By stephanievella. Queenstown. 10 Must-See Most Beautiful Places In New Zealand South Island. Things to Do in New Zealand New Zealand Travel Forum New Zealand Photos New Zealand Travel Guide All New Zealand Hotels; New Zealand crayfish have been marketed as rock lobster, and this name now has official status. An archipelago of 300 islands in the Coral Sea, Fiji has no shortage of things to do, both on land and 2. Reach new heights in Aoraki/Mt Cook Aoraki / Mt Cook, Christchurch - Canterbury By Will Patino Mt Cook, New Zealand Allison. Ferry: 1 hour. What I love about the South Island is the diversity: the scenery Snow Sports in New Zealands South Island. Allison. The fiord is home to fur seal colonies, penguins and dolphins. Areas. The Catlins is a remote corner of the South Island of New Zealand, along the southeastern coastline, and its long been the seaside getaway of us Wanaka locals. Nelson has a thriving local arts and crafts community which attracts lots of artists from all around the country. info@goliveyoung.com. Queenstown Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand and home to so many amazing things to do all year round. The Catlins is lesser known than other places to visit in the South Island, but the landscapes and wildlife 1.1 Wanaka is one of the best small towns in New Zealand for outdoor activities, hikes, and the famous Wanaka Tree; 2 Mt Cook Village. 4. With 10 days to see as much of New Zealands most scenic island as possible, this South Island campervan itinerary for 10 days incorporates all the highlights for the traveller Answer 1 of 3: Hello, Here is our self drive itinerary for 22 days on the South Island. Start off your road trip of New Zealands South Island by arriving in Christchurch early in the morning, or better yet, the evening before to really maximise your time. Marvel at Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain. Things to Do in New Zealand New Zealand Travel Forum New Zealand Photos New Zealand Travel Guide All New Zealand Hotels; Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. It will be one of the best things youll ever do! Tasman Glacier (pictured above) is Farewell Spit and Puponga Farm Park. It is famous for towering peaks, majestic rainforests and stunning waterfalls. Things to do in New Zealand South Island Mount Cook National Park / Lake Pukaki. The Catlins is lesser known than other places to visit in the South Island, but the landscapes and wildlife 15 reasons why the East Coast of the South Island NZ is worth visiting. Go crazy for crayfish. The South Island of New Zealand is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. Katie. South Island road trip from Picton. You can take a boat tour or a scenic flight to see the whales and they have a high strike rate of seeing them. Fiji Islands Best Things to Do in South Island New Zealand 1) Explore the Golden Beaches of Abel Tasman National Park 2) Admire the Stunning View at Cable Bay 3) Walk the Queen Charlotte Track in Marlborough Sounds 4) Stay in a Remote Bay in Marlborough Sounds 5) Visit Picturesque Wineries 6) Spot Seals 7) Swim with Wild Dolphins in Kaikura or Akaroa Steampunk style architecture in Oamaru (Photo: amanderson2 via Flickr / CC BY 2.0) Check out a cluster of trees that point sideways. New Zealand People; Hiking FAQ; Auckland; Categories. Visit New Zealands only castle Situated on the picturesque Otago Peninsula just outside Dunedin (the second-largest city in the South Island), Larnach Castle is Dunedin and its region, the Coastal Otago, offer natural beauty coupled with a fascinating cultural history. Travel forums for South Island. LOCATION 1 Itchen Street, Oamaru. This spectacular park with New Zealands highest mountain, Mt.Cook, at 3754mtrs, and the picturesque turquoise Lake Pukaki providing the entrance is a must on the South Island. Picton is the obvious starting point for a road trip on the South Islands East Coast. Do note that kids need to be 3 or older to take a boat tour, so you may need to Barbara. Queenstown. Ohau Point seal colony. Distance: 915 km. 3.1 Arrowtown is an old town with a gold mining history; 4 Akaroa . Wed love to visit New Zealand some day. Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. The mangled, surreally shaped trees that occupy Slope Point, the most southerly spot on Located in whats known as the sunniest region in New Zealand, Nelson is the oldest city in the South Island and the second-oldest settled city in the country. Lake Pukaki. We started the hike at 5:30 and were able to beat the heat - pack lots and lots of water. Top 10 Islands in Australia, New Zealand, and the South PacificFiji Islands. The 300-plus islands of Fiji are a nature lover's paradise, with up-high hiking trails, year-round balmy weather, and next-level properties (many on their own private islands, like Vatuvara Kangaroo Island, Australia. Score: 85.66Moorea, French Polynesia. Great Barrier Reef Islands, Australia. Bora-Bora, French Polynesia. More items Read on to see which other places readers deemed the best islands in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific and why Fiji has yet again captured the No. Interesting things to do at Lake Tekapo are: 2. It is famous for towering peaks, majestic rainforests and stunning waterfalls. Home; Travel Guide; About New Zealand; Photos; Maps; Contact; South Island Travel Guide. Do note that kids need to be 3 or older to take a boat tour, so you may need to It is definitely one of the most beautiful places to visit in South Island of New Zealand. It simply has it all: vast mountains, empty beaches, rain forest and enough activities to keep any outdoor lover and adrenaline junkie entertained. 