Top South Island Outdoor Activities

Independent travelers are perfectly matched for this half-day, self-guided wine and cycling experience from Arrowtown. With a bike and helmet rental, cycle between rivers, across suspension bridges, and under mature trees, stopping at your leisure to take in the mountain views. End up at the Gibbston Valley Winery for a tour and tasting, rewarding your hard work over the 8.6-mile (14-kilometer) ride.

Although large swathes of backcountry skiing are accessible from New Zealand’s best ski slopes, any serious powderhound should include a heli-skiing experience in their Kiwi ski holiday. Avoid the crowds, make swooping turns through untracked fresh powder and take in the super-expensive views that many ski fields lack.

Get the inside scoop on the marine life of the Marlborough Sounds during a half-day guided sea kayaking tour. Expect to see a variety of birdlife plus possible sightings of rays, seals, little blue penguins, dolphins, and perhaps even an orca. Setting off from Anakiwa Beach, conveniently situated between Havelock and Picton, you’ll paddle with a small group around the Grove Arm of Queen Charlotte Sound.

Explore the rivers and rainforests of New Zealand’s beautiful South Westland region on this 2-hour Waitato River safari from Haast. Hop aboard your boat and cruise up the mighty Waitato River with your guide. Admire attractive flora and fauna thriving on the riverbanks and learn of the rainforest’s varied animal and bird life. Take an optional hike into the rainforest, and enjoy thrilling spins and turns over the waves. Watch the skies for native white heron and fantails, and look out for flounder, whitebait and trout in the clear waters.

Channel your inner Hobbit and enjoy outdoor adventure in the heart of New Zealand on this 4-hour Hobbit barrel run rafting tour on the Pelorus River. Pull on your wetsuit and hop aboard your raft, then drift onto the Pelorus River — made famous in the 2013 movie ‘The Desolation of Smaug.’ Stop off at filming locations used in the making of the movie to hear of the ways in which the film was shot, and listen as your guide sheds light on the region’s milling and mining heritage.

Based in beautiful Kingston just 30mins from Queenstown Airport at the south end of Lake Wakatipu Xtreme Off Road match world-class vehicles with out of this world scenery to give you both thrilling rides and breath taking views. You get to drive on our 2.5KM X Track at speeds up to 75kph, there’s ample opportunity to give it some jandal, drop the hammer or put the pedal to the metal.

Pair superb views of New Zealand’s Marlborough Sound with a glass of the area’s famous Sauvignon Blanc and a bowl of freshly-steamed Greenshell Mussels on this high-end, 3-hour sightseeing cruise. Cruise aboard a high-end luxury launch as you explore Pelorus Sound and Kenepuru Sound, stopping to look for local wildlife and to visit a local mussel farm.

Paddle around Queen Charlotte Sound on a full-day guided sea kayaking tour. You’ll set off through native bush from Anakiwa and stop at a secluded beach for a picnic lunch. Get a look at the marine life of the Marlborough Sounds on this small-group tour, which provides a personalized experience.

This will be one of the best if not THE best experiences you will have during your NZ vacation! There is no better way to maximise your day in stunning Akaroa! If you love to get some exercise while exploring with a local guide this tour is for you. Get the best of both worlds as you pedal and paddle your way through this action packed unforgettable day of adventure with us. Incredible views from the top of the Crater while riding to the summit await! Get up close and personal with the marine/nature reserve as you sea kayak through its pristine turquoise waters. Enjoy touring with Local knowledgeable guides who love to share their knowledge Small intimate groups are key for safety and opportunity to chat with the guides through out the tours Exploring the area from two different perspectives will blow your mind and there is no better way to make the most of your time in this special place! And of course you get some Great exercise!

Spend your time in port in Akaroa on a small-group shore excursion, sea kayaking around the harbor. Bask in the scenery of remote bays and inlets, and catch a glimpse of local marine life, including penguins, orcas, and endangered Hector’s dolphins. You’ll paddle for three hours with a guide through the basin of an extinct volcano and stop for a snack and swim at a coastal beach. This tour departs within walking distance of the cruise port.

