Place by Place
Every Quieter South Island Tour, Compared
One page per tour under the operator's own title, with the booking platform's price, rating and review count, and where each one starts: a town pickup, a harbour wharf, a train station or a heliport. Prices read from the booking platform in October 2026.
Abel Tasman National Full Park Scenic Cruise
A cruise of about three hours from Kaiteriteri Beach along the whole park coast to Totaranui, with commentary and DOC fees included; you stay on board, and lunch is not included.
Abel Tasman National Park: Cruise, Walk & Sailing Tour
A water taxi from Kaiteriteri Beach to Anchorage, a self-guided walk on the Pitt Head loop to Te Pukatea Bay, then an afternoon sail back; tea and coffee included, lunch if selected.
Abel Tasman National Park: Day Sailing Adventure with Lunch
A full day under sail from Kaiteriteri Beach with a skipper, past Split Apple Rock and the fur seal colony, with an hour on Anchorage Beach and lunch, tea and coffee included.
Abel Tasman National Park: Sailing and Self-Guided Walk
A van from the Marahau car park to Kaiteriteri, a half-day skippered catamaran sail to Anchorage, then a self-guided walk back to Marahau; tea and coffee included, bring your own lunch.
Abel Tasman: Sea Shuttle Cruise and Walking Tour Combo
A sea shuttle from Kaiteriteri Beach past Split Apple Rock and a fur seal colony, then a Coast Track walk of 7 to 10.5 km and a boat back, with water taxis and DOC fees included.
Akaroa Harbour 2-Hour Dolphin Nature Cruise
A 2-hour catamaran cruise from the Main Wharf in Akaroa, with a skipper's commentary on the harbour's wildlife and volcanic cliffs, and complimentary tea and coffee on board.
Akaroa: 4WD Safari and Guided Sea-Kayaking Experience
A 4WD minivan ride from St Peter's church in Akaroa over the crater rim to Pohatu Flea Bay, then a guided double-kayak trip along the marine reserve coast, with all gear included.
Akaroa: Akaroa Marine Reserve Sea Kayaking Tour
A small-group harbour paddle from opposite the bowling club in Akaroa, in a stable double sea kayak with all gear, a safety briefing, one guide for up to 8 people and photos.
Akaroa: Dolphin Nature Cruise
A 2-hour catamaran cruise on Akaroa Harbour from the ticket counter in Akaroa, with dolphin-spotting dogs, warm jackets, a glass of wine, beer or a soft drink and homemade cookies.
Akaroa: Eastern Bays Scenic Mail Run Tour
A guided van tour from the Old Post Office in central Akaroa through 10 of Banks Peninsula's Eastern Bays, delivering mail to farms, with tea or coffee and homemade snacks.
Akaroa: Pohatu Little Penguins 3-Hour Evening Experience
An evening 4WD trip from St Peter's church in Akaroa to the Pohatu/Flea Bay penguin colony, monitoring nest boxes and watching penguins at dusk with binoculars and camouflage gear.
Akaroa: Pohatu Penguins Scenic Nature 2-Hour or 4-Hour Tour
A 4WD nature tour from St Peter's church in Akaroa to Pohatu Bay, a working sheep farm and its penguin colony, with photo stops; the 4-hour option adds tea, coffee and cake.
Akaroa: Stargazing Tour with 2 Telescopes & Souvenir Photos
A night-sky tour at the car park on Long Bay Road, Akaroa, with an astronomer, a 10-inch Dobsonian and a smart telescope, live nebula photos, a hot drink and blankets.
Arthur's Pass: TranzAlpine Train and Castle Hill Day Tour
A small-group day from central Christchurch hotels: the TranzAlpine train to Arthur's Pass, then a minibus back via the Otira Viaduct, Lake Pearson and Castle Hill, with water and snacks.
Arthur’s Pass & Castle Hill Day Trip From Christchurch
A small-group road day from central Christchurch hotels to Arthur's Pass, with a pie and coffee at Sheffield, the Otira Viaduct, Devils Punchbowl, Lake Pearson and Castle Hill.
Arthur’s Pass Day Tour From Christchurch via Castle Hill
A small-group road day from Christchurch hotels over the pass via Castle Hill, Lake Lyndon, the Otira Viaduct and Cave Stream, with lunch, water, snacks and WiFi on board; no train.
Christchurch: Arthur’s Pass + TranzAlpine Scenic Train
A small-group day from Christchurch hotels by road via the Waimakariri Gorge, Lake Lyndon and Castle Hill to Arthur's Pass, with lunch, and the TranzAlpine back (reversed in winter).
Doubtful Sound: Scenic Flight with 2 Landings
A helicopter flight from the Southern Lakes Helicopters office in Te Anau over Lake Manapouri and Wilmot Pass into Doubtful Sound, with commentary and two mountain landings.
Earnslaw Burn Glacier & Waterfalls | 45 mins from Glenorchy
A shared 45-minute helicopter flight from 35 Mull Street in Glenorchy past Mt Earnslaw and its hanging glacier, with a 20-minute landing in the Earnslaw Burn basin and pilot commentary.
Fox Glacier: Half Day Walking & Nature Tour with Local Guide
A guided half-day nature walk at Fox Glacier, leaving Franz Josef or with pickup in Fox Glacier, through rainforest to views of the glacier and Mt Tasman, with hot drinks and rain gear.
