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South IslandEco-certified

Our most recommended South Island Eco-certified

Te Anau: Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

1. Te Anau: Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

Experience a mysterious underground world of rushing water before drifting in darkness beneath the luminous shimmer of hundreds of glowworms.  Your trip to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves begins with a cruise to the western shores of Lake Te Anau. At the entry to the caves, view the informative displays and learn about this geological wonder before you head underground. On the tour of the caves, your friendly guide will point out the highlights and share their knowledge of the caves and its history. This underground world is astonishingly beautiful. The caves are 12,000 years old which by geological standards is still very young and they are still being carved out by the force of the river that flows through them. The result is a twisting network of limestone passages filled with sculpted rock, whirlpools and a roaring underground waterfall. Deep inside the caves, beyond the roar of the water, you will be taken by small boat into a silent hidden grotto inhabited by thousands of glowworms, unique to New Zealand. In the subterranean darkness, they produce a glittering display that is nothing short of extraordinary.

From Manapouri: Premium Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Trip

2. From Manapouri: Premium Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Trip

Spend a day in the remote wilderness of Doubtful Sound, located in the heart of Fiordland National Park and three times longer than Milford Sound. Self-drive to Manapouri and board a cruise across picturesque Lake Manapouri, followed by a bus trip across Wilmot Pass. Stop en route to experience the dense Fiordland rainforest. At Deep Cove, board the Patea Explorer, a purpose-built catamaran, for a 3-hour cruise on Doubtful Sound. See waterfalls, rainforests, and mountains during the cruise. You might spot the resident pod of bottlenose dolphins, the colony of fur seals at the mouth of the fiord, or even rare Fiordland crested penguins. During the cruise, knowledgeable nature guides will provide informative commentary.  When it rains in Fiordland, the landscape is dramatic - rock faces stream with waterfalls, mist hangs around the tops of the mountains, and rivers and streams rage.  From a dry comfortable vantage point on board the bus or vessel, this landscape is spectacular. Be prepared for rainfall during your visit. Many say you have not seen Fiordland unless you have seen it in the rain. At the end of your tour, be returned to the departure point.

Queenstown: Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip

3. Queenstown: Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip

Enjoy a fun and leisurely day trip to admire the glacial features, wild flora and fauna, and picturesque backdrops of the world-famous fiord at Milford Sound. Start with pickup for the bus journey to Te Anau. Your driver will share their local knowledge as you stop along the way to see spectacular scenery. Marvel at views of waterfalls, wildlife, and the rainforest. Soak up the sights from any of the three indoor and outdoor viewing decks during your cruise and join your jovial crew at the bow as you nose close to Stirling Falls to feel the spray from some of the world's freshest water.  Benefit from complimentary tea service is available for the entire cruise and, snacks cakes and drinks can be purchased from onboard cafe / bar.

Milford Sound: Nature Cruise on Premium Glass-Roof Catamaran

4. Milford Sound: Nature Cruise on Premium Glass-Roof Catamaran

Climb aboard 'Gem of the Sound', the newest vessel to cruise in the fiord, for a Milford Sound nature cruise. Capture the best views of the incredible fiord with three-levels of indoor and outdoor seating, unique glass roofs, and large viewing decks. Be welcomed on board by a friendly crew and marvel at one of the most stunning places on earth. Relax in the comfortable booth seating with stylish decor and ambient lighting. High-definition cameras project outdoor footage live onto TV screens throughout the vessel - so no matter where are, you won't miss a thing. Admire New Zealand fur seals basking on rocks and feel the spray of cascading waterfalls. Look out for playful dolphins and, if you’re lucky, catch a glimpse of the rare and elusive Fiordland Crested Penguin. Travel the length of the fiord and out into the Tasman Sea, to see why Captain Cook failed to discover Milford Sound after charting the Fiordland National Park.

Abel Tasman National Park Scenic Cruise

5. Abel Tasman National Park Scenic Cruise

Head out from beautiful Kaiteriteri Beach on this 4-hour scenic cruise through Abel Tasman National Park. See the world-famous Split Apple Rock, New Zealand fur seals, Bark Bay, Tonga Quarry, and golden sand beaches and sparkling turquoise waters along the way. Explore the coastline and discover secluded beaches and bays from the comfort of the boat. Learn about the history of the park and what makes it such a special place to visit. Hear commentary about the region and its inhabitants. The cruise is the best ways to experience Abel Tasman National Park, while encountering some of the local wildlife.

