Top South Island Tours & Sightseeing

Q: What are the best options for South Island Tours & Sightseeing?

According to verified reviews on Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor, the best South Island Tours & Sightseeing are: Tekapo to Queenstown via Mt Cook Small-Group Tour (one way) Queenstown Half a Day Tour (Arowtown, lake wakatipu) Farm & Wine Experience Fun Experience from Queenstown New Zealand Taste of Gibbston private Wine Tour from Queenstown and return. Christchurch Private Luxury Full Day Tour

Q: What are the best kid-friendly options for South Island Tours & Sightseeing Tours?

According to verified reviews on Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor, the best kid-friendly South Island Tours & Sightseeing are: Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch & Queenstown Lake Cruise Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour Premium Milford Sound Tour, Cruise & Lunch from Te Anau Christchurch Hop-On Hop-Off Tram View all kid-friendly Tours →

Q: Which South Island Tours & Sightseeing have Instant Confirmation?

South Island Tours & Sightseeing with Instant Confirmation include: Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour Premium Milford Sound Tour, Cruise & Lunch from Te Anau Christchurch Hop-On Hop-Off Tram Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise from Manapouri 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 →

Tekapo to Queenstown via Mt Cook Small-Group Tour (one way)

Explore the stunning scenery of New Zealand on this small group tour from Tekapo to Queenstown via Mt Cook. Journey through the breathtaking Aoraki National …More

Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

3.7 (3)

Tekapo to Queenstown via Mt Cook Small-Group Tour (one way)

Explore the stunning scenery of New Zealand on this small group tour from Tekapo to Queenstown via Mt Cook. Journey through the breathtaking Aoraki National...

9 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

3.7 (3)

from
$204

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

Christchurch Private Luxury Full Day Tour

This private Full Day Tour explores complete Christchurch city from one edge to another with your private Driver/Guide. Christchurch, known for its English heritage, is …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

4.5 (2)

Christchurch Private Luxury Full Day Tour

This private Full Day Tour explores complete Christchurch city from one edge to another with your private Driver/Guide. Christchurch, known for its English heritage, is...

6 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.5 (2)

from
$93

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

Full Day Sightseeing Tour To Discover Queenstown's Scenic Wonder

A Queenstown sightseeing tour stands out for its unparalleled access to some of New Zealand's most breathtaking landscapes, all in a single day. From the …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (1)

Full Day Sightseeing Tour To Discover Queenstown's Scenic Wonder

A Queenstown sightseeing tour stands out for its unparalleled access to some of New Zealand's most breathtaking landscapes, all in a single day. From the...

6 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (1)

from
$508

Discover the splendor of the NZ Southern Alps on this one-way sightseeing tour from Mount Cook. Relax on board your air-conditioned coach and admire the …More

Aoraki Mount Cook (Mount Cook Village), New Zealand

5.0 (1)

Day Tours from Mount Cook

Discover the splendor of the NZ Southern Alps on this one-way sightseeing tour from Mount Cook. Relax on board your air-conditioned coach and admire the...

5 hours 20 minutes Free Cancellation

5.0 (1)

from
$113

Otago Peninsula Tour and Larnach Castle City Sights (min 4 )

We love showing you our city and will always give you a trip to remember - we cannot wait to show you our city. We …More

Port Chalmers, New Zealand

4.0 (5)

Otago Peninsula Tour and Larnach Castle City Sights (min 4 )

We love showing you our city and will always give you a trip to remember - we cannot wait to show you our city. We...

6 hours Free Cancellation

4.0 (5)

from
$167

Middle Earth Marvels Half Day Journey into the Lord of the Rings

Enjoy a private, exclusive tour with your own local guide. Step into the enchanting realm of Middle-earth on our ‘Middle-earth Marvels’ tour, a cinematic journey …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (1)

Middle Earth Marvels Half Day Journey into the Lord of the Rings

Enjoy a private, exclusive tour with your own local guide. Step into the enchanting realm of Middle-earth on our ‘Middle-earth Marvels’ tour, a cinematic journey...

6 hours Hotel pickup offered

5.0 (1)

from
$4,495

Private Akaroa Day Tour From Christchurch (Carbon Neutral)

Wanting to explore Akaroa, but want a more personalised and tailored experience? Look no further than our private Akaroa day tour from Christchurch. Nestled on …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

5.0 (1)

Private Akaroa Day Tour From Christchurch (Carbon Neutral)

Wanting to explore Akaroa, but want a more personalised and tailored experience? Look no further than our private Akaroa day tour from Christchurch. Nestled on...

8 to 9 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (1)

from
$794

Queenstown Adventure Motorcycle Tour: Skippers Canyon & Glenorchy

A full-day guided adventure ride through Queenstown's iconic backcountry, gravel roads and off-road terrain. Ride with local guides and experience the South Island beyond the …More

Queenstown, New Zealand

5.0 (1)

Queenstown Adventure Motorcycle Tour: Skippers Canyon & Glenorchy

A full-day guided adventure ride through Queenstown's iconic backcountry, gravel roads and off-road terrain. Ride with local guides and experience the South Island beyond the...

