When we first moved to South Island New Zealand from Arizona, it was more challenging than I had expected to settle into a new country. However, just as I had anticipated it was more rewarding and the country was more beautiful than I could have ever imagined!
We were so grateful to spend those two years falling in love with that island and its wonderful people. It’s hard to narrow down my favorites when there is so much incredible beauty, but here are our recommendations for the best places to go in South Island New Zealand.
Best Places to Go on New Zealand’s South Island
Table of Contents
Queenstown
Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the world, and for good reason. It is an incredibly beautiful city with amazing outdoor activities.
Best things to do in Queenstown:
- Skyline Luge: The views from the top are jaw-dropping and racing your friends down the track is so much fun.
- Bungy Jumping: The Kawarua Bridge is the birthplace of bungy jumping.
- Jet Boat Tour: Take a thrilling ride down the scenic river with high speeds and 360-degree turns.
- Arrowtown: The cutest mining town and filming location for LOTR (tip: rent a pan from the museum and pan for gold in the river)
- Milford Sound: Queenstown is the gateway to Milford Sound. Book a scenic boat cruise, kayaking expedition, helicopter tour or hike the Milford Track. Be sure to stop in Te Anu along the way and take a boat tour of the glow worm caves.
*Insider tip: Take a drive out to Glenorchy as the sun sets. The road hugs the mountainside and the view to the glass lake below is unreal.
Glacier Lakes
Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki are the most beautiful lakes on South Island New Zealand. The turquoise glacier lakes are absolutely stunning.
Best Things to Do at Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki:
- Soak in the hot pools overlooking Lake Tekapo.
- Enjoy the tubing park at Lake Tekapo during all seasons.
- Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd, one of the most photographed churches in all of New Zealand.
- This region is known as the Mackenzie Sky Basin and has a reputation for being one of the best places in the world to view the night sky. Visit the Mt John Observatory for day and night sky tours.
- The Hooker Valley track at Mount Cook is one of the most popular hikes in the South Island. The drive to Mount Cook along the lakeshore is just as incredible as well.
*Insider tip: Visit from late November to early January to experience the beautiful fields of wild lupins blooming
West Coast
I know this is a little broad, but the entire West Coast on South Island New Zealand is filled with so many incredible sites.
Best Places to Go on New Zealand’s West Coast:
- Haast Pass: The only road to get to the west coast from Wanaka is through Haast Pass. This scenic mountain drive is filled with waterfalls and native forest. Be sure to make a stop at the Blue Pools.
- Franz Josef and Fox Glacier: Hike the trail leading to the foot of the Franz Josef Glacier. You can also take a tour to hike on the glacier and explore ice caves.
- Hokitika Gorge: That vibrant turquoise glacier water just never gets old. Especially when surrounded by lush green trees and a picturesque swing bridge. Go cliff jumping if you’re brave enough!
- Punakaiki: The “Pancake Rocks” is such an incredible spot, be sure to go at high tide and prepare to be left speechless.
*Insider tip: For a picture-perfect shot, stop at Lake Matheson and snap a picture of the mountain peaks reflected perfectly in the water.
Golden Bay
You’ll find Golden Bay on the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island. It is such a gorgeous slice of paradise filled with diverse beauty.
Best Places to Go in Golden Bay:
- Abel Tasman/Totaranui Bay: Abel Tasman is a mix of bright golden orange sand, thick forests of trees, and vibrant turquoise blue water. The majority of the park is accessed only by water or hiking. Totaranui Bay is the only beach accessible by car.
- Split Apple Rock: Although Split Apple Rock is not considered part of Abel Tasman, the beach still glistens with golden orange sand. The name “Split Apple Rock” comes from the mysterious large split boulder sitting off the shore.
- Wharariki Beach: Take a walk through scenic farmland to reach this beautiful beach with white sand dunes, seal pups, and sea caves.
- Te Waikoropupu Springs: Witness some of the world’s most optically pure water. The only water found more clear is under a frozen sea in Antarctica
*Insider tip: Two recommended hidden gems are the Labyrinth Rocks Park and the Riwaka Resurgence Track.
The Catlins
The Catlins is often overlooked because of its remote location, meaning that you can soak in the beauty without all the tourists. Take a road trip along the stunning Otago Coast to reach the untouched beauty of the Catlins.
Best Places to Go in The Catlins:
- McLean and Purakanui Falls: Two of the most beautiful and most photographed falls in New Zealand (McLean is my personal favorite).
- Nugget Point Lighthouse: Perched high on a rugged cliff overlooking rocky islets, this place is straight out of a postcard!
- Cathedral Caves: One of the largest sea caves in the world, accessible only at low tide.
- Slope Point: Witness the incredible phenomenon as the harsh arctic winds twist and mangle the trees on this hillside so that they grow at a sloped angle.
*Insider tip: Visit Porpoise Bay and if you’re lucky you’ll find the local pod of Hector’s dolphins that love to play with swimmers in the surf!
New Zealand is filled with so many incredible places to visit, I hope this bucket list helps you discover the best places to go in South Island New Zealand!
Bonus: Kaikoura is also one of our favorite spots on the South Island and is the best spot to see marine wildlife!
Really informative article. thanks!