Top South Island Historical Tours

The Mail has been delivered by boat for over 150 years in the Queen Charlotte Sounds, we are the only official licensed New Zealand Post Rural Delivery Service by water in the Queen Charlotte Sound making this a truly unique tour! Come along on the Mail Boat Cruise and share the excitement of Mail Day as the skipper delivers the Rural post bags, groceries and freight to the residents that call the Queen Charlotte Sound waterways home. If time allows the Mail Boat Cruise will take a short stop at one of the brilliant locations within the Queen Charlotte waterways, you route will shown upon check in. Available to purchase for $5 in the office before you depart are Beachcomber Cruises keep cups, we no longer use single use cups on board our vessels due the huge environmental impact. Upon purchase of a Beachcomber Cruises keep cup guests can enjoy tea and coffee onboard for the duration of the tour.

Enjoy a 4-course dinner aboard the Christchurch Tramway Restaurant and travel in heritage style through the city center, round-trip from Cathedral Junction. Relax and enjoy views of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and Avon River from your window-side table. The journey in this elegant restaurant on wheels includes a welcome drink upon arrival, with tea and coffee to accompany your gourmet meal, served by professional waitstaff.

Visit Arrowtown and Wanaka on a half-day tour from Queenstown that explores local history and one of New Zealand’s most exciting adventure destinations. You’ll have time to stroll Arrowtown’s charming main street, built during the town’s 19th-century gold rush, then enjoy an hour of free time to see Wanaka. Walk the gorgeous lake path with views of the Southern Alps, then return to Queenstown through the Crown Range, winding through towering peaks and high passes.

True Lord of the Rings fans shouldn’t settle for anything less than a full day exploring Middle Earth. Departing from Queenstown, you’ll travel to some of the most beautiful filming locations in the area. Visit Gladden Fields, Isengard, the Misty Mountains, and more. Learn about the iconic forest, river, and glacial valley landscapes that have become part of movie-making history.

Get around Lake Te Anau with ease on a small-group tour that combines an elegant cruise and guided nature walks in Fiordland National Park. At the wharf you’ll board a historical motor yacht for a relaxed cruise with afternoon tea. After a bush walk amid the South Island’s famed scenery,  your crew sets sail for the return. This cruise is limited to 16 passengers to ensure a comfortable, personable experience.

Visit Ship Cove on a morning boat cruise that explores the Marlborough Sounds, a broad network of waterways that makes up 20 percent of New Zealand’s coastline. Enjoy time to disembark at Ship Cove where you can see a memorial to Captain Cook, Maori wood carvings and the sheltered beach. Throughout your journey, marvel at breathtaking scenery and hear informative commentary from your knowledgeable captain about the marine life, cultural history, and natural features of this beautiful region Please note that this tour departs sharply on schedule at 9:00am Tea and coffee is available to purchase prior to your departure for $5 with a complimentary Keep Cup to take away with you.

Explore the city of Dunedin with a knowledgeable local guide who takes you to points of interest where you can stop and have a look around. See the Olveston House, Cadbury World and the University of Otago. Enjoy views of Otago Harbour from the lookout point on Signal Hill, and drive down steep Baldwin Street. Pickup and drop-off is available from hotels, the cruise port or the Dunedin Railway Station. Numbers are limited to 15 people for a small-group experience, with personalized attention from your guide.

Get ready for a hassle-free day of adventures from Christchurch with round-trip transport, and admission tickets included. The trip will showcase scenic viewpoints along the way, such as Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, the Ben Ohau Range, and sites from Lord of the Rings. Avoid long lines at Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre by having admission included. Another highlight is a visit to the Tasman Glacier, and a delicious lunch is included too.

Enjoy an off-road adventure in the wild of New Zealand on this half-day Wakatipu Basin 4-wheel drive tour from Queenstown. Cruise along off-road routes toward the Remarkables mountain range — widely used in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Admire panoramic views over Deer Park Heights and the Kawarau Gorge, and then head onward to the historic gold-mining settlement of Arrowtown. Traverse bumpy river crossings along the Arrow River, and pan for gold on the riverbank. Then gaze over the Wakatipu Basin from Coronet Peak en route back to Queenstown.

Glimpse early 20th-century life in New Zealand during a 1-hour guided tour of the Olveston Historic Home in Dunedin. Follow a knowledgeable docent through the 35-room mansion as you learn about its Jacobean-style architectural design, fine art and furnishings. Discover the history of one of Dunedin’s most prominent families, and stroll through the elegant gardens with views of Otago Harbour.

See the central sights of Dunedin and visit the Olveston Historic Home on a shore excursion of Dunedin attractions. When your ship pulls into port, a professional guide escorts you through the city by coach. View the University of Otago, Dunedin Botanic Garden and stately historic buildings before a guided tour of Olveston, which includes the mansion and its landscaped gardens.

