Day Trips & Excursions in South Island

Leave bustling Queenstown behind for the scenic beauty of Skippers Canyon on a half-day 4WD tour of the historic gorge. An experienced guide traverses Gorge Road and follows an old mining route toward Coronet Peak and into Skippers Canyon for outstanding views over the Wakatipu Basin and the Shotover River. Enjoy short walks and stop for scrumptious morning or afternoon tea including chilled wine, cookies and homemade cheese.

Ride the Taieri Gorge Railway on a 4-hour round-trip route from Dunedin to Pukerangi, and take a guided tour of the Otago Peninsula by minivan in the afternoon. The train steams through vivid South Island landscapes including the Taieri Plains and Taieri Gorge, stopping en route for photo ops plus a leg stretch in Pukerangi. Then dig your toes in the sand at Otago's gorgeous beaches and keep a lookout for oceanic wildlife. Upgrade to include a gourmet boxed lunch.

Surround yourself with the snow-capped peaks of Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain, on this day trip from Christchurch. Travel by coach past the foothills of the Southern Alps to the Canterbury Plains and the MacKenzie Basin; stop at Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukari; and enjoy views of Tasman Glacier. Enjoy lunch at the Hermitage Hotel in UNESCO-listed Mt Cook/Aoraki National Park. Includes round-trip hotel transport by coach with morning and afternoon tea.

Swap Queenstown for Aoraki/Mt Cook on a one-way coach tour through the spectacular South Island countryside. The 4.5-hour journey north passes lush farmland and follows the winding Kawarau Gorge to Central Otago then over Lindis Pass and into the Mackenzie Basin. You'll skirt the shores of Lake Pukaki where you can set eyes upon Mt Cook, New Zealand's tallest mountain. Opt for a three-course lunch at the Hermitage Hotel in Mount Cook Village before hotel drop-off.

Visit four boutique wineries of North Canterbury on a half-day wine-tasting tour with optional lunch. Departing Christchurch, you'll taste a quality selection of wines in the up-and-coming Waipara wine region, including stops at Pegasus Bay, Waipara Hills, Torlesse Wines and Waipara Springs. Learn from a knowledgeable guide about Waipara's unique terroir as you sip a range of superior reds and whites.

Escape the crowds of Milford Sound as you cruise through the popular glacier-carved fjord on a full-day excursion, round-trip from Te Anau. The 1.5-hour Milford Sound morning boat trip glides past stunning sights like Mitre Peak, situated in the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park. En route, stop for short walks at scenic spots like Mirror Lakes and the Chasm. Enjoy small-group transport by mini-coach, limited to 33 people, which ensures personalized attention from your guide. Includes lunch plus hotel pickup and drop-off.

Take a scenic round-trip through the wilds of New Zealand's South Island on this 4-hour Taieri Gorge railway journey from Dunedin. Depart from downtown Dunedin's attractive railway station and head deep into the Taieri Gorge by train. Gaze out over ever-changing corners of the New Zealand countryside inaccessible by road. With informative and entertaining live commentary on board, gain insight into the railway's construction and the challenges faced by the engineers. Enjoy sightseeing stops on route and discover top attractions around Dunedin.

The original since 1975 and still the best! Four hours of unique New Zealand wilderness adventure in the vast Mount Aspiring National Park. Experience a true New Zealand wilderness adventure. Fly, Walk, and Jet boat through New Zealand's most spectacular alpine environment on an adventure like no other.

This one-way coach trip to Wanaka departs Christchurch in the morning, stopping for free time in Mount Cook village along the way. Enjoy fully narrated sightseeing as you skirt Otago's Canterbury Plains, travel across Burkes Pass and the Mackenzie Basin, visit Lake Tekapo, and enjoy tea breaks in small farming townships. Marvel at the grandeur of UNESCO-listed Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, a South Island highlight of the Southern Alps. Opt for lunch and, if you'd like, take a helicopter or ski-plane flight (own expense).

Travel by TranzAlpine railway to Arthur's Pass National Park, riding across the Canterbury Plains, then winding through Waimakariri Gorge and into the heart of the Southern Alps on this day trip from Christchurch. An informative guide takes you on a minivan tour of Arthur's Pass, including short rainforest walks past rivers to mountain vistas at Castle Hill. Enjoy a hotel lunch and light refreshments before the return trip via Waimak Gorge. Small-group tour is limited to eight participants, ensuring a more personalized experience.

A Milford Sound scenic flight over the Southern Alps back to Queenstown completes this full-day tour by land, sea and sky. Before your 1-hour and 45-minute cruise, travel by coach to the UNESCO-listed Fiordland National Park, stopping at the Mirror Lakes. You'll see the world-famous fiord, including Mitre Peak, and other natural glories from the water, then get a bird's-eye view from the air that will take your breath away.

Cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm aboard the SS "˜Earnslaw,' a vintage steamship. Stroll the lakeside gardens to the Colonel's Homestead for traditional morning or afternoon tea and take a walking tour of the farm. You'll watch sheep dogs in action, see sheep shearing demonstrations and learn the time-honored art of spinning wool. Treat yourself to home-baked goods and alpine views of the Remarkables mountain range. Savour a delicious afternoon tea and an amble through lakeside gardens before heading back to Queenstown by boat.