Top Day Trips from South Island (Updated November 2026)

South Island, New Zealand
Akaroa Full Day Tour Including Harbor Nature Cruise from Christchurch

Discover the coastal town of Akaroa on a day tour from Christchurch. Enjoy a 2-hour Harbour Nature Cruise. Encounter panoramic views, boutique shops, waterfront cafes, …More

Discover the coastal town of Akaroa on a day tour from Christchurch. Enjoy a 2-hour Harbour Nature Cruise. Encounter panoramic views, boutique shops, waterfront cafes,...

9 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
5.0 (1)
from
$369
Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki Day Tour

Enjoy your private day tour to picturesque town of Lake Tekapo that lies in the heart of Mackenzie country. It is one of the most …More

Enjoy your private day tour to picturesque town of Lake Tekapo that lies in the heart of Mackenzie country. It is one of the most...

10 to 12 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
5.0 (1)
from
$284
Private Excursion: Scenic and Seascape Delights from Picton

Relax with the flexibility of your exclusive tour of the Marlborough wine region.  Taste sensational wines and partake of some of the most delicious gourmet treats.  …More

Relax with the flexibility of your exclusive tour of the Marlborough wine region.  Taste sensational wines and partake of some of the most delicious gourmet treats. ...

6 hours Free Cancellation
4.2 (5)
from
$168
Private Central Otago Wine tasting Tour with Gourmet Lunch.

Our Taste Of Central Tour presents a chance for a remarkable tasting adventure. This tour is designed to discover three subregions of Central Otago, providing …More

Our Taste Of Central Tour presents a chance for a remarkable tasting adventure. This tour is designed to discover three subregions of Central Otago, providing...

7 to 8 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
5.0 (5)
from
$423
Private Wine Gourmet and Scenic Delights Tour from Blenheim

An experienced local chauffeur/guide will take you on an exciting wine and gourmet experience on this private, full-day tour from Blenheim. You will enjoy stunning scenic …More

An experienced local chauffeur/guide will take you on an exciting wine and gourmet experience on this private, full-day tour from Blenheim. You will enjoy stunning scenic...

6 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
5.0 (2)
from
$565
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

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
$1,136
Kaikōura Day Tour From Christchurch With Dolphin Encounter

Kaikōura, whose name translates to ‘eat crayfish’ in English, is a small coastal town often overlooked by tourists. Caught between the Kaikōura Ranges - which …More

Kaikōura, whose name translates to ‘eat crayfish’ in English, is a small coastal town often overlooked by tourists. Caught between the Kaikōura Ranges - which...

8 to 10 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
5.0 (1)
from
$221
Queenstown More Than A Wine Tour

Our Queenstown More Than A Wine Tour is not so much about swirling, sniffing and chatting about gooseberries, oak and tannins. It’s more an opportunity to …More

Our Queenstown More Than A Wine Tour is not so much about swirling, sniffing and chatting about gooseberries, oak and tannins. It’s more an opportunity to...

6 to 9 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
5.0 (1)
from
$795
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

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
Cruise Abel Tasman to Golden Bay

Explore the Best of Abel Tasman National Park and Golden Bay in One Day! Your friendly guide will pick you up from your accommodation for …More

Explore the Best of Abel Tasman National Park and Golden Bay in One Day! Your friendly guide will pick you up from your accommodation for...

9 hours 45 minutes Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
5.0 (8)
from
$312
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

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
$1,306
Jet Boat and Hot Pools Day Tour from Christchurch

Join Pete for a fully guided day out, travelling through beautiful Canterbury countryside to the magnificent Rakaia Gorge. Here, prepare for an exhilarating 45-minute Discovery …More

Join Pete for a fully guided day out, travelling through beautiful Canterbury countryside to the magnificent Rakaia Gorge. Here, prepare for an exhilarating 45-minute Discovery...

9 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
5.0 (1)
from
$227
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

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
$170
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

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
$185
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

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
$378
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

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

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
$454
(MT) Mount Cook Day Tour From Christchurch

Explore the heart of New Zealand’s alpine paradise with our Mount Cook Group Day Tour from Christchurch—a full-day escape into stunning mountain and lake landscapes. …More

Explore the heart of New Zealand’s alpine paradise with our Mount Cook Group Day Tour from Christchurch—a full-day escape into stunning mountain and lake landscapes....

13 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
4.4 (5)
from
$227
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

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
$963
Akaroa Day Tour From Christchurch & Lyttelton

Enjoy the beautiful views and scenery on the way by passing through Governor’s Bay, Gebbies Pass, Lake Ellesmere (Te Waihora), and Little River. Spend your …More

Enjoy the beautiful views and scenery on the way by passing through Governor’s Bay, Gebbies Pass, Lake Ellesmere (Te Waihora), and Little River. Spend your...

8 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
5.0 (3)
from
$113
(MT) Mount Cook Return Day Tour Via Lake Tekapo from Christchurch

Carefully timed stops at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Pukaki, and NZ Alpine Lavender Farm offer world-class photo opportunities. Travel during lavender bloom …More

Carefully timed stops at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Pukaki, and NZ Alpine Lavender Farm offer world-class photo opportunities. Travel during lavender bloom...

13 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
5.0 (3)
from
$227
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