Top South Island Day Trips & Excursions

Q: Which South Island Day Trips & Excursions have Instant Confirmation?

South Island Day Trips & Excursions with Instant Confirmation include: Premium Milford Sound Tour, Cruise & Lunch from Te Anau Full Day Iconic Mail Boat Cruise Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise from Manapouri Award Winning Premium Wine Tour Queenstown Tasting at 4 Wineries Milford Sound Premium Coach & Cruise from Queenstown with Lunch View all Tours with Instant Confirmation →

Q: Got any more South Island trip ideas?

We sure do. Check out our curated lists of hand-picked South Island Tours. Top 10 South Island 2026 Senior-friendly tours South Island The best tours and activities for culture lovers in South Island Top Day Trips from South Island Things to do in South Island this summer View all South Island Trip Ideas →

Q: What are the most popular styles of Tours and Activities in South Island?

Based on our sales data over the past year, the most popular styles of tours and activities in South Island are: South Island Luxury & Special Occasions South Island Luxury Tours South Island Outdoor Activities South Island Tours & Sightseeing South Island Cruises, Sailing & Water Tours View all tour styles in South Island →

Lyttleton Port Excursion Day Tour 3 options for Cruise travelers

Totally Personalized Private Experience! Tailored 3 Private Tours for Cruise Ship Passengers Arriving in Lyttleton, Christchurch. We offer these tour options, specially designed for only …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

4.8 (6)

Lyttleton Port Excursion Day Tour 3 options for Cruise travelers

Totally Personalized Private Experience! Tailored 3 Private Tours for Cruise Ship Passengers Arriving in Lyttleton, Christchurch. We offer these tour options, specially designed for only...

7 to 8 hours Free Cancellation

4.8 (6)

from
$187

Milford Sound Private Day Trip from Queenstown via Te Anau

Totally Personalized Private Experience! Enjoy a tailored tour exclusively for private tour. Flexible itinerary that can adapt to your interests, pace, and preferences and Options …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (7)

Milford Sound Private Day Trip from Queenstown via Te Anau

Totally Personalized Private Experience! Enjoy a tailored tour exclusively for private tour. Flexible itinerary that can adapt to your interests, pace, and preferences and Options...

13 hours Free Cancellation

5.0 (7)

from
$383

Akaroa & Banks Peninsula Private Day Tour from Christchurch

Discover the charm of Akaroa, a beautiful seaside town known for its French heritage and stunning natural landscapes. Enjoy dolphin watching experiences featuring the rare …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

5.0 (7)

Akaroa & Banks Peninsula Private Day Tour from Christchurch

Discover the charm of Akaroa, a beautiful seaside town known for its French heritage and stunning natural landscapes. Enjoy dolphin watching experiences featuring the rare...

7 to 8 hours Free Cancellation

5.0 (7)

from
$141

Private Excursion: Scenic and Seascape Delights from Picton

Relax with the flexibility of your exclusive tour of the Marlborough wine region. Taste sensational wines and partake of some of the most delicious gourmet treats. …More

Picton, New Zealand

4.2 (5)

Private Excursion: Scenic and Seascape Delights from Picton

Relax with the flexibility of your exclusive tour of the Marlborough wine region. Taste sensational wines and partake of some of the most delicious gourmet treats. ...

6 hours Free Cancellation

4.2 (5)

from
$167

VIP Wine Experience from Queenstown Including Gourmet Lunch.

The VIP experience is designed to allow our guests to have a fully immersive experience. The experience allows you a once in a lifetime opportunity …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (2)

VIP Wine Experience from Queenstown Including Gourmet Lunch.

The VIP experience is designed to allow our guests to have a fully immersive experience. The experience allows you a once in a lifetime opportunity...

6 to 8 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (2)

from
$460

(MT) Mount Cook Day Tour From Christchurch

Explore the heart of New Zealand’s alpine paradise with our Mount Cook Group Day Tour from Christchurch—a full-day escape into stunning mountain and lake landscapes. …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

4.4 (5)

(MT) Mount Cook Day Tour From Christchurch

Explore the heart of New Zealand’s alpine paradise with our Mount Cook Group Day Tour from Christchurch—a full-day escape into stunning mountain and lake landscapes....