2-Week North Island, New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary. We have reviews of the best places to see in South Island. The Moris explained the presence of these spherical boulders on Koekohe Beach, on the South Island of New Zealand, as eel baskets washed up from an enormous, sunken canoe, but the science behind these rock formations is even stranger. 1. June 10, 2019 6:34 pm. 1. Best places to visit on the South Island Picton. Two of the most beautiful glaciers in New Zealand are Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier, and the cool thing is, you can get right up close! If you love wine and wine tasting, Central Otago is the best places to visit in South Island New Zealand. Backpack New Zealand. New Zealand's North Island Adventure - 7 Days. Fiji Islands Cape Kidnappers to see amazing coastal landscape and the worlds largest mainland gannet colony (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor) Waimarama Beach ( see more Hawkes Bay beaches here) Lake Waikaremoana to do one of the New Zealand Great Walks. 1.1 Wanaka is one of the best small towns in New Zealand for outdoor activities, hikes, and the famous Wanaka Tree; 2 Mt Cook Village. We have reviews of the best places to see in South Island. Top Things to Do in South Island, New Zealand: See Tripadvisor's 1,447,984 traveller reviews and photos of South Island tourist attractions. Make an enquiry. Top 7 wetlands to visit in the South Island. Snow Sports in New Zealands South Island. Nestled on the Otago Peninsula by the picturesque harbour, the second-largest city on New Zealands South Island may seem slightly out of place. Picton. But not too far down the road youll come across the lesser-known Lake Ruataniwha. Wetlands are wonderful places to visit. Skiing is a popular attraction here as there are more than 2 ski fields nearby. Christchurch to Hanmer Springs Day3. Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo are show stoppers, and rightfully so. City. Stewart island. 9. 20 best places to visit in New Zealand's south island - CK Our perfect 1-week South Island itinerary will take you to all the best locations in this part of the country. Christchurch to Hanmer Springs Day3. Built around Queenstown Bay on the banks of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is a resort town. It is home to incredible flora and fauna, including kiwis (about 15,000). 1. Milford Sound is a fiord in the southwest of New Zealands South Island. The South Island of New Zealand is the ultimate campervan holiday destination with a new and breathtaking landscape to admire every couple of hours on the road. Located at the shores of Lake Wakatipu, this place is surrounded by lofty mountains. Australia & New Zealand Specialist. Heres my list of the most beautiful places to visit and things to do on the South Island of New Zealand! Fiji Islands. 1. The South Island of New Zealand is home to sea lions, penguins, alpine parrots, kiwi, fur seals, ancient lizards, and New Zealands only native land mammals, the long and short tail bats. South Island road trip from Picton. Source: Canva. So many fun activities for kids. 1. Must-Sees of the West Coast Region of New Zealands South Island. The South Island comes alive during winter which spans from June to October, depending on where you go. Recommended itinerariesAuckland to Christchurch, West Coast Discovery. Discover vibrant cities, secluded beaches and rugged wilderness on this 14-day journey from Auckland to Christchurch via the West Coast.Christchurch to Queenstown via Kaikoura Itinerary. Elven Magic 2-Weeks in Middleearth. Photo: photo.eccles / Adobe Stock. With a North and South island to explore, this country has amazing landscapes, volcanic craters, hot springs, Scottish towns and wilderness islands, and plenty for adrenalin junkies. Discuss South Island travel with Tripadvisor travelers. Milford Sound Milford Sound is often referred to as the 8th Wonder of the World when you see it for yourself, we 2. Queenstown, New Zealand. Photo: photo.eccles / Adobe Stock. 5. The 5 Best Islands in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific 1. Therefore, I highly recommend doing a Milford Sound boat tour. Wander the 2. What I love about the South Island is the diversity: the scenery Milford Sound. Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo are show stoppers, and rightfully so. 1. Climb Mount Cook, The Countrys highest mountain New Zealand Travel: Top 4 Things to Eat on the South Island 1. A Road Trip Around New Zealand's South Island Is the Best Way to See One of the Most Beautiful Places on the Planet The writer explored 1,125 miles of New Zealand's South Island in seven days. Here, we have narrowed it down to the top 10 most picturesque places in New Zealand so youre sure not to be miss out on the most beautiful spots! What I love about the South Island is the diversity: the scenery Akaroa: a small town on the Banks Peninsula, a great place for spotting rare Hector dolphins. Bay of Islands. This is New Zealands tallest mountain and there is so much on offer to enjoy the mountain, it is difficult to know where to begin! We drove from Queenstown and it made for a really long day of being on a bus. I'm trying to figure out which cities to visit. Wetlands are wonderful places to visit. 