South Island tours, things to do and tickets

Enjoy a unique whale watching experience off the South Island of New Zealand. Experience an up-close encounter with the world’s largest toothed predator, the giant sperm whale. Look out for other wildlife, including seals, dolphins, and birds.

Cruise across Lake Whakatipu on the iconic TSS Earnslaw Steamship for a spectacular dining experience. Discover Queenstown’s incomparable fine dining destination and full gourmet BBQ buffet.

Take in the stunning views and wonderful wildlife as you cruise around Milford Sound. Relax on board with tea and coffee, enjoying the commentary, and make the most of the photo ops as you go.

Enjoy a cruise across Lake Te Anau to the Murchison Mountains’ network of natural caves. Explore an underground world of sculptured rock, underground waterfalls, and a silent hidden glowworm grotto.

Travel to an untouched world in Fiordland National Park. Cruise across Lake Manapouri, ride over Wilmot Pass in a coach, and explore the magical waterways of Doubtful Sound.

Escape the crowds and experience the beauty of Milford Sound in its true isolation and grandeur with this boat tour.

Rated one of the Top 10 Experiences in New Zealand. Join our boutique small boat cruise and experience Milford Sound the "local" way. We limit passenger numbers on all cruises to half of the boats capacity (capacity 150 passengers) to guarantee an uncrowded and much more personal experience. Let us show you our backyard on this once in a lifetime experience. Relax with complimentary coffee, tea and biscuits and enjoy the skipper’s live commentary while marvelling at the breath-taking scenery. The smaller size of the vessel enables us to get you up close and personal with the local wildlife like New Zealand Fur Seals, dolphins and the very rare Fiordland Crested Penguin (spring/early summer). A “Glacial Facial” under the Sterling Falls is an experience not to be missed.

Whale Watch is located in the small coastal town of Kaikōura on the East Coast of New Zealand’s South Island a scenic two and a half-hour drive north from Christchurch and two hour drive south from Picton. Kaikōura is a special place of lush pastures and towering, snow covered peaks that fall to the sea. This rare magic continues just offshore where a deep undersea canyon combines with unusual sea currents to attract an extraordinary abundance of marine life, the most famous being the Giant Sperm Whale. Whale Watch is New Zealand's only vessel-based whale watching company offering visitors an exciting up-close encounter with the world’s largest toothed predator the Giant Sperm Whale in their natural environment at all times of the year. Whale Watch scheduled tours operate daily. Our 95% success rate means we guarantee an 80% refund if your tour does not see a whale. Whale Watch tours are extremely popular so we recommend booking early.

Discover Milford Sound from a unique perspective as you admire the rainforests and waterfalls of the fiord. See it all on your cruise, including the Milford Sound Underwater Observatory.

Prepare yourself for the ultimate jet boating experience with Shotover Jet - the unique, breathtaking white water ride and adrenaline rush you’ll never forget!

Experience the majestic Milford Sound on a day trip including a 2-hour cruise and round-trip luxury bus transportation from Queenstown. Sit back, relax, look out for native wildlife and soak up the stunning scenery in Fiordland.

Milford Sound is arguably the most scenic destination in New Zealand and a must-see for any traveller. Whether seen in sunshine or rain, the incredible views are guaranteed to leave you awestruck. Thisglobally award winning small group tour is for travellers seeking an all-inclusive, uniquely-kiwi, personalised trip from Queentown to Milford Sound and back. Our fleet of modern Mercedes vans are fiited with leather seats, panoramic scenic windows, Wi-Fi and Spotify. Enjoy a small-group journey with 15 people maximum for ultimate comfort and undivded attention from your guide. Let your Altitude Tours guide entertain you with in-depth knowledge of the area, as you travel from Queenstown into the Fiordland National Park on the famous Milford Road. Enjoy many scenic photo stops at both famous locations, as well as your guide's favourite spots. Enjoy a 2-hour boutique uncrowded cruise and picnic lunch while taking in the incredible beauty that Milford Sound has to offer!

Enjoy a hassle-free cruise on the magnificent Milford Sound. Benefit from a comfortable vessel specifically designed to capture the beauty of the fiord with large windows and spacious viewing decks.

Visit Milford Sound by premium coach for a 2-hour nature cruise and picnic lunch. Enjoy the scenery, informative commentary, and photo stops before sailing close to the fiord's waterfalls.

Enjoy return flights over snow-capped mountain ranges, sparkling lakes, and tumbling waterfalls for the ultimate Milford Sound experience, before embarking on a 2-hour cruise around Milford Sound.

At the core, we’re a family business with our management team being 6th & 7th generation Banks Peninsula locals. Alongside our family members, we have a passionate team who are committed to you having a once-in-a-lifetime experience! We keep our passenger groups small so that you have more room to move around the boat, and enjoy your cruise without overcrowding or missing dolphin sightings due to a shortage of viewing space. Our boat has a low-lying profile which means you get closer to the wildlife! When you board our boat you’ll be offered a complimentary drink. Choose from beer, award-winning local wine or non-alcoholic options. You’ll also enjoy our famous home-baked treats made from our family recipe and served to you by our delightful onboard crew. We are committed to the conservation of our harbour's environment and wildlife. After all, it’s the centre point of our business. *Check-in is 30 minutes prior to the departure, with boarding 15 minutes beforehand.

We will fly you from Queenstown over the Southern Alps with breathtakingly spectacular and endless panoramic views of lakes, forested river valleys, waterfalls, jagged razor-backed ridge lines and snow covered peaks.

Take part in an exciting day excursion to Milford Sound from Te Anau with a local guide. Travel by coach, cruise, and on foot to explore spectacular scenery from mountains to sea.

Discover the wildlife and waterfalls of Milford Sound on a round trip nature cruise by purpose-built catamaran. Marvel at the majesty of Mitre Peak, get up-close to Stirling Falls as you cruise both sides of the fjord.

Enjoy a two hour cruise traversing the deep waters of Milford Sound, located in Fiordland. Your cruise will take you past St Anne’s lighthouse and out into the Tasman Sea. Informative guides point out scenic highlights along the way, such as the Bowen Falls (dropping 160 metres seaward), Sinbad Gully (a classic example of a hanging valley), snow-capped Mount Pembroke, and the awe-inspiring Mitre Peak itself, towering 1692 metres from the ocean floor.