Top things to do in South Island in Summer (Updated November 2026)

South Island, New Zealand
Milford Sound Heli Tour from Queenstown with 2 Alpine Landings

Soar over captivating Milford Sound on a 1.5-hour helicopter flight from Queenstown. You'll fly over New Zealand's most dramatic scenery, from secluded alpine lakes and …More

Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Soar over captivating Milford Sound on a 1.5-hour helicopter flight from Queenstown. You'll fly over New Zealand's most dramatic scenery, from secluded alpine lakes and...

1 hour 30 minutes Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
5.0 (56)
from
$820
Mt Cook Supreme: 4 Glaciers with 2 Snow Landings - 60mins

Your tour operator is a local, family owned and operated company based in Franz Josef, on the West Coast of New Zealand. Husband and wife …More

Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Your tour operator is a local, family owned and operated company based in Franz Josef, on the West Coast of New Zealand. Husband and wife...

1 hour Free Cancellation
4.8 (45)
from
$513
Kaikoura Helicopters Classic Whale Watch

Kaikoura Helicopter Whale Watching – The Ultimate Shore Excursion Take your Kaikoura visit to new heights with our unforgettable helicopter whale watching experience. Soar over …More

Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Kaikoura Helicopter Whale Watching – The Ultimate Shore Excursion Take your Kaikoura visit to new heights with our unforgettable helicopter whale watching experience. Soar over...

30 minutes Free Cancellation
4.9 (46)
from
$238
Christchurch Scenic Helicopter Tour

Sit back and relax aboard a helicopter over Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand’s newest city—a place where resilience meets regeneration. Years after the earthquakes, Christchurch thrives …More

Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Sit back and relax aboard a helicopter over Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand’s newest city—a place where resilience meets regeneration. Years after the earthquakes, Christchurch thrives...

20 minutes Free Cancellation
4.9 (20)
from
$201
Mount Cook: 3-Hour Tasman Glacier Heli-Hike

The Tasman Glacier is Aotearoa New Zealand's longest glacier measuring at 27km long and as wide as 4km in places, so this is an experience …More

Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

The Tasman Glacier is Aotearoa New Zealand's longest glacier measuring at 27km long and as wide as 4km in places, so this is an experience...

3 hours Free Cancellation
4.7 (41)
from
$585
Queenstown: The Grand Circle Scenic Helicopter Flight

Explore the stunning diversity of Queenstown. From the majestic canyons of the Shotover River to the ski slopes of Coronet Peak, the delightful rural retreats, …More

Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Explore the stunning diversity of Queenstown. From the majestic canyons of the Shotover River to the ski slopes of Coronet Peak, the delightful rural retreats,...

35 minutes Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
5.0 (38)
from
$291
Mt Cook Tour & Ultimate Alpine Experience Combo from Queenstown

Mt Cook Bus Tour & Ultimate Alpine Experience, this small group, fully guided bus tour to Mt Cook combines all of the key highlights of …More

Mt Cook Bus Tour & Ultimate Alpine Experience, this small group, fully guided bus tour to Mt Cook combines all of the key highlights of...

12 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
4.8 (57)
from
$487
55 minute Grand Circle Ski Plane

Join this 55-minute Ski Plane scenic experience through the Mt Cook and Westland National Parks for a unique air tour like no other. Flight path …More

Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Join this 55-minute Ski Plane scenic experience through the Mt Cook and Westland National Parks for a unique air tour like no other. Flight path...

1 hour 5 minutes Free Cancellation
5.0 (16)
from
$458
Milford Sound Scenic Flight with Landing from Queenstown

Don’t miss out on a spectacular scenic flight with Air Milford to Milford Sound and back. This tour is perfect for those who have already …More

Don’t miss out on a spectacular scenic flight with Air Milford to Milford Sound and back. This tour is perfect for those who have already...

