The South Island of New Zealand is the last word vacation spot for many vacationers heading to this a part of the world. Despite its small package deal, the island is surprisingly packed full of gorgeous and thrilling experiences. Where the North Island is the proper juxtaposition of pure and concrete with a sprinkling of indigenous tradition, the South Island turns the dial up on the picturesque and distant aspect of New Zealand.
Expect to be whisked away to magical fiords, majestic mountain ranges, glowing seashores, and beautiful lakes. Below we’ve put collectively an inventory of the very best issues to do within the South Island of New Zealand to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the must-dos!
Important Reminder: As it goes in the entire locations we share, please observe good path etiquette and bear in mind to Leave No Trace. This means packing out your whole rubbish (together with bathroom paper), being respectful to others on busy trails, and following the established guidelines.
Best Things To Do On the South Island of New Zealand – Mapped!
1. Explore Queenstown
Nestled between snow-capped mountains and the ever-sparkling Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is probably the most stunning little city in New Zealand (and our favourite place on this planet!). There are a ton of nice issues to do in Queenstown and any New Zealand South Island Itinerary ought to revolve round this superior city. The points of interest right here are likely to contain two key themes: nature and journey.
Adventure-seekers will discover bungee leaping, canyoning, ziplining, rafting, luging, jet boating, snowboarding, mountaineering, skydiving, and far more.
In winter, the city transforms right into a ski village with 4 epic ski fields close by: Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona, and Treble Cone. These are world-class services with quite a few chairlifts and runs which can be undoubtedly price testing throughout the snowy months.
Conversely, nature lovers will discover Queenstown the proper city to flee civilization and really expertise New Zealand’s magnificence with out having to stray too removed from a superb cafe or restaurant.
There are numerous hikes close by together with Ben Lomond, Queenstown Hill, and Moke Lake in addition to quite a few easily-reachable viewpoints for unbelievable vistas.
Make certain to permit not less than 3-5 days to really discover all of the points of interest in Queenstown and try these high Queenstown journey suggestions earlier than you go.
2. Head to Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers
The dramatic and spectacular Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are positioned partway down the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island.
Both glaciers neighbor one another intently, so should you’re visiting one it often is sensible to go to the opposite as nicely. However, if you’re quick on time and should skip one then be sure to go to Franz Josef Glacier because it’s arguably the extra stunning of the 2.
It’s a terrific thought to purpose to spend a day or two right here to permit sufficient time to discover the world totally, although it’s potential to make it a quick stopover. There is one fundamental hike which takes round 45-minutes which is able to help you get a glimpse of the world.
If you desire a really epic expertise, a helicopter trip over the glaciers is one other nice choice, rewarding you with a perspective that merely can’t be achieved on foot.
>> Read Next: New Zealand’s West Coast, Franz Josef Glacier, Arthur’s Pass, & Wanaka Itinerary
3. Cruise Through Milford Sound
Despite being some of the widespread vacationer locations in New Zealand, Milford Sound’s magnificence is solely as surreal because the photographs make it out to be.
The drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound can take round 5-hours every manner with loads of stops to get out and stretch your legs.
Once there, guests can select from a handful of epic hikes with commanding views which we’d suggest to avid adventurers. Our favourite quick hikes are Lake Marian and Key Summit, each of which have beautiful views and neither is just too difficult.
On the opposite finish of the spectrum, there’s the Milford Track and Routeburn Track that are two of New Zealand’s Great Hikes taking 4 and three days respectively.
All vacationers within the South Island ought to guarantee they embrace a cruise via the Milford Sound as a part of their itinerary. The tour by Mitre Peak Cruises is our favourite due to the smaller boat measurement and educated guides.
>> Check out BFT Founder Kristen’s photographs from her helicopter flight above Milford Sound
4. Hike the Abel Tasman National Park
Abel Tasman National Park is a sequence of picturesque bays alongside the coast of the highest of the South Island. Here you could find glowing, turquoise-green waters framed by dense, native bush with a well-maintained observe in between.
The park is often explored by mountaineering the Abel Tasman Coast Track which is taken into account one in every of New Zealand’s most stunning multi-day hikes.
