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 →

Gold Discovery Trail Horse Trek Cardrona - Most popular!

Enjoy a beautiful crisp morning horse trek in the Cardrona valley, Wanaka. All horse riding experience levels are catered for and the group sizes are …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (154)

Gold Discovery Trail Horse Trek Cardrona - Most popular!

Enjoy a beautiful crisp morning horse trek in the Cardrona valley, Wanaka. All horse riding experience levels are catered for and the group sizes are...

2 hours Free Cancellation

5.0 (154)

from
$316

Punakaiki Blow Holes & Pancake Rocks Scenic Tour

Tour with our local knowledgeable guides to one of the World's Top 10 Coastal Scenic drives and visit the famous Punakaiki Blow Holes and Pancake …More

Greymouth, New Zealand

4.9 (67)

Punakaiki Blow Holes & Pancake Rocks Scenic Tour

Tour with our local knowledgeable guides to one of the World's Top 10 Coastal Scenic drives and visit the famous Punakaiki Blow Holes and Pancake...

3 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.9 (67)

from
$102

Half-Day Cruise in Marlborough Sounds from Picton

Depart Picton at 9:00am and cruise through the Queen Charlotte Sound to historic Ship Cove. Along the way enjoy the sights and scenery and keep …More

Picton, New Zealand

4.5 (148)

Half-Day Cruise in Marlborough Sounds from Picton

Depart Picton at 9:00am and cruise through the Queen Charlotte Sound to historic Ship Cove. Along the way enjoy the sights and scenery and keep...

3 hours 30 minutes Free Cancellation

4.5 (148)

from
$68

Mt Aspiring Full Day Canyon ex Queenstown or Wanaka

- Rated ★★★★★ by 1000+ thrill-seekers - Small groups sizes of up to 5 persons maximum - No experience required - Enjoy an array of …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (15)

Mt Aspiring Full Day Canyon ex Queenstown or Wanaka

- Rated ★★★★★ by 1000+ thrill-seekers - Small groups sizes of up to 5 persons maximum - No experience required - Enjoy an array of...

9 hours Free Cancellation

5.0 (15)

from
$287

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

Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu), New Zealand

4.7 (41)

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...

3 hours Free Cancellation

4.7 (41)

from
$579

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

Queenstown: Half-Day Private Sightseeing & Photography Tour

This is your chance to photograph one of the most spectacular and majestic places on Earth; Queenstown and the Southern Lakes. This Half-Day Private Photography …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (17)

Queenstown: Half-Day Private Sightseeing & Photography Tour

This is your chance to photograph one of the most spectacular and majestic places on Earth; Queenstown and the Southern Lakes. This Half-Day Private Photography...

5 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (17)

from
$141

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

Take an unforgettable journey with our awe-inspiring guided day experience on the Kepler Track. Start off in style with a scenic helicopter flight to Luxmore …More

Te Anau, New Zealand

5.0 (33)

Guided Kepler Track Heli Hike

Take an unforgettable journey with our awe-inspiring guided day experience on the Kepler Track. Start off in style with a scenic helicopter flight to Luxmore...

7 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (33)

from
$451

Fox Glacier Mountain Scenic Spectacular 40-Min Helicopter Flight

This premier 40-minute helicopter tour lets you experience two of New Zealand's finest National Parks, divided by the imposing Southern Alps. Discover the gigantic expanse …More

Franz Josef & Fox Glacier, New Zealand

4.8 (26)

Fox Glacier Mountain Scenic Spectacular 40-Min Helicopter Flight

This premier 40-minute helicopter tour lets you experience two of New Zealand's finest National Parks, divided by the imposing Southern Alps. Discover the gigantic expanse...

40 minutes Free Cancellation

4.8 (26)

from
$404

Full-Day Routeburn Track Key Summit Guided Walk from Te Anau

Experience a full-day guided walk on one of New Zealand's premier Great Walks - the Routeburn track, including Key Summit. Tour departs from Te Anau, …More

Te Anau, New Zealand

5.0 (31)

Full-Day Routeburn Track Key Summit Guided Walk from Te Anau

Experience a full-day guided walk on one of New Zealand's premier Great Walks - the Routeburn track, including Key Summit. Tour departs from Te Anau,...

