South Island attractions

The short walk to the Chasm, in the South Island’s Fiordland National Park, is an ideal family excursion as it’s not challenging, and kids will love the sight of the powerful waterfalls. The high volumes of rain in this part of the country have carved interesting shapes into the rocks here over thousands of years.

Coronet Peak is New Zealand’s oldest ski field and remains a popular choice for people heading to the slopes during the southern hemisphere’s ski season. Snow bunnies can take to one of the ski field’s many trails, while sightseers can enjoy the stunning views of the Wakatipu Basin and the Southern Alps from the summit of the peak.

Made of bluestone with marble floors and stained glass windows, the Dunedin Railway Station is one of Dunedin’s most impressive buildings and purportedly the most photographed in New Zealand. Far more than a railway station, here you can also grab something to eat, visit a sports museum, or photograph the attractive building.

In the heart of New Zealand’s Southern Alps, Arthur’s Pass National Park is a sprawling landscape marked by soaring mountains, lush valleys, and powerful rivers. It offers adventurous visitors of all levels varied hiking tracks, open ski fields, and remarkable natural wonders such as forests, caves, waterfalls, glaciers, and more.

Hang on tight! Skyline Queenstown affords the city’s best views, but the gondola ride isn’t for the faint of heart. Zipping up 1,475 feet (450 meters) to the top of Bob’s Peak takes about 10 minutes aboard the steepest gondola in the southern hemisphere. En route, enjoy 220-degree vistas of Queenstown, the Remarkables, Coronet Peak, and Lake Wakatipu. At the top, dine at the mountaintop Stratosfare Restaurant and Bar amid panoramic views while the Skyline Luge track—with two steepness options, one easy enough for kids—sends adventurous riders screaming on their return trip to the mountain’s base.

Looming over nearby Queenstown, the Remarkables are a formidable mountain range and one of New Zealand’s most popular ski fields. The Remarkables Ski Area has a wide range of exciting slopes and runs for skiers and snowboarders people of all ages and skill levels. Warm weather sees adventure here too, with hiking and biking trails galore.

Just south of the town of Hokitika, the West Coast Treetop Walk & Café offers a fun natural experience for adults and kids. A steel platform allows visitors to walk through the canopy of native rimu and kamahi trees, 65 feet (20 meters) above the ground. A 131-foot-high (40-meter-high) lookout tower offers views of the forest and the surrounding areas.

Across the road from New Zealand’s Christchurch International Airport lies the next best thing to visiting Antarctica itself: the International Antarctic Centre. Here the whole family can experience a simulation of the harsh Antarctic climate, learn all about the icy continent, and meet the center’s cutest residents—little blue penguins.

With a stark profile and dramatic location, Mitre Peak’s bare summit towers 5,551 feet (1,692 meters) above Milford Sound. The flanks of Mitre Peak drop steeply into the water, affording spectacular views of the mountain, whether you’re cruising past the base, kayaking in Milford Sound, or swooping by on a scenic flight.

Christchurch, coined the Garden City, is an Anglophile settlement of well-tended gardens and tree-lined streets. Its crowning jewel is the 52-acre (21-hectare) Christchurch Botanic Gardens, attractively set within Hagley Park alongside the winding Avon River. The gardens are planted with thousands of exotic and indigenous plants and trees including seasonal blooms such as magnolias, azaleas, and 250 varieties of roses.

While tour buses may flock to neighboring Milford Sound, the wild landscapes of Doubtful Sound are equally enchanting and much less crowded. Framed by looming cliffs and dotted with rocky islets and tumbling waterfalls, this natural fjord is three times longer and has 10 times more surface area than Milford Sound. It is also centrally located at the heart of Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Royal Albatross Centre, within Dunedin city limits on the Otago Peninsula, is an ideal spot for nature viewing. The center is home to the only mainland breeding colony of these large birds in the world. Add a tour of the center to a day trip out to the peninsula—a must-do activity while in Dunedin.

New Zealand’s spectacular Fiordland region is home to Lake Te Anau, the 2nd-largest lake in the country. Explore the lake from the township of Te Anau near the lake outflow, or take a cruise along one of the three fjords forming arms that extend into the old-growth forest on the lake’s western flank.

The South Island city of Dunedin was designed in the 19th century using a grid system that took little account of the area’s hilly topography. This resulted in some very precipitous roads, including the famous Baldwin Street; not only is it Dunedin’s most sloping route, it is officially the steepest street in the world.

After you’ve cruised on the surface of Milford Sound and looked up at its lofty peaks, take a journey underwater at the Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory, commonly called the Milford Sound Observatory. The large underwater viewing room is 32 feet (10 meters beneath the water, and you’ll see coral, fish, birds, and other wildlife.

