Shore Excursions in South Island

Travel from Akaroa Harbour on a 6.5-hour shore excursion through the Banks Peninsula to Christchurch, whose city center was devastated by the 2011 earthquake. Drive past city landmarks in the old CBD and stroll the Christchurch Botanic Gardens with a knowledgeable guide. En route, you'll take in the scenic splendor of the Southern Alps and the Canterbury Region, including Little River, Lake Forsyth and Lake Ellesmere.

See the central sights of Dunedin and visit the Olveston Historic Home on a shore excursion of Dunedin attractions. When your ship pulls into port, a professional guide escorts you through the city by coach. View the University of Otago, Dunedin Botanic Garden and stately historic buildings before a 1-hour guided tour of Olveston, which includes the mansion and its landscaped gardens.

Board the Taieri Gorge Railway for a legendary trip on this train-lover's shore excursion from Dunedin, which includes a 2-hour sightseeing tour by coach. You'll journey by rail through stunning scenery surrounding the Taieri River, passing over century-old viaducts. Then see Otago University, the Dunedin Botanical Gardens, stately homes and other historical sites of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula before you're returned to the Dunedin port.

Swap the cruise port for the Dunedin countryside on a half-day shore excursion that includes the Otago Peninsula. Your sightseeing tour covers highlights of the city center such as the Dunedin Railway Station, then travels to several village suburbs, stopping en route at scenic lookouts and for a beachside view of basking sea lions. Enjoy the personalized attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to 19 people.

When your ship pulls into port, board the Marlborough Flyer, a restored heritage steam train, and see two towns in one day. Follow your guide on a scenic rail journey between Picton and Blenheim, where you'll have free time to explore Marlborough attractions - or sample regional wine - at your leisure. Shuttle and round-trip train fare included.

When your cruise ship docks in Akaroa, take a shore excursion to Christchurch for a sightseeing tour, followed by an adrenaline-charged jet-boat ride on the Waimak River. Escorted by a knowledgeable guide, you'll combine a drive through the Banks Peninsula with the city landmarks of Christchurch and an exhilarating jet-boat ride. Round-trip port transport is included.

Explore Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula on a full-day shore excursion that includes Larnach Castle & Gardens and Speight's Brewery, two of the region's top destinations. With an experienced guide to lead the way, you'll discover the fascinating city of Dunedin, step back in time at New Zealand's only castle, then visit a historic working brewery with deep southern roots. This 6.5-hour tour includes all entrance fees and guided tours, as well as pickup and drop-off at Port Chalmers.

When your ship pulls into port, relax on a sightseeing tour of Dunedin and take in the magnificent scenery of the Otago Peninsula by rail. Start your shore excursion with a guided 1-hour tour of the Olveston Historic Home, a 35-room mansion with fine art and furnishings. Then soak up the views of the Pacific Ocean during a 1.5-hour round-trip train journey. See the city highlights on an afternoon coach tour including steep Baldwin Street and St Clair Beach.

Maximise your time in port in Akaroa with a 6-hour shore excursion to Christchurch and take in the highlights of the Garden City. Admire city landmarks such as Christchurch Cathedral, enjoy lunch (own expense) at a riverside restaurant, then choose one of three tour options (for an added fee): a punting cruise along the Avon River, a tour of the Botanic Gardens, or a ride on the Christchurch City Tram.

Combine a tour of Marlborough wine country with a visit to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Museum, with round-trip transportation in between, during this 5-hour shore excursion from Picton. Wine tasting, all entrance fees, and round-trip transportation from the cruise port are included. This small-group tour ensures personalized attention and an intimate experience.

This Akaroa shore excursion takes you sightseeing in Christchurch via a scenic drive through the Banks Peninsula. See the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and other city highlights before a visit to the International Antarctic Centre, Christchurch's top attraction. Feel arctic winds at the Snow and Ice Experience and observe New Zealand wildlife at the Penguin Encounter. Finish with an all-terrain adventure on a thrilling ride by amphibious Hagglund vehicle.

Swap the cruise port for a Marlborough wine tour on this shore excursion to a half dozen boutique wineries or more. When your ship pulls into Picton, travel by minivan through this notable wine region in the South Island, sipping award-winning New Zealand wines and sampling delectable chocolates. Opt for extra time to taste wine and purchase a seasonal gourmet lunch on this small-group tour, limited to 11 people for an intimate experience.

Make the most of your time at port in Dunedin with one of these customizable Dunedin shore excursions. Get your bearings at your own pace with a Hop-on, Hop-off bus tour, or choose between outings to Larnach Castle and Gardens and the magnificent Taieri Gorge Railway. If desired, the shore excursions can be combined with some of Dunedin's top sites, including Cadbury World Dunedin, Speight's Brewery, or the Olveston Historic Home. All shore excursions include pickup and drop-off at Port Chalmers.

Spend time at the EcoWorld Aquarium & Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre when your cruise ship pulls into port in Picton. You'll see ancient reptiles called tuataras and get acquainted with little blue penguins rescued from the Marlborough Sounds. On-site staff take you behind the scenes to discover New Zealand's conservation in action.

When your cruise ship docks in Dunedin, take a full-day excursion that combines two South Isalnd highlights: a scenic round-trip ride on the Taieri Gorge Railway, and an afternoon tour of the Otago Peninsula. The train steams from Dunedin to Pukerangi, passing through Taieri Plains and Taieri Gorge, and stopping en route for photo ops. Then dig your toes into the sand of Otago's beaches and keep a lookout for marine wildlife.

Visit the historic city of Christchurch on a full-day trip from Akaroa Wharf. With drop-off at a location in the heart of Christchurch, you'll have three hours of independent time to explore Christchurch on your own: visit the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, book a boat ride on the Avon River, or just browse the shops in the city center. This full-day Christchurch excursion includes pickup and drop-off at the port in Akaroa Wharf, and it's a convenient way to add New Zealand's "Garden City" to your time at Akaroa Wharf.

Spend a few hours at Lochmara in the Queen Charlotte Sound. Enjoy a 15 minute cruise over to Lochmara and choose from an array of activities, including a self guided walk around our 11 acre property with interpretation panels on the native flora and fauna, for those fit walkers we have a 3.5 km access track to the Queen Charlotte track, and join a guided tour of the "Underwater Observatory - see below the sea without getting wet" The only one of its kind in the top of the South Island.Free us of kayaks and paddle boards.

This 6-hour Akaroa shore excursion takes you on a scenic journey into Christchurch via the Banks Peninsula with a visit to the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Your tour of the 'Garden City' includes a stroll through the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and a look at earthquake recovery efforts in the city center. You'll find exotic critters such as wallabies, gibbons and lemurs at the wildlife reserve, and meet the elusive but iconic kiwi, New Zealand's national bird.

Dunedin is a city full of culture and history and also conveniently close to wildlife reserves and unspoilt nature. See both sides of the city in one day on this small-group tour. Take in the central sights, such as the Railway Station and the steepest street in the world, Baldwin Street. Stroll through the manicured gardens of Larnach Castle on the way to the Otago Peninsula, home to albatross, seals, penguins, and sea lions.

Combine top Dunedin experiences into a single day of sightseeing on a Port Chalmers shore excursion that includes a city tour, Larnach Castle, and a 90-minute ride on a coastal train through the scenic Otago Peninsula. A flexible mix of guided and independent activities gives you the best of both worlds: you'll get a fascinating, guided introduction to Dunedin highlights, but enjoy the freedom to explore on your own.