Top 10 Tours in Otago Region, South Island

June 8, 2021 Jeremy Dunfee

Discover the best top things to do in Otago Region, New Zealand including Wine Tour from Wanaka & Cromwell: Full Day, Wine Sampler Tour, Half-Day Milford Sound Flight and Cruise from Queenstown, Gourmet Food and Wine Tour From Queenstown with Lunch Included, Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour, Cruise & Picnic Lunch from Queenstown , Glenorchy & Paradise Half-Day Explorer, 50-Minute Glacier Explorer Flight from Queenstown, Dunedin City, Wildlife and Scenery Tour, Remarkables Mountain Range Helicopter Flight from Queenstown, Olveston Historic Home Guided Tour.
Restaurants in Otago Region

1. Wine Tour from Wanaka & Cromwell: Full Day

1 Ballantyne Road, Mount Aspiring National Park 9305, New Zealand Wineberry Tours
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5.0 based on 8 reviews

This is a relaxing wine tour for small groups of family and friends who want an exclusive experience. You will travel in a luxury air-conditioned SUV with leather seats, generous legroom, extra headroom, sunroof and USB power. On board there is a free wi fi hotspot, coolbox for food and beverages, wine carrier for purchases and umbrellas. Complimentary bottled water and crackers are also provided. You will discover an amazing range of award winning wines including Pinot Noir, Rosé, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and sparkling wine. You will journey through four distinct winemaking sub regions and visit boutique wineries off the beaten track on this great value wine tasting experience. A platter lunch can be booked in advance on your behalf with expenses payable by you directly to the cellar door. I am a photographer and will take pictures of your memorable day free of charge a send them to you via download link.

Inclusions: Wine tasting fees, Bottled water, Crackers for palate cleansing between tastings, Coolbox for your drinks, food, over 24 wines available for tasting, Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, Wine tasting guide

Exclusions: A platter style lunch can be booked in advance on your behalf with expenses payable by you (from $20 per head) ; platter menus available on request.

Reviewed By divyanz

Greg was super generous with his knowledge of the region and its wines, and it was a real privilege enjoying the wine experience with him. He took us to cellar doors at boutique wineries we wouldn't have been able to access otherwise, definitely not 4 in half a day. Absolutely recommend a wine tour with Greg for a true Central Otago wine experience (and he does the driving!)

2. Wine Sampler Tour

The Station - Home of Adventure in Queenstown, Corner of Shotover & Camp Streets, 25 Shotover Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand Altitude Wine Tours
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5.0 based on 264 reviews

We’re not everyone’s cup of tea. But we are your glass of wine. Join us on a classic and fun top-rated wine tour in the Gibbston region. Visit four of Central Otago’s finest and off the beaten track cellar doors, including a visit to the famous Gibbston Valley underground wine cave. Taste over 18 spectacular cool-climate wines whilst your charismatic guide and knowledgeable cellar staff educate and amuse you with local winemaking facts and stories. Travel in style in a luxury Mercedes van, enjoy learning how to taste wine through onboard videos and make use of our WiFi and Spotify playlists. We are all about pairing good people with good wine so whether you are an adventure junkie recharging your batteries, an avid sightseer hunting more jaw-dropping views, or a wine enthusiast eager to taste some world-class wines, a wine tour with Altitude Tours is a must. The 5.5 hour Wine Sampler tour departs Queenstown at 10 am and returns around 3:30 pm.

Inclusions: Wine tastings at 4 cellar doors, Guided tour of New Zealand's largest underground wine cave, Optional lunch at a premier cellar door (at your expense), Complimentary bottled water, Complimentary Queenstown hotel transfers, Free Onboard Wifi, Complimentary branded wine glass, Fun Onboard videos

Exclusions: Lunch at a premier cellar door is at your expense

Reviewed By Jazzwhenua

We went out today with Aliah who was truely awesome and great at her job ! She made us feel safe through the drive and was very welcoming from the get go . It almost felt like we were touring with a friend. This product is well worth the money and all the staff along the journey were polite funny and very informative! Thanks Altitude we will definitely be recommending this to everyone we meet! ????

3. Half-Day Milford Sound Flight and Cruise from Queenstown

3 Tex Smith Lane, Frankton, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand Air Milford
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5.0 based on 383 reviews

Milford Sound is an area of extraordinary natural beauty. It offers a majestic fiord, dramatic and awe inspiring scenery and prolific flora and fauna. This tour with Air Milford allows you to combine the stunning flight to Milford Sound with a beautiful cruise on the fiord. Relax as you enjoy the best of both worlds from above and from the sea.