Olveston Historic Home, an unmissable Dunedin attraction, was constructed in the early 1900s and is still decorated as when it was built. The original owner collected unique items worldwide, making this not just a house but a museum. Visitors can view the interior and the large, beautiful gardens.

On the New Zealand’s South Island, a short drive from Dunedin, Penguin Place is a conservation reserve for the endangered Yellow-Eyed Penguin. It’s entirely funded through guided tours, so your visit will directly contribute to the birds’ preservation. In addition to bird sightings, the reserve offers beautiful views of Otago Harbour.

Enjoy a bird’s-eye view from more than 1,640 feet (500 meters) above sea level on the Christchurch Gondola. Take in 360-degree views of the Christchurch cityscape set against a scenic backdrop of the Canterbury Plains, Southern Alps, and Banks Peninsula. It’s a not-to-be-missed experience for visitors of all ages.

The West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island is known for its role in the Gold Rush, when people flocked there seeking their fortunes in the 1860s. Immerse yourself in this historical event at the interactive Shantytown Heritage Park. More than just a museum, the park offers a range of family-friendly indoor and outdoor attractions.

Right in the center of Dunedin city is the Octagon, an 8-sided plaza lined with cafés, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs—and bustling with locals and visitors alike at all times of day. Enjoy a meal or a beer in the sunshine before taking in an exhibition at the Dunedin Art Gallery or heading to the Regent Theatre for a show.

The Mirror Lakes are a collection of small lakes in South Island’s Fiordland National Park. As the name suggests, when the air is still their surface acts somewhat like a mirror, reflecting the Earl Mountains surrounding them. The short walk to the lakes is a popular way to break the journey between Te Anau and Milford Sound.

The beach suburb of Sumner might be hidden from Christchurch by the Port Hills, but this vibrant summer hot spot is only a short drive east from the CBD. Visitors can enjoy a dip at Sumner Beach, relax on the beach’s golden sands, or enjoy a coffee or ice cream on the waterfront at one of the suburb’s promenade cafés.

Former rubbish tip turned family-owned wildlife sanctuary—the Kiwi Birdlife Park is a force for good in downtown Queensland that helps conserve over 20 native species of birds and reptiles. Visitors come here for guided tours, conservation shows, and to see New Zealand’s iconic kiwi birds up close in the Nocturnal House.

The Pegasus Bay Winery is one of the most highly respected wineries in New Zealand. Located in the Waipara Valley region north of Christchurch, this family-run winery has been producing wine for several decades. It’s an easy place to visit from Christchurch for some wine tasting and a delicious meal.

Arguably one of Queenstown’s best hikes, Queenstown Hill is home to the popular Queenstown Hill Time Walk, where informative placards provides an overview of Queenstown’s fascinating history. To native Maori, this hill was known as Te Tapu Nui, or mountain of intense sacredness, which makes sense considering the epic views you’ll get from the top.Climbing over 1,500 feet in only 1.5 miles, the steep climb is rewarded by views looking out over Lake Wakatipu, as well as The Remarkables and Southern Alps that are often snowcapped in the distance.Aside from hiking, ATV and quad bike tours are a popular way to visit, which crisscross over 15 miles of off-road trails on the hill.

The Banks Peninsula is the bulbous thumb of land that juts out into the Pacific Ocean south-east of Christchurch, on New Zealand’s South Island. The town of Akaroa has an interesting French heritage, which is rather unusual in a country colonized by the British, and the rest of the peninsula is a nature-lover’s paradise, offering outdoor and nature-oriented activities.

Built in 1935 as a memorial to the pioneers of Mackenzie County, the Church of the Good Shepherd is set on the scenic shores of Lake Tekapo, framed by snow-capped mountain peaks. In addition to being a popular tourist attraction, this heritage building continues to serve as a place of worship.

An elegant Victorian homestead presides over 9.9 acres (4 hectares) of gardens and landscaped lawns in this Christchurch park. With blooming flowers, walking paths, and manicured garden beds, Mona Vale is primarily used for weddings and events. The gardens, however, are open to all, with an on-site restaurant serving light meals.

The Te Anau Glowworm Caves are one of New Zealand's most mesmerizing natural wonders, boasting a labyrinth of grottoes, tunnels, dramatic rock formations, and underground waterfalls. Adventure abounds—visitors can cruise across Lake Te Anau, scramble through the caves, and marvel at a glittering canopy of tiny glowworms.

Spa-lovers may find it hard to leave Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa. The standout attractions are the nine open-air geothermal pools, ranging in temperatures from 91°F to 107°F (33°C to 42°C). There are also three sulphur pools, six private indoor thermal pools, and a sauna. Anyone who wants to relax will search for reasons to linger.