Journey to New Zealand’s South Island (virtually)



a group of people riding skis on a snowy mountain: Lake Pukaki


© Miles Holden / New Zealand Tourism Board
Lake Pukaki

Welcome to the South Island

The largest of New Zealand’s two main islands invites adventurers to explore some of the world’s most pristine natural landscapes. From snow-capped mountains to the majestic coast, come along as we (virtually) visit some of the best destinations on the South Island.



a truck is parked on the side of a mountain road: Queenstown to Glenorchy


© Miles Holden / New Zealand Tourism Board
Queenstown to Glenorchy

The Road to Glenorchy

One of New Zealand’s most scenic drives (and that’s really saying something) winds between Queenstown and Glenorchy. The road to Glenorchy curves through forests, past mountain lakes and parallel to cliff edges along its 28.5-mile length.



a snow covered mountain: Hooker Valley


© Miles Holden / New Zealand Tourism Board
Hooker Valley

Hiking in Hooker Valley

The South Island is a hiker’s paradise. Among the most popular walks is the Hooker Valley Track in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. The trail follows the Hooker River up the valley, ending at a glacial lake. Hikers cross three swing bridges along the way.



a bird sitting on top of a body of water: Penguin Place


© Penguin Place / New Zealand Tourism Board
Penguin Place

South Island’s cutest residents

New Zealand is home to three species of penguins, including the korora (little blue penguin), the world’s smallest. The Otago Peninsula on the South Island is home to several breeding colonies of these birds who reside here throughout the year.



a sunset over a body of water: Bungy New Zealand


© AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand / New Zealand Tourism Board
Bungy New Zealand

Queenstown, Adventure Capital of the World

Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the world for good reason. Adrenaline comes in a variety of activities, from bungee jumping and skydiving to rafting and cycling.



a person standing in front of a building: Church of the Good Shepherd on Lake Tekapo


© Vaughan Brookfield / New Zealand Tourism Board
Church of the Good Shepherd on Lake Tekapo

Church of the Good Shepherd

Among the most iconic landmarks in the Mackenzie region of the island is the Church of the Good Shepherd. Built as a memorial to the area’s pioneers, the stone church holds interdenominational services throughout the year.



Mt. John Observatory at night


© Vaughan Brookfield / New Zealand Tourism Board
Mt. John Observatory at night

Mount John Observatory

One of the best times to visit Mount John is at night. This peak is home to the University of Canterbury Mt. John Observatory with six telescopes which can collectively observe 50 million stars each night. The Dark Sky Project offers guided stargazing experiences throughout the year.



a group of people walking on a path near water: Nugget Point


© Miles Holden / New Zealand Tourism Board
Nugget Point

Nugget Point Lighthouse

You’ll find the spectacular Nugget Point with the country’s oldest lighthouse on the Catlins Coast of the South Island. Captain Cook named the area after the rocks that looked to him like pieces of gold. From the Tokata lighthouse, you can often spot fur seals in the surf below.



a man riding on the back of a boat in the water: Split Apple Rock


© Fraser Clements / New Zealand Tourism Board
Split Apple Rock

Abel Tasman National Park

Abel Tasman National Park, the smallest park in New Zealand’s national park system, offers visitors a chance to explore the island’s coastal ecosystems by kayak, cruise or catamaran. Among the most famous landmarks in the park is Split Apple Rock, a granite boulder that resembles an apple cut in half.



Milford Sound with a mountain in the background: Piopiotahi / Milford Sound


© Will Patino / New Zealand Tourism Board
Piopiotahi / Milford Sound

Milford Sound

Milford Sound, located on the west coast of the South Island, was once described by Rudyard Kipling as the “eighth wonder of the world.” This glacier-carved fjord features cliffs rising as high as 3,000 feet above the water.

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a body of water with a mountain in the background: Mount Cook


© Will Patino / New Zealand Tourism Board
Mount Cook

Aoraki

Aoraki, also known as Mount Cook, peaks at 12,316 feet, making it the tallest peak in New Zealand. You don’t have to be a climber to appreciate the beauty of Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park either. On a clear day, the snowy peak is visible from various alpine hiking trails.



a couple of people that are walking on the side of a mountain: View of Lake Wanaka from Roy's Peak Track


© Miles Holden / New Zealand Tourism Board
View of Lake Wanaka from Roy’s Peak Track

Roy’s Peak

Hike the Roy’s Peak Track in Wanaka for one of the most spectacular views on the South Island. The trail passes through open tussock grasslands on the way to the summit, where hikers are rewarded with panoramic views of Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountain peaks.