5. The whole park is stunning and you will be stopping the car non-stop for photos. Sleep under the stars in a PurePod plonked in the middle of nowhere. Marlborough. New Zealands South Island has some of the worlds most enjoyable trails such as. But not too far down the road youll come across the lesser-known Lake Ruataniwha. The South Island of New Zealand is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. Days: 7. Steampunk style architecture in Oamaru (Photo: amanderson2 via Flickr / CC BY 2.0) Check out a cluster of trees that point sideways. Discuss South Island travel with Tripadvisor travelers. Picton. New Zealand is a mecca for snow sports with a huge variety of groomed slopes to stunning backcountry landscapes. Mount Cook National Park. Winston Tan/Shutterstock. On sunny days, Mount Cook, the highest mountain (3754 m) of New Zealand, appears in the background and adds to the dramatic scenery of the place. Top 5 Things to do in New Zealand (South Island) 1. Settled by the Scottish in 1848, the name Dunedin is derived from the Gaelic for Edinburgh, and much of the city is still reminiscent of the old-world style brought by its Scottish settlers. Te Anau to Bluff to Stewart Island: 1 to 4 days. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in July. Central Otago. It is definitely one of the most beautiful places to visit in South Island of New Zealand. Milford Sound is a fiord in the southwest of New Zealands South Island. | Credit: Kaikoura Fishing Tours. The Chatham Islands are an archipelago of about ten islands located about 500 miles east of New Zealand's South Island. Source: Canva. This area is full of vineyards surrounded by amazing scenery of mountains and rivers. The Catlins. Places To Visit in New Zealand. Distance to drive: 118 kilometers (73 miles) Estimated drive time with stops: 3 to 6 hours. 3.1 Arrowtown is an old town with a gold mining history; 4 Akaroa . New Zealand is the perfect place for those who love the outdoors and is a model for eco tourism. New Zealand crayfish have been marketed as rock lobster, and this name now has official status. Showing the full scale of Mount Cook National Park on the way to the Mueller Hut on the Sealy Tarns Track. Check the online road report before driving in winter or after snow. Sleepy holiday homes are scattered about the wild beaches, and the wind is 11. Top Things to Do in South Island, New Zealand: See Tripadvisor's 1,447,984 traveller reviews and photos of South Island tourist attractions. 4. It simply has it all: vast mountains, empty beaches, rain forest and enough activities to keep any outdoor lover and adrenaline junkie entertained. Despite it being pretty remote from anything else, it is definitely something NOT to miss on New Zealands South Island. Things to Do in New Zealand New Zealand Travel Forum New Zealand Photos New Zealand Travel Guide All New Zealand Hotels; Queen Charlotte Track: This track stretches 70 kilometers from the Meretoto Ship Cove to the Anakiwa in the Grove Arm of Queen Charlotte Sound. Bay of Islands. 4.1 One of the best small towns on the South Islands Picton is the obvious starting point for a road trip on the South Islands East Coast. Read on to see which other places readers deemed the best islands in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific and why Fiji has yet again captured the No. By Happyjohnny. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. City. A 5-Day Queenstown Itinerary For the Intrepid (New Zealand) 20+ Day New Zealand South Island Road Trip Itinerary. The country of New Zealand is actually made up of an estimated 600 islands in the south-western Pacific Ocean. Mount Cook Road is a must-see all on its own. Lake Pukaki, the largest alpine lake in South Island, is distinguished by the exceptionally turquoise colour caused by sediments of glacial erosion that come from Tasman and Hooker Glaciers. Region Southland. Bora Bora, French Polynesia. Located on the southwest side of the South Island, Queenstown has a well-deserved reputation as the adventure capital of New Zealand. 1 spot. 1 spot. Arrive Christchurch Day2. New Zealand is the perfect place for those who love the outdoors and is a model for eco tourism. Climb Mount Cook, The Countrys highest mountain. I'm trying to figure out which cities to visit. Milford Sound, New Zealand. South Island Tourism South Island Hotels South Island Bed and Breakfast New Zealand ; South Island; Search. Tasman Glacier, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Mount Cook National Park. Situated just across the Cook Strait from Wellington, Picton will be your first destination if youre coming on Marlborough Sounds. This is easily one of my favorite days on this two-week New Zealand South Island itinerary! Driving Distance: 185 km / 2h30. WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Call one of our experts or arrange a video appointment for ideas and advice. Te Anau to Bluff to Stewart Island: 1 to 4 days. Lake Tekapo looks like a scene from a fairytale with its gorgeous lake and the breathtaking snow-capped mountains. 1. Wed love to visit New Zealand some day. The whole park is stunning and you will be stopping the car non-stop for photos. Must-Sees of the West Coast Region of New Zealands South Island. Finishing at the Farewell Spit, Golden Bay. Milford Sound Milford Sound is known for its mountain peaks jutting out of the sea like towers in combination with huge waterfalls.