What are the top attractions to visit in South Island? The Moeraki boulders are one of the most fascinating geological wonders in New Zealand South island. Things to Do in South Island, New Zealand: See Tripadvisor's 1,327,770 traveler reviews and photos of South Island tourist attractions. Travellers will never get tired of the breathtaking scenery – new vistas around every corner – and the natural beauty of this glacially scarred landscape. The South Island, New Zealand, offers a wide selection of quality tourist attractions and activities for a fun-filled vacation. New Zealand's South Island is undoubtedly one of the world's most beautiful places, where golden beaches and dense rainforests border the … The best day trips from South Island according to Tripadvisor travellers are: What are the most popular things to do in South Island with kids? The picturesque Marlborough Sounds boasts 1,500km of New Zealand coastline. Marvel at New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki/Mt. Milford Sound – Easily one of the top things you can do in New Zealand and a top south island points of interest. The gem of this region is the multitude of wineries, many world-renowned for their Pinot Noir. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Fiordland National Park features the majestic Milford and Doubtful Sounds which you can experience by boat, air or on foot. The most popular things to do in South Island with kids according to Tripadvisor travellers are: InterContinental (IHG) Hotels in South Island, International Youth Hostel Hotels in South Island, Bella Vista Motels Hotels in South Island, Hotels near (CHC) Christchurch Intl Airport, Boat Tours & Water Sports in South Island, Horse-Drawn Carriage Tours in South Island, Te Waikoropupu Springs (Pupu Springs): Tickets & Tours‎, Kura Tawhiti Conservation Area: Tickets & Tours‎, Things to do near Te Waikoropupu Springs (Pupu Springs), See all attractions in South Island on Tripadvisor, See all outdoor activities in South Island on Tripadvisor, Milford Sound Experience Full Day from Queenstown, Waipara Wine Trail Afternoon Tour from Christchurch, Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise from Manapouri, Milford Sound Sightseeing Cruise with Scenic Round-Trip Flight from Queenstown, Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Queenstown, See all day trips from South Island on Tripadvisor, See all kid friendly things to do in South Island on Tripadvisor. Starting at Ship Cove, walk or cycle bush clad ridgelines to admire the view from the Queen Charlotte Track. Keep browsing if you're happy with this. The park can be accessed through the picturesque town of Te Anau. Central Otago is breathtakingly different with vast undulating landscapes, rugged snow-capped mountains, clear blue rivers and tussock-clad hills. Your browser does not support iframes. Cruise or kayak your way through the Sounds, spotting the wildlife along the way. Stalls and restaurants serving the dishes can be found almost everywhere in the town. While you are here, don't miss a visit to the Mt John Observatory where you will witness the clear and vast starlit skies of the world's largest Dark Sky Reserve. Taste the Pride of the South straight from the source at Speight’s Brewery in Dunedin. Cook, while often shrouded in cloud, is stunning when he finally shows his face. Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Skydiving in New Zealand is all sorts of epic and Franz Josef is one of the best. Soak up the atmosphere and stay for high tea, hosted each day at 3pm. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. Even on the cloudiest night the New Zealand glowworm lights up the darkness in a lucky few spots across the country. Check out what other travelers say about New Zealand on TripAdvisor. The Hokitika Gorge is 33kms from Hokitika on the West Coast. 10 Best Places to Go in New Zealand; Caroline Morse recently traveled to New Zealand courtesy of Tourism New Zealand. It’s one of the best things to do in New Zealand South Island. Fiordland is one of the main reasons why many travelers visit the South Island, and iconic Mitre Peak, rising from Milford Sound, is one of New Zealand's most famous picture-postcard images. Most of those giant round rocks are 1 to 2m in diameter and can be up to 3m (weighing several tonnes). A behemoth of a mountain, Mt. My two favorite sights in the park: Hike the Abel Tasman Coastal Track and follow the coastline through native bush, past limestone cliffs and along golden beaches. