Top South Island Private & Custom Tours

Q: Which South Island Private & Custom Tours have Instant Confirmation?

South Island Private & Custom Tours with Instant Confirmation include: Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience Franz Josef Glacier and snow landing (allow 20 minutes - departs Franz Josef) Afternoon Boutique Wine Tour Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour (full day) in the Marlborough Region. Queenstown: Full-Day Private Photography & Sightseeing Tour View all Tours with Instant Confirmation →

Q: I need a ride! Which South Island Private & Custom Tours have Hotel Pickup?

No problem. These South Island Private & Custom Tours include Hotel Pickup: Guided Private Milford Sound Day Tour from Te Anau(Cruise Included) Self-Guided Biking Wine Tour (full day) in the Marlborough Region. Afternoon Boutique Wine Tour Queenstown: Full-Day Private Photography & Sightseeing Tour Private 5.5 hour Wine Tour Queenstown : 4 Winery Visits & Lunch 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 →

If you are looking to include New Zealand Māori culture and a Welcome to Wānaka/Queenstown and to your special day this Māori welcome is a …More

Wanaka, New Zealand

5.0 (8)

Wedding Māori Welcome

If you are looking to include New Zealand Māori culture and a Welcome to Wānaka/Queenstown and to your special day this Māori welcome is a...

30 minutes

5.0 (8)

from
$147

Private Full Day Queenstown Lord of the Rings Film Locations

Combine our Half Day in Middle Earth with a second Half Day Adventure into another part of Middle Earth with our partner company. We have a 1-1.5 hour …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (6)

Private Full Day Queenstown Lord of the Rings Film Locations

Combine our Half Day in Middle Earth with a second Half Day Adventure into another part of Middle Earth with our partner company. We have a 1-1.5 hour...

10 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (6)

from
$1,150

Private Arrowtown and Gibbston Lord of the Rings Film Locations

Epic Adventures to the Real Middle Earth and Back Again! Join our Lord of the Rings “Nerds” aka tour guides who have superior knowledge on …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

4.3 (6)

Private Arrowtown and Gibbston Lord of the Rings Film Locations

Epic Adventures to the Real Middle Earth and Back Again! Join our Lord of the Rings “Nerds” aka tour guides who have superior knowledge on...

4 hours 30 minutes Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.3 (6)

from
$690

Private Wine Gourmet and Scenic Delights Tour from Picton

Enjoy stunning scenic views of the Marlborough wine region and taste the sensational wines and seriously delicious gourmet treats and cuisine with your experienced local …More

Blenheim, New Zealand

5.0 (3)

Private Wine Gourmet and Scenic Delights Tour from Picton

Enjoy stunning scenic views of the Marlborough wine region and taste the sensational wines and seriously delicious gourmet treats and cuisine with your experienced local...

6 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (3)

from
$564

Private 8h Scenic Drive & Hike Christchurch Lunch Guide Transport

Godley Head is an exciting and beautiful headland at the far end of the Port Hills. From Godley Head, you will be treated to uninterrupted …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

5.0 (2)

Private 8h Scenic Drive & Hike Christchurch Lunch Guide Transport

Godley Head is an exciting and beautiful headland at the far end of the Port Hills. From Godley Head, you will be treated to uninterrupted...

8 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (2)

from
$145

Private 8hr Akaroa Tour: Lunch, Transport, Guide. Optional Cruise

This private tour, starting and finishing in Christchurch, is a genuinely scenic experience. Visit some of the small settlements around Lyttelton Harbour and Akaroa Harbours. …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

5.0 (1)

Private 8hr Akaroa Tour: Lunch, Transport, Guide. Optional Cruise

This private tour, starting and finishing in Christchurch, is a genuinely scenic experience. Visit some of the small settlements around Lyttelton Harbour and Akaroa Harbours....

7 to 8 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (1)

from
$248

Private Full Day Mavora Lakes Lord of the Rings Film Locations

Embark on a Legendary Lord of the Rings Journey from Queenstown, this exclusive LOTR tour takes you deep into the Southland region, home to some …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (2)

Private Full Day Mavora Lakes Lord of the Rings Film Locations

Embark on a Legendary Lord of the Rings Journey from Queenstown, this exclusive LOTR tour takes you deep into the Southland region, home to some...