The observe takes 4-5 days to finish and there are huts alongside the way in which that you’ll want to guide nicely prematurely because it is likely one of the hottest tracks within the nation.
If you don’t wish to hike the complete size, you possibly can go for a day hike alongside one of many extra scenic sections of the observe. Just guide a water taxi from Nelson, Kaiteriteri, or Marahau. The day part of the observe is round 12km (7.5 miles) and is a comparatively leisurely stroll over a number of hours with loads of time to take in the solar on the seaside.
If you’re trying to get out on the water, kayaking within the Abel Tasman sea can be an unbelievable expertise adopted by a go to to the close by city of Nelson.
>> Read Next: New Zealand Backpacking & Tramping Guide
5. See Wildlife & Explore the Coast in Dunedin
Dunedin is an fascinating and quirky metropolis positioned on the far jap coast of the South Island, only a 5-hour drive from Christchurch or below 4 hours from Queenstown.
This enjoyable city is famend for its previous, historic buildings, making it a terrific spot to spend an evening or two when you discover the sights the neighboring areas have to supply.
As nice because the city itself is, getting out of city is the purpose right here. The coast alongside this a part of the nation is rugged and scenic with moody seashores and intriguing rock formations. Travelers ought to purpose to go for a drive south alongside the shoreline ensuring to cease on the well-known Moeraki Boulders.
Wildlife on this area can be plentiful, so alongside your drive, you’ll undoubtedly expertise it in some kind. Allans Beach is a neighborhood spot the place it’s usually simple to identify sea lions. Sandfly Bay is dwelling to seals, sea lions, and yellow-eyed penguins (a cute native to New Zealand). Spotting the penguins may be troublesome, however you’ll have probably the most luck at nightfall or daybreak.
You may also be fortunate sufficient to identify dolphins off the coast of Dunedin.
>> Read Next: The Catlins, Dunedin, & Oamaru Itinerary
6. Explore Christchurch
After Auckland, Christchurch is New Zealand’s second-largest metropolis and is positioned about midway down the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island.
Christchurch has skilled a devastating previous few years with the 2011 earthquake and the Christchurch mosque shootings.
The metropolis is proudly resilient, although, and also you’ll discover loads of superior lodging, eating places, bars, and points of interest right here.
Head to the CBD to go to the gorgeous Hagley Park with the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Canterbury Museum, and Riverside Market close by. Then trip the tram to get a full tour of this stunning metropolis.
7. Photograph Nugget Point Lighthouse & The Catlins Waterfalls
Our favourite scenic spot in New Zealand is The Catlins. This often-forgotten area on the southern tip of the South Island is packed filled with so many stunning landscapes that it’s nicely definitely worth the drive out from Queenstown or Dunedin.
There’s lots to discover right here and your complete area is a photographer’s playground, however probably the most famend spot is Nugget Point Lighthouse positioned close to Kaka Point.
The lighthouse itself is extremely scenic with spectacular views out over the lighthouse and the dramatic cliffs round it. The greatest time to go to is simply earlier than dawn when you possibly can perch your self on an outcropping to catch the primary gentle of the day rising behind the lighthouse.
The stroll right here is conveniently quick and flat, taking round 10-minutes from the parking zone. It’s a good suggestion to discover the observe to the lighthouse the place you could find uninterrupted views out to sea. It’s additionally simple to identify seals and sea lions on the backside of the cliffs.
8. Take a Scenic Flight or Hike Around Aoraki Mount Cook
Aoraki Mount Cook is New Zealand’s highest mountain at 3,724m (12,218 ft). Unsurprisingly, climbing the mountain is just for skilled mountaineers, nonetheless, the encompassing space is a nationwide park containing quite a few walks for hikers of all ranges and skills.
The Hooker Valley Track is by far the most well-liked quick stroll and is a must-do for anybody visiting. At 10km (6.2 miles) lengthy and simply 3-hours round-trip, there are few walks in New Zealand that may declare to rival the views relative to the trouble of this stroll.
Another wonderful hike is the Mueller Hut Route which takes about 4-hours one technique to attain the Mueller Hut, the place you possibly can select to spend the evening.
