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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 61 South Island coach tours and small group adventures, and if time permits venture further and explore all of New Zealand.

Popular South Island Tours View all

Southern Wonders

9 Days Christchurch to Christchurch

Operator: AAT Kings

From 3,228

Save 255

Ultimate South Island

10 Days Christchurch to Christchurch

Operator: Grand Pacific Tours

From 5,015

Save 484

Southern Spotlight

9 Days Christchurch to Christchurch

Operator: AAT Kings

From 3,309

Save 215

Classic South Island

10 Days Christchurch to Christchurch

Operator: Grand Pacific Tours

From 3,522

Save 447

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.

Recent Reviews What our clients are saying about their journeys through New Zealand's South Island

Highlights of the South Island of New Zealand Debra, WA, Australia, Mar 2020

An enjoyable tour that showed us the highlights of the South Island. The coach held 48 people and it was full on our tour but that caused no delays. We were with a lovely group of people from England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Canada and Australia. The tour moved at a consistent pace and we especially enjoyed the two night stopovers as that gave us ...read more

Wonderful AAT Kings Tour Diane, NSW, Australia, Feb 2020

Couldn’t have been better. ‘Southern Wonders NZ’ was a comprehensive and fun tour. I was blown away by the wonderful scenery in the South Island and the opportunities I had for extra tours like flights over glaciers and the alps. Our group was large - 47 people but we all got on well and everyone was really nice. Our Tour Leader Gina went out of her ...read more

Excellent New Zealand South Island Coach Tour Donald & Nancy, Canada, Feb 2020

We would like to thank Tracey for her excellent help in planning our trip with AAT Kings, the Southern Wonders of New Zealand. She constantly kept in touch with us as we were awaiting the NZeTA to complete the booking. Even now, after the trip, she is assisting us in getting a partial reimbursement from AAT Kings due to one day revision of tour due ...read more

South Island NZ with GPT Alick, SA, Australia, Feb 2020

Firstly, Global Journeys was excellent in their pricing and handling of the booking, and I am booking another tour through them again. I appreciated Hannah's involvement in the process. The scenery, of course, in the South Island is magnificent. I would travel with Grand Pacific tours again and may do a repeat next year as we missed out on Milford Sound ...read more

Explore More Explore more Your guide to travelling through the South Island of New Zealand

12 August, 2020
Want to Heli Ski New Zealand’s Southern Alps? Do it with Haka Tours
The Southern Alps of New Zealand are considered one of the top 10 places to heli ski in the world. A heli skiing adventure may be something you dream about, did you know you don’t need to be an expert alpine skier to take on a heli skiing holiday? If you are an intermediate level skier who can...

30 July, 2020
5 Awesome Walking Trails on NZ’s South Island
New Zealand’s South Island is incredibly scenic. Raw beauty enchants at every turn and visitors are drawn to the impressive displays of nature that unravel between soaring peaks, glistening glaciers, and dramatic coastlines. Surround yourself with these incredible landscapes on a dedicated...

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...