5 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
5.0 (27)
from
$440
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
$508
Mt. Cook Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air

Fly up the spine of the South Island, enjoying panoramic views of Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea on one side and Lake Pukaki, arguably New …More

Fly up the spine of the South Island, enjoying panoramic views of Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea on one side and Lake Pukaki, arguably New...

8 hours Free Cancellation
5.0 (55)
from
$504
Glentanner High Country Heli Hike

Soar over the Southern Alps, take in breathtaking views during an 8 minute scenic helicopter flight and walk a trail of High Country history on …More

Soar over the Southern Alps, take in breathtaking views during an 8 minute scenic helicopter flight and walk a trail of High Country history on...

4 hours Free Cancellation
5.0 (54)
from
$284
Half-Day Milford Helicopter Flight and Cruise from Queenstown

Explore Milford Sounds stunning fiord from the air and on the water. Join an unforgettable cruise, past sheer cliffs, gushing waterfalls and perhaps even spot …More

Explore Milford Sounds stunning fiord from the air and on the water. Join an unforgettable cruise, past sheer cliffs, gushing waterfalls and perhaps even spot...

4 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
5.0 (199)
from
$995
25mins Private Helicopter Flight in Franz Josef with Landing

On our private Glacier Explorer flight, you'll fly over the Franz Josef Glacier and then into the Southern Alps to enjoy the included 10-minute snow …More

On our private Glacier Explorer flight, you'll fly over the Franz Josef Glacier and then into the Southern Alps to enjoy the included 10-minute snow...

1 hour 15 minutes Free Cancellation
4.9 (12)
from
$857
Stewart Island Fly Explore Fly ex Queenstown by Glenorchy Air

Depart over the Remarkables, track along the Oreti River across New Zealand’s vast southern farmland before reaching the stunning Southern Coast. Fly over Foveaux Strait …More

Depart over the Remarkables, track along the Oreti River across New Zealand’s vast southern farmland before reaching the stunning Southern Coast. Fly over Foveaux Strait...

8 hours Free Cancellation
5.0 (28)
from
$550
Franz Josef Glacier Helihike ex Queenstown

True South Flights is the only fixed wing operator to offer the Franz Josef Heli Hike from Queenstown as a day trip. The Franz Josef …More

True South Flights is the only fixed wing operator to offer the Franz Josef Heli Hike from Queenstown as a day trip. The Franz Josef...

7 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
5.0 (37)
from
$1,236
Private Flight: 3 Glaciers with Snow Landing - 45mins

Glacier Country Helicopters is a local, family owned and operated company based in Franz Josef, on the West Coast of New Zealand. Husband and wife …More

Glacier Country Helicopters is a local, family owned and operated company based in Franz Josef, on the West Coast of New Zealand. Husband and wife...

1 hour 30 minutes Free Cancellation
4.7 (16)
from
$1,491
Kaikoura Helicopters Extended Whale Watch

Within minutes of taking off from our beach from helipads, you will be in the spectacular environment that plays host to one of the worlds …More

Within minutes of taking off from our beach from helipads, you will be in the spectacular environment that plays host to one of the worlds...

40 minutes Free Cancellation
4.6 (15)
from
$352
55-Minute Grand Circle Helicopter

Soar through the sky on this 55-minute scenic Helicopter experience through the Mt Cook and Westland National Parks flying over the Fox, Franz Josef and …More

Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Soar through the sky on this 55-minute scenic Helicopter experience through the Mt Cook and Westland National Parks flying over the Fox, Franz Josef and...

55 minutes Free Cancellation
4.9 (39)
from
$458
9 Day South to North Island NZ Private Tour from Queenstown

This signature 9-day, 8-night tour offers a perfect blend of daily travel, covering the majority of top attractions in both South Island (Milford Sound to …More

Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

This signature 9-day, 8-night tour offers a perfect blend of daily travel, covering the majority of top attractions in both South Island (Milford Sound to...

9 days Hotel pickup offered
5.0 (15)
from
$2,703
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