13 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.4 (5)

from
$230

Private Tour: Winter Wine and Scenic Delights Tour from Picton

A private winter wine and scenic tour departing Picton at 9:45am and returning at 4:00pm is the perfect option for discovering Marlborough which has the …More

Picton, New Zealand

5.0 (4)

Private Tour: Winter Wine and Scenic Delights Tour from Picton

A private winter wine and scenic tour departing Picton at 9:45am and returning at 4:00pm is the perfect option for discovering Marlborough which has the...

5 hours 30 minutes Free Cancellation

5.0 (4)

from
$975

Akaroa Day Tour From Christchurch & Lyttelton

Enjoy the beautiful views and scenery on the way by passing through Governor’s Bay, Gebbies Pass, Lake Ellesmere (Te Waihora), and Little River. Spend your …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

5.0 (3)

Akaroa Day Tour From Christchurch & Lyttelton

Enjoy the beautiful views and scenery on the way by passing through Governor’s Bay, Gebbies Pass, Lake Ellesmere (Te Waihora), and Little River. Spend your...

8 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (3)

from
$114

(MT) Mount Cook Return Day Tour Via Lake Tekapo from Christchurch

Carefully timed stops at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Pukaki, and NZ Alpine Lavender Farm offer world-class photo opportunities. Travel during lavender bloom …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

5.0 (3)

(MT) Mount Cook Return Day Tour Via Lake Tekapo from Christchurch

Carefully timed stops at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Pukaki, and NZ Alpine Lavender Farm offer world-class photo opportunities. Travel during lavender bloom...

13 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (3)

from
$230

Private Yacht Cruise in the Marlborough Sounds New Zealand

Experience the adventure of a lifetime as we take you on an unforgettable journey through the stunning Marlborough Sounds. Escape to a world of breathtaking …More

Picton, New Zealand

5.0 (2)

Private Yacht Cruise in the Marlborough Sounds New Zealand

Experience the adventure of a lifetime as we take you on an unforgettable journey through the stunning Marlborough Sounds. Escape to a world of breathtaking...

8 to 9 hours Free Cancellation

5.0 (2)

from
$5,464

3 Days, Glaciers & TranzAlpine: Christchurch to Queenstown

This immersive three-day journey combines one of the world's greatest scenic rail routes with the raw beauty of New Zealand's West Coast. Travelers glide through …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

5.0 (2)

3 Days, Glaciers & TranzAlpine: Christchurch to Queenstown

This immersive three-day journey combines one of the world's greatest scenic rail routes with the raw beauty of New Zealand's West Coast. Travelers glide through...

3 days

5.0 (2)

from
$966

Private Mt Cook Day Tour From Christchurch via Lake Tekapo

Wanting to explore Aoraki National Park and Lake Tekapo, but want a more personalised and tailored experience? Look no further than our private Mt Cook …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

4.6 (5)

Private Mt Cook Day Tour From Christchurch via Lake Tekapo

Wanting to explore Aoraki National Park and Lake Tekapo, but want a more personalised and tailored experience? Look no further than our private Mt Cook...

10 to 13 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.6 (5)

from
$1,389

Hanmer Springs Hot Pool Private Return Trip From Christchurch

Totally Personalized Private Experience! A scenic and adventurous day tour to Hanmer Springs serves blend of relaxation, adventure, and natural beauty that the area offers. …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

5.0 (2)

Hanmer Springs Hot Pool Private Return Trip From Christchurch

Totally Personalized Private Experience! A scenic and adventurous day tour to Hanmer Springs serves blend of relaxation, adventure, and natural beauty that the area offers....