Swap your cruise ship for a kayak on this 3-hour shore excursion from Akaroa and enjoy a thrilling close encounter with native wildlife. Paddle your way around remote bays, inlets and sandy beaches; admire the dramatic scenery of the once-active volcano basin; then cool off with a swim. Along the way, keep a lookout for some of New Zealand’s rarest wildlife sightings, including Hector Dolphins, penguins and orca whales.

Discover remote bays and native marine wildlife in New Zealand on this 3-hour sea kayak tour from Akaroa. Following an orientation session, paddle out onto the waters around Akaroa’s extinct volcanic basin with your guide. Test your newfound sea kayaking skills in the shallows of the harbor. Then, head out onto the gently rolling waves and enjoy panoramic views over the rugged coastline. Watch the skies for native birdlife such as heron, egrets, oystercatchers and bitterns, and keep an eye on the waves for sightings of playful seals and dolphins.

Ringer or not, you’re sure to enjoy this 'Lord of the Rings' air tour led by the aerial film pilot for the movie series. Fly above beautiful Queenstown, and see the spots filmed for the fictional places of Isengard, Amon Hen, Lothlorien, the Misty Mountains, and the Redhorn Pass. See the mountain range from the opening scene of 'The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,' and feel like you’re in Middle-earth.

Located in the heart of Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound forms part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. Explore the stunning fiord by air and water during a half-day excursion. The exhilarating, round-trip helicopter flight from Queenstown includes a glacier landing on Mt. Tutoko. Perhaps spot dolphins, seals, and penguins during an unforgettable cruise.

Truly the best way to see Milford Sound is by helicopter. Soaring high above the cruise boats, you’ll fly the length of the stunning fiord all the way to the Tasman Sea. This 2.5-hour aerial adventure from Queenstown takes you into the heart of Fiordland National Park. Your professional pilot hovers above iconic Mitre Peak and makes a landing on a coastal beach and atop Mt Tutoko glacier.

Take your Queenstown visit to new ‘heights’ of adventure thanks to this 50-minute helicopter flight complete with a glacier landing. Soar above the spectacular scenery of Mt. Aspiring National Park, gliding above turquoise ice formations, hidden alpine lakes and towering mountains before landing on top of a glacier for photos.

See New Zealand's spectacular alpine landscape on a 30-minute scenic helicopter flight from Queenstown. Fly over Skippers Canyon and the Wakatipu Basin, and land on a snow-capped peak.

Discover the best views of Queenstown from 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) on a 20-minute helicopter tour. Look down upon vast Lake Wakatipu and make an Alpine landing in the Remarkables Range, with Coronet Peak and Cecil Peak in the distance. It's a sensational photo opportunity. Hotel pickup and drop-off included.

Dive into the history of our filming of the Lord of the Rings movie and subsequently The Hobbit. Some of our pilots were involved in the actual shoot. A must-do for fans of the books and movies.

Spectacular views of Queenstown and the surrounding landscape. Exclusive landing on Humboldt mountain range.

New Zealand Luxury Helicopter Tours Queenstown Helicopter Flights New Zealand Luxury Helicopter Tours Queenstown Helicopter Flights The ultimate Fiordland experience traverses Milford and Doubtful Sounds as well as the lesser known George and Bligh Sounds.

Experience Milford Sound and its surrounding areas the adventurous way, from the seat of a helicopter. As well as an exciting flight over rivers, valleys, and mountains, you’ll also get the chance to land on a glacier. Capture unique photographs that you wouldn’t get if touring by bus. This is an ideal trip for travelers short on time, as you pack a lot of incredible sights into a short sightseeing trip.

Avoid the crowds and experience the grandeur of Milford Sound from the seat of a helicopter. This exclusive two-hour ride via helicopter will take you the full length of Milford Sound and, weather permitting, land on a glacier in Fiordland National Park. Listen to informative commentary from your skilled pilot during the trip, and stop for a short walk and photo opportunity at Milford Sound.

Join a small group for a full-day tour of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula. During the city tour, see landmarks such as the University of Otago, Baldwin Street, and Scottish heritage sites. Next explore the Otago Peninsula, including Otago Harbour, Sandfly Bay, Tunnel Beach, and historic Larnach Castle. Your tour includes pickup and drop-off in central Dunedin or the port.