Top South Island Shore Excursions

Travel from Akaroa Harbour on this shore excursion through the Banks Peninsula to Christchurch, whose city center was devastated by the 2011 earthquake. Drive past city landmarks in the old CBD and stroll the Christchurch Botanic Gardens with a knowledgeable guide. En route, take in the scenic splendor of the Southern Alps and the Canterbury Region.

Travel from Queenstown to the much-loved UNESCO-listed Milford Sound. Your guide will ensure you make the most of your trip with commentary along the way—pointing out scenic viewpoints and areas where Lord of the Rings was filmed. Once you reach Milford Sound, you won’t have to worry about waiting in visitor lines as entrance tickets are included. Enjoy a Milford Sound Discovery Cruise where you’ll see stunning views of waterfalls and Mitre Peak. You’ll also have free time to explore the waterfalls of Lake Marian on foot.

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.

This Akaroa shore excursion takes you sightseeing in Christchurch via a scenic drive through the Banks Peninsula. See the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and other city highlights before a visit to the International Antarctic Centre, Christchurch's top attraction. Feel arctic winds at the Snow and Ice Experience and observe New Zealand wildlife at the Penguin Encounter. Finish with an all-terrain adventure on a thrilling ride by amphibious Hagglund vehicle.

Swap the cruise port for the Dunedin countryside on a half-day shore excursion that includes the Otago Peninsula. Your sightseeing tour covers highlights of the city center such as the Dunedin Railway Station, then travels to several village suburbs, stopping en route at scenic lookouts and for a beachside view of basking sea lions. Enjoy the personalized attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to 19 people.

With a winemaker as your guide; your tour starts with an informative vineyard stroll, followed by a behind-the-scenes look at a modern working winery where you can taste grape juice fresh from the press, sample a young Pinot Noir from the barrel, or try a freshly filtered Sauvignon Blanc. You can ask all those curly questions, and capture the best behind-the-scenes winery photos. Next, we’ll get up close and personal with the Marlborough wine region and you’ll taste any delight that isn’t tied down. In our full day tour you visit 4-6 wineries which can include local breweries, with over 40 cellar doors to choose from, if you’ve got a favourite we’ll do our best to get you there. Lunch at a vineyard restaurant is always a highlight. There is opportunity to do a Cheese tasting, Olive oil tasting or a visit to Makana Chocolate Shop. Visit 4-6 wineries.

Spend your shore excursion in Akaroa on a 2-hour nature cruise around Akaroa Harbour. Your professional skipper points out abundant wildlife that may include Hector’s dolphins — the world’s rarest and smallest dolphins — New Zealand fur seals, blue penguins and yellow-eyed penguins. You’ll motor past volcanic cliffs and remote sea caves by luxury catamaran en route to Seal Bay and a salmon farm in Lucas Bay.

Swap the cruise port for a Marlborough wine tour on this shore excursion to a half dozen boutique wineries or more. When your ship pulls into Picton, travel by minivan through this notable wine region in the South Island, sipping award-winning New Zealand wines and sampling delectable chocolates. Opt for extra time to taste wine and purchase a seasonal gourmet lunch on this small-group tour, limited to 11 people for an intimate experience.

Dunedin is a city full of culture and history and also conveniently close to wildlife reserves and unspoilt nature. See both sides of the city in one day on this small-group tour. Take in the central sights, such as the Railway Station and the steepest street in the world, Baldwin Street. Stroll through the manicured gardens of Larnach Castle on the way to the Otago Peninsula, home to albatross, seals, penguins, and sea lions.

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.

Peer at rare yellow-eyed penguins and visit nesting grounds of the northern royal albatross during a full-day tour of the Otago Peninsula and Dunedin. Spend your morning sightseeing in Dunedin’s city center, including highlights of the Octagon, followed by a visit to the gardens of Larnach Castle, with the option to go inside and buy lunch. In the afternoon, immerse in the natural beauty of the Otago Peninsula and the scenic coast along Taiaroa Head. Numbers are limited to 19 people to allow for personalized attention from your informative guide.

Pedal around town the easy way by renting an electric bike for the day. If you run out of energy on the hills, the bike’s motor will pick up the slack. Ride through town, around the lake, or up one of Queenstown’s famous hills for a fantastic view of the city and Lake Wakatipu. An ideal family activity as nobody can complain about tired legs.

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.

When your cruise ship docks in Picton, take the opportunity to go wine tasting on a tour that visits some of Marlborough’s award-winning wineries. Visit up to five wineries in Blenheim for tastings and vineyard tours, discovering both internationally famous wines and lesser-known New Zealand gems. You’ll also stop for lunch (own expense) and sample locally made chocolates as you head back to Picton at the end of your tour.

Visit several wineries in the Marlborough wine region on a half-day tour from Picton. Enjoy wine tasting at each location, and learn about New Zealand's prolific wine industry from your guide on this comprehensive wine tour.

When your cruise ship docks in Akaroa, take a shore excursion to Christchurch for a sightseeing tour, followed by an adrenaline-charged jet-boat ride on the Waimak River. Escorted by a knowledgeable guide, you’ll combine a drive through the Banks Peninsula with the city landmarks of Christchurch and an exhilarating jet-boat ride. Round-trip port transport is included.

Explore New Zealand’s rugged countryside by quad bike and enjoy plenty of off-road adventure on this family-friendly 2-hour off-road tour in Hanmer Springs. Choose a morning or afternoon tour and hop onto your quad bike. Then, open the throttle and zoom along winding dirt tracks with a guide. Spin along riverbanks and over creek crossings, and follow farmland trails into the wilderness. Along the way, feel the wind in your face and enjoy sweeping views over the rugged landscapes for which the South Island is famous.

Race through the native forest canopy and see the rolling Nelson countryside from the sky in this unique flying fox experience. The Skywire is one of the longest flying foxes in New Zealand and can reach speeds of around 60 miles per hour, and this package gives you the chance to experience that speed first-hand as you rocket up and down Cable Bay hillside, through the trees and valleys.

While your cruise ship is docked in Akaroa port, take a guided shore excursion to Christchurch and nearby Canterbury via the scenic bays and coves of the Banks Peninsula. Explore the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and other highlights during a city sightseeing tour, then see sheep dogs and a sheep-shearing demonstration as you get a feel for rural life on an authentic New Zealand sheep farm. Afternoon tea and round-trip port transport are included.

Travel with a small group to explore the city of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula. Get personalized attention from your guide and enjoy an intimate atmosphere with your fellow travelers as you hit all the highlights, such as Larnach Castle, Penguin Place, the Octagon, the Dunedin Rail Station, the University of Otago, and more. Along the way, listen to engaging commentary from your guide and enjoy the opportunity to ask questions.

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.

Explore Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula on a full-day shore excursion that includes Larnach Castle & Gardens and Speight’s Brewery, two of the region’s top destinations. With an experienced guide to lead the way, you’ll discover the fascinating city of Dunedin, step back in time at New Zealand’s only castle, then visit a historic working brewery with deep southern roots. This 6.5-hour tour includes all entrance fees and guided tours, as well as pickup and drop-off at Port Chalmers.

Explore Dunedin highlights on a 3-hour, small-group tour that goes from the city's historic landmarks to the beaches of the Otago Peninsula. You'll see the University of Otago, the Dunedin Railway Station, and more, then continue to the beautiful Otago Peninsula, pausing for a walk on St. Clair beach and esplanade. Group size is limited to 13 people to ensure personalized service, and this tour includes pickup and drop-off at Port Chalmers, with departure times that are tailored to cruise ship arrivals.

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.