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in February. Granted, Queenstown is probably the most expensive town in the whole of South New Zealand, because it is where most of the tourist attractions can be … There are diverse kayaking opportunities in the South Island wherein you can get up close with the nature’s wildlife as well as its spectacular coastal formations in clear subtropical waters. This short evening bush-walk departing from Rotorua involves We originally created this interactive Google Map to complement a variety of New Zealand travel guides that you can find on this website. To view cookie details and how to opt-out, please see our Cookie Policy. Boasting a 3,000 square foot ballroom, a tower with sweeping views of the Otago Peninsula and stunning Victorian style gardens, Larnach Castle is a must-do. They either have many outlets or are able … It can be hard to find the falls so check out the blog link below for more info! Located only 25 minutes from the adventure capital of Queenstown, Coronet Peak is one of the most popular ski resorts on the entire South Island of New Zealand. I had been told it was one of the … There are many different places you can hit the slopes in New Zealand’s South Island. Jan 16, 2020 - Places to visit. NB: This South Island directory is specifically for tourism companies that cover the South Island. Located at the top of the South Island, Abel Tasman is New Zealand’s smallest national park. Things to Do in South Island, New Zealand: See Tripadvisor's 1,327,548 traveller reviews and photos of South Island attractions. This New Zealand map features every major point of interest on the South Island, complete with original photos of each location. Christchurch is one of the best laces to live in the South Island. See our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy to understand how you can manage cookies. Soak up the creative vibe of Christchurch before you hit the road on an epic South Island journey. To call New Zealand “picturesque” would be an understatement. As the name suggests, the town has a number of hot springs, which are located in a water park. Our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy explain how we use your data and who our partners are. The picturesque Marlborough Sounds boasts 1,500km of New Zealand coastline. The picturesque area contains 144 islands, many secluded bays and some great sandy beaches. Find airfares. Discover Victorian grandeur and intrigue with a visit to Australasia's only castle. Some of the best places to do it are in Nelson Lakes National Park, Marlborough Sounds, Lake Tekapo, and Abel Tasman National Park among many others! Day or night, from up close to views across the water, this mountain takes our top spot for South Island experiences. Cook village, deep in the heart of the South Island. Things to Do in the South Island of New Zealand. We use cookies to provide you with a better experience on this site. The Must Do New Zealand's South Island destinations are packed with travel idea's from the best tourist adventures to unique South Island tours & attractions, making this an ideal travel guide for visitors planning a visit to the South Island … Top Things to Do in South Island, New Zealand: See Tripadvisor's 1,327,337 traveller reviews and photos of 2,084 things to do when in South Island. Visit Queenstown, New Zealand. The top attractions to visit in South Island are: What are the best outdoor activities in South Island? Day trips via a guided tour bus from Queenstown or Te Anau are available or you can take yourself down there by car. Related Read: The Best (and Worst) Catlins Waterfalls. If you prefer to explore by land, the park is a great place to walk. The Bay of Islands is one of the most popular holiday destinations in New Zealand. If you fancy a break from somewhere such … Home to secluded bay, historic sites, marine reserves and precious island sanctuaries, which foster kiwi and other native species. The Port Hills surrounding Christchurch are the perfect adventure playground for anyone who enjoys hiking, running, cycling, or a good old scenic drive. The whole park is stunning and you will be stopping the car non-stop for photos. Things to Do in South Island, New Zealand: See Tripadvisor's 1 324 853 traveller reviews and photos of 2,076 South Island attractions. Built by William Larnach in 1871, the castle and its creator offer a fascinating look into Dunedin's history. Keep the camera handy - there's a magic spot around every bend in this part of the world! Its relative isolation, off the usual beaten track, makes this place a haven for a bit of relaxation and exploration of the local area. To me, Koropuku Falls is the best waterfall in the Catlins, and one of the best places to go in South Island, New Zealand. This beautiful bay has an abundance of marine life including whales, penguins, dolphins and the big marlin. The park features gold sandy beaches washed by clear waters of Tasman Bay, impressive rock formations and interesting wildlife; this is an ideal place to have a swim with dolphins, to watch seals and blue penguins! Take a wine tour or explore the Marlborough Sounds. This historic ski field is officially the nation’s oldest, and when it opened for business in 1947 there was only a single tow rope. 11 Must do experiences in the South Island. Also, Hagley Park boasts 140 hectares of perfect picnicking spots. Choosing where to start is the hardest part! The best outdoor activities in South Island according to Tripadvisor travellers are: What are the best day trips from South Island? Here’s are 10 spots not to miss around the South Island. Kaikoura is the best place to enjoy your feast on crayfishes, probably the only place. These are the top 10 things NOT to miss on the South Island New Zealand: Top 10 Things to Do On New Zealand South Island. Meet the wine-makers, stroll or bike through the vines and savour the best of this region. