Private Custom tours in the South Island, New Zealand
Whether you are travelling alone, or as a couple, or as a group (maximum 11), you can enjoy a private South Island tour designed and personalised to your requirements.
Your tour comes to life with your own professional guide, as you combine the major attractions with the simple and authentic pleasures of the South Island off the beaten track.
If you are the kind of person who is curious about the world, who is thrilled to gain fascinating insights into natural history and human history, then a tour with The Inside Story will be suited to you.
Your tour guide will help you understand the landscape, wildlife and plants that make the South Island so distinctive, as well as its rich Maori and European colonial history.
'I have travelled extensively and this was, without question, the best guided tour I have ever taken. The level of professionalism and knowledge was unsurpassed. This combined with a personal touch not found with larger tour groups, made our trip to New Zealand one my son and I will never forget. When we were dropped off at the airport (after our six day tour) we felt we were saying goodbye to a good friend rather than a tour guide' Wayne Gourlay, USA.
'Terry provided us with a magnificent tour of the South Island, that was full of insight and fun, and in every way professional'. Ben, USA
'Terry planned the absolute best tour possible considering my time constraints and interests. Had I only known what a fantastic experience the South Island would be in the care of such a genial, knowledgeable and professional guide as Terry, I would somehow have found more time.' Jock, GA, USA
'Terry is the most knowledgeable, capable and conscientious guide in the South Island of New Zealand.' Steve and Diane Demeter.
'Everything ran very smoothly; great information, wonderful company, and absolutely no problem.' Juan, Spain
'My sisters, brother and I had a very enjoyable trip in March to the South Island, New Zealand, thanks to our very nice and knowledgeable guide Terry Thomsen. Terry is a soft spoken and obliging guide who also knows a lot about the history and geography of New Zealand. We not only enjoyed ourselves, but gained a lot of insights on the history, culture and geography of New Zealand. I have no hesitation in recommending his services to you.' Lim Bee Imm, Singapore.
Suggested South Island Private Tour itineraries
To read more about the main destinations, click here
Click here to request a detailed itinerary for a South Island private tour
TWO DAY TOURS
Christchurch - Mt Cook - Christchurch
Get among the highest peaks of the Southern Alps, New Zealand's highest, only a half-day's driving from Christchurch. A drive through the rolling hill country of South Canterbury and the wide-open spaces of the Mackenzie basin to Mt Cook Village in Mt Cook National Park.
Read about Mt Cook.
Christchurch - West Coast - Franz Josef Glacier - Punakaiki - Christchurch
An alpine drive over the Southern Alps, via Arthur's Pass, to the South Island's wild, remote West Coast. Visit two of its top attractions: Franz Josef Glacier which terminates in a spectacular walled valley, and the pancake rocks at Punakaiki on a stunning coastline.
Read about the West Coast.
Christchurch - Kaikoura - Hanmer Springs - Christchurch
An easy loop, without too much driving, north of Christchurch. Visit coastal Kaikoura, with its whale-watching, dolphin swimming (or just watching), seal swimming and marine bird watching opportunities. Then visit pretty sub-alpine Hanmer and take a dip in the thermal pools, before returning to Christchurch, optionally via the wineries at Waipara.
THREE DAY TOURS
Christchurch - Queenstown - Milford Sound - Christchurch
Three days is the minimum time to visit Milford Sound by road from Christchurch. From the plains near Christchurch to the sheer fiord of Milford Sound, and the South Island's finest mountain and lake scenery en route, it is astonishing how so much diverse scenery can be fitted into one island.
Read about these destinations.
Christchurch - Mt Cook - Wanaka - Queenstown - Christchurch
Get among New Zealand's highest peaks at Mt Cook, then relax and see the sights in the Wanaka and Queenstown area. Return to Christchurch via the coastal Moeraki Boulders.
Read about these destinations.
Christchurch - Mt Cook - Queenstown - Franz Josef Glacier - Christchurch
A very satisfying circuit, with two crossings of the Southern Alps, at Haast Pass and Arthur's Pass. You will see the utterly different landscapes on each side of the mountains: the expansive, high open country to the east, and the dense rainforests, lakes and rivers on the West Coast.
Read about these destinations.
FOUR DAY TOURS
Christchurch - Mt Cook - Queenstown - Milford Sound - Franz Josef Glacier - Christchurch
A rewarding 'grand tour' of the South Island's top attractions on both sides of the Southern Alps - with time to pause in some of the quiet, exquisite places in-between.
Read about these destinations.
Christchurch - Mt Cook - Queenstown - Milford Sound - Dunedin - Christchurch
Combine a visit to some of the South Island's top scenic attractions in the Mt Cook, Queenstown and Milford Sound area, with a visit to Dunedin, a character city with superb wildlife viewing on its doorstep.
Read about these destinations.
FIVE DAY TOURS
Christchurch - Mt Cook - Queenstown - Milford Sound - Franz Josef Glacier - Christchurch
A 'grand tour' of the South Island's top attractions, both east and west of the Southern Alps.
Read about these destinations.
Christchurch - Mt Cook - Queenstown - Milford Sound - Dunedin - Christchurch
A leisurely tour, encompassing many of the South Island's top scenic attractions in the Mt Cook, Queenstown and Milford Sound area, along with the wildlife attractions in the Dunedin area.
Read about these destinations.
