Top Things to do in South Island
Things to do in South Island, New Zealand: The Best Night Tours
Discover the best top things to do in South Island, New Zealand including Queenstown Hop-on Hop-off Evening Beer Tour, Southern Skies Stargazing Tour in Dunedin, Twilight Wine and Craft Beer Tour, Queenstown Progressive Dinner & Wine Tour - 3 iconic locations, Crater Experience at Cowan's Observatory, Stargazing Tour on a Sheep Farm.
Restaurants in South Island
1. Queenstown Hop-on Hop-off Evening Beer Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Hop on Hop off Beer Tours run every Thursday - Saturday night from 5pm - 10pm with easy pick-up and drop-off in Queenstown centre. This evening beer tour allows all you beer buffs to have x4 1hr stops at some great locations and trial some delicious local brews. Check out some of the great specials and discounts offered exclusively to Hop on Hop off customers at each stop!
Inclusions: Maps, Discounts, Wristbands
Exclusions: Tastings, Dinner
Reviewed By Steve34590
We booked this trip for the couple we were staying with whilst in QT as a thanks for their hospitality. Chris is a big beer drinker so we knew he'd love the opportunity to go out and visit some places without driving that were outside of Queenstown. His wife, Sharon we were slightly worried about as she doesn't like beer too much but the stops on this tour catered for both! She tried ginger beer, ciders and mulled wines and Chris got to taste lots of different beers because the exclusive offers that accompany the tour. A great way to spend an evening!
2. Southern Skies Stargazing Tour in Dunedin
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 47 reviews
The Southern Skies Star Gazing tour takes you out to the Otago Peninsula on a journey of discovery to learn about the unique celestial features of the Southern sky, while also sharing stories and waiata (songs) about how Māori viewed the night sky. The Otago peninsula coastline provides a clear and breath-taking view of the night sky, along with a magical backdrop of coastal bird calls echoing across Hoopers inlet. In the right conditions, this rural coastal area is a prime viewing location for the Southern Lights, Aurora Australis Enjoy Māori manaakitanga (hospitality) with a light supper and hot beverage. Sit back, relax and be enchanted. Departs Dunedin 8PM (October to March) and 6PM (April to September)
Inclusions: Snacks, Light refreshments, Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only), Coffee and/or Tea, Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions:
Reviewed By Tina3337
This was a great tour, Lyndon is an awesome guide, super knowledgeable, friendly and really looked after us. We saw sea lions, fur seal and so many little blue penguins! Highly recommend this tour :)
3. Twilight Wine and Craft Beer Tour
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 153 reviews
It’s always 5 o’clock at Altitude Tours. Join our Twilight Craft Beer and Wine experience for a fun and entertaining late afternoon tastebud tingling adventure! Visit three unique locations around Queenstown and Gibbston with a minimum of 12 tastings of some of the finest drops in the region. Now, here’s the twist, if beer is more your thing then bounce from vines to hops and taste some local craft beers instead. This tour departs at 3 pm meaning you can still go out paddle-boarding or bungy jumping in the morning, or even fly in from out of town. Shared antipasto platters are also included at our final stop, a perfect starter for once you finish the tour and head into town for a meal (or more wine). Travel in style with transfers in a luxury Mercedes van, enjoy learning how to taste wine through onboard videos and make use of our complimentary WiFi and Spotify playlists. The 4-hour Twilight Wine & Craft Beer Tour departs from central Queenstown at 3 pm and returns around 7 pm.
Inclusions: Taste 12+ local wine or craft beer tastings at 3 cellar doors , Shared antipasto platters, Complimentary bottled water and wifi onboard, Complimentary central Queenstown transfers, Bottled water, Complimentary WIFI, Fun on board videos
Exclusions: Due to time constraints, hotel pick ups are not included. We will pick up all guests from outside the Station building on Camp street central Queenstown at 3.45pm
Reviewed By HotRoc77
Everything about the day was great including the cheese sampling stop over in Arrowtown. The different types of vineyards were a good introduction to the local area & how they go about what they do. Having little knowledge of wine & more of a beer participant I was impressed by the knowledge & passion to all those that we met & we all enjoyed sampling the different types of local wines. Alia our knowledgeable, very pleasant & ‘designated’ driver certainly made our trip something to remember. None of our group had been on a wine tour before & this won’t be our last. Highly recommend Altitude????
4. Queenstown Progressive Dinner & Wine Tour - 3 iconic locations
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 24 reviews
Experience some of Queenstown’s most iconic settings as we take you on a social night out to meet new friends on the region's first progressive dinner tour with amazing local wines and stunning food. Start your evening with a scenic drive out to internationally renowned Amisfield Bistro for your stunning wine tasting and entree overlooking the vines. Take a drive through the historic gold rush town of Arrowtown and experience a delicious main paired with a perfect wine to match. Wrap up your night with a decadent dessert in the heart of Queenstown at the legendary Eichardt’s Hotel and enjoy an after-dinner digestif by a roaring log fire.
Inclusions: Live commentary on board, Local Guide, Wine Tasting, Bottled water, 3 courses (entree, main and dessert), Wines and a Digestif, Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By seeleyg
This was our 2nd tour( and QT visit) in 6 months. All thanks to Vicky ???? fun and information. All 3 wine tour/tastings (15 in total!!!) Were great, bought from each place???? Totally worth the price!!!!
5. Crater Experience at Cowan's Observatory
Overall Ratings
3.8 based on 31 reviews
The ultimate stargazing experience. Enjoy maximum time under the stars whilst enhancing your knowledge of the Southern skies at our private observatory. Designed specifically with stargazing in mind, Cowan’s Observatory is the perfect introductory stargazing experience. Nestled in a giant purpose-built crater to provide maximum wind protection and minimum light pollution, our expert astronomy guides will enhance your knowledge and understanding of our Southern Skies as you admire and ponder the possibilities through our powerful optical telescopes.
Inclusions: GST (Goods and Services Tax), Professional guide
Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, Hotel pickup and drop-off
Reviewed By JamesGOamaru
The weather for our visit was just about perfect--viewing conditions were pristine and while it was reported that it'd be chilly up on the mountain, with the coats we were given (and the layers we wore underneath, as instructed) I hardly felt the cold. Plus, the information provided by Adrian and Dan was so interesting, and extremely well presented, that you had no time to feel the cold. We got to look through three telescopes (the largest one, in the dome, was being used and was not available for the tour, so a discount was given to us) and we saw some amazing things, from the binary star of Alpha Centauri, to the Sombrero Galaxy, the Jewel Box Cluster, and a globular cluster (NGC 3951?). Truly fascinating!
6. Stargazing Tour on a Sheep Farm
Since I was born I have been lucky to enjoy the magnificent view of the stars on our farm. Unless you live in a place without light pollution you may have never experienced the true joy that "Looking Up" can bring. We will point out the different planets, Constellations and milky way. Miles away from any light sources in a remote part of our farm, you to can enjoy the magic which is star gazing in New Zealand
Inclusions: Coffee and/or Tea, Tripod, Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions:
Reviewed By JudithK879
Scotty is a great guide. He knows the are very well and told me lot of interesting and fun stories. He did a great Job showing me around and made the day very special. If youre looking for a real New Zealand experience this is the perfect address for you.
