When you visit somewhere you want to be sure to hit all the major tourist attractions and locations. But sometimes it’s those unexpected finds that really make your trip memorable and something special. We spent two years living in New Zealand and are excited to share these 17 South Island New Zealand hidden gems and lesser-known spots that deserve a moment in the limelight.
17 South Island New Zealand Hidden Gems
For a map of all the locations listed, click HERE
Table of Contents
- 1. Waipara River Boys Brigade Swimming Hole
- 2. Orana Wildlife Park Lion Encounter
- 3. Hagley Park Botanic Gardens
- 4. Little River Campground
- 5. Castle Hill
- 6. Cave Stream Scenic Reserve
- 7. Rakai Gorge
- 8. Truman Beach
- 9. Lake Ruataniwha
- 10. Omarama Clay Cliffs
- 11. Canola Fields
- 12. Puzzling World
- 13. Katiki Point
- 14. Porpoise Bay
- 15. Labyrinth Rocks Park
- 16. Riuwaka Resurgence Track
- 17. Smith Farm’s Holiday Park
1. Waipara River Boys Brigade Swimming Hole
A friend told a friend who told us about this amazing swimming hole. It’s a favorite among locals and with its discreet location, you won’t see any tourists hanging around.
The swimming hole also has a rope swing, tarp water slide, banks to picnic on, and a nearby river to play in.
This is easily the best swimming hole on the South Island and quickly became one of our favorite summer hangouts.
To get there, head north on The Number One Road past Amberly. Before you get to the Waipara township and just before crossing the Waipara River, you’ll turn left on Georges Road.
There should be a sign with an arrow pointing to “Waipara River Boys Brigade”. Turn right on the unpaved Darnley Road and it will dead-end at the parking lot.
2. Orana Wildlife Park Lion Encounter
Normally you go to the zoo to observe animals within a cage, but have you ever been to a zoo where you are the one in a cage and the animals are observing you?
For an incredible up-close encounter with these beautiful cats of prey, book a Lion Encounter at the Orana Park Zoo in Christchurch.
You’ll have the opportunity to enter the Lion’s habitat in the safety of a specially designed vehicle.
You will have an up close and personal encounter as the zookeepers feed the animals from the vehicle. Definitely a unique and memorable experience!
However, if you are more inclined to feed giraffes, then you are in luck! At Orana, you can hand feed a giraffe for no additional cost.
It is so cool to see these beautiful animals up close, and is very entertaining to see their long black tongues grasping the leaves! There are also several other animal encounters available if you are interested.
3. Hagley Park Botanic Gardens
Near Christchurch’s city center, you’ll find the beautiful Hagley Park and Botanic Gardens. It is one of my favorite spots in Christchurch and has so much to offer.
Hagley Park isn’t a hidden gem, but the reason I am adding it to this list is that this is the best place to find awesome climbing trees! There are so many unique trees and my kids each had their favorites.
Across from the Canterbury Museum (a fantastic free museum) and near the fountain, you’ll see a tree that sort of looks like a ginormous Christmas tree.
Look for an opening in the branches and you’ll step inside a wonderland. It is the coolest tree to climb on and use your imaginations. My kids called this one the “octopus tree”.
Just south of the Botanic Garden’s Visitor’s Center you’ll find another incredible tree.
You have to look for the secret way to climb up around the back. My kids could spend hours here getting lost in their imaginations and using this as their tree house.
The “swing tree” is located just south of the wading pool. The huge low hanging bowed limbs are flexible and so fun to bounce on.
My kids loved to pretend it was a bucking bronco and would see who could stay on the longest.
The branches also make for the best climbing tree and reminded us of Jack and the Beanstalk!
Mother nature sure puts on a nice display year-round at the botanic garden.
Be sure to make Hagley Park a stop on your itinerary to check out the incredible trees! For a list of our other favorite must-see spots in Christchurch, check out our Local’s Guide to Christchurch.
4. Little River Campground
If you’re looking for a quirky and fun place to camp, then book a night at the Little River Campground.
This campground is located outside of Akaroa with tent sites and cabins available. You can tell right away that Little River is not your typical campground with its unique and whimsical touches and quirky decor.
You’ll find treasures hidden around the campground in the least expected places, like a piano in the woods.
Gather around the oversized picnic table and enjoy dinner under the tree hung with lights, a chandelier, and even a disco ball.
Or bring pillows and blankets to this same spot and enjoy an outdoor movie playing under the stars.
The real fun at the campground is the “Scary Slippery Slides”. This water and/or mudslide is constructed on the side of a hill. You’re guaranteed to have a good time, and a sore bottom!
