South Island

Discover the Magic of South Island New Zealand

Welcome to the South Island—New Zealand’s crown jewel of natural beauty and adventure. From the snow-capped Southern Alps to the serene turquoise lakes, this region offers a breathtaking blend of landscapes that captivate every traveler. Whether you’re chasing adrenaline or seeking tranquility, the South Island delivers unforgettable experiences at every turn.

Why Choose the South Island?

The