Top South Island Outdoor Activities

Q: Which South Island Outdoor Activities have Instant Confirmation?

South Island Outdoor Activities with Instant Confirmation include: Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience NZONE Skydive Queenstown 60 Minute Jet Boat Ride on the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown Small-Group Zipline Adventure in Queenstown View all Tours with Instant Confirmation →

Q: I need a ride! Which South Island Outdoor Activities have Hotel Pickup?

No problem. These South Island Outdoor Activities include Hotel Pickup: Premium Milford Sound Tour, Cruise & Lunch from Te Anau Queenstown: Pilot's Choice Helicopter Flight with Alpine Landing Mt Cook & Tekapo Small-Group Tour from Christchurch with lunch Akaroa Full Day Sightseeing Tour from Christchurch Tekapo Star Gazing Tour - Soak in the Stars View all Tours with Hotel Pickup →

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 →

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

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (27)

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...

5 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (27)

from
$436

Queenstown Lake Cruise to Walter Peak Farm with BBQ Buffet

Cruise across Lake Whakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Board the Spirit of Queenstown, a modern catamaran with a licensed bar where you can …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

4.6 (26)

Queenstown Lake Cruise to Walter Peak Farm with BBQ Buffet

Cruise across Lake Whakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Board the Spirit of Queenstown, a modern catamaran with a licensed bar where you can...

3 hours 30 minutes Free Cancellation

4.6 (26)

from
$96

Milford Sound Tour from Queenstown with Cruise

Travel the Milford Road in our luxurious & comfortable vehicles specially designed for small groups tours to Milford Sound from Queenstown. Modern comforts such as …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (188)

Milford Sound Tour from Queenstown with Cruise

Travel the Milford Road in our luxurious & comfortable vehicles specially designed for small groups tours to Milford Sound from Queenstown. Modern comforts such as...

12 hours 30 minutes Free Cancellation

5.0 (188)

from
$225

Lake Tekapo Ultimate Stargazing Experience

Enjoy a 2-hour stargazing experience with an experienced guide. We keep the tour to a maximum of 10pax adults for best experience. Learn about the …More

Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

5.0 (16)

Lake Tekapo Ultimate Stargazing Experience

Enjoy a 2-hour stargazing experience with an experienced guide. We keep the tour to a maximum of 10pax adults for best experience. Learn about the...

2 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (16)

from
$124

Routeburn Guided Hike Experience - Full Day

Experience one of New Zealand's celebrated Great Walks on a full-day guided adventure along the Routeburn Track. Travel from Queenstown alongside Lake Whakatipu and through …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (37)

Routeburn Guided Hike Experience - Full Day

Experience one of New Zealand's celebrated Great Walks on a full-day guided adventure along the Routeburn Track. Travel from Queenstown alongside Lake Whakatipu and through...

10 hours Free Cancellation

5.0 (37)

from
$250

Queenstown: Guide-Driven Off-Road Buggy Tour with Wakatipu Views

No licence, no driving required - your expert guide takes the wheel while you take in the scenery. Hop in, buckle up, and enjoy a …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (53)

Queenstown: Guide-Driven Off-Road Buggy Tour with Wakatipu Views

No licence, no driving required - your expert guide takes the wheel while you take in the scenery. Hop in, buckle up, and enjoy a...

1 hour 30 minutes Free Cancellation

5.0 (53)

from
$374

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

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (18)

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...

50 minutes Free Cancellation

5.0 (18)

from
$508

Milford Sound Cruise with Live Nature Guide and Hot Drinks

Join your longest and most immersive Milford Sound cruise, giving you over two hours to experience everything that makes this destination famous around the world. …More

Fiordland & Milford Sound, New Zealand

4.9 (21)

Milford Sound Cruise with Live Nature Guide and Hot Drinks

Join your longest and most immersive Milford Sound cruise, giving you over two hours to experience everything that makes this destination famous around the world....

2 hours 15 minutes Free Cancellation

4.9 (21)

from
$113

Tandem Skydive 18,000ft from Franz Josef

Skydive amongst mountains, glaciers, lakes, rivers and ocean views. Skydive Franz has New Zealand’s highest mountain Aoraki/Mount Cook and the biggest glaciers Fox and Franz …More

Franz Josef & Fox Glacier, New Zealand

4.7 (29)

Tandem Skydive 18,000ft from Franz Josef

Skydive amongst mountains, glaciers, lakes, rivers and ocean views. Skydive Franz has New Zealand’s highest mountain Aoraki/Mount Cook and the biggest glaciers Fox and Franz...

