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.
Excellent
- Choose from 200+ New Zealand South Island tours
- 1,900+ verified reviews from TourRadar travelers
- 24/7 customer support
- T
Trevor • traveled in February, 2026
Heads up: I joined this tour of the South Island having come direct from a tour of the North Island with GAdventures. My review will reflect the comparison between the two as well as the overall Intrepid tour
New Zealand South Island Express
Traveler Photos & Videos from New Zealand South Island tours
14 Days Best of New Zealand, Auckland, Christchurch & Queenstown
Allison
New Zealand South Island ExpressElizabeth
RDRebecca
New Zealand: South Island Encompassed
MGMONICA
Journeys: Discover New Zealand National Geographic Journeys
Discover New ZealandCharles
ABAdam
NEW ZEALAND – 10 Days Highlights of North and South Islands
NZ Adventure 17 DayDanielle
SRShanaya
Big South
GCGeorge
NZ Intro 17 Day
MSMolly
Southern Voyager
LKLauren
9 Day 'Kaka' South Island Select Tour
NZ Adventure SouthJoe
AAnna
Southern Loop
CECelyn
NZ Intro South
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
New Zealand South Island Express
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The trip was memorable. Callum had to fix some hickups, but overall it was a fantastic experience.”
susan, traveled in October
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
20% Off- US$1,416You save $354
Journeys: Discover New Zealand National Geographic Journeys
9 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Great stops with lots of information and photo opportunities.”
Kathleen, traveled in March
The scenic TranzAlpine railway launches South Island adventures featuring Franz Josef Glacier visits and Fiordland National Park cruising. Comfortable hotels host guests discovering Lake Matheson reflections, Queenstown adventures, and Southern Alps vistas from Bob's Peak gondola.
Duration 12 days Destinations Auckland, Rotorua, Christchurch, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Fiordland National Park Age Range Ages 12+ Operator National Geographic Expeditions with G Adventures From $6,419
20% Off- US$5,135You save $1,284
New Zealand: Sweet As South (Westbound)
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“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, Queenstown, Haast, Wanaka, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, ManapouriSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18-35 Operator Contiki From $1,395
10% Off- US$1,256You save $140
Discover New Zealand
18 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“An amazing trip, it was so much more than we expected and was good value. Every day was special.”
Sheila, traveled in April
The majestic South Island unfolds from Picton to Christchurch with its diverse landscapes. Abel Tasman coastal walk, Fox Glacier valley, and overnight Milford Sound cruise stand out. Quality stays at Heartland Fox Glacier and Wanaka Hotel enhance the trip.
Duration 18 days Destinations Auckland, Rangitoto Island, Rotorua, Tongariro National Park, Wellington, Picton, Nelson, Motueka, Marahau, Abel Tasman National ParkSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From
10% Off- US$11,100
New Zealand: South Island Encompassed
26 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Worth the price, great itinerary. Summer made sure we have alternative options and activities.”
Krisztina, traveled in November
The South Island unfolds from glaciers to fjords, featuring Franz Josef, Milford Sound cruising, and Queenstown's adventures. Unique accommodations include wilderness lodges and Christchurch's converted jail during this 16-day journey with most meals included.
Duration 16 days Destinations Wellington, Abel Tasman National Park, Westport, Paparoa National Park, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Te Anau, Christchurch, KaikouraSee all destinations Age Range Ages 18-39 Operator G Adventures From $2,999
25% Off- US$2,249You save $750
NZ Adventure 17 Day
47 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Literally my third intro tour, I love the company it's so well organised.”
Emily, traveled in January
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
25% Off- US$3,199
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
25% Off- US$2,595
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 Travelers108 tours- Couples67 tours
- Young Adults (18 - 39)31 tours
- Seniors (50+)48 tours
Best time to visit New Zealand South Island
- 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 73 tours
- 67 tours
- 50 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.
- 41 tours
- popular 45 tours
- 44 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.
- 62 tours
- 76 tours
- popular 87 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.
- 82 tours
- popular 83 tours
- 81 tours
Contact our New Zealand South Island travel experts
Nadine
Expert in New Zealand South Island at TourRadar
Nadine 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!
- Choose from 213+ New Zealand South Island tours
- 1,931 verified reviews by TourRadar customers
- 24/7 customer support
Call us
+1 844 311 8331