Inclusions: Live pilot commentary on board, Reserved seating aboard the Nature Cruise of Milford Sound, Hotel pickup and drop-off (centrally located hotels), Coffee and/or Tea

Exclusions: Food and drinks

Reviewed By bipinjohn

Awesome experience and worth it.The service is incredible and commentary by the pilot was useful and he was checking every now and then whether everyone was ok.

4. Gourmet Food and Wine Tour From Queenstown with Lunch Included

Appellation Wine Tours
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4.9 based on 114 reviews

An indulgent and varied full-day tour seeing local sights, enjoying fresh cuisine and tasting a selection of fine wines, cheeses and handcrafted chocolates. Taste wines at 4 premium vineyards over 2 Central Otago wine regions. Included is the Gibbston Valley Wine Cave Tour, a splendid cheese and wine presentation and a divine local cuisine lunch. Visit the historic precinct of Old Cromwell and return to Queenstown via the must-see Arrowtown with time to take a stroll and sample locally made chocolates at one's leisure.... and step back in time to the gold rush, exploring heritage buildings!  To ensure an intimate experience with other wine lovers, numbers are limited to 12 people on the tour.

Inclusions: An exquisite lunch consisting of 5 dishes cooked in retired oak barrels and matched with wines., Wine tastings at 4 vineyards over 2 contrasting wine sub-regions, Knowledgeable Wine Guide with fascinating commentary, Transport by luxury vehicle, Courtesy hotel pickup and drop-off (write to us if yours is not listed)., Enjoy a lovely cheese platter at one of the vineyards, and take home artisan chocolates.

Exclusions: Gratuities, Alcoholic drinks or wine purchases (available to purchase)

Reviewed By JudeCatherwood

Great tour and great tour guide (Logan). We went to wineries I would not have considered visiting and they were all awesome. We had great receptions at each place. Domain Road was our favourite.

5. Premium Milford Sound Small Group Tour, Cruise & Picnic Lunch from Queenstown

Cheeky Kiwi Travel
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4.9 based on 153 reviews

Premium small group tour including boutique Milford Sound cruise with Cruise Milford, the number 1 Trip Advisor rated cruise company, and picnic lunch from Queenstown. There is no better way to see this most famous of attractions. Highlights: • Milford Sound Cruise with Cruise Milford • Fiordland National Park • Lake Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Hollyford River, Homer Tunnel & Mitre Peak • Wildlife Spotting While the destinations you will be visiting are truly spectacular, Cheeky Kiwi Travel believe it is our small groups, our guides, the journey and little details that set our tours apart. Secret stops, wildlife viewings, specially designed vehicles and other pleasant surprises ensure our tours are an experience to remember. Our tours are led by our passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing stories and background knowledge, and run in modern, comfortable minibuses that are packed with extras, ensuring your comfort and safety.

Inclusions: Small Group & Fully Guided Tour, Cruise Entry, Picnic Lunch, Bottled water, Snacks

Exclusions: Alcoholic beverages (available to purchase), Gratuities, Optional extras and activities - please select the tour option you want at time of booking

Reviewed By tinanU2049PP

Lance was an excellent driver/Guide. He was patient and kept us entertained throughout-Thanks Lance!

6. Glenorchy & Paradise Half-Day Explorer

The Station - Home of Adventure in Queenstown, Corner of Shotover & Camp Streets, 25 Shotover Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand Altitude Tours
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4.9 based on 104 reviews

No visit to Queenstown is complete without a trip to picturesque Glenorchy, located about 50 minutes away, nestled on the northern shores of Lake Wakatipu, home to some of New Zealand’s best scenery and not to mention Middle‑earth magic. Whether you’re a Lord of the Rings fan or just want to see the absolutely amazing scenery Glenorchy has to offer. The tour visits numerous scenic locations and shares facts, stories and history about the region including Maori history. On tour enjoy time at the Glenorchy wharf and a drive through the quaint township before continuing on to beautiful Paradise, passing Diamond Lake and viewing Lord of The Rings film locations. A delicious kiwi style morning or afternoon tea is included and the opportunity to pose as a Lord of the Rings character while you’re there! Travel in style in luxury Mercedes vans with unique onboard videos and complimentary water and wifi.