If you aren’t planning to camp, you can still enjoy the mud slides for a small fee.
5. Castle Hill
Castle Hill isn’t necessarily a hidden gem, but it’s not always on the top list of must see locations and I’m here to give it it’s due justice.
Just north of Porter’s Pass, about an hour outside of Christchurch you’ll find the scattered rock formations of Castle Hill.
From the road it just looks like an outcrop of limestone. Which it is, but as you walk up closer you realize not only the vast size of these rocks, but also the incredible natural playground that it has to offer.
You can easily spend hours exploring the maze of rocks, playing hide and seek, finding natural rock slides, and letting your kids get lost for hours in their imaginations.
6. Cave Stream Scenic Reserve
Just down the street from Castle Hill is Flock Hill. This is the location where the scene for the final battle of Narnia was filmed.
Within that same area is the Cave Stream Scenic Reserve. The cave is a tunnel that follows straight through the mountain to the other side.
To go to the correct entrance, you’ll want to head to the right from the parking lot and enter downstream. You’ll then hike upstream through the .4 mile cave.
Plan for about an hour to go through the cave. It is quite the experience as you meander around turns and even scale up a few small waterfalls.
The cave is pitch black so be sure to bring flashlights. There are some important warnings and cautions, as this cave has claimed several lives before.
Be sure to read the information on the link before going. The most important warning is to check the water level and do not attempt if it is too high.
It can be particularly dangerous in the spring when there is more snowmelt. This can also cause water temperatures to drop and lead to a risk of hypothermia.
Exploring the cave is a fun and unique adventure, but just know before you go so that you can have a fun and safe time exploring this incredible cave! Not suited for young children, I would suggest 10 years or older.
7. Rakai Gorge
Rakai Gorge is the first taste of New Zealand’s beauty that we experienced. The first month that we moved to New Zealand was filled with finding housing, getting settled into the new job, getting the kids registered for school, and all the not so glamorous aspects of moving abroad.
I was just itching to get out and explore the beauty of the island. We went to Rakaia to look at a car. As we were driving there, we looked out the window and saw the most incredible turquoise river just casually meandering through the landscape. It took my breath away.
There are the more well known glacial lakes and rivers, such as Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki, the Blue Pools, and Hokitika Gorge. However, Rakai Gorge is a South Island New Zealand hidden gem that is equally deserving of a visit.
There is a campground in this area with very cool exposed tree roots along the bank that are fun to climb. It would be an amazing place to pitch a tent or park a campervan and spend a night or two exploring this area.
The town of Rakai is so charming as well, we picked up some delicious pies and buns from the bakery and had a picnic on the lawn of this cute church.
8. Truman Beach
If you’re exploring the West Coast, be sure to stop at Punakaiki Rocks. And while you’re there, take the time to explore Truman Beach as well.
The Punakaiki Rocks are a popular tourist attraction, but the nearby beach is often overlooked. A few miles north of the Punakaiki visitor’s center you’ll see the trailhead for the Truman Track.
Follow the track through native bush to a lookout over the Tasman Sea, then continue the steps down to this beautiful beach.
Step under the waterfall as it showers down from the towering limestone cliffs above, explore the caves, and enjoy one of the best spots to witness a West Coast sunset.
Just be sure to visit during low tide, high tide can often have dangerous rogue waves.
9. Lake Ruataniwha
If you’re planning a South Island New Zealand road trip, The Lakes will most likely be on your itinerary. Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo are showstoppers, and rightfully so.
But not too far down the road, you’ll come across the lesser-known Lake Ruataniwha.
It is such a quiet and peaceful lake that shimmers with a deep emerald color in the sun.
The lake also holds a few fun surprises that make it a great place for kids. Splash into the water on this retro slide.
Or soar above the water on the swings located at the playground on the shore of the lake.
For a little nostalgia, stop at the Lake Ruataniwha Holiday Park down the road. The playground here is made up of all the old retired McDonald Playland structures.
I have many fond childhood memories of playing inside that Hamburgler Jail!
10. Omarama Clay Cliffs
Not far from Lake Ruataniwha, you’ll feel like you’re in a different world as you explore the Omarama Clay Cliffs.
The thing about New Zealand is that the landscape is so diverse. With mountains, beaches, rainforests, glaciers, and this particular spot that looks as if it belongs in Southern Utah!
The Omarama Clay Cliffs are off the beaten path and not as well-known. As a result, you will most likely be on your own as you explore these incredible pinnacles formed by glaciers over a million years ago.
You will need to follow a dirt road for a few miles to get here, and there is a $5 fee per vehicle.
