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 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 lovely lakes. Beneath we’ve put collectively an inventory of the best possible 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 apply good path etiquette and bear 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 essentially the most lovely little city in New Zealand (and our favourite place on the 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 sights 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, mountain climbing, skydiving, and rather 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 might be undoubtedly price trying out 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 an excellent 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.
Ensure that to permit not less than 3-5 days to actually discover all of the sights in Queenstown and try 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 when you’re visiting one it normally is smart to go to the opposite as properly. Nevertheless, if you’re quick on time and need to skip one then make certain to go to Franz Josef Glacier because it’s arguably the extra lovely of the 2.
It’s an important concept to intention 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’s one essential hike which takes round 45-minutes which is able to can help you get a glimpse of the world.
If you need 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.
>> Learn Subsequent: New Zealand’s West Coast, Franz Josef Glacier, Arthur’s Go, & Wanaka Itinerary
3. Cruise By means of Milford Sound
Regardless of being one of the vital common 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 means 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 suggest to avid adventurers. Our favourite quick 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’s 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 due to the smaller boat dimension and educated guides.
>> Try 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 will discover glowing, turquoise-green waters framed by dense, native bush with a well-maintained monitor in between.
The park is often explored by mountain climbing the Abel Tasman Coast Observe which is taken into account one among New Zealand’s most lovely multi-day hikes.
The monitor takes 4-5 days to finish and there are huts alongside the way in which that you will want to e-book properly prematurely because it is among the hottest tracks within the nation.
When you don’t need to hike the total 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 just a few hours with loads of time to absorb the solar on the seashore.
When 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.
>> 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 outdated, historic buildings, making it an important 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 considerable, so alongside your drive, you’ll undoubtedly expertise it in some kind. Allans Seashore is an area spot the place it’s sometimes simple 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 troublesome, however you’ll have essentially 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.
The town is proudly resilient, although, and also you’ll discover loads of superior lodging, eating places, bars, and sights 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 lovely 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 stuffed with so many lovely landscapes that it’s properly well worth the drive out from Queenstown or Dunedin.
There’s so much to discover right here and the complete area is a photographer’s playground, however essentially 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. One of the best 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 parking zone. It’s a good suggestion to discover the monitor to the lighthouse the place you will discover 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 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 encircling 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 trouble of this stroll.
One other superb hike is the Mueller Hut Route which takes about 4-hours one option to attain the Mueller Hut, the place you’ll be able to select to spend the night time.
Profiting from the community of mountain climbing trails is actually one of the simplest ways to expertise Aoraki Mount Cook dinner. Vacationers with a bit more cash to spend can contemplate reserving a scenic flight or helicopter which is able to provide a recent 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 incorporates high-quality rock flour which was floor by the glaciers and is suspended within the water of the lake.
Viewing the lake is among the finest 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 images.
The realm is positioned in the course of a darkish sky reserve which suggests 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 bunch of 4 extremely scenic sounds positioned 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 common than the close by Abel Tasman Coastal Observe, many locals have battled to have the Queen Charlotte Observe acknowledged as one among New Zealand’s Nice Walks. In our opinion, the monitor carefully rivals its neighbor in magnificence.
The Queen Charlotte Observe is a 71km monitor that takes 3 – 5 days with lodging dotted alongside the way in which. In comparison with the Abel Tasman Coastal Observe, the lodging right here is personal and gives 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 monitor and selecting you up once more additional alongside.
11. Go Wine Tasting in Marlborough or Central Otago
New Zealand is among the most distinguished new world wine areas and the areas of Otago and Marlborough within the South Island are two of the perfect. Whether or not you get pleasure from an occasional glass or are a wine aficionado, make certain 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 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 among the hustle of the bigger city however nonetheless be surrounded by numerous hikes and sights.
Our two must-dos whereas in Wanaka are mountain climbing 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 acquire to achieve spectacular views. The equally gorgeous Isthmus Stroll is a much less common different with an analogous degree of problem.
Attributable to icy circumstances, these hikes are considerably tougher in winter so we like to move to Cardrona or Treble Cone ski resorts that are two of the perfect in New Zealand and provide superb 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. Try 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 listing? Depart a remark under!
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