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Trip Planner :  South Pacific  /  New Zealand  /  South Island

South Island

4.6
Entertainment Centers · Bodies of Water · Hiking Trails
Māui's Canoe
The wilder of New Zealand's two main islands, South Island offers a feast of nature in all its glory. Extensive, untouched plains connect alpine landscapes with rugged shorelines, creating a home for an abundance of animals and vegetation, on land and in the rich surrounding waters. Renowned as a window to the natural world before man (something that scores of film directors have tapped into over the years), South Island folds its cities and townships into the surrounding landscape, their populations adding something singular to the mix. On your trip to South Island, you'll witness the awe-inspiring cultural heritage of the Maori, whose art and architecture complements the developments of the colonial legacy. The result is a land of characterful buildings, rolling vineyards, and free-spirited adventure. Use our New Zealand itinerary maker to plan your trip to South Island and other destinations in New Zealand.
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    Top South Island tours

    FROM $184 BOOK WITH VIATOR Milford Sound Experience Full Day from Queenstown
    4.8
    Duration: 13 hours
    Tours from $184 »
    FROM $132 BOOK WITH VIATOR Milford Sound Coach Tour with Lunch from Queenstown
    4.5
    Duration: 12 hours 30 minutes
    Tours from $132 »
    FROM $365 BOOK WITH VIATOR Franz Josef Glacier Heli-Hike
    4.7
    Duration: 3 hours 15 minutes
    Tours from $365 »

    Places to visit in South Island

    QueenstownTrip planner BEST FOR: Entertainment Center, Water Sport, Spa Te AnauTrip planner BEST FOR: World heritage site, Water Body, Cave Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu)Trip planner BEST FOR: World heritage site, Hiking Trail, Observatory ChristchurchTrip planner BEST FOR: Garden, Specialty Museum, History Museum Fox GlacierTrip planner BEST FOR: World heritage site, Hiking Trail, Scenic Walking Area

    Regions of South Island

    Otago RegionTrip planner Canterbury RegionTrip planner Southland RegionTrip planner West Coast RegionTrip planner Nelson-Tasman RegionTrip planner Marlborough RegionTrip planner

    Visit a single location or make it a multi-destination trip.

    Popular things to do in South Island

    Milford Sound ©
    Water Body
    Milford Sound
    Te Anau
    4.8
    Duration: 4 hours
    Doubtful Sound ©
    Water Body
    Doubtful Sound
    Te Anau
    4.7
    Duration: 8 hours
    Skyline Queenstown ©
    Entertainment Center
    Skyline Queenstown
    Queenstown
    4.5
    Duration: 3 hours
    ©
    Boat Tour
    Boat Tours & Water Sports
    Queenstown
    4.5
    Duration: 2 hours

    Hidden gems in South Island

    Routeburn Track ©
    Hiking Trail
    Routeburn Track
    4.9
    Duration: 8 hours
    Aoraki/Mt. Cook ©
    Outdoor Activity
    Aoraki/Mt. Cook
    Mt. Cook Village
    4.9
    Duration: 2 hours
    Kepler Track ©
    Hiking Trail
    Kepler Track
    Te Anau
    4.8
    Duration: 8 hours
    Lake Wakatipu
    Water Body
    Lake Wakatipu
    Queenstown
    4.8
    Duration: 4 hours

    Trails in South Island

    Hollyford Track ©
    Hiking Trail
    Hollyford Track
    Fiordland National Park
    5.0
    Duration: 8 hours
    The Chasm Walk ©
    Hiking Trail
    The Chasm Walk
    Te Anau
    4.6
    Duration: 1 hour
    Fox Glacier South Side Walk ©
    World heritage site
    Fox Glacier South Side Walk
    Fox Glacier
    3.6
    Duration: 2h 30 min
    Otago Central Rail Trail ©
    Biking Trail
    Otago Central Rail Trail
    Central Otago
    4.9
    Duration: 4 hours

    Nature in South Island

    Lake Te Anau ©
    Water Body
    Lake Te Anau
    Te Anau
    4.6
    Duration: 2 hours
    Lake Wanaka ©
    Water Body
    Lake Wanaka
    Wanaka
    4.9
    Duration: 4 hours
    Mount Aspiring National Park ©
    National Park
    Mount Aspiring National Park
    Wanaka
    4.8
    Duration: 8 hours
    Te Anau Glowworm Caves ©
    Cave
    Te Anau Glowworm Caves
    Te Anau
    4.4
    Duration: 2h 30 min

    Wildlife in South Island

    Kiwi Birdlife Park ©
    Wildlife Area
    Kiwi Birdlife Park
    Queenstown
    4.3
    Duration: 1h 30 min
    Buy tickets from $29 »
    ©
    Dolphin / Whale Watching
    Dolphin & Whale Watching
    Kaikoura
    4.4
    Duration: 3h 30 min
    Te Anau Bird Sanctuary ©
    Wildlife Area
    Te Anau Bird Sanctuary
    Te Anau
    4.0
    Duration: 1h 30 min
    The Royal Albatross Centre ©
    Wildlife Area
    The Royal Albatross Centre
    Dunedin
    4.1
    Duration: 2h 30 min

    Museums in South Island

    International Antarctic Centre ©
    Specialty Museum
    International Antarctic Centre
    Christchurch
    4.2
    Duration: 2 hours
    Canterbury Museum ©
    History Museum
    Canterbury Museum
    Christchurch
    4.6
    Duration: 2 hours
    Toitu Otago Settlers Museum ©
    Specialty Museum
    Toitu Otago Settlers Museum
    Dunedin
    4.8
    Duration: 2 hours
    Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre ©
    Specialty Museum
    Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre
    Blenheim
    4.8
    Duration: 1h 30 min
    Buy tickets from $15 »

    Featured attractions

    The Ivy Box ©
    Art Gallery
    The Ivy Box
    Queenstown
    4.6
    Duration: 30 minutes
    Exchange Christchurch (XCHC) ©
    Civic Center
    Exchange Christchurch (XCHC)
    Christchurch
    4.7
    Duration: 1h 30 min
    Aiste Vasileviciute Photography ©
    Nightlife
    Aiste Vasileviciute Photography
    Queenstown
    5.0
    Duration: 4 hours
    Pelorus Eco Adventures ©
    Kayaking / Canoeing
    Pelorus Eco Adventures
    Havelock
    4.9
    Duration: 4 hours

    Don't Miss a Thing. See & Do More.

    Recently planned trips to South Island

    1 day in Methven BY A USER FROM NEW ZEALAND Ashburton Aviation Museum Methven Sports Massage Aoraki Balloon Safaris 23 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM SAUDI ARABIA Queenstown Wellington Tongariro National Park 30 days in South Pacific BY A USER FROM SAUDI ARABIA Sydney Paihia Rotorua 3 days in Stewart Island BY A USER FROM NEW ZEALAND Rakiura Museum Beaks and Feathers Ulva Island 17 days in New Zealand BY A USER FROM NEW ZEALAND Queenstown Te Anau Paihia 6 days in Christchurch & Queenstown BY A USER FROM NEW ZEALAND Christchurch Queenstown