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Activities & Tours: South Island

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TranzAlpine Train, Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill Day Trip

Experience the South Island's remarkable natural landscapes by taking a journey on the TranzAlpine train from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass, which is considered one of the world's greatest train journeys for the scenery through which it passes. Enjoy breathtaking views of Canterbury Plains, Southern Alps, ice-fed Waimakariri River, lush beech forests and stunning landscapes. Explore walking tracks in Arthur's Pass National Park with spectacular mountain views & pristine waterfalls. Capture mirror images at Lake Pearson & wander through the majestic limestone boulders at Castle Hill. A perfect day trip for nature lovers, hikers & adventure seekers.
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based on 240 reviews
See Details → Duration :10 hours
From $239.91
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Arthur's Pass and TranzAlpine Train Day Tour from Christchurch

In the heart of the Southern Alps, Arthur's Pass National Park has an incredible diversity of flora and landscape. Experience a breathtaking journey aboard the TranzAlpine Train winding it's way through the magnificent Waimakariri Gorge. Join short guided walks to rainforests, rivers and mountain vistas. Traveling in a small group, maximum ten participants, allows for an intimate and informative experience.
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based on 212 reviews
See Details → Duration :9 hours
From $422.12
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Lord of the Rings, Journey to Edoras Day Tour from Christchurch

Immerse yourself in the magic of the Lord of the Rings trilogy on this 9-hour adventure to Edoras (Mount Sunday) from Christchurch. Explore with your guide and soak up breathtaking views from the peak of Edoras. Look over exclusive behind-the-scenes photographs of Edoras under construction. Pose for photographs with movie replicas such as Aragorn’s sword, Gimli’s axe and the flag of Rohan. Enjoy a delicious picnic lunch with a glass of New Zealand sparkling wine. See for yourself how this tranquil mountainside was transformed into mysterious Edoras — the capital city of the Rohan people.
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based on 267 reviews
See Details → Duration :9 hours
From $181.6
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Kaikoura Day Tour with Whale Watching

You'll depart Christchurch and travel through the beautiful rural pastoral scenes of North Canterbury to Kaikoura, where the mountains meet the sea.  From there a Whale Watch cruise  (or if cruise cancelled due to weather, a flight with Wings over Whales * ), will take you to look for the majestic Sperm Whales and Dusky Dolphin.  Sightings may also include the Southern Right Whale, Humpback and Pilot Whales. ( Or you may consider a trip with the Dolphin Swim Encounter * ). After your cruise or flight, you'll enjoy a cafe lunch followed by a drive to a lookout with spectacular views of the peninsula and the Pacific Ocean.  Here sightings can be made of the NZ Fur Seals.  * Check for price variations.
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based on 15 reviews
See Details → Duration :10 to 11 hours
From $434.26
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Akaroa and Banks Peninsula Small Group Tour (Nature Cruise or Dolphin Swim)

Discover the historic town of Akaroa and the magnificent natural beauty of the Banks Peninsula on this small group tour from Christchurch. Be amazed by the spectacular views of Akaroa Harbour and the Canterbury Plains on the high scenic drive from Christchurch, visit a cheese factory to taste locally made cheese and explore Akoroa's French influenced streets. You'll have the choice to join a nature and harbor cruise to see the rich variety of marine and bird life or to swim with Hector's Dolphins, the world smallest and rarest dolphins only found in New Zealand waters.
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based on 44 reviews
See Details → Duration :9 hours
From $403.9
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Wine trail and Christchurch City day tour

Here is your opportunity for a personally guided experience taking in Christchurch and the world renowned Waipara wine valley. You'll be picked up in a luxury mini van and shown the highlights of this wonderful city. Though badly damaged in earthquakes earlier in the decade, the progress of the rebuild is an exciting testimony of what's to come. A trip onto the Port Hills overlooking Lyttelton port and beyond to the Canterbury farming plains is also included. North of the city lie a number of boutique vineyards and all are within easy reach. The area produces a range of varietals especially aromatic whites and Pinot Noir. We'll visit a selection of these vineyards as well as enjoying some of Canterbury's finest fare over a bistro lunch. A visit to " She Chocolate " is also possible.
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based on 11 reviews
See Details → Duration :5 to 7 hours
From $300.64
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2-Day Christchurch to Queenstown Tour via West Coast

This a very popular 2 day and 1 night trip from Christchurch to Queenstown ( or in reverse ) via the South Island's rugged West Coast. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and deliver you to the World renowned Tranz Alpine train, which bisects the Canterbury farming plains, foothills and mountains, before reaching the alpine village of Arthur's Pass. Your guide will meet you, show you some of the area before travelling onto the West Coast. You'll hear the history of Maori, greenstone, gold, visit historic towns like Hokitika and travel on south through stunning rain forests to the glacier country. Staying in Franz Josef the night gives you the opportunity of a helicopter glacier landing ( not included in the tour price ) as well a stunning photo opportunities. From here the journey continues south along the coast before eventually swinging inland over the dramatic Gates of Haast, finally heading past Lakes Wanaka and Hawea  and over the Crown Range road to Queenstown.
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based on 5 reviews
See Details → Duration :1 days 8 hours
From $1502.61
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Christchurch to Queenstown One-Way Tour (or in reverse)

This tour provides an alternative to large coach transfers between Christchurch and Queenstown ( or in reverse ) and is a more intimate journey than flying. The trip takes you across the Canterbury farming plains and eventually through the foothills to the Southern Alps. Further south the route takes you through the iconic MacKenzie Country, named after an infamous sheep rustler and past the glacially formed lakes Tekapo and Pukaki. Tekapo boasts a famous lakeside chapel while beyond the headwaters of Pukaki is New Zealand's highest mountain, Aoraki Mt Cook. Photographic opportunities abound though weather permitting. From here the trip passes through the world renowned gliding area of Omarama and into the dramatic landscape of the Lindis Pass. The drive continues past Lake Dunstan and into the Kawarau Gorge, site of the world's first bungy and home to award winning wineries.
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based on 3 reviews
See Details → Duration :8 to 9 hours
From $798.68