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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Had a wonderful time in New Zealand on this tour. The days were jam packed and well organized. A huge variety of activities including city tours, boat rides, wine tasting and adventure.
14 Days Best of New Zealand, Auckland, Christchurch & QueenstownI really enjoyed a taste of New Zealand’s South Island. The tour guide made alternative sightseeing options based on the weather forecast so we could make the most out of the day and not be disappointed by going to a lookout area where the view would be covered by cloud or fog. He was very upfront on day 1’s briefing that some activities and sightseeing locations were heavily weather dependent and we should work with the situation
Southern Crossing - Small Group Tour5-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
Traveler Photos & Videos from New Zealand South Island tours
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- Big South
- Discover New Zealand
- New Zealand South Island Express (10 destinations)
- 14 Days Best of New Zealand, Auckland, Christchurch & Queenstown
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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
14 Days Best of New Zealand, Auckland, Christchurch & Queenstown
“A huge variety of activities including city tours, boat rides, wine tasting and adventure.”
Allison, traveled in December
South Island's treasures unfold from Christchurch's Hagley Park to Queenstown's Lake Wakatipu. The TranzAlpine train winds through Southern Alps to Arthur's Pass National Park, followed by a Milford Sound cruise. Accommodations include Terra Vive Apartments and Ramada Suites by Wyndham.
Duration 14 days Destinations Auckland, Hobbiton Movie Set, Rotorua, Te Puia, Christchurch, Springfield, Arthur's Pass National Park, Queenstown, Arrowtown, Kawarau GorgeSee all destinations Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Travel Made Easy Pty Ltd From
- US$4,452
Southern Crossing - Small Group Tour
“Excellent south islamf tour going to the main spots!”
Nicolas, traveled in November
South Island's varied terrain stretches from Christchurch's urban art to Franz Josef's glaciers. Accommodations include Rainforest Retreat, Hawea Hotel, and Nomads Queenstown while taking in Arthur's Pass gorges, Milford Sound fjords, and Lake Tekapo's lupins.
Duration 8 days Destinations Christchurch, Arthur's Pass National Park, Castle Hill Peak, Franz Josef, Wanaka, Queenstown, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Lake Tekapo Age Range Ages 18-49 Operator Kiwi Experience From $1,161
10% Off- US$1,044
Southern Voyager
“Overall excellent tour, fantastic tour guide, great recommendations and overall great care provided.”
Akhil, traveled in April
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 $1,153
10% Off- US$1,038+$173 upfront costs
Duration 19 days Destinations Auckland, Matamata, Murupara, Taupo, Napier, Wellington, Picton, Nelson, Kaiteriteri, Abel Tasman National ParkSee all destinations Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Explore! From
10% Off- US$9,310
The Gumboot Tour
“The atmosphere on the trip was wonderful - everyone mixing and having fun together.”
Susan, traveled in March
Duration 12 days Destinations Christchurch, Kaikoura, Abel Tasman National Park, Westport, Hokitika, Franz Josef, Wanaka, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Lake Tekapo Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Kiwi Experience From
10% Off- US$1,119
Queenstown Southern Loop
“The van had a broken seat belt attachment with a sharp edge which ruined a down jacket I had bought for the trip.”
Susan, traveled in October
Remote corners of the South Island stretch from Milford Sound's glacier-carved fiords to The Catlins' McLean Falls. A Stewart Island ferry crossing leads to Rakiura National Park walks and wildlife viewing at Nugget Point.
Duration 6 days Destinations Queenstown, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Stewart Island Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From $2,940
20% Off- US$2,352
New Zealand: Sweet As South (Westbound)
“Get more money for activities you will not regret.”
Jinyoung, traveled in January
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, Haast, Wanaka, Queenstown, Cardrona, Milford Sound, Te Anau, ArrowtownSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18-35 Operator Contiki From $1,825
26% Off- US$1,346
Travel New Zealand South Island your way
More travel styles:
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
Who are you traveling with?
Top New Zealand South Island travel itineraries to fit your plans
Demographics
Solo Travelers117 tours- Couples77 tours
- Young Adults (18 - 39)34 tours
- Seniors (50+)55 tours
Best time to visit New Zealand South Island
- 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.
- popular 45 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.
- 66 tours
- 87 tours
- popular 94 tours
- Winter 2026 / 2027
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.
- 94 tours
- 101 tours
- popular 105 tours
- Spring 2027
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 100 tours
- 78 tours
- 51 tours
Contact our New Zealand South Island travel experts
Kaitlyn
Expert in New Zealand South Island at TourRadar
Kaitlyn 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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