The South Island of New Zealand is the last word vacation spot for many vacationers heading to this a part of the world. Regardless of its small package deal, the island is surprisingly packed full of gorgeous and thrilling experiences. The place the North Island is the right 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.
Count on to be whisked away to magical fiords, majestic mountain ranges, glowing seashores, and beautiful lakes. Beneath 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!
Essential Reminder: Because it goes in the entire locations we share, please observe good path etiquette and keep in mind to Depart No Hint. This implies packing out your whole rubbish (together with rest room paper), being respectful to others on busy trails, and following the established guidelines.
Greatest Issues To Do On the South Island of New Zealand – Mapped!
1. Discover 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 inclined to contain two key themes: nature and journey.
Journey-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 are positively value testing throughout the snowy months.
Conversely, nature lovers will discover Queenstown the right city to flee civilization and really expertise New Zealand’s magnificence with out having to stray too removed from a great 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.
Be certain that to permit no less than 3-5 days to really discover all of the points of interest in Queenstown and take a look at these prime 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.
Each glaciers neighbor one another carefully, so for those who’re visiting one it often is smart to go to the opposite as nicely. Nonetheless, in case you are brief on time and should skip one then ensure to go to Franz Josef Glacier because it’s arguably the extra stunning of the 2.
It’s an awesome concept to intention to spend a day or two right here to permit sufficient time to discover the realm totally, although it’s attainable to make it a quick stopover. There may be one predominant hike which takes round 45-minutes which is able to will let you get a glimpse of the realm.
If you’d like a very epic expertise, a helicopter journey over the glaciers is one other nice possibility, rewarding you with a perspective that merely can’t be achieved on foot.
>> Learn Subsequent: New Zealand’s West Coast, Franz Josef Glacier, Arthur’s Cross, & Wanaka Itinerary
3. Cruise By Milford Sound
Regardless of being one of the crucial well-liked vacationer locations in New Zealand, Milford Sound’s magnificence is just as surreal because the images 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.
As soon as there, guests can select from a handful of epic hikes with commanding views which we’d advocate to avid adventurers. Our favourite brief hikes are Lake Marian and Key Summit, each of which have gorgeous views and neither is just too difficult.
On the opposite finish of the spectrum, there may be the Milford Monitor and Routeburn Monitor that are two of New Zealand’s Nice Hikes taking 4 and three days respectively.
All vacationers within the South Island ought to guarantee they embody a cruise by way of 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.
>> Take a look at BFT Founder Kristen’s images from her helicopter flight above Milford Sound
4. Hike the Abel Tasman Nationwide Park
Abel Tasman Nationwide Park is a collection of picturesque bays alongside the coast of the highest of the South Island. Right 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 Monitor 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 best way that you’ll want to guide nicely upfront because it is without doubt one of the hottest tracks within the nation.
When you don’t need to hike the total size, you may go for a day hike alongside one of many extra scenic sections of the observe. Simply 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 just a few hours with loads of time to take in the solar on the seashore.
When you’re seeking to get out on the water, kayaking within the Abel Tasman sea can also be an unbelievable expertise adopted by a go to to the close by city of Nelson.
>> Learn Subsequent: New Zealand Backpacking & Tramping Information
5. See Wildlife & Discover the Coast in Dunedin
Dunedin is an attention-grabbing and quirky metropolis positioned on the far jap coast of the South Island, only a 5-hour drive from Christchurch or underneath 4 hours from Queenstown.
This enjoyable city is famend for its previous, historic buildings, making it an awesome spot to spend an evening or two whilst you discover the sights the neighboring areas have to supply.
As nice because the city itself is, getting out of city is the intention right here. The coast alongside this a part of the nation is rugged and scenic with moody seashores and intriguing rock formations. Vacationers ought to intention to go for a drive south alongside the shoreline ensuring to cease on the well-known Moeraki Boulders.
Wildlife on this area can also be ample, so alongside your drive, you’ll undoubtedly expertise it in some type. Allans Seaside is a neighborhood spot the place it’s usually straightforward to identify sea lions. Sandfly Bay is house to seals, sea lions, and yellow-eyed penguins (a cute native to New Zealand). Recognizing the penguins may be tough, 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.
>> Learn Subsequent: The Catlins, Dunedin, & Oamaru Itinerary
6. Discover 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.
Town 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 attractive Hagley Park with the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Canterbury Museum, and Riverside Market close by. Then journey the tram to get a full tour of this stunning metropolis.