Taking benefit of the community of mountaineering trails is basically the easiest way to expertise Aoraki Mount Cook. Travelers with a bit more cash to spend can think about reserving a scenic flight or helicopter which is able to supply a recent perspective unseen by most guests.
>> Read Next: Mount Cook Itinerary
9. Visit Lake Tekapo
Located within the coronary heart of the Mackenzie District roughly midway between Aoraki Mount Cook and Christchurch, Lake Tekapo is a stunningly blue lake with milky waters. The coloration of the water is a pure phenomenon occurring as a result of runoff from melting glaciers. This runoff incorporates fantastic rock flour which was floor by the glaciers and is suspended within the water of the lake.
Viewing the lake is likely one of the greatest issues to do on the South Island and our favourite spot is from the Church of the Good Shepherd which conveniently appears to be like nice in photographs.
The space is positioned in the midst of a darkish sky reserve which implies stargazing right here is especially spectacular (one of many few darkish sky reserves in New Zealand). There are guided excursions that may be booked from the observatory on the town, or simply head outdoors at evening and benefit from the view.
10. Cruise the Marlborough Sounds & Hike the Queen Charlotte Track
The Marlborough Sounds are a bunch of 4 extremely scenic sounds positioned on the high of the South Island close to Nelson. The mostly explored Sound is the Queen Charlotte Sound which extends out from Picton township.
A bit much less widespread than the close by Abel Tasman Coastal Track, many locals have battled to have the Queen Charlotte Track acknowledged as one in every of New Zealand’s Great Walks. In our opinion, the observe intently rivals its neighbor in magnificence.
The Queen Charlotte Track is a 71km observe that takes 3 – 5 days with lodging dotted alongside the way in which. Compared to the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, the lodging right here is non-public and affords a better degree of luxurious, nonetheless, tenting continues to be an choice for budget-oriented vacationers.
We’d suggest any traveler to New Zealand do not less than a bit of the hike. This tour by Beachcomber Cruises is ideal. The guides take you on a scenic cruise via the Sound earlier than dropping you off on the observe and selecting you up once more additional alongside.
11. Go Wine Tasting in Marlborough or Central Otago
New Zealand is likely one of the most outstanding new world wine areas and the areas of Otago and Marlborough within the South Island are two of the perfect. Whether you get pleasure from an occasional glass or are a wine aficionado, be sure to cease off at among the wineries in both (or each) of those areas.
The Central Otago wine area is positioned proper subsequent to Queenstown and is world-renowned for its pinot noir varietals. Our favourite wineries listed below are Rippon, Amisfield, and Akarua. Despite being well-known for pinot noir, the area additionally grows an array of different grapes so don’t miss out on these.
The Marlborough wine area lends itself to white wine varietals, specifically sauvignon blanc. Again, it’s a good suggestion to discover the opposite varieties – our favourite vineyard right here is Framingham which is most well-known for its rieslings.
12. Explore Wanaka
Lake Wanaka is positioned within the spectacular southern alps of the South Island, only a 1-hour drive from Queenstown. It is much sufficient to flee among the hustle of the bigger city however nonetheless be surrounded by numerous hikes and points of interest.
Our two must-dos whereas in Wanaka are mountaineering in summer time and snowboarding/snowboarding in winter.
Roy’s Peak Hike is a well-known hike that takes round 8 hours from begin to end and includes 1,258m (4127 ft) of elevation acquire to succeed in spectacular views. The equally beautiful Isthmus Walk is a much less widespread different with the same degree of issue.
Due to icy situations, these hikes are considerably more difficult in winter so we like to move to Cardrona or Treble Cone ski resorts that are two of the perfect in New Zealand and supply wonderful alpine situations for skiers and boarders.
>> Read Next: Wakana, Rob Roy Glacier, & Mt. Aspiring New Zealand Itinerary
Related Blog Posts:
In 2015, BFT Founder Kristen spend three months exploring the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Check out her New Zealand South Island Road Trip Recaps for assist planning your journey:
Have you visited the South Island of New Zealand? What locations did we miss? Which ones are in your bucket checklist? Leave a remark under!