Fox Glacier: Up to 3 Hours Hike with Helicopter Transfer
A heli-hike from 44 Main Road, Fox Glacier: two short helicopter flights and up to 3 hours of guided hiking on the ice, with boots, crampons, poles and wet-weather gear.
Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers Helicopter Flight & Snow Landing
A 30-minute helicopter flight from the Franz Josef helicopter base over the Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, with a snow landing and commentary from the pilot.
Franz Josef Glacier: 2-Hour Scenic Lake Mapourika Cruise
A 2-hour cruise on Lake Mapourika from 30 Main Road, Franz Josef, with transfers to the lake, tea and coffee, national park fees, and a skipper's stories along the rainforest shore.
Franz Josef Glacier: Helicopter Flight & Alpine Landing
A 25-minute helicopter flight from 10 Main Road, Franz Josef, up the Franz Josef Glacier valley with pilot commentary and a 10-minute snow landing, or an alpine landing in summer.
Franz Josef: 2.5 Hour Glacier Hike with Helicopter Transfer
A heli-hike from the Glacier Base Building on Cron Street, Franz Josef: a helicopter transfer onto the glacier and up to 2.5 hours of guided hiking, with crampons, boots and waterproof gear.
Franz Josef: Franz Josef Glacier Lookout Guided Walk
A guided 3-hour walk from the Glacier Valley Eco Tours desk in Franz Josef through rainforest to the glacier lookout, with transport, rain gear if needed, tea and DOC parking fees.
From Manapouri: Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
A night on Doubtful Sound from Manapouri: the lake crossing and Wilmot Pass coach, a twin-share cabin, dinner and breakfast cooked on board, kayaks or a tender boat, and a nature guide.
From Manapouri: Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Trip
A day from the RealNZ Visitor Centre in Manapouri: a cruise across Lake Manapouri, a bus over Wilmot Pass through the rainforest, and a 3-hour cruise of Doubtful Sound with nature guides.
From Queenstown: Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Trip
A long day by coach from the RealNZ Visitor Centre on Beach Street, Queenstown, with the Lake Manapouri cruise, the Wilmot Pass crossing and a 3-hour Doubtful Sound cruise with guides.
From Queenstown: Glenorchy and Paradise Scenic Half-Day Tour
A half-day by Mercedes van from Camp Street in Queenstown to Glenorchy, Paradise and Mt Aspiring National Park, with movie locations, optional costumes and a Kiwi-style morning tea.
From Queenstown: Lord Of The Rings Tour to Glenorchy
A small-group half-day from the Marmolada Cafe on Queenstown's Camp Street to 12 Mile Delta, Glenorchy, Paradise and the Dart Valley, with costumes, replica swords, tea and national park fees.
From Te Anau: Doubtful Sound Coach & Cruise
A day from the RealNZ Visitor Centre in Te Anau, with the coach to Manapouri, a cruise across Lake Manapouri, a bus over Wilmot Pass with commentary and a cruise of Doubtful Sound.
Glenorchy Kiwi Special Tour, from Queenstown
A 4-hour coach trip from the Athol Street bus stop in Queenstown along Lake Wakatipu, with a local driver, commentary on history and Maori mythology, and 1.5 hours free in Glenorchy.
Marahau: Abel Tasman Kayaks Kayak and Walk
A guided small-group paddle in a double kayak from Marahau, with safety gear, dry bags and lunch on Observation Beach included, then an unguided walk back on the Coast Track.
Queenstown: Day Trip to Stewart Island via Scenic Flight
A day by air from Queenstown Airport: transfers, a return scenic flight, airstrip transfers to Oban and about 5 hours on Stewart Island to plan yourself, with a window seat.
Queenstown: Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour to Glenorchy-Half Day
A half-day in a six-seat 4WD from 37 Shotover Street in Queenstown to film locations around Glenorchy, Paradise and the Dart River, with replica props for photos and refreshments.
Queenstown: Skippers Canyon Goldrush Multilingual Tour
A small-group 4WD trip from Camp Street or Robins Road in Queenstown up Skippers Canyon, with goldrush audio stories in eight languages, photo stops and a drink at a historic pub.
Stewart Island: Ferry Service Between Bluff & Stewart Island
The one-hour catamaran across Foveaux Strait between Bluff and Oban, sailing daily all year, with commentary, tea and coffee, wheelchair access and two bags per person.
Stewart Island: Rakiura Village and Bays Tour
A minibus tour from the Red Shed visitor centre in Oban with a local guide, round the village and bays to the Rakiura National Park entrance at Lee Bay and Observation Rock.
Stewart Island: Rakiura Wild Kiwi Experiences
An evening from the Visitor Terminal in Oban: a cruise at dusk, then a guided walk in search of wild kiwi, with a torch and hot drinks. Sightings are not promised; book a bed for the night.
Stewart Island: Ulva Island Guided Wilderness Walk & Cruise
A cruise of Paterson Inlet from the Main Wharf at Halfmoon Bay, Oban, with a guided walk of about 1.5 hours in the Ulva Island Wildlife Sanctuary led by a specialist nature guide.
TranzAlpine, Arthurs Pass, Castle Hill Day Tour with Lunch
A small-group day from Christchurch hotels with the TranzAlpine one way by season, stops at the Otira Viaduct, Arthur's Pass Village and Castle Hill, and lunch from a set menu.
Not sure which place yet?
Compare the Places