14 Tours in Southland to Build a Day Around

1.Stewart Island: Wild Kiwi Experiences

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 177 reviews · 4 hours · from $154Our pick

Cruise from Oban around nearby islands to look for penguins, albatross, seals, sea lions, and other birds. Then walk about two hours through forest and beach at Little Glory Cove or Oneke, using red light and quiet tracking methods to find wild tokoeka kiwi. Guides such as Sarah, Karen, Natasha, Jan, and Matt have helped make the evening memorable.

“We saw 3 kiwis during our evening and were fortunate to see a penguin trifecta - little blues in the ocean, a yellow-eyed penguin on a beach, and a Fjordland Crested penguin on another beach. The guides were very informative and it was really fun walking through the bush with flashlights. They also offered warm drinks and cookies. Bonus!”

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2.Stewart Island: Ulva Island Guided Wilderness Walk & Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 165 reviews · 2h 30m · from $86

Cruise Paterson Inlet from Stewart Island, then spend about 90 minutes walking Ulva Island Wildlife Sanctuary with a specialist guide. Look for weka, robins, saddlebacks, yellowheads, seals, penguins, and sea birds while learning about native plants, Māori history, and European settlement. Guides such as Karen, Jan, and Natasha are known for sharp bird-call skills and lively explanations.

“This was a really interesting and informative tour and was lucky enough to see Stewart Island robins, Kaka,Weka,Kerry and Bellaire on Ulva Island. Grace was a grest guide and we would highly recommend this tour to potential visitors to Stewart Island”

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3.Stewart Island: Village and Bays Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 141 reviews · 1h 30m · from $35Best value

See Oban, Halfmoon Bay, Horseshoe Bay, Lee Bay, and Paterson Inlet from a comfortable mini bus with a local English-speaking guide. Rhys, Shona, Jen, Di, Karen, and other guides bring local history, Māori legends, wildlife, conservation, and island life to the short tour, with photo stops and brief walks.

“Rhys, our driver was most informative, great sense of humour & conveyed in understandable terms the history of Rakiura Stewart Island. We highly recommend him as a valued part of our visit & a tour guide.”

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4.Self-Guided Milford Track Day Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 114 reviews · 3h 30m · from $44

Take a short water-taxi ride from Deepwater Basin to Sandfly Point, then follow the flat Milford Track through beech and rimu forest to Giant Gate Falls. You set your own pace on this self-guided walk. English-speaking drivers, including Geoff, provide the boat transfer and useful local guidance.

“Excellent transportation with good instruction to location and times.”

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5.Milford Sound Flight and Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 111 reviews · 4 hours · from $445

Fly in a small luxury aircraft from Queenstown to Milford Sound, with a guaranteed window seat and pilot commentary from guides such as Andrew, Jason, or Laura. After landing, take a nature cruise beneath waterfalls and near Mitre Peak, then fly back. Hotel pickup, drop-off, and parking are included.

“This trip was incredible, flight was smooth as can be both ways, Andrew was great and his commentary while flying was incredibly informational. No way driving from Queenstown should ever be done as this trip is seemless.”

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6.Milford Sound Day Trip with Cruise & Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 29 reviews · 9 hours · from $537

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a small Mercedes van, stopping at Mirror Lakes, Knobs Flat, and Eglinton Valley. Cruise the full fiord for two hours, then fly over Fiordland and Lake Wakatipu back to Queenstown. Guides such as James and Shelly add local stories and bush-walk stops when conditions allow.

“We had an enjoyable time. The drive to milford sound was beautiful though long. Our guide/ driver James was knowledgeable. Although the original provider Scenic Flight cancelled our return flight back, James was able to make alternative arrangements with another flight company. The flight back to Queenstown was truly breathtaking. An unforgettable experience.”

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7.Milford Sound Premium Day Tour and Cruise from Te Anau

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 11 reviews · 7h 30m · from $140

Travel from Te Anau to Milford Sound in a heated coach with reclining seats, extra legroom, and a glass roof, stopping at Mirror Lakes and rainforest viewpoints. Cruise the fiord with reserved window seating, English commentary, tea, coffee, waterfalls, seals, and possible dolphin sightings. Brad is one guide praised for his humor and local insight.