6 to 8 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

5.0 (1)

from
$517

Private Dunedin and Otago Peninsula Tours up to 6 people

We offer a small group tour of the highest quality, exclusive experience where your itinerary is fully customized to your interests. Our private tour ,unlike …More

Dunedin & The Otago Peninsula, New Zealand

4.5 (2)

Private Dunedin and Otago Peninsula Tours up to 6 people

We offer a small group tour of the highest quality, exclusive experience where your itinerary is fully customized to your interests. Our private tour ,unlike...

7 hours Free Cancellation

4.5 (2)

from
$772

4 Days, Milford Sound and Glaciers: From Christchurch

This sweeping four-day circuit showcases the absolute best of the South Island by seamlessly connecting dramatic alpine landscapes with premium guided transport. What makes it …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

5.0 (1)

4 Days, Milford Sound and Glaciers: From Christchurch

This sweeping four-day circuit showcases the absolute best of the South Island by seamlessly connecting dramatic alpine landscapes with premium guided transport. What makes it...

4 days

5.0 (1)

from
$1,582

Oasis Cottage Gardens and Floristry Studio in Oxford, NZ

Discover the charm of Oasis Cottage, a private 5-acre country garden nestled near the foothills of the Southern Alps. This exclusive tour offers an intimate …More

Canterbury, New Zealand

5.0 (1)

Oasis Cottage Gardens and Floristry Studio in Oxford, NZ

Discover the charm of Oasis Cottage, a private 5-acre country garden nestled near the foothills of the Southern Alps. This exclusive tour offers an intimate...

60 to 90 minutes Free Cancellation

5.0 (1)

from
$12

Arthurs Pass and Southern Alps Day Excursion from Port Lyttelton or Christchurch

This day excursion takes us across the Canterbury Plains around 50 miles to Porters Pass (just under 1000 m and higher than Arthurs Pass) and …More

Canterbury, New Zealand

5.0 (1)

Arthurs Pass and Southern Alps Day Excursion from Port Lyttelton or Christchurch

This day excursion takes us across the Canterbury Plains around 50 miles to Porters Pass (just under 1000 m and higher than Arthurs Pass) and...

7 hours Free Cancellation

5.0 (1)

from
$1,000

Fly over the city and explore Christchurch from new heights. See the progress of the massive rebuild and the abandoned suburbs from the 2010/2011 earthquakes. …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

5.0 (1)

City, Lyttelton & Mt Herbert

Fly over the city and explore Christchurch from new heights. See the progress of the massive rebuild and the abandoned suburbs from the 2010/2011 earthquakes....

45 minutes Free Cancellation

5.0 (1)

from
$638

Christchurch: 3.5hr Scenic highlights, Local guide, food included

Discover the spectacular scenery of Christchurch and Lyttelton on this nature-focused, small-group half-day tour. Your journey begins at the historic stone building, Sign of the …More

Christchurch, New Zealand

4.0 (2)

Christchurch: 3.5hr Scenic highlights, Local guide, food included

Discover the spectacular scenery of Christchurch and Lyttelton on this nature-focused, small-group half-day tour. Your journey begins at the historic stone building, Sign of the...

3 hours 30 minutes Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.0 (2)

from
$181

Download a vibrantly-narrated mp3 audio guide combined with a map detailing the area of your tour. Enjoy a cultural self-guided audio tour of the serene …More

Picton, New Zealand

3.4 (7)

Discover Picton: Self-Guided Audio Tour

Download a vibrantly-narrated mp3 audio guide combined with a map detailing the area of your tour. Enjoy a cultural self-guided audio tour of the serene...

1 to 3 hours Free Cancellation

3.4 (7)

from
$15

Private Wildlife and Penguin Tour in Dunedin with Ticket

Embark on a scenic tour exploring Dunedin highlights, including the iconic Railway Station, and historic Octagon with photo ops at Signal Hill Lookout and Baldwin …More

Dunedin & The Otago Peninsula, New Zealand

4.3 (3)

Private Wildlife and Penguin Tour in Dunedin with Ticket

Embark on a scenic tour exploring Dunedin highlights, including the iconic Railway Station, and historic Octagon with photo ops at Signal Hill Lookout and Baldwin...

6 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation

4.3 (3)

from
$157

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 Tours & Sightseeing?

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

Which South Island Tours & Sightseeing have Instant Confirmation?

Which South Island Tours & Sightseeing have Free Cancellation?

South Island Tours & Sightseeing 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 Tours & Sightseeing have Hotel Pickup?

No problem. These South Island Tours & Sightseeing 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?