8 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (2)

from
$167

Embark on an unforgettable journey from Christchurch to Kaikōura, renowned as New Zealand's premier marine wildlife haven. This tour offers a unique blend of breathtaking …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

4.6 (5)

Kaikoura Day Tour From Christchurch

Embark on an unforgettable journey from Christchurch to Kaikōura, renowned as New Zealand's premier marine wildlife haven. This tour offers a unique blend of breathtaking...

11 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.6 (5)

from
$173

For the Lake Dunstan Experience we will meet you at our Clyde Depot in it's historic heart. We will fully brief you on your world …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (3)

Lake Dunstan E Bike Trail Adventure

For the Lake Dunstan Experience we will meet you at our Clyde Depot in it's historic heart. We will fully brief you on your world...

3 to 6 hours Free Cancellation

5.0 (3)

from
$101

Included in this adventure: • Approximately 120 minutes flight time over the Kahurangi National Park, The Wild West Coast, Abel Tasman National Park, Golden Bay …More

Nelson, New Zealand

5.0 (3)

Te Tau Ihu West Coast Wilderness

Included in this adventure: • Approximately 120 minutes flight time over the Kahurangi National Park, The Wild West Coast, Abel Tasman National Park, Golden Bay...

5 hours Free Cancellation

5.0 (3)

from
$5,935

Queenstown Half a Day Tour (Arowtown, lake wakatipu)

Explore the best of Queenstown in a comprehensive 5-7-hour tour that blends adventure, history, and stunning scenery. Begin your day with a pick-up in Queenstown …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (3)

Queenstown Half a Day Tour (Arowtown, lake wakatipu)

Explore the best of Queenstown in a comprehensive 5-7-hour tour that blends adventure, history, and stunning scenery. Begin your day with a pick-up in Queenstown...

5 to 6 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (3)

from
$114

Our Wine Maker Experience - a rare opportunity to meet a winemaker from Central Otago. This exceptional opportunity allows you to stroll through the vineyards, …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (1)

Farm & Wine Experience Fun Experience from Queenstown New Zealand

Our Wine Maker Experience - a rare opportunity to meet a winemaker from Central Otago. This exceptional opportunity allows you to stroll through the vineyards,...

6 to 8 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (1)

from
$262

Taste of Gibbston private Wine Tour from Queenstown and return.

Join us on our Taste of Gibbston Tour - designed to see and taste multiple subregions of Central Otago. Our Ultimate Experience offers an unparalleled …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (1)

Taste of Gibbston private Wine Tour from Queenstown and return.

Join us on our Taste of Gibbston Tour - designed to see and taste multiple subregions of Central Otago. Our Ultimate Experience offers an unparalleled...

4 to 5 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (1)

from
$371

Castle Hill and Arthur's pass Day tour from Christchurch

This is a private tour with English Speaking Tour Guide. You will be toured around into small group with better quality. …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

5.0 (1)

Castle Hill and Arthur's pass Day tour from Christchurch

This is a private tour with English Speaking Tour Guide. You will be toured around into small group with better quality....

10 to 11 hours Hotel pickup offered

5.0 (1)

from
$426

Frequently Asked Questions

These answers are based on answers previously given to Cool Shore Excursions customers' questions.

What are the best options for South Island Day Trips & Excursions?

According to verified reviews on Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor, the best South Island Day Trips & Excursions are:

What are the best kid-friendly options for South Island Day Trips & Excursions Tours?

According to verified reviews on Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor, the best kid-friendly South Island Day Trips & Excursions are:

View all kid-friendly Tours →

Which South Island Day Trips & Excursions have Instant Confirmation?

Which South Island Day Trips & Excursions have Free Cancellation?

South Island Day Trips & Excursions with Free Cancellation (in most cases up to 24 hours in advance of your tour date, check the specific tour page) include:

View all Tours with Free Cancellation →

I need a ride! Which South Island Day Trips & Excursions have Hotel Pickup?

No problem. These South Island Day Trips & Excursions include Hotel Pickup:

View all Tours with Hotel Pickup →

Got any more South Island trip ideas?

What are the most popular styles of Tours and Activities in South Island?