“God entusiastisk guide. God båd tur med masser af smuk natur”

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8.Stewart Island: Guided Wilderness Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 3h 20m · from $118Top rated

Take a 200-minute small-group trip from Oban to Oneke, known as The Neck. Guides such as India and Harry share Māori and European stories while you walk beaches, forest tracks, and coastal trails, with chances to spot native wildlife and sea lions. A return catamaran cruise is included, but you bring your own lunch and waterproof gear.

“This tour was incredible! Our guides India and Harry were very knowledgeable and friendly, really made us feel welcome and at ease. We loved the cultural aspects and learning about the local wildlife, plants and legends. Genuinely the best part of our entire holiday in New Zealand, thank you so very much.”

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9.Milford Sound Cruise and Scenic Drive

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 12h 30m · from $232

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a small group with a live English-speaking guide, scenic stops on Milford Road, and a two-hour fjord cruise. Look for seals, dolphins, and seasonal Fiordland penguins. Guides including Alaina, Shelly, James, and Chelsea have led this tour, which includes pickup, Wi-Fi, bottled water, and cruise refreshments.

“James was great! He did a wonderful tour with lots of great fun facts and made the long drive more enjoyable.”

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10.Self-Guided Milford Track Day Walk from Lake Te Anau

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 6 hours · from $80

Take a 50-minute boat ride from Te Anau Downs to Glade Wharf, then walk independently along the Milford Track to Clinton Hut, 5 km away. The trail is flat and generally easy, with a swing bridge, clear river views, and time for a picnic or swim before returning to meet the 4:30 pm boat.

“Great trip. Lovely boat ride & easy walk along the river which was so peaceful. Walking across the swing bridge is fun & has great views. Getting to the hut & experiencing it briefly with the 4 day hikers was good.”

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11.Invercargill to Dunedin via the Catlins Small Group 1 Way Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $155

Travel from Invercargill to Dunedin in a small group of no more than 15 people, with a local guide, luggage space, and hotel pickup where available. You’ll see Curio Bay’s 180-million-year-old fossil forest, visit the Lost Gypsy Caravan, walk to Purakaunui Falls, and finish at Nugget Point Lighthouse before a central Dunedin drop-off.

“This offering changed my trip planning in a great way and allowed me to be more aggressive and ambitious in what ground I could cover. Originally, I wanted to see the South Island and major cities like Christchurch, Dunedin, and QueensRead more”

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12.Dunedin to Te Anau via The Catlins & Invercargill 1 Way Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 11 hours · from $173

Travel from Dunedin to Te Anau in a small group of up to 15 people with local guide Jason or another English-speaking guide. See Nugget Point Lighthouse, Purakaunui Falls, the Lost Gypsy Caravan, Curio Bay’s petrified forest, and possibly Cathedral Caves. Hotel pickup, snacks, water, and Te Anau drop-off are included.

“Great tour with a lot of beautiful views and stops. Jason was an amazing driver/guide with so much passion for his job.”

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13.Glacier and Waterfall Helicopter Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 45 min · from $535

Take a 45-minute helicopter flight from Milford Sound Airport with an English-speaking pilot, two mountain landings, and headsets for questions. See Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, Tutoko Glacier, the Milford Track, Arthur Valley, and Sutherland Falls, New Zealand’s highest waterfall. The flight carries up to six people.

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14.Invercargill to Te Anau Small Group Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $55

Travel from Invercargill to Te Anau in a modern Mercedes-Benz vehicle with up to 15 people. Your local guide shares Southland stories while you pass farms, native bush, and possibly the coast. Hotel pickup, hotel drop-off, water, snacks, and room for one large and one small bag per person are included.

“We booked a transfer from invercargill to te anau, but it was much better than a simple ride between destinations. Our driver, Jason, gave us a scenic tour full of information and stories that complimented the beautiful scenery. Highly recommended”

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