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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Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Tour
Air, helicopter & balloon tours
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Milford Sound Cruise with Round-Trip Flights from Queenstown
Private & custom tours
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Arthurs Pass Day Trip from Christchurch with Castle Hill
Food, drink & nightlife
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Milford Sound Full-Day Experience with Nature Cruise & Lunch ex Queenstown
Wildlife & nature
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Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 quaint area.
Hagley Park
Explore the great outdoors at Hagley Park, a lovely green space in Christchurch. Amble within picturesque gardens or visit the shops in this culturally rich area.
Coronet Peak Ski Area
A variety of slopes for all abilities and some excellent après-ski options are on offer at this ski field just minutes from central Queenstown.
Lyttelton Harbour
Enjoy cafés, markets and boat trips at this scenic European port town, steeped in history and bordered by volcanic hills.
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 Grand Casino.
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 Russley 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.
Goldfield Heights
Though Goldfield Heights may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Queenstown Mall and Skycity Queenstown Casino.
- Mount Cook National Park
- Milford Sound
- The Remarkables Ski Area
- Hagley Park
- Coronet Peak Ski Area
- Lyttelton Harbour
- Skyline Queenstown
- Sumner Beach
- New Brighton Beach
- Lake Wānaka
- Te Pae Christchurch Convention and Exhibition Centre
- The Octagon
- Christchurch Casino
- Queenstown Gardens
- Riccarton Road
- Lake Wakatipu
- Westfield Riccarton Mall