7 to 10 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (2)

from
$1,323

Totally Local Wildscene Private Shore Excursion With 8 travelers

If you want easy access to Dunedin's most popular attractions or some various unknown locals only attractions. I own this business and take great pleasure …More

Port Chalmers, New Zealand

5.0 (8)

Totally Local Wildscene Private Shore Excursion With 8 travelers

If you want easy access to Dunedin's most popular attractions or some various unknown locals only attractions. I own this business and take great pleasure...

4 hours 30 minutes Free Cancellation

5.0 (8)

from
$99

Private Christchurch & Lyttelton Scenic Day Tour

This is a private small group tour for up to 11 people. The route around Christchurch and Lyttelton takes you over the old volcanoes of …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

5.0 (5)

Private Christchurch & Lyttelton Scenic Day Tour

This is a private small group tour for up to 11 people. The route around Christchurch and Lyttelton takes you over the old volcanoes of...

6 hours 30 minutes Free Cancellation

5.0 (5)

from
$900

Discover the picturesque Southern Alps, one of New Zealand's most iconic land features. Fly over the immense checkerboard of the Canterbury Plains, across the tresses …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

4.8 (8)

Southern Alps Scenic

Discover the picturesque Southern Alps, one of New Zealand's most iconic land features. Fly over the immense checkerboard of the Canterbury Plains, across the tresses...

1 hour 15 minutes Free Cancellation

4.8 (8)

from
$1,070

Castle Hill & Arthur Pass Day Trip From Christchurch

Discover one of New Zealand’s most dramatic alpine landscapes on this unforgettable full-day adventure to Arthur’s Pass National Park. Journey from the Canterbury plains into …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

4.9 (7)

Castle Hill & Arthur Pass Day Trip From Christchurch

Discover one of New Zealand’s most dramatic alpine landscapes on this unforgettable full-day adventure to Arthur’s Pass National Park. Journey from the Canterbury plains into...

9 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.9 (7)

from
$173

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

Christchurch Private Tour (Premium) Full day

Discover Christchurch in a Day – A Private Coastal & City Escape Experience the best of Christchurch in one unforgettable day. Begin your journey with …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

4.9 (9)

Christchurch Private Tour (Premium) Full day

Discover Christchurch in a Day – A Private Coastal & City Escape Experience the best of Christchurch in one unforgettable day. Begin your journey with...

8 hours Free Cancellation

4.9 (9)

from
$213

The Ultimate Lord of the Rings Combo Tour

Included in this adventure • Approximately 90 minutes flight time exploring the Kahurangi National Park • Two-way communication between you and your pilot • 2 …More

Nelson, New Zealand

5.0 (8)

The Ultimate Lord of the Rings Combo Tour

Included in this adventure • Approximately 90 minutes flight time exploring the Kahurangi National Park • Two-way communication between you and your pilot • 2...

2 hours 30 minutes Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (8)

from
$3,964

Lord of the Rings Mt Olympus, South of Rivendell

Included in this adventure • Approximately 60 minutes flight time exploring the Kahurangi National Park • Two-way communication between you and your pilot • 1 …More

Nelson, New Zealand

5.0 (9)

Lord of the Rings Mt Olympus, South of Rivendell

Included in this adventure • Approximately 60 minutes flight time exploring the Kahurangi National Park • Two-way communication between you and your pilot • 1...

2 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (9)

from
$2,757

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

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

Private Half Day Photography Tour of Queenstown | Skippers | Glenorchy

• This private photography tour provides a flexible itinerary & starting times. • You can choose an astrophotography tour option between February & November. • …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (4)

Private Half Day Photography Tour of Queenstown | Skippers | Glenorchy

• This private photography tour provides a flexible itinerary & starting times. • You can choose an astrophotography tour option between February & November. •...

4 to 5 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (4)

from
$108

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

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 Private & Custom Tours?

According to verified reviews on Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor, the best South Island Private & Custom Tours are:

What are the best kid-friendly options for South Island Private & Custom Tours Tours?

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

View all kid-friendly Tours →

Which South Island Private & Custom Tours have Instant Confirmation?

Which South Island Private & Custom Tours have Free Cancellation?

South Island Private & Custom Tours 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 Private & Custom Tours have Hotel Pickup?

Got any more South Island trip ideas?

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