Inclusions: Kiwi-style morning tea at a scenic location, Professional guide & live commentary onboard, Complimentary central Queenstown transfers, On board Kiwi music (download our Spotify playlist!), Complimentary NZ Greenstone, Maori storytelling and history, WiFi on board, Bottled water

Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off

Reviewed By Mei F

I celebrated my birthday in Queenstown for 4days/3nights. My partner and I decided to visit Milford sound by booking a tour from altitude tours. I am writing this review to commend our most energetic, friendliest and awesome driver Tanya ( the crazy cat lady). She made our whole tiring and rainy day experience, the perfect day we had in Queenstown. From start until the end of the day, she never fails to entertain us with her life story and the tour itself. Aside from her enthusiastic attitude and expert driving, the highlights of our tour was the magnificent refreshing waterfalls, swimming dolfins, sunbating furseal, rainbow beside the waterfall, and windsurfing Keith the ?bird on the top of a van. I highly recommend you to book with them if you want your tour in Queenstown be the highlight of your vacation. Cheers to the crazy cat lady!????????

7. 50-Minute Glacier Explorer Flight from Queenstown

35 Lucas Place, Frankton, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters
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4.9 based on 45 reviews

Head west over the Queenstown basin and Paradise Valley and into Mt Aspiring National Park. Enjoy an exhilarating flight past spectacular mountains and blue-green ice falls before landing on one of the many glaciers within the Forbes Mountains. There’s time for photos in the snow before heading back towards Queenstown past hidden alpine lakes and the rich gold mining history of Skippers Canyon.

Inclusions: Landing and facility fees, Headsets to hear the pilot clearly, Hotel pickup and drop-off, GST (Goods and Services Tax)

Exclusions: Souvenir photos (available to purchase)

Reviewed By kymr409

Sunset, a helicopter and a Mountain. These are things dreams are made of. The flight up the side of the mountain is breathtaking and surreal. As you get over the top it is just insane. Matt was our pilot and one of the nicest pilots I have flown with. He is a great photographer too. As we had a drink and watch ed the sun slowly setting in the distance. The flight home Matt was so informative at poiting out some interesting sites. What a trip we will be back .

8. Dunedin City, Wildlife and Scenery Tour

Dunedin Railway Station, 3074332, Dunedin Central, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand Book a Trip
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4.9 based on 20 reviews

Explore spectacular Dunedin city and Otago Peninsula on this full-day small group tour (6 people max). Visit Baldwin St (steepest street in the world), the University of Otago and Dunedin’s famous Scottish heritage sites. Then we will travel alongside the picturesque Otago harbour and take a coffee break at the beautiful and historic Larnach Castle. We then head across to Sandfly Bay and take the track down to the viewing platform to spot local wildlife. We then drive through typically rugged and beautiful Otago wilderness to Hoopers Inlet swamp to observe the unique birdlife. We then drive to Tairoa Head to visit the penguin colony at Pilot Beach and the albatross sanctuary.

Inclusions: Hotel (Dunedin City) / Port Chalmers pickup and drop-off, Entrance fee ($17) to Larnach Castle Garden, Private transportation

Exclusions: Lunch

9. Remarkables Mountain Range Helicopter Flight from Queenstown

The Helicopter Line, Queenstown, 29 Lucas Place, Frankton, Queenstown 9348, New Zealand The Helicopter Line Queenstown
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4.9 based on 40 reviews

The Remarkables Mountain Range dominates the eastern skyline of Queenstown. You will appreciate first hand how these peaks have earned their name when you land 1538 meters (5046 feet) above Queenstown, where you can stand in the snow during winter and admire the stunning views across Lake Wakatipu to the Southern Alps.

Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop off, Scenic helicopter flight with landing (20 minutes), Pilot guide, Live commentary on board

Exclusions: Items of a personal nature, Gratuities

Reviewed By yvonnerkh23

We did the last flight of the day and both absolutely loved it. Booking was easy, safety briefings easy to follow and the flight was the most stunning exhilarating experience. Our pilot was so accomodating and we loved the commentary on Queenstown landmarks. Finally landing on the top of the Remarkables to sip bubblies and take in the stunning view, you just cannot see Queenstown from anywhere better! This was an experience of a lifetime and one we will never forget.

10. Olveston Historic Home Guided Tour

42 Royal Terrace, Dunedin Central, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand Olveston Historic Home
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4.9 based on 60 reviews

Admire the fine architecture, gardens and decor of the elegant Olveston Historic Home during a 1-hour guided tour of this must-see attraction in Dunedin. You can also stroll through the beautiful gardens and take in views of the city and Otago Harbour. During the house tour, your knowledgeable guide shares informative commentary about the design, art and furnishings, as well as the family that built the home. This tour gives you a chance to glimpse life in New Zealand during the early 20th century and learn about one of Dunedin’s most prominent families.

Inclusions: Local guide

Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off

Reviewed By Relax55681299019

Loved this tour so much. We visited on the 4th of May and our tour guide was so lovely and very thorough! I left feeling very well informed. Such a beautiful home that has been so well kept. It was great to see a little slice of time! I would definitely recommend this if you are looking for something to do in Dunedin!

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