12 Best Things To Do on New Zealand’s South Island

The South Island of New Zealand is the ultimate destination for most travelers heading to this part of the world. Despite its small package, I was surprised to find the island is packed full of beautiful and exciting experiences. Where the North Island is the perfect juxtaposition of natural and urban with a sprinkling of indigenous culture, the South Island turns the dial up on the picturesque and remote side of New Zealand.

Expect to be whisked away to magical fiords, majestic mountain ranges, sparkling beaches, and gorgeous lakes. Below I’ve put together a list of the absolute best things to do in the South Island of New Zealand to ensure you don’t miss out on any of the must-dos!

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1. Explore Queenstown

Nestled between snow-capped mountains and the ever-sparkling Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is the most beautiful little town in New Zealand (and my favorite place in the world!). There are a ton of great things to do in Queenstown and any New Zealand South Island Itinerary should revolve around this awesome town. The attractions here tend to involve two key themes: nature and adventure.

Adventure-seekers will find bungee jumping, canyoning, ziplining, rafting, luging, jet boating, skiing, hiking, skydiving, and much more.

In winter, the town transforms into a ski village with four epic ski fields nearby: Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona, and Treble Cone. These are world-class facilities with numerous chairlifts and runs that are definitely worth checking out during the snowy months.

Conversely, nature lovers will find Queenstown the perfect town to escape civilization and truly experience New Zealand’s beauty without having to stray too far from a good cafe or restaurant.

There are countless hikes nearby including Ben Lomond, Queenstown Hill, and Moke Lake as well as numerous easily-reachable viewpoints for incredible vistas.

I suggest at least 3-5 days to truly explore all the attractions in Queenstown.

2. Head to Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers

The dramatic and impressive Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are located partway down the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island.

Both glaciers neighbor each other closely, so if you’re visiting one it usually makes sense to visit the other as well. However, if you are short on time and have to skip one then make sure to visit Franz Josef Glacier as it’s arguably the more beautiful of the two.

It’s a great idea to aim to spend a day or two here to allow enough time to explore the area thoroughly, though it is possible to make it a brief stopover. There is one main hike which takes around 45-minutes which will allow you to get a glimpse of the area.

If you want a truly epic experience, a helicopter ride over the glaciers is another great option, rewarding you with a perspective that simply cannot be achieved on foot.

3. Cruise Through Milford Sound

Despite being one of the most popular tourist destinations in New Zealand, Milford Sound’s beauty is simply as surreal as the photos make it out to be.

The drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound can take around 5-hours each way with plenty of stops to get out and stretch your legs.

Once there, visitors can choose from a handful of epic hikes with commanding views which we’d recommend to avid adventurers. My favorite short hikes are Lake Marian and Key Summit, both of which have stunning views and neither is too challenging.

On the other end of the spectrum, there is the Milford Track and Routeburn Track which are two of New Zealand’s Great Walks taking 4 and 3 days respectively.

All travelers in the South Island should ensure they include a Milford Sound Cruise cruise through the Milford Sound as part of their itinerary. If you want to splurge, a Milford Sound helicopter ride is a fantastic way to experience the region too!

4. Hike the Abel Tasman National Park

Abel Tasman National Park is a series of picturesque bays along the coast of the top of the South Island. Here you can find sparkling, turquoise-green waters framed by dense, native bush with a well-maintained track in between.

The park is commonly explored by hiking the Abel Tasman Coast Track which is considered one of New Zealand’s most beautiful backpacking trips in New Zealand.

The track takes 4-5 days to complete and there are huts along the way that you will need to book well in advance as it is one of the most popular tracks in the country.

If you don’t want to hike the full length, you can opt for a day hike along one of the more scenic sections of the track. Just book a water taxi from Nelson, Kaiteriteri, or Marahau. The day section of the track is around 12km (7.5 miles) and is a relatively leisurely stroll over a few hours with plenty of time to soak up the sun on the beach.

If you’re looking to get out on the water, kayaking in the Abel Tasman Sea is also an incredible experience followed by a visit to the nearby town of Nelson.

5. See Wildlife & Explore the Coast in Dunedin

Dunedin is an interesting and quirky city located on the far eastern coast of the South Island, just a 5-hour drive from Christchurch or under 4 hours from Queenstown.

This fun town is renowned for its old, historic buildings, making it a great spot to spend a night or two while you explore the sights the neighboring areas have to offer.

As great as the town itself is, getting out of town is the aim here. The coast along this part of the country is rugged and scenic with moody beaches and intriguing rock formations. Travelers should aim to go for a drive south along the coastline making sure to stop at the famous Moeraki Boulders.

Wildlife in this region is also abundant, so along your drive, you will undoubtedly experience it in some form. Allans Beach is a local spot where it’s typically easy to spot sea lions. Sandfly Bay is home to seals, sea lions, and yellow-eyed penguins (a cute native to New Zealand). Spotting the penguins can be difficult, but you’ll have the most luck at dusk or dawn.

You might also be lucky enough to spot dolphins off the coast of Dunedin.

6. Explore Christchurch

While I personally prefer nature over urban areas, Christchurch is New Zealand’s second-largest city and is worth a stop.