SIX DAYS OR MORE
Read the shorter tours listed above. With six days or more, all of the South Island's top destinations listed can be visited, with extra time for short walks, beach visits, wine tasting, lingering at the many distinctive cafes, or just soaking up the views . Alternatively, visit a smaller number of destinations, and take a leisurely tour to get off the beaten track and enjoy your accommodation at some of the best locations in the South Island.
If you have been in the South Island before, or want something a little different, then consider these destinations:
- Nelson and Golden Bay. The northern end of the South Island has three national parks, attractive short walks, excellent beaches and numerous great cafes.
- The Marlborough Sounds, picturesque drowned valleys, with NZ's largest wine-growing area just to the south.
- Or just spend an extra day or so in and around Christchurch, exploring the city and visiting Akaroa.
Click here to request a detailed itinerary for a private South Island tour
SOUTH ISLAND DESTINATIONS
Christchurch
The South Island's largest city has an attractive centre, with stone buildings, gardens and the River Avon coursing lazily through. On the outskirts, there are sandy beaches, rocky headlands, the old port town of Lyttelton, and excellent city and coastal views from the Port Hills.
From Christchurch popular day tours include Banks Peninsula and the pretty seaside town of Akaroa; the thermal pools at Hanmer Springs (combine this with wine tasting); or Kaikoura to go whale-watching.
Mt Cook National Park
The best place to see New Zealand's highest peaks, including 3,754 m (12,316 ft) Aoraki/Mt Cook, in the heart of the Southern Alps, the country's largest mountain range. It is a raw wilderness of sheer peaks, glaciers, rocky moraines and wild rivers - all attesting to the extreme geological dynamism of this area. Get amongst it by taking a short walk to a glacial lake.
On the way to Mt Cook, enjoy the wide-open spaces of the South Island's high country and its spectacular milky-blue lakes.
Queenstown and Wanaka
Queenstown is the South Island's major resort, beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, with mountain views all around. If you have a day or so here, you may choose to take a lakeside walk, ride the gondola, take a steamer across the lake or visit the pretty old gold town of Arrowtown. If you are looking for outdoor activities or adventures at Queenstown, take your choice of hiking, fishing, jet-boating, white-water rafting, skiiing, bungy jumping - you name it, it's here!.
A short drive away is Central Otago, a high, tawny landscape with a rich goldmining history and wineries - if you are a wine buff, you can taste world-class pinot noir and riesling.
Wanaka is a smaller, lower-key resort than Queenstown. It is set on its own lake, looking across to the mountains of Mt Aspiring National Park. It's a good place to stop, relax and admire the view. The direct road between Queenstown and Wanaka passes over the Crown Range, one of New Zealand's highest roads
Milford Sound
It is a long way to Milford Sound from Christchurch, but it's well worth the journey! The remote fiord is accessed by New Zealand's most dramatic alpine road among the sheer mountains of Fiordland and through the Homer Tunnel. The fiord itself is walled by precipitous rock faces and peaks - you need to take a cruise boat down the fiord to fully appreciate its grandeur.
The road to Milford Sound passes through the small town of Te Anau, set on the shores of the lake of the same name. The South Island's largest lake, it is fringed by the densely forested mountains of Fiordland National Park.
West Coast, Franz Josef / Fox Glacier, Punakaiki
The wild West Coast, accessible by a handful of mountain passes, is another world. Scenery abounds here: rivers, lakes, innumerable mountain vistas and some of the finest temperate rain forest in the world.
Its best known attractions, Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier, are fed by so much snowfall in the Southern Alps that they descend steeply almost to sea level. You may like to walk half an hour in a deep mountain valley to a glacier terminus.
At Punakaiki you may view dramatic patterned limestone formations and blowholes. These are just part of a spectacular coastline pounded by relentless surf off the Tasman Sea.
The direct route between Christchurch and the West Coast is across the Southern Alps, via Arthur's Pass - an alpine road featuring mountain chains, deep gorges and limestone formations.
Dunedin
The South Island's second largest city is a lively student town, with some of the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian architectural heritage in the southern hemisphere. It is a superb base for nature tourism.
On its doorstep, on Otago Peninsula, are opportunities to view sea lions, a colony of Royal Albatross (among the world's largest flying birds), and the Yellow-eyed Penguin, the world's rarest penguin.
South of Dunedin is the Catlins region - a remote area of wild beaches, high headlands, waterfalls and marine life. The best-known attraction is the Jurassic petrified forest at Curio Bay.
North of Dunedin are the Moeraki Boulders, a very striking cluster of large hemispherical boulders on a wild sandy beach.
ACCOMMODATION
On your South Island itinerary, you have a range of quality, proven accommodation to choose from: luxury lodges, hotels or homely Bed and Breakfasts. They can be found in bustling resorts, quaint towns or serene places in the middle of nowhere. The choice is all yours.
Classes of accommodation:
Bed and Breakfast: Stay in the residences of local families - comfortable, clean accommodation with ensuite or private bathroom, and a warm kiwi welcome. Some are on working farms.
Superior: Lodges, boutique hotels or top-end Bed and Breakfast accommodation - enjoy the convenience of town or resort centres, or relax away from it all among the South Island's best rural and wilderness landscapes.
Luxury: Five-star exclusive accommodation in top lodges or hotels.
Click here to request a detailed itinerary for a private South Island tour.
Custom South Island hiking tours
For hikers wanting to explore the best of the South Island's mountains, including the Southern Alps, we recommend Christchurch-based Hiking New Zealand for private hiking tours. They can arrange personal day tours and multi-day tours.