3 hours Free Cancellation

4.7 (29)

from
$454

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

Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

4.9 (77)

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...

3 hours Free Cancellation

4.9 (77)

from
$241

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

Queenstown, New Zealand

4.6 (16)

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...

4 hours 30 minutes Free Cancellation

4.6 (16)

from
$160

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

Franz Josef & Fox Glacier, New Zealand

4.9 (34)

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...

12 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.9 (34)

from
$165

Christchurch to Mt Cook via Lake Tekapo One Way Small Group Tour

Christchurch to Mt Cook via Lake Tekapo Small Group Tour (1 way). This small group, fully-guided day transfer allows you to travel in style to …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

4.9 (21)

Christchurch to Mt Cook via Lake Tekapo One Way Small Group Tour

Christchurch to Mt Cook via Lake Tekapo Small Group Tour (1 way). This small group, fully-guided day transfer allows you to travel in style to...

5 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.9 (21)

from
$128

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

Christchurch, New Zealand

5.0 (17)

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...

5 to 7 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (17)

from
$372

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

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (72)

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...

2 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (72)

from
$510

Milford Extended Helicopter Tour from Queenstown

Explore the spectacular Fiordland National Park by air on this half-day Milford Sound helicopter flight from Queenstown. Fly over Milford Sound by helicopter with a …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (66)

Milford Extended Helicopter Tour from Queenstown

Explore the spectacular Fiordland National Park by air on this half-day Milford Sound helicopter flight from Queenstown. Fly over Milford Sound by helicopter with a...

2 hours 30 minutes Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (66)

from
$984

Glenorchy Island Safari, Self-drive option

Come and enjoy a kayaking tour to a wildlife sanctuary not able to be accessed by the general public. Unless you have a kayak in …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

4.9 (23)

Glenorchy Island Safari, Self-drive option

Come and enjoy a kayaking tour to a wildlife sanctuary not able to be accessed by the general public. Unless you have a kayak in...

4 hours 30 minutes Free Cancellation

4.9 (23)

from
$88

Dunedin City to Sea Wildlife Cruise + Peninsula Bus Tour

Bus across the beautiful Otago Peninsula and enjoy the sights whilst your local guide gives an informative commentary about the area. Then hop aboard our …More

Dunedin & The Otago Peninsula, New Zealand

4.8 (43)

Dunedin City to Sea Wildlife Cruise + Peninsula Bus Tour

Bus across the beautiful Otago Peninsula and enjoy the sights whilst your local guide gives an informative commentary about the area. Then hop aboard our...

3 hours 30 minutes Free Cancellation

4.8 (43)

from
$69

30-Minute Alpine Scenic Flight from Queenstown

A winning combination: Experience breathtaking alpine scenery, from the dramatic Skippers Canyon to the expansive Queenstown Basin, with a landing on one of the region’s …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (70)

30-Minute Alpine Scenic Flight from Queenstown

A winning combination: Experience breathtaking alpine scenery, from the dramatic Skippers Canyon to the expansive Queenstown Basin, with a landing on one of the region’s...

30 minutes Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (70)

from
$309

Jet Sprint Boating in Gibbston Valley, Queenstown

Learn how it feels to fly on the water. Literally. Take a ride in our unique custom-built 4-seater Jet Sprint Boats. Oxbow’s Jet Sprint Boats …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

4.9 (16)

Jet Sprint Boating in Gibbston Valley, Queenstown

Learn how it feels to fly on the water. Literally. Take a ride in our unique custom-built 4-seater Jet Sprint Boats. Oxbow’s Jet Sprint Boats...

10 minutes Free Cancellation

4.9 (16)

from
$85

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 Outdoor Activities?

What are the best kid-friendly options for South Island Outdoor Activities Tours?

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

View all kid-friendly Tours →

Which South Island Outdoor Activities have Instant Confirmation?

Which South Island Outdoor Activities have Free Cancellation?

South Island Outdoor Activities 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 Outdoor Activities have Hotel Pickup?

Got any more South Island trip ideas?

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