7. {Photograph} Nugget Level 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 rather a lot to discover right here and all the area is a photographer’s playground, however probably the most famend spot is Nugget Level Lighthouse positioned close to Kaka Level.
The lighthouse itself is extremely scenic with spectacular views out over the lighthouse and the dramatic cliffs round it. The perfect time to go to is simply earlier than dawn when you may perch your self on an outcropping to catch the primary mild of the day rising behind the lighthouse.
The stroll right here is conveniently brief 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 straightforward to identify seals and sea lions on the backside of the cliffs.
8. Take a Scenic Flight or Hike Round Aoraki Mount Cook dinner
Aoraki Mount Cook dinner is New Zealand’s highest mountain at 3,724m (12,218 ft). Unsurprisingly, climbing the mountain is just for skilled mountaineers, nevertheless, the encompassing space is a nationwide park containing quite a few walks for hikers of all ranges and skills.
The Hooker Valley Monitor is by far the preferred brief 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 hassle of this stroll.
One other wonderful hike is the Mueller Hut Route which takes about 4-hours one solution to attain the Mueller Hut, the place you may select to spend the evening.
Benefiting from the community of mountaineering trails is absolutely the easiest way to expertise Aoraki Mount Cook dinner. Vacationers with a bit extra money to spend can take into account reserving a scenic flight or helicopter which is able to provide a contemporary perspective unseen by most guests.
>> Learn Subsequent: Mount Cook dinner Itinerary
9. Go to Lake Tekapo
Positioned within the coronary heart of the Mackenzie District roughly midway between Aoraki Mount Cook dinner and Christchurch, Lake Tekapo is a stunningly blue lake with milky waters. The colour of the water is a pure phenomenon occurring because of the runoff from melting glaciers. This runoff accommodates effective rock flour which was floor by the glaciers and is suspended within the water of the lake.
Viewing the lake is without doubt one of the finest issues to do on the South Island and our favourite spot is from the Church of the Good Shepherd which conveniently appears nice in images.
The world is positioned in the course 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 Monitor
The Marlborough Sounds are a gaggle of 4 extremely scenic sounds positioned on the prime of the South Island close to Nelson. Probably the most generally explored Sound is the Queen Charlotte Sound which extends out from Picton township.
A bit much less well-liked than the close by Abel Tasman Coastal Monitor, many locals have battled to have the Queen Charlotte Monitor acknowledged as one in every of New Zealand’s Nice Walks. In our opinion, the observe carefully rivals its neighbor in magnificence.
The Queen Charlotte Monitor is a 71km observe that takes 3 – 5 days with lodging dotted alongside the best way. In comparison with the Abel Tasman Coastal Monitor, the lodging right here is personal and presents a better stage of luxurious, nevertheless, tenting continues to be an possibility for budget-oriented vacationers.
We’d advocate any traveler to New Zealand do no less than a piece of the hike. This tour by Beachcomber Cruises is ideal. The guides take you on a scenic cruise by way of the Sound earlier than dropping you off on the observe and choosing you up once more additional alongside.
11. Go Wine Tasting in Marlborough or Central Otago
New Zealand is without doubt one of the most outstanding new world wine areas and the areas of Otago and Marlborough within the South Island are two of the most effective. Whether or not you get pleasure from an occasional glass or are a wine aficionado, ensure to cease off at a number of 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 here are Rippon, Amisfield, and Akarua. Regardless of 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, particularly sauvignon blanc. Once more, 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. Discover Wanaka
Lake Wanaka is positioned within the spectacular southern alps of the South Island, only a 1-hour drive from Queenstown. It’s far sufficient to flee a number of 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 season 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 achieve to succeed in spectacular views. The equally gorgeous Isthmus Stroll is a much less well-liked different with an identical stage of problem.
As a result of icy circumstances, 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 most effective in New Zealand and provide wonderful alpine circumstances for skiers and boarders.
>> Learn Subsequent: Wakana, Rob Roy Glacier, & Mt. Aspiring New Zealand Itinerary
Associated Weblog Posts:
In 2015, BFT Founder Kristen spend three months exploring the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Take a look at her New Zealand South Island Highway Journey Recaps for assist planning your journey:
Have you ever visited the South Island of New Zealand? What locations did we miss? Which of them are in your bucket checklist? Depart a remark under!
