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 →

Full Day Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour from Queenstown

Travel by 4WD from Queenstown along Lake Whakatipu, surrounded by the Southern Alps, glacial valleys and native beech forest. Visit 12 Mile Delta for a …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

4.9 (84)

Full Day Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour from Queenstown

Travel by 4WD from Queenstown along Lake Whakatipu, surrounded by the Southern Alps, glacial valleys and native beech forest. Visit 12 Mile Delta for a...

9 hours Free Cancellation

4.9 (84)

from
$378

Iconic Shore Excursion: Iconic Larnach Castle Tour

Enjoy a personalized small group tour of Larnach Castle and Dunedin City. This is a 6 hour fully guided tour that lets you explore Dunedin …More

Port Chalmers, New Zealand

4.9 (114)

Iconic Shore Excursion: Iconic Larnach Castle Tour

Enjoy a personalized small group tour of Larnach Castle and Dunedin City. This is a 6 hour fully guided tour that lets you explore Dunedin...

6 hours Free Cancellation

4.9 (114)

from
$111

Bike The Wineries (Full-Day) - Bike & Wine Adventure

Our Full Day Bike the Wineries Ride is one of Queenstown’s most popular experiences, combining historic Arrowtown, scenic river trails, and the renowned Gibbston wine …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

4.8 (99)

Bike The Wineries (Full-Day) - Bike & Wine Adventure

Our Full Day Bike the Wineries Ride is one of Queenstown’s most popular experiences, combining historic Arrowtown, scenic river trails, and the renowned Gibbston wine...

7 hours 30 minutes Free Cancellation

4.8 (99)

from
$66

Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Picton Marlborough Wine Tour 5-6 hrs

Discover why Discovery Wine Tours is a favourite for cruise ship guests visiting Picton, Port Marlborough. Since 2005, our locally owned family business has specialised …More

Picton, New Zealand

5.0 (37)

Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Picton Marlborough Wine Tour 5-6 hrs

Discover why Discovery Wine Tours is a favourite for cruise ship guests visiting Picton, Port Marlborough. Since 2005, our locally owned family business has specialised...

4 to 5 hours Free Cancellation

5.0 (37)

from
$136

Arrowtown to Queenstown Full-Day Bike Adventure

Discover one of Queenstown’s ultimate biking adventures on this self-guided ride from historic Arrowtown to central Queenstown. Shuttle to Arrowtown, get fitted with a top-quality …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

4.8 (96)

Arrowtown to Queenstown Full-Day Bike Adventure

Discover one of Queenstown’s ultimate biking adventures on this self-guided ride from historic Arrowtown to central Queenstown. Shuttle to Arrowtown, get fitted with a top-quality...

5 to 7 hours Free Cancellation

4.8 (96)

from
$60

Dunedin City Highlights, Otago Peninsula Scenery & Albatross Guided Tour

With this tour, you will enjoy a small-group experience with personalised attention while discovering the beauty of Dunedin City and the Otago Peninsula. You’ll also …More

Port Chalmers, New Zealand

4.9 (52)

Dunedin City Highlights, Otago Peninsula Scenery & Albatross Guided Tour

With this tour, you will enjoy a small-group experience with personalised attention while discovering the beauty of Dunedin City and the Otago Peninsula. You’ll also...

6 hours Free Cancellation

4.9 (52)

from
$190

Milford Sound Overnight Cruise Fiordland Jewel

Taking only 22 passengers a night, the Fiordland Jewel features nine climate-controlled cabins each with their own ensuite and sea views. Includes: overnight accommodation cabin …More

Fiordland & Milford Sound, New Zealand

4.9 (131)

Milford Sound Overnight Cruise Fiordland Jewel

Taking only 22 passengers a night, the Fiordland Jewel features nine climate-controlled cabins each with their own ensuite and sea views. Includes: overnight accommodation cabin...

17 hours 30 minutes

4.9 (131)

from
$833

Private 5.5 hour Wine Tour Queenstown : 4 Winery Visits & Lunch

Taste award-winning wines at four of the region’s premium boutique vineyards. This exclusive tour ventures through three contrasting wine sub-regions; Gibbston, Cromwell and the Bannockburn …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (44)

Private 5.5 hour Wine Tour Queenstown : 4 Winery Visits & Lunch

Taste award-winning wines at four of the region’s premium boutique vineyards. This exclusive tour ventures through three contrasting wine sub-regions; Gibbston, Cromwell and the Bannockburn...