11. Canola Fields
If you’re wondering where to go in New Zealand to find wildflowers, springtime around Lake Tekapo is absolutely stunning.
The wild lupin flowers attract visitors from all over when they are in bloom.
However, the blooming canola fields during the late spring and summer months don’t get the recognition they deserve.
On the drive from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo, between about Geraldine and Fairlie, you will see several yellow rolling hills that are just stunning. Be sure to stop for a photo!
12. Puzzling World
Wanaka is such a picturesque town with its famous Lone Tree of Lake Wanaka and stunning Roy’s Peak track.
But while you’re there, be sure to make a stop at the quirky Puzzling World filled with plenty of displays, hands-on optical illusions and a maze. My kids loved this place and we did too!
13. Katiki Point
There is not much mention of Katiki Point, and it is arguably in my top five favorite spots on the whole South Island. It lies on the rugged Otago Coast, one of the best spots in New Zealand to see wildlife.
I heard a rumor that there was a penguin colony here that you can observe from a distance in a booth behind plexiglass.
We didn’t have much luck spotting them and were about to leave, when we decided to explore the peninsula.
If you make a right out onto the peninsula before you go down to the penguin viewing area, you will discover the most beautiful scene.
Just before the sun sets, the penguins and sea lions come in from the ocean after a day of feeding. It is just magical to see these beautiful animals in their natural habitat surrounded by the pastel skies of a setting sun.
This is definitely one of those moments where I am reminded just how beautiful this world really is.
14. Porpoise Bay
I talked all about how the Catlins is New Zealand’s hidden gem. It is often left off of traveler’s itineraries due to the location.
But if you do make it there, you will be rewarded with some of the most incredible scenery.
Within the Catlins, the biggest hidden gem is probably Porpoise Bay. It gets its name because it is home to the world’s rarest dolphins, the Hector’s Dolphins.
What makes it even more special is that they often come near the shore and play with surfers and swimmers.
It is a rare phenomenon, nowhere else in the world do dolphins spend so much time near shore without being fed.
15. Labyrinth Rocks Park
You’ll also find many incredible locations and hidden gems at Golden Bay. The Labyrinth Rocks Park is probably the least talked about location, but one of my kid’s favorite spots.
Labyrinth Rocks Park is a giant natural maze made of limestone rock walls. Entry is free and there is a detailed map that you can pick up at the entrance.
Plan for about an hour to complete the maze, although there are many side trails that are fun to explore as well.
There are lots of little toy figurines (like from McDonald’s Happy Meals) that have been placed throughout the maze. My kids had the best time trying to spot them, and also pretending they were on the set of an Indiana Jones movie.
16. Riuwaka Resurgence Track
We’ve done a lot of hikes and seen a lot of beautiful spots, so sometimes I’m not easily impressed. However, this trail was like walking into a fairy tale.
The Riuwaka Resurgence Path is located in the Golden Bay region as well and is a short 10-minute walk.
At the end of the hike, you can see an underwater cave with crystal-clear water bubbling up into a pool that you can swim in. That is if you can brave the cold. The water travels quite a ways underground so it is pretty chilly.
17. Smith Farm’s Holiday Park
If you’re wondering where to go in New Zealand for a unique family stay, we would highly recommend the Smith Farm’s Holiday Park.
Smith Farm’s Holiday Park is a working farm near the Marlborough Sounds with little cabins to stay in.
When we arrived that evening they greeted us with a basket of warm homemade muffins and asked our kids if they would like to help feed the baby lambs in the morning. You better believe they did!
They spent the next morning bottle feeding baby lambs, petting the resident hog, “Molly”. They also explored all over the farm finding a tree house and playing in the fields.
It was such a memorable stay and fabulous find, we would highly recommend it if you’re looking for a place to stay in the area!
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Bonus insider tips:
Sign up for “Treat Me” or “Grab One”, they are the equivalent of Groupon in the States where you can find great deals on excursions and tours!
Renting a campervan is such a cool way to explore the island. They often have great relocation deals for a $1 a day. The best site to find these deals is Rental Car Relocation.
New Zealand is filled with stunning views wherever you go. Adventure and discovery await around every turn! I hope you get a chance to visit a few of our favorite South Island New Zealand hidden gems! Happy exploring!
*And if you’re looking for our favorite must see tourist spots, be sure to check out our South Island Bucket List!
This is absolutely amazing. Just finished reading this and those trees at Hagley Park and the Castle rocks are MIND Blowing. This guide is epic….its making me want to pack up and move there now. I will finish binge reading your blog TONIGHT. 🙂
You are so sweet, Kari! It really is an incredible island and I hope you get to visit there some day, or better yet pack up and move there!