run from June through October in the Southern Alps, and they're actually quite flexible - you can still do all the usual activities too. When you're in Queenstown with our small groups, you'll get proper time to enjoy The Remarkables or Coronet Peak slopes before heading to Gibbston Valley for wine tasting. What works really well is how some tours mix winter sports with local culture; many travelers spend their mornings on the Franz Josef glacier and then learn pounamu carving techniques in the afternoon. The TranzAlpine train journey across Arthur's Pass is particularly good in winter - TourRadar customers often tell us how much they love sitting in the warm viewing carriage while snow-covered peaks roll by.
- 50 tours
- popular 87 tours
- Spring 2026
Spring tours between September and November hit that sweet spot where outdoor activities and wildlife watching come together nicely. Starting from Christchurch when the botanical gardens are in full bloom, the routes head up to Kaikoura where albatross, petrels and also shearwaters return for breeding season. Milford Sound cruises are actually at their best in spring - the waterfalls get really powerful from all that melting snow. Over in Abel Tasman, the coastal tracks dry out nicely, and our travelers regularly spot new seal pups along the shoreline. The Mt Cook National Park multi-day trips work particularly well in spring; you can walk the Hooker Valley without bumping into summer crowds, plus there's still enough snow on the peaks to make those photos look extra special.
- popular 102 tours
- 79 tours
- 52 tours
- Summer 2026
The South Island's summer tours hit their sweet spot with perfectly orchestrated activities and experiences. Comprehensive 17-21 day circuits from Christchurch blend cultural moments with outdoor activities, giving you the chance to learn pounamu carving in Franz Josef when workshops buzz with energy, and glide across Lake Wanaka's mirror-like waters with mountain backdrops. Multi-day hiking tours through Fiordland National Park pair cycling to Queens Reach with Milford Track walks, where you're likely to spot bottlenose dolphins and fur seals during boat passages. TourRadar customers tell us how summer's extended daylight hours let them fit more into each day naturally. The 10-day routes offer a nice mix of guided activities and solo exploration, from morning walks around Lake Wanaka to capturing the famous lake tree and also driving through Haast Pass during alpine flower season. Photographers find perfect conditions at Lake Matheson for Mount Cook reflections, with opportunities to meet native greenstone artisans along the West Coast as well.
- 45 tours
- popular 47 tours
- 46 tours
- Fall / Autumn 2026
South Island autumn tours reach their peak during March through May, with outstanding photo spots along Otago's cycling paths and adaptable scheduling around weather conditions. Our travelers find that 2-3 weeks gives them the perfect window to explore in this quieter season, when fall colors paint the landscapes in rich hues. The multi-day tours blend cycling adventures through old railway tunnels and across wooden trestle bridges, plus cultural activities like crafting pounamu pendants in Franz Josef. With longer itineraries, you can take your time at key locations - capturing morning reflections at Lake Wanaka and driving through Haast Pass when autumn colors peak. Our customers typically choose tours mixing active components with cultural elements, combining glacier walks with greenstone workshop visits and staying in distinctive places like converted jailhouses, historic buildings and lakeside lodges. As temperatures cool the hiking trails in autumn, our small groups of up to 16 people can adjust their pace, finding the best light for photos and lingering at scenic spots like Lake Matheson.
- 64 tours
- 80 tours
- popular 92 tours
Contact our New Zealand South Island travel experts
Claire
Expert in New Zealand South Island at TourRadar
Claire is one of our seasoned New Zealand South Island Travel Experts. Reach out to us to get all your questions about New Zealand South Island tours answered!
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