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Traverse the snowy shanks of the Southern Alps by train. 1. The sheltered bays of Abel Tasman National Park are perfect for sailing or kayaking, with ample opportunity to see the seals and dolphins who regularly play in these coastal waters. The actual visit through Milford Sound will include a 3 hour boat ride through the New Zealand Fjords. With over 240km of walking tracks you can explore the beaches and rainforests at your own pace or pick from one of the many tour companies and discover the island's hidden gems. We have reviews of the best places to see in South Island. Chink glasses of biodynamic wine and linger over cheese platters at family-owned vineyards in Blenheim or Hawke’s Bay. Let us show you the best of New Zealand on other platforms by selecting 'On' and allowing us to share data from your visit(s) with our partners. There’s five of them dotted across the South Island. South Island in New Zealand hosts the purest natural landscapes you’ll ever experience. You cannot visit the South Island without visiting the beauty that is Mount Cook. From the iconic bungy jumping and jet boating, to quad biking, white water rafting, river surfing, sky diving and canyon swings...there is something for everyone! We also use cookies to show you the best of New Zealand on other platforms. 13. more, Top Things to Do in South Island, New Zealand. Cruise or kayak your way through the Sounds, spotting the wildlife along the way. A near-wilderness of fjords, lakes, mountains, and forest, the Fiordland … Tongariro’s volcanoes and fumaroles. Marlborough, on New Zealand's South Island is the largest wine growing region and home of the world-renowned sauvignon blanc. In addition to above, we use other cookies and analytics to provide a better site experience. Towering mountains, beautiful villages, thundering sea. Hanmer Springs is one of the best places to visit on New Zealand’s South Island if you want to go somewhere to relax! Except, I should mention, in whitebait season, w… Check out some of these #NZMustDo's in South Island. Cook. The Coromandel Peninsula’s beaches, where hot water naturally burbles up through the sand. Home to secluded bay, historic sites, marine reserves and precious island sanctuaries, which foster kiwi and other native species. See more ideas about new zealand south island, south island, places to visit. Sometimes you see photos of a tourist spot and think yeah right, it can’t look as good as that in real life. Visit the eclectic cafes that dot the city wander the city streets to admire the creative art that meets you around every corner. They formed 65 to 13million years … Another new Zealand south island attractions include Fiordland National Park. When I first started looking at things to do when visiting New Zealand, everyone told me you MUST go to Queenstown, and after seeing it for myself, they were absolutely right! Experience the beauty of New Zealand's highest peak on foot wandering the easy Hooker Valley Track, enjoy a birds eye view of the area from the air or take to the surrounding turquoise waters by boat. The vivid turquoise water surrounded by lush native bush looks too good to be true but trust us, it is well worth a visit. Accessible from Wanaka, it boasts plenty of activities for outdoor enthusiasts; from walking to jet boating and scenic flights. 12 Must See Places On The South Island Of New Zealand. If you visit New Zealand in the winter then you should allow a couple of days for skiing or snowboarding. A couple of the most popular are: Mt Hutt – This ski field has incredible views on the drive up. Sleep under the stars in a PurePod plonked in the middle of nowhere. Experience the beauty of New Zealand’s highest peak by heading on an inland road-trip to Mt. Tucked away at the top corner of the south island’s west coast is the tiny town of Karamea, which could best be described as laid back. Abel Tasman National Park & Rawhiti Cave. Fom soaring mountains to tranquil river flats, glaciers and turquoise lakes, exploring the Mount Aspiring National Park wilderness is an unforgettable experience. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Singapore. 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