Things to do in South Island
Activities, attractions and tours
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Most popular experiences in South Island
Tours & day trips
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Small Group, Award Winning Full Day Milford Sound Experience
Adventure & outdoor
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Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown
Air, helicopter & balloon tours
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Milford Sound Cruise with Round-Trip Flights from Queenstown
Private & custom tours
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World in a day
Cruises & boat tours
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Milford Sound Wilderness Cruise
What to do in South Island
Popular places to visit
Mount Cook National Park
Ski on a glacier, enjoy hot springs and tackle the peak where Sir Edmund Hillary trained for Everest in this spectacular part of New Zealand.
Lake Tekapo
Explore the great outdoors at Lake Tekapo, a popular spot to commune with nature in Lake Tekapo. Wander the lakeside in this quaint area.
Milford Sound
Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Milford Sound during your travels in Fiordland National Park. Discover the area's waterfalls and glaciers.
Aoraki / Mount Cook
Explore the great outdoors at Aoraki / Mount Cook and enjoy the stunning glacier views during your trip to Mount Cook. Wander the lakeside in this quaint area.
Lyttelton Harbour
Enjoy cafés, markets and boat trips at this scenic European port town, steeped in history and bordered by volcanic hills.
Lake Pukaki
Be amazed by the color of the lake against the snowy backdrop of Aoraki/Mount Cook as you hike, drive or ride through this incredibly picturesque landscape.
Picton Ferry Terminal
Explore the waterfront in Picton with a trip to Picton Ferry Terminal. You'll find more to see and do in this walkable area.
Sumner Beach
The main beach in the seaside retreat of Sumner is an idyllic place to spend a day in the sun away from the centre of Christchurch.
The Remarkables Ski Area
Skiers and snowboarders will find plenty of inviting slopes at this ski mountain, known for being one of New Zealand’s best venues for freestyle snow riding.
Areas of South Island
Queenstown City Centre
The panoramic lake views and popular shops are just a few highlights of Queenstown City Centre. Make a stop by Skycity Queenstown Casino or Queenstown Mall while you're exploring the area.
Christchurch City Centre
Christchurch City Centre is a destination visitors seek out for its abundant dining options, interesting museums and colourful gardens. You might want to check out attractions like Christchurch Art Gallery or Bridge of Remembrance while you're exploring the neighbourhood.
Dunedin City Centre
Dunedin City Centre is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to First Church of Otago or Regent Theatre.
Christchurch Airport
While Christchurch Airport may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like International Antarctic Centre and McLean's Island Golf Club.
Frankton
Frankton is known for its fantastic lake views, and you can make a stop by Queenstown Event Centre and Lake Wakatipu while in the area.
Nelson City Centre
Nelson City Centre is noteworthy for its shopping, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Nelson Provincial Museum and Christ Church Cathedral.
- Hotels near Mount Cook National Park
- Hotels near Lake Tekapo
- Hotels near Milford Sound
- Hotels near Aoraki / Mount Cook
- Hotels near Lake Pukaki
- Hotels near Coronet Peak Ski Area
- Hotels near Golden Bay
- Hotels near Franz Josef Glacier
- Hotels near Cardrona Alpine Resort
- Hotels near University of Canterbury
- Hotels near Christchurch Casino