South Island Tours
Discover the stunning landscapes of New Zealand’s South Island. Explore majestic snow capped mountains, deep fiords, immense glaciers and sparkling lakes. Experience world renowned wineries, heart stopping adventure sports and the purest air imaginable. Indulge your senses on one of our 42 South Island coach tours and small group adventures, and if time permits venture further and explore all of New Zealand.
Popular South Island Tours
Discover
Must do experiences and highlights on New Zealand's South Island
Queenstown from the Water
Set off across Lake Wakatipu on the vintage steamship, TSS Earnslaw, taking in the alpine scenery and soaring peaks that frame the shores of this serene lake.
Heli-Hike on Franz Josef
Enjoy a scenic helicopter flight over this icy wonderland coupled with a guided walk on Franz Joseph, discovering frozen caves and pillars of glacial ice.
Explore Mt Cook National Park
Travel through this stunning alpine landscape home to permanent snow fields, opaque lakes and towering peaks, crowned by Mt Cook at 3,724m (12,217ft).
Ride the TranzAlpine
Cross the Canterbury Plains and climb into the Southern Alps on this breathtaking rail journey. Watch from the outdoor viewing carriage as glistening rivers carve their way through the dramatic landscape.
Cruise Milford Sound
Discover the tranquil waters, soaring granite peaks and snow capped mountains of Fiordland National Park. Set off on a cruise to marvel at the tumbling waterfalls and lush vegetation visible through the mist.
New Zealand Brochures
42 NZ South Island tours sourced from 20 Operator brochures
Recent Reviews
What our clients are saying about their journeys through New Zealand's South Island
“Rhythm & Alps”
Mona - QLD, Australia Dec 2019
I won’t travel with Contiki ever again. Very immature tour leader. The event bookings were mainly with those companies that benefit them not really caring about the customer. Zero customer service. However, this review is not related to Global Journeys, Global Journeys was amazing and quick in booking and very informative and accurate, I’ll book through them again.
“NZ Festive Tour 2019”
Romaine - QLD, Australia Dec 2019
Travelled on a 10 day tour with Grand Pacific Tour over Xmas and could not recommend the tour company enough. Driver and Guide were excellent.
“Great way to get an in depth view of the South Island!”
Andy - United States Dec 2019
I had an amazing time on this tour and it's a great way to see most of the South Island. Itinerary was pretty awesome, though we did end up having to skip Franz Josef due to flooding so in place of that we ended up going to Tekapo and Aoraki/Mt. Cook! At the end of the tour, our CEO (which is also the driver) told us that we'd driven over 2400km! There were quite a few unique accommodations including Aquapackers, a floating ship hostel in Abel Tasman, and the Jailhouse Accommodation in Christchurch,
...read more however this is a hostel trip so set your expectations there (4-8 per room most nights, daily supermarket breakfast, and some included dinners). Also being NZ and the adventure capital of the world, there are A LOT of optionals which you will be booking on the trip, so definitely take a look at those and plan ahead!
“Great tour through NZ's South Island”
Abigail - NSW, Australia Nov 2019
Grand Pacific tours were very well organised and considerate to all passengers on the tour. Our tour guide Peter and Coach Captain Geoff were excellent and very knowledgeable. The route was great and beautiful scenery too. Accommodation in some places can be better but the food in the hotels was excellent. Good pace on the tour but wish we could have spent more time in the smaller towns and not be back to the hotel sometimes a tad bit early. Booking through Global Journeys was a good experience.
...read more Yvonne was very helpful, courteous, patient and kind right throughout the entire process. She even assisted in ensuring that I received my parcel from the tour company without any hassles. I would definitely book through Global Journeys again and would definitely go on a Grand Pacific tour again if travelling in New Zealand. Overall fantastic experience.
Explore More
Your guide to travelling through the South Island of New Zealand
13 September, 2018 Natasha’s Highlights of NZ’s South Island with Kirra Tours
For a small country New Zealand has a big personality and so much to offer in terms of scenery and experiences. I’ve always been a fan and have visited a few times before, however, my ‘must-see’ list continually gets longer rather than smaller. I was recently lucky enough to cross another..
12 September, 2018 Natasha Rides the TranzAlpine with Kirra Tours
I have wanted to try out New Zealand’s TranzAlpine railway between Christchurch and Greymouth for years. Everyone who has taken the journey through the Canterbury Plains and the stunning Southern Alps has raved about it, so it had cemented its place on my ‘must-do’ list a while ago. Lucky for..
29 August, 2018 Madeline’s 8 Day South Island Vista with Kirra
When the chance to fulfil a bucket list destination of mine arose, of course I jumped at the opportunity! Along with some other lucky travellers, I took part in an 8-day itinerary, which has since been enhanced by Kirra to what is now the 10 Day TranzAlpine Panorama.Now if you’ve read my..
13 September, 2018 
12 September, 2018 
29 August, 2018 