5 to 6 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (44)

from
$277

Arthur's Pass National Park Day Tour with TranzAlpine Train

Experience one of New Zealand’s most iconic alpine journeys combining scenic rail travel with a guided exploration of Arthur’s Pass National Park. Travel from Christchurch …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

4.7 (220)

Arthur's Pass National Park Day Tour with TranzAlpine Train

Experience one of New Zealand’s most iconic alpine journeys combining scenic rail travel with a guided exploration of Arthur’s Pass National Park. Travel from Christchurch...

9 hours 30 minutes Hotel pickup offered

4.7 (220)

from
$285

Wine Tasting Adventure Wanaka and Beyond

Welcome to a Wine Lover's Paradise! Join us as we embark on a wine tasting - sightseeing adventure like no other visiting wineries around Wanaka …More

Wanaka, New Zealand

5.0 (42)

Wine Tasting Adventure Wanaka and Beyond

Welcome to a Wine Lover's Paradise! Join us as we embark on a wine tasting - sightseeing adventure like no other visiting wineries around Wanaka...

7 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (42)

from
$224

Arthur's Pass Discovery and TranzAlpine Train - Small Group Tour

In the heart of the Southern Alps, Arthur's Pass National Park has an incredible diversity of flora and landscape. Experience a breathtaking journey aboard the …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

4.9 (306)

Arthur's Pass Discovery and TranzAlpine Train - Small Group Tour

In the heart of the Southern Alps, Arthur's Pass National Park has an incredible diversity of flora and landscape. Experience a breathtaking journey aboard the...

9 hours Hotel pickup offered

4.9 (306)

from
$533

Marlborough Icons Tour - Wine tasting + Cruise

Please note over Winter 2026 this tour will be running Wednesday and Saturdays only. Experience the best of beautiful Marlborough on this full-day tour. Get …More

Blenheim, New Zealand

4.7 (80)

Marlborough Icons Tour - Wine tasting + Cruise

Please note over Winter 2026 this tour will be running Wednesday and Saturdays only. Experience the best of beautiful Marlborough on this full-day tour. Get...

6 hours 30 minutes Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.7 (80)

from
$182

Taste the Valley Wine Tour in Marlborough with Wine Tasting

Enjoy New Zealand's premier wine region on this 3 winery visit tour from Blenheim departing at @10am. Visit 3 different wineries in the Marlborough wine …More

Blenheim, New Zealand

4.9 (64)

Taste the Valley Wine Tour in Marlborough with Wine Tasting

Enjoy New Zealand's premier wine region on this 3 winery visit tour from Blenheim departing at @10am. Visit 3 different wineries in the Marlborough wine...

4 to 5 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.9 (64)

from
$108

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

Queenstown, New Zealand

4.8 (57)

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...

12 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.8 (57)

from
$498

Christchurch to Franz Josef One Way Day Tour with TranzAlpine

Travel from Christchurch to Franz Josef on one of New Zealand’s most iconic journeys, combining the legendary TranzAlpine train with a fully guided West Coast …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

4.9 (34)

Christchurch to Franz Josef One Way Day Tour with TranzAlpine

Travel from Christchurch to Franz Josef on one of New Zealand’s most iconic journeys, combining the legendary TranzAlpine train with a fully guided West Coast...

12 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.9 (34)

from
$321

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

Queenstown, New Zealand

4.9 (296)

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...

6 hours

4.9 (296)

from
$119

Marlborough Full-Day Wine Tasting & Winery Experience 6 hour

Discover Marlborough through a relaxed and informative wine experience focused on quality, hospitality, and genuine local knowledge. Our tours showcase a carefully selected mix of …More

Blenheim, New Zealand

4.9 (70)

Marlborough Full-Day Wine Tasting & Winery Experience 6 hour

Discover Marlborough through a relaxed and informative wine experience focused on quality, hospitality, and genuine local knowledge. Our tours showcase a carefully selected mix of...

6 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.9 (70)

from
$128

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

Christchurch, New Zealand

5.0 (139)

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...

6 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (139)

from
$226

Siberia Experience:Fly-Hike-Jetboat:Wilderness Adventure:Wanaka

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 …More

Wanaka, New Zealand

5.0 (26)

Siberia Experience:Fly-Hike-Jetboat:Wilderness Adventure:Wanaka

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...

4 to 5 hours Free Cancellation

5.0 (26)

from
$363

Arthur’s Pass Day Tour From Christchurch via Castle Hill

Nestled at the heart of New Zealand’s Southern Alps (Kā Tiritiri o te Moana), Arthur’s Pass is steeped in history. Connecting the east and west …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

4.8 (43)

Arthur’s Pass Day Tour From Christchurch via Castle Hill

Nestled at the heart of New Zealand’s Southern Alps (Kā Tiritiri o te Moana), Arthur’s Pass is steeped in history. Connecting the east and west...

10 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.8 (43)

from
$128

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?

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?