Abel Tasman National Park Cruise and Walking Tour Combo

6. Abel Tasman National Park Cruise and Walking Tour Combo

Experience the best of Abel Tasman National Park on this full-day boat cruise and walk combo tour. There are 3 different walk options available on this day of discovery. Enjoy a scenic cruise, visits to Split Apple Rock and a fur seal colony, golden beaches, forest walking, and wildlife encounters all on a single day out. There are 3 tour options: Option A: Astrolabe Beaches and Bays Walking distance: 7 km Walking time: 2.5 hours Details: After a scenic cruise, you’ll be dropped off at Apple Tree Bay at 12 PM, for a walk to Anchorage Beach. There is also the option of adding the 1-hour Pitt Head loop track to Te Pukatea Beach. Pick-up in Anchorage at 3:45 or 5:00 PM** Arrival in Kaiteriteri at 4:20 or 5:30 PM** Option B: Forest and Swing Bridge Walking distance: 10.5 km Walking time: 4 hours Details: Following a scenic cruise, you'll be dropped off at Medlands Beach at 11:30 AM for an interesting walk to Anchorage Beach that includes the scenic highlights of the South Head lookout, the famous Falls River swing bridge and Cleopatra’s Pool. Pick-up in Anchorage at 3:45 or 5:00 PM** Arrival in Kaiteriteri at 4:20 or 5:30 PM** Option C: 5 Beaches Walking distance: 8.8 km Walking time: 3.5 hours Details: After a scenic cruise, you'll be dropped off at Awaroa at 11:00 AM and enjoy a walk that takes in 5 beaches between Awaroa and your pick-up point at Medlands Beach. This option also features the option of stopping at the Awaroa Lodge Café, where you can enjoy the excellent views and native forests as well as a waterfall and lagoon at Bark Bay. Note that a steep climb from Tonga Quarry requires a reasonable level of fitness. Pick-up at Medlands Beach at 3:30 or 4:45 PM** Arrival in Kaiteriteri at 4:20 or 5:30 PM** * Summer season only: 15 October-30 April ** Peak summer only: 1 December-31 March

From Te Anau: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip

7. From Te Anau: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip

Discover Milford Sound on an 8-hour adventure with round-trip transport from Te Anau and a 2-hour cruise through the fiord. If you are looking to explore both Milford and Doubtful Sounds, it is worth staying one or two nights in Te Anau. There is plenty to do plus you will save yourself the long journeys to and from Queenstown. At Milford Sound, climb aboard the leisurely nature cruise for an informative, interactive, and relaxed experience. A specialist guide will provide live informative commentary and you can admire the fiord’s wildlife, waterfalls, and mountains. Enjoy lunch on board the cruise — you may bring your own lunch or purchase snacks and drinks on the vessel. Be prepared to enjoy some rainfall during your visit; the landscape is especially dramatic when it rains in Fiordland. Enjoy the spectacular views from a dry, comfortable vantage point during the cruise. Following the cruise, immediately board the luxury coach for the return journey to Te Anau, arriving between 4:30 PM and 5:45 PM, depending on the season.

From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Tour with Lunch

8. From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Tour with Lunch

In the heart of Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound is known as one of New Zealand’s top scenic attractions. On this day tour from Queenstown, jump on board an air-conditioned coach and be entertained with commentary from your driver/guide. After passing through the 1.2-kilometer-long Homer Tunnel, descend into Milford Sound. Here jump on board a boat to cruise along the fjord. Take in the famous sights, like the uniquely-shaped Mitre Peak and the glacier-scarred rock. Keep an eye out for marine life like dolphins, seals, and penguins too. The fjord is dotted with waterfalls that tumble through the valleys and crash into the sound far below, making the scenery in Milford Sound spectacular, rain or shine.

Stewart Island: Wild Kiwi Encounter

9. Stewart Island: Wild Kiwi Encounter

At dusk, depart from Stewart Island's Halfmoon Bay in a catamaran. Cruise across Paterson Inlet to Little Glory Cove, passing Ulva Island, a predator-free sanctuary, and learning about Stewart Island's rich history along the way. Once at Little Glory Cove, disembark onto a wharf at the southern part of the peninsula known as The Neck. The walk, led by your nature guide, is on a well-formed track across the peninsula, through spectacular coastal forest to a secluded sandy beach. As dusk sets in and daylight diminishes, venture by torchlight through the native forest with the stars and forest night sounds around you. The walk will take about 45 minutes one-way and the track emerges on to Ocean Beach. Keep your eyes peeled for Southern Brown Kiwi (Rakiura Tokoeka) searching for food among the seagrass on the beach. Afterward, retrace your steps through the forest to Little Glory Wharf for your catamaran ride back to Oban township on Stewart Island.

From Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip

10. From Queenstown: Milford Sound Cruise and Coach Day Trip

Travel to Milford Sound for an extended nature cruise on a day trip from Queenstown. Experience one of the most beautiful drives in the world in the comfort of a state-of-the-art coach. After meeting at a central location in Queenstown, you'll board the luxury coach and journey along the shores of Lake Wakatipu into rolling countryside through to Te Anau. Take a short break, then continue along the spectacular alpine route of the Milford Road. Enjoy photo stops and short walks along the way. Relax on an extended nature cruise of Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea and admire the fiord’s wildlife, waterfalls and mountains along the way. A specialist nature guide will provide live informative commentary. You can also bring your own lunch or purchase snacks and drinks on-board. Seasonal lunch boxes can be pre-ordered to pick up during the trip. Following the cruise, board the coach for your return journey to Queenstown that allows for bathroom breaks. Be dropped off back in Queenstown at around 7:45 PM.

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Frequently asked questions about South Island Eco-certified

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Other Sightseeing Options in South Island

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What people are saying about South Island

Had a fabulous experience and would 100% recommend these guys. They are really friendly and engaging, and make sure the whole kayaking activity was safe and fun. I was a solo booker and paired up with another. Don't let this put you off as it was great to get to know my partner and work together. The route takes you over to the seal colony and basically had a great paddle in the sea.

Wow, this was a great experience, especially because of the amazing guides Phoebe and Alex! Being in this super special forest has made me feel grateful for the nature even more. A lot of action, too, but the guides are actually protectors of the native forest and its fauna, which makes the price even mire worth it.

Very well organized experience! I booked as a solo individual and they made me feel very welcomed and safe along the whole way. I’m a relative novice kayaker but not once did I feel unsafe or lost. 10/10 would recommend !

Tram Captain was energetic and entertaining; that made the whole experience very enjoyable.

Well organised, great guides and excellent experience!