7 hours 30 minutes Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (31)

from
$190

Fox Glacier: Twin Glacier Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are two of New Zealand largest glaciers. From above you can view and appreciate the incredible natural phenomenon, towering ice …More

Franz Josef & Fox Glacier, New Zealand

4.7 (43)

Fox Glacier: Twin Glacier Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are two of New Zealand largest glaciers. From above you can view and appreciate the incredible natural phenomenon, towering ice...

35 minutes Free Cancellation

4.7 (43)

from
$288

Fox Glacier: 25-Minute Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

Take to the skies above the Fox Glacier Township before heading towards the Fox Glacier and exploring the dynamic icefalls on this 25-minute helicopter flight. …More

Franz Josef & Fox Glacier, New Zealand

5.0 (100)

Fox Glacier: 25-Minute Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

Take to the skies above the Fox Glacier Township before heading towards the Fox Glacier and exploring the dynamic icefalls on this 25-minute helicopter flight....

25 minutes Free Cancellation

5.0 (100)

from
$230

Fox Glacier: Neve Discoverer Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

The perfect opportunity to get up close to the glacier and touch snow. You'll be captivated as you lift off and fly up and over …More

Franz Josef & Fox Glacier, New Zealand

4.9 (20)

Fox Glacier: Neve Discoverer Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

The perfect opportunity to get up close to the glacier and touch snow. You'll be captivated as you lift off and fly up and over...

25 minutes Free Cancellation

4.9 (20)

from
$230

Scenic Guided eBike Tour Ride to the Lake

This tour is a beautiful way to see and learn about our amazing countryside. It is also perfect for a beginner starting out on their …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (76)

Scenic Guided eBike Tour Ride to the Lake

This tour is a beautiful way to see and learn about our amazing countryside. It is also perfect for a beginner starting out on their...

3 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (76)

from
$128

Franz Josef: Twin Glacier Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

Marvel at some of New Zealand’s most amazing scenery on this once-in-a-lifetime 30-minute helicopter flight over the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. Enjoy panoramic views …More

Franz Josef & Fox Glacier, New Zealand

4.9 (175)

Franz Josef: Twin Glacier Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

Marvel at some of New Zealand’s most amazing scenery on this once-in-a-lifetime 30-minute helicopter flight over the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. Enjoy panoramic views...

35 minutes Free Cancellation

4.9 (175)

from
$288

Franz Josef: Neve Discoverer Helicopter Flight with snow landing

The perfect opportunity to get up close to the glacier and touch snow. You'll be captivated as you lift off and fly up and over …More

Franz Josef & Fox Glacier, New Zealand

4.8 (39)

Franz Josef: Neve Discoverer Helicopter Flight with snow landing

The perfect opportunity to get up close to the glacier and touch snow. You'll be captivated as you lift off and fly up and over...

25 minutes Free Cancellation

4.8 (39)

from
$230

Jet Sprint Boating & Ultimate Off-Roading in Queenstown

Learn how it feels to fly on water and take a ride in Oxbow’s unique, custom-built 4-seater Jet Sprint Boats! Accelerating at an incredible 0 …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (45)

Jet Sprint Boating & Ultimate Off-Roading in Queenstown

Learn how it feels to fly on water and take a ride in Oxbow’s unique, custom-built 4-seater Jet Sprint Boats! Accelerating at an incredible 0...

45 minutes Free Cancellation

5.0 (45)

from
$162

Queenstown: Private Skippers Canyon Photography & Sightseeing

Journey with us into wild and remote Skippers Canyon. We'll take you on a photographic adventure into some of New Zealand's most spectacular and majestic landscapes …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (18)

Queenstown: Private Skippers Canyon Photography & Sightseeing

Journey with us into wild and remote Skippers Canyon. We'll take you on a photographic adventure into some of New Zealand's most spectacular and majestic landscapes...

5 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (18)

from
$141

Private Full-Day Godley Head Guided Coastal Hike with Picnic

Enjoy a premium guided coastal hike at spectacular Godley Head on Banks Peninsula, travelling by private SUV with your own experienced local guide. This full-day …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

5.0 (39)

Private Full-Day Godley Head Guided Coastal Hike with Picnic

Enjoy a premium guided coastal hike at spectacular Godley Head on Banks Peninsula, travelling by private SUV with your own experienced local guide. This full-day...

6 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (39)

from
$289

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?