Things to do over the New Year's Day long weekend in South Island (Updated 2026)

South Island, New Zealand
Queenstown to Te Anau via Milford Sound inc Cruise & Lunch

Embark on an unforgettable journey from Queenstown to Te Anau, discovering the majestic Milford Sound in comfort and style. Designed for travelers who value more …More

Embark on an unforgettable journey from Queenstown to Te Anau, discovering the majestic Milford Sound in comfort and style. Designed for travelers who value more...

10 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
5.0 (30)
from
$212
Queenstown Hydro Attack Shark Ride Adventure

A unique water adventure awaits you on Queenstown's stunning lake with our semi-submersible shark ride. Feel the rush as you reach speeds of 80 kph …More

Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

A unique water adventure awaits you on Queenstown's stunning lake with our semi-submersible shark ride. Feel the rush as you reach speeds of 80 kph...

15 minutes Free Cancellation
4.7 (20)
from
$114
Queenstown Helicopter Tour: Glacier Landing and Scenic Views

Take to the skies above Queenstown and land on a remote glacier blanketed in snow for a true alpine adventure. Experience the stunning vistas of …More

Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Take to the skies above Queenstown and land on a remote glacier blanketed in snow for a true alpine adventure. Experience the stunning vistas of...

50 minutes Free Cancellation
5.0 (18)
from
$513
Scenic 4WD Tour Lake Tekapo Backcountry

Explore Tekapo's backcountry wilderness on a Scenic 4WD Tour, offering private access into some of The Mackenzie's most beautiful High Country Stations. Discover the best …More

Explore Tekapo's backcountry wilderness on a Scenic 4WD Tour, offering private access into some of The Mackenzie's most beautiful High Country Stations. Discover the best...

3 hours Free Cancellation
4.9 (77)
from
$241
Monteith's Brewery Tour

JOIN THE BEER EXPERIENCE TOUR The Monteith’s Brewing Co Beer Experience is a walking, talking and tasting tour through the original home of Monteith’s. Join …More

JOIN THE BEER EXPERIENCE TOUR The Monteith’s Brewing Co Beer Experience is a walking, talking and tasting tour through the original home of Monteith’s. Join...

45 minutes Free Cancellation
4.5 (87)
from
$26
Full-Day Wine Gourmet and Scenic Delight Tour of Marlborough from Blenheim

Experience sensational wines, stunning landscapes and seriously delicious gourmet on this relaxing tour offering a full-day experience of the Marlborough wine region, right at the …More

Experience sensational wines, stunning landscapes and seriously delicious gourmet on this relaxing tour offering a full-day experience of the Marlborough wine region, right at the...

6 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
4.8 (22)
from
$187
Routeburn Guided Nature Trail - Half Day

Experience the natural beauty of the Glenorchy region on a relaxed half-day journey from Queenstown to the Routeburn Nature Loop. Travel alongside Lake Whakatipu through …More

Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Experience the natural beauty of the Glenorchy region on a relaxed half-day journey from Queenstown to the Routeburn Nature Loop. Travel alongside Lake Whakatipu through...

4 hours 30 minutes Free Cancellation
4.6 (16)
from
$162
Kaikōura Whale Watching and Scenic Landing - 1hr Premier Tour

Experience Kaikōura’s longest and most immersive helicopter whale watching tour. This one-hour adventure begins with an unforgettable aerial journey over the Kaikōura Whale Sanctuary and …More

Experience Kaikōura’s longest and most immersive helicopter whale watching tour. This one-hour adventure begins with an unforgettable aerial journey over the Kaikōura Whale Sanctuary and...

1 hour Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
5.0 (27)
from
$774
Kaikoura Whale Watch Day Tour from Christchurch

Experience the natural treasures of New Zealand on a whale-watching cruise from the picturesque town of Kaikoura. Look for the mighty Sperm Whales that live …More

Experience the natural treasures of New Zealand on a whale-watching cruise from the picturesque town of Kaikoura. Look for the mighty Sperm Whales that live...

11 hours Hotel pickup offered
4.6 (180)
from
$224
Mt Cook to Queenstown Small Group Tour (One-Way)

Mt Cook to Queenstown Small Group Tour, this fully-guided 1-way transfer allows you to travel in style while learning about all the highlights along the …More

Mt Cook to Queenstown Small Group Tour, this fully-guided 1-way transfer allows you to travel in style while learning about all the highlights along the...