Christchurch has experienced a devastating past few years with the 2011 earthquake and the Christchurch mosque shootings. The city is proudly resilient, though, and you’ll find plenty of awesome accommodations, restaurants, bars, and attractions here.

Head to the CBD to visit the beautiful Hagley Park with the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Canterbury Museum, and Riverside Market nearby. Then ride the tram to get a full tour of this beautiful city.

7. Photograph Nugget Point Lighthouse & The Catlins Waterfalls

My favorite scenic spot in New Zealand is The Catlins. This often-forgotten region on the southern tip of the South Island is packed full of so many beautiful landscapes that it is well worth the drive out from Queenstown or Dunedin.

There’s a lot to explore here and the entire region is a photographer’s playground, but the most renowned spot is Nugget Point Lighthouse located near Kaka Point.

The lighthouse itself is incredibly scenic with impressive views out over the lighthouse and the dramatic cliffs around it. The best time to visit is just before sunrise when you can perch yourself on an outcropping to catch the first light of the day rising behind the lighthouse.

The walk here is conveniently short and flat, taking around 10-minutes from the parking lot. It’s a good idea to explore the track to the lighthouse where you can find uninterrupted views out to sea. It’s also easy to spot seals and sea lions at the bottom 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 only for experienced mountaineers, however, the surrounding area is a national park containing numerous walks for hikers of all levels and abilities.

The Hooker Valley Track is by far the most popular short walk and is a must-do for anyone visiting. At 10km (6.2 miles) long and just 3 hours round-trip, there are few walks in New Zealand that can claim to rival the views relative to the effort of this walk.

Another amazing hike is the Mueller Hut Route which takes about 4-hours one way to reach the Mueller Hut, where you can choose to spend the night.

Taking advantage of the network of hiking trails is really the best way to experience Aoraki Mount Cook. Travelers with a bit more money to spend can consider a Mt Cook tour such as a scenic helicopter flight which will offer a fresh perspective unseen by most visitors.

9. Visit Lake Tekapo

Located in the heart of the Mackenzie District roughly halfway between Aoraki Mount Cook and Christchurch, Lake Tekapo is a stunningly blue lake with milky waters. The color of the water is a natural phenomenon occurring due to the runoff from melting glaciers. This runoff contains fine rock flour which was ground by the glaciers and is suspended in the water of the lake.

Viewing the lake is one of the best things to do on the South Island and my favorite spot is from the Church of the Good Shepherd which conveniently looks great in photos.

The area is located in the middle of a dark sky reserve which means stargazing here is particularly impressive (one of the few dark sky reserves in New Zealand). There are guided tours that can be booked from the observatory in town, or just head outside at night and enjoy the view.

10. Cruise the Marlborough Sounds & Hike the Queen Charlotte Track

The Marlborough Sounds are a group of four incredibly scenic sounds located at the top of the South Island near Nelson. The most commonly explored Sound is the Queen Charlotte Sound which extends out from Picton township.

A bit less popular than the nearby Abel Tasman Coastal Track, many locals have battled to have the Queen Charlotte Track recognized as one of New Zealand’s Great Walks. In my opinion, the track closely rivals its neighbor in beauty.

The Queen Charlotte Track is a 71km track that takes 3 – 5 days with accommodation dotted along the way. Compared to the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, the accommodation here is private and offers a higher level of luxury, however, camping is still an option for budget-oriented travelers.

I’d recommend any traveler to New Zealand do at least a section of the hike. This tour by Beachcomber Cruises is perfect. The guides take you on a scenic cruise through the Sound before dropping you off on the track and picking you up again further along.

11. Go Wine Tasting in Marlborough or Central Otago

New Zealand is one of the most prominent new world wine regions and the regions of Otago and Marlborough in the South Island are two of the best. Whether you enjoy an occasional glass or are a wine aficionado, make sure to stop off at some of the wineries in either (or both) of these regions.

The Central Otago wine region is located right next to Queenstown and is world-renowned for its Pinot Noir varietals. My favorite wineries here are Rippon, Amisfield, and Akarua. Despite being famous for pinot noir, the region also grows an array of other grapes so don’t miss out on those.

The Marlborough wine region lends itself to white wine varietals, in particular Sauvignon Blanc. Again, it’s a good idea to explore the other varieties – my favorite winery here is Framingham which is most well-known for its rieslings.

12. Explore Wanaka

Lake Wanaka is located in the spectacular southern Alps of the South Island, just a 1-hour drive from Queenstown. It is far enough to escape some of the hustle of the larger town but still be surrounded by countless hikes and attractions.

My two must-dos while in Wanaka are hiking in summer and skiing/snowboarding in winter.

Roy’s Peak Hike is a famous hike that takes around 8 hours from start to finish and involves 1,258m (4127 ft) of elevation gain to reach spectacular views. The equally stunning Isthmus Walk is a less popular alternative with a similar level of difficulty.

Due to icy conditions, these hikes are significantly more challenging in winter so I like to head to Cardrona or Treble Cone ski resorts which are two of the best in New Zealand and offer amazing alpine conditions for skiers and boarders.

Have you visited the South Island of New Zealand? What places did we miss? Which ones are on your bucket list? Leave a comment below!