Leave bustling Queenstown behind for the scenic beauty of Skippers Canyon on a half-day 4WD tour of the historic gorge. An experienced guide traverses Gorge Road and follows an old mining route toward Coronet Peak and into Skippers Canyon for outstanding views over the Wakatipu Basin and the Shotover River. Enjoy short walks and stop for scrumptious morning or afternoon tea including chilled wine, cookies and homemade cheese.

Tucked in beneath the soaring peaks and serene lakes of New Zealand’s South Island, Arrowtown and Wanaka offer outdoor adventure with a strong sense of history. On this tour, hit both destinations in one day and enjoy a drink in the famous Cardrona Hotel. Spin into the Gibbston Valley with your guide and stroll through the 19th-century gold-mining settlement of Arrowtown. Pass the fertile vineyards of Kawarau Gorge, admire spectacular views along the Crown Range road, and enjoy free time to explore Wanaka at your leisure.

With waterfalls cascading down mighty cliffs and some of New Zealand’s most impressive natural scenery, Milford Sound is one the South Island’s must-see destinations—but its remote location makes it hard to reach alone. On this tour, spin through the New Zealand countryside in comfort from central Queenstown with your guide. Admire panoramic views from your glass-roof coach, and cruise the calm waters with a picnic lunch included.

It can be difficult to really stop and appreciate the sights and sounds of Fiordland National Park when you’re hiking or mountain biking. This easy-going morning cruise takes the hiking packs, sweating and heavy breathing out of the equation. Cruise along Lake Te Anau in an elegant 1930s sailing yacht and enjoy the views of the towering Southern Alps from the lake.

The Seasider is a scenic railway route between Dunedin and Waitati, affording spectacular views along the Pacific coast. On this tour, enjoy a hassle-free experience with prepaid tickets and soak up the scenery on-board the 90-minute round-trip train ride. Along the way, admire views of the Otago Peninsula, including Otago Harbour, Port Chalmers, Careys Bay, and Blueskin Bay.

The pōwhiri, or welcome, is an important ritual in New Zealand’s Indigenous Māori culture, inviting visitors as they arrive on their whenua (land). Experience a full pōwhiri, including the wero (challenge) and mihi whakatau (welcome speech), first-hand with this unique cultural experience. Connect with local Māori traditions in a way that you simply can’t through guidebooks and museums; learn more about the local iwi (tribe) and their responsibilities as kaitiaki, or custodians of the land.

Travel off-road to the former gold mining town of Macetown along roads only accessible by 4WD. With an expert guide at the wheel, all you have to do is hold on for the rugged ride, which includes nearly two dozen river crossings and a backcountry route high above the Arrow Gorge. Pass Arrowtown en route to this historical ghost town protected by the Department of Conservation. Enjoy light refreshments and the opportunity to pan for gold in the Arrow River.

Venture to Dunedin and escape the crowds when your ship pulls into port. You'll visit beaches on the scenic coastline and learn about the impressive architecture of New Zealand's oldest city on this shore excursion. Stop at several lookouts and search for wildlife in the Otago Peninsula.

Make the most of the pristine night skies over the Mackenzie Basin with this observatory experience tailored for first-time stargazers. Watch the night sky through one of Cowan’s Observatory’s telescopes, finding stars, constellations and other hidden secrets with the help of one of the observatory’s knowledgeable astronomy guides. With discounted tickets for visitors aged 17 and under, this is a great way to introduce children to the wonders of the Milky Way.

Get to know Queenstown's highlights, history, culture, and scenery on this half-day tour. With a small group limited to just 11 people or fewer, travel in a minivan to locales such as Lake Hayes, Arrowtown, Lord of the Rings locations, a Honey farm and do cheese tasting. Pickup and drop-off in central Queenstown included.

Enjoy a fully guided tour of Larnach Castle during a day of sightseeing in Dunedin with a small group. See key landmarks such as the Larnach family tomb in Dunedin's old Northern Cemetery. Visit the University of Otago, Dunedin Botanic Garden, Baldwin Street and the Dunedin Railway Station. Then head to the hills of the Otago Peninsula to explore the famous century-old castle. Pickup and drop-off is available from hotels or the cruise port.

The Queenstown region is full of key filming locations for the Lord of the Rings movies, but many of them are remote and can be difficult to find and get to. Save yourself the hassle of driving around the Otago countryside on this half-day tour to some of the filming locations. Visit the spots where the Gladden Fields, the Pillars of Kings and the Ford of Bruinen were brought to life, and spend some time with exclusive props and costumes from the movies.

Maximise your time in port in Dunedin with this shore excursion and take in the highlights of the Otago Peninsula. See city sights including The Octagon, Dunedin Harbor, Baldwin Street, and Larnach Castle (which for an added fee, you may enter the castle and learn the interesting history of this stately home). Port pickup and drop-off included.