4 to 5 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
4.7 (30)
from
$97
Franz Josef to Christchurch Small-Group Tour via Hokitika (1-way)

Travel from the wild beauty of the West Coast to the Garden City of Christchurch on this unforgettable small group, fully guided day trip. Journey …More

Travel from the wild beauty of the West Coast to the Garden City of Christchurch on this unforgettable small group, fully guided day trip. Journey...

12 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
4.9 (34)
from
$166
Half-Day Wine Tour from Blenheim

Enjoy an afternoon among the vines on this half-day wine tour from Blenheim. You will be collected and taken on a tour through the Marlborough …More

Enjoy an afternoon among the vines on this half-day wine tour from Blenheim. You will be collected and taken on a tour through the Marlborough...

3 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
4.7 (43)
from
$114
Wine trail and Christchurch City - Luxury, Small Group Tour

Discover Christchurch & Wine Country Explore Christchurch's vibrant city centre and renowned wine region on this intimate small-group tour. Admire the city's innovative architecture, street …More

Discover Christchurch & Wine Country Explore Christchurch's vibrant city centre and renowned wine region on this intimate small-group tour. Admire the city's innovative architecture, street...

5 to 7 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
5.0 (17)
from
$376
Lyttelton Shore Excursion: Christchurch Sightseeing with Jet Boating

Enjoy a city tour of Christchurch taking in not only the damage to the city by several earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 and the rebuild …More

Enjoy a city tour of Christchurch taking in not only the damage to the city by several earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 and the rebuild...

6 hours 30 minutes Free Cancellation
4.8 (37)
from
$141
Arrowtown and Wanaka Highlights Tour from Queenstown

Discover Wānaka, Arrowtown and the spectacular Crown Range on a relaxed small-group day tour from Queenstown. Travel with a knowledgeable local driver-guide through dramatic mountain …More

Discover Wānaka, Arrowtown and the spectacular Crown Range on a relaxed small-group day tour from Queenstown. Travel with a knowledgeable local driver-guide through dramatic mountain...

6 hours
4.9 (297)
from
$120
Otago Harbour Wildlife Cruise (Dunedin Shore Excursion)

Join us for an invigorating wildlife cruise experience. By the time you get back to your ship you’ll know why Dunedin is the Nature Capital …More

Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Join us for an invigorating wildlife cruise experience. By the time you get back to your ship you’ll know why Dunedin is the Nature Capital...

2 hours 30 minutes Free Cancellation
4.5 (17)
from
$80
Milford Sound Scenic Flight from Queenstown

Experience Milford Sound by air on this scenic flight from Queenstown. Flying you over the highest peaks in Fiordland and their ancient glaciers. Get an …More

Experience Milford Sound by air on this scenic flight from Queenstown. Flying you over the highest peaks in Fiordland and their ancient glaciers. Get an...

1 hour 15 minutes Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
4.9 (43)
from
$321
Private Luxury Queenstown Stargazing & Astro Portraits 4WD Tour

A private two-hour stargazing tour from Queenstown with an astrophysicist guide. Explore the Southern Night Sky and listen to Māori astronomy stories, receive professionally edited …More

Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

A private two-hour stargazing tour from Queenstown with an astrophysicist guide. Explore the Southern Night Sky and listen to Māori astronomy stories, receive professionally edited...

2 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
5.0 (72)
from
$517
Hologate VR - Multiplayer Virtual Reality

State of the art technology and the latest gear Huge range of gaming scenarios to choose from Suitable for all ages …More

State of the art technology and the latest gear Huge range of gaming scenarios to choose from Suitable for all ages...

30 minutes Free Cancellation
4.9 (38)
from
$34
Discover Christchurch Tour

Join Pete - your passionate local guide, for an unforgettable experience showcasing Christchurch’s iconic landmarks, beautiful coastal suburbs, rich history and hidden gems. Travelling in …More

Join Pete - your passionate local guide, for an unforgettable experience showcasing Christchurch’s iconic landmarks, beautiful coastal suburbs, rich history and hidden gems. Travelling in...

6 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
5.0 (139)
from
$229
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