The South Island of New Zealand is the final 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 lovely 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.
Anticipate to be whisked away to magical fiords, majestic mountain ranges, glowing seashores, and beautiful lakes. Beneath we’ve put collectively a listing 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 all the locations we share, please observe good path etiquette and keep in mind to Depart No Hint. This implies packing out all your rubbish (together with rest room paper), being respectful to others on busy trails, and following the established guidelines.
Finest 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 the planet!). There are a ton of nice things 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.
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 amenities with quite a few chairlifts and runs which can be positively value trying out through the snowy months.
Conversely, nature lovers will discover Queenstown the right city to flee civilization and actually 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 unimaginable vistas.
Be certain to permit a minimum of 3-5 days to really discover all of the points of interest in Queenstown and take a look at these prime Queenstown journey ideas earlier than you go.
2. Head to Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers
The dramatic and spectacular Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are situated partway down the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island.
Each glaciers neighbor one another intently, so for those who’re visiting one it often is sensible to go to the opposite as nicely. Nonetheless, if you’re quick 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 amazing thought to intention to spend a day or two right here to permit sufficient time to discover the world completely, although it’s doable to make it a short stopover. There may be one primary hike which takes round 45-minutes which can can help you get a glimpse of the world.
If you need a really epic expertise, a helicopter ride over the glaciers is one other nice choice, 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 Go, & Wanaka Itinerary
3. Cruise By way of Milford Sound
Regardless of being some of the standard 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.
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 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 may be the Milford Observe and Routeburn Observe 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 embrace a cruise via the Milford Sound as a part of their itinerary. The tour by Mitre Peak Cruises is our favourite because of the smaller boat measurement and educated guides.
>> Take a look at BFT Founder Kristen’s photographs from her helicopter flight above Milford Sound
4. Hike the Abel Tasman Nationwide Park
Abel Tasman Nationwide Park is a sequence of picturesque bays alongside the coast of the highest of the South Island. Right here yow will discover glowing, turquoise-green waters framed by dense, native bush with a well-maintained monitor in between.
The park is often explored by mountaineering the Abel Tasman Coast Observe which is taken into account one in every of New Zealand’s most stunning multi-day hikes.
The monitor takes 4-5 days to finish and there are huts alongside the best way that you’ll want to e book nicely prematurely because it is without doubt one of the hottest tracks within the nation.
For those who don’t need to hike the complete size, you’ll be able to go for a day hike alongside one of many extra scenic sections of the monitor. Simply e book a water taxi from Nelson, Kaiteriteri, or Marahau. The day part of the monitor 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 seashore.
For those who’re trying to get out on the water, kayaking within the Abel Tasman sea can be an unimaginable expertise adopted by a visit to the nearby town of Nelson.
>> Learn Subsequent: New Zealand Backpacking & Tramping Information
5. See Wildlife & Discover the Coast in Dunedin
Dunedin is an fascinating and quirky metropolis situated on the far japanese coast of the South Island, only a 5-hour drive from Christchurch or beneath 4 hours from Queenstown.
This enjoyable city is famend for its previous, historic buildings, making it an amazing 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 be ample, so alongside your drive, you’ll undoubtedly expertise it in some kind. Allans Seaside is a neighborhood spot the place it’s usually straightforward to identify sea lions. Sandfly Bay is dwelling to seals, sea lions, and yellow-eyed penguins (a cute native to New Zealand). Recognizing the penguins will 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 situated 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 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 gorgeous 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 well worth the drive out from Queenstown or Dunedin.
There’s rather a lot to discover right here and the whole area is a photographer’s playground, however probably the most famend spot is Nugget Level Lighthouse situated 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’ll be able to 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 car parking zone. It’s a good suggestion to discover the monitor to the lighthouse the place yow will discover 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, nonetheless, the encompassing space is a nationwide park containing quite a few walks for hikers of all ranges and talents.
The Hooker Valley Observe is by far the preferred 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 hassle of this stroll.
One other wonderful hike is the Mueller Hut Route which takes about 4-hours one strategy to attain the Mueller Hut, the place you’ll be able to select to spend the night time.
Making the most of the community of mountaineering trails is absolutely one of the best ways to expertise Aoraki Mount Cook dinner. Vacationers with a bit extra money to spend can contemplate booking a scenic flight or helicopter which can supply a recent perspective unseen by most guests.
>> Learn Subsequent: Mount Cook dinner Itinerary
9. Go to Lake Tekapo
Situated 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 as a result of runoff from melting glaciers. This runoff accommodates high quality 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 photographs.
The realm is situated 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 exterior at night time and benefit from the view.
10. Cruise the Marlborough Sounds & Hike the Queen Charlotte Observe
The Marlborough Sounds are a gaggle of 4 extremely scenic sounds situated on the prime of the South Island close to Nelson. Essentially the most generally explored Sound is the Queen Charlotte Sound which extends out from Picton township.
A bit much less standard than the close by Abel Tasman Coastal Observe, many locals have battled to have the Queen Charlotte Observe acknowledged as one in every of New Zealand’s Nice Walks. In our opinion, the monitor intently rivals its neighbor in magnificence.
The Queen Charlotte Observe is a 71km monitor that takes 3 – 5 days with lodging dotted alongside the best way. In comparison with the Abel Tasman Coastal Observe, the lodging right here is personal and provides the next stage of luxurious, nonetheless, tenting continues to be an choice for budget-oriented vacationers.
We’d advocate any traveler to New Zealand do a minimum of 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 monitor 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 distinguished new world wine areas and the areas of Otago and Marlborough within the South Island are two of the very best. Whether or not you take pleasure in 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 situated 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 situated 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 achieve spectacular views. The equally beautiful Isthmus Stroll is a much less standard various with an identical stage of problem.
As a result of icy circumstances, these hikes are considerably tougher in winter so we like to go to Cardrona or Treble Cone ski resorts that are two of the very best in New Zealand and supply 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 Street 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 record? Depart a remark under!