a small boat in a body of water surrounded by trees: Gondolas in Christchurch


© Graeme Murray / New Zealand Tourism Board
Gondolas in Christchurch

Christchurch

Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island, is one of the newest cities in the world. It’s known for its modern architecture and abundant green spaces, including the Christchurch Botanic Gardens.



a body of water with a mountain in the background: Rainbow over Marlborough Sounds


© MarlboroughNZ / New Zealand Tourism Board
Rainbow over Marlborough Sounds

Marlborough Sounds

The Marlborough Sounds comprises nearly 1,000 miles of South Island coastline – a region of river valleys, sandy bays and sheltered inlets. Enjoy the views of the coast from the scenic Queen Charlotte Track, or explore on the water by kayak.



a body of water: Tree on Lake Wanaka


© Miles Holden / New Zealand Tourism Board
Tree on Lake Wanaka

That Wanaka tree

The South Island’s Lake Wanaka is home to a solitary tree thought to be the most photographed tree in the country. You’ll find it jutting up from the water near the lake’s south shore with the peaks of Mount Aspiring in the backdrop.



a snow covered field: Glacier walk on Franz Josef


© Miles Holden / New Zealand Tourism Board
Glacier walk on Franz Josef

Franz Josef Glacier

Geologist Julius von Haast explored Franz Josef Glacier in 1865 (though it had been previously explored by local iwi), naming it after the Austrian emperor. A trail from Franz Josef town leads to a viewing platform near the glacier’s terminal face. Visitors can get even closer by taking a guided ice walk or heli-hike.



a close up of a snow covered mountain: Larnach Castle & Gardens


© DunedinNZ / New Zealand Tourism Board
Larnach Castle & Gardens

Larnach Castle

You’ll find New Zealand’s only castle on the South Island. Built in 1871 by banker and politician William Larnach, Larnach Castle offers a glimpse of Victorian life on the island. The castle gardens were recently selected as a Garden of International Significance.



a view of a beach: St Clair Beach


© DunedinNZ / New Zealand Tourism Board
St Clair Beach

A day at the beach

Of all New Zealand’s beaches, St. Clair Beach on the Pacific coast offers the most consistent surf break throughout the year. The St. Clair Hot Salt Water Pool, located at the end of the beach, dates back to 1884. It’s one of the only heated seawater pools in the country.



Vineyard in New Zealand


© iStock / Vroom66
Vineyard in New Zealand

Central Otago wine region

The sunny, dry weather of the South Island’s Central Otago region make it a prime spot for wine production. In addition to award-winning wineries, the area is rich in gold rush history and spectacular cycling routes.



a close up of a large rock: Pancake Rocks


© iStock / Smaks K
Pancake Rocks

Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki

On the west coast of the South Island, Mother Nature has been creating a work of art for more than 30 million years. The geologic formation known as the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks resembles a stack of hotcakes, formed by layers of marine creatures and sand layered and compressed over millennia.



a beach with Haystack Rock in the background: Rocks on Wharariki Beach


© iStock / Joppi
Rocks on Wharariki Beach

Wharariki Beach

Wharariki Beach represents one of the most scenic stretches of coastline on the South Island, thanks in part to its sea stacks and rock formations. Keep an eye out for seals playing in the surf as you explore the beach’s caves and dunes.



a group of colorful flowers with Lake Tekapo in the background: Lupins blooming on Lake Tekapo


© iStock / simonbradfield
Lupins blooming on Lake Tekapo

Lupins in bloom

No image captures New Zealand in springtime better than that of pink and purple lupins blooming on the shores of Lake Tekapo. The flowering season is quite short, lasting from mid-November through early January.



a large waterfall over some water: Purakaunui Falls in the Catlins


© iStock / Dominic Jeanmaire
Purakaunui Falls in the Catlins

Purakaunui Falls

The Catlins region of the South Island is home to numerous spectacular waterfalls. Among the most famous is Purakaunui Falls which cascades 66 feet down three distinct tiers.



a stuffed animal on a beach: Moeraki Boulders at low tide


© iStock / tsvibrav
Moeraki Boulders at low tide

Moeraki Boulders

Visitors driving along the North Otago coast often stop to gaze at the Moeraki Boulders. These spherical stones lay scattered across a beach, each weighing several tons. According to local Maori legend, the boulders were gourds washed ashore after the great canoe Araiteuru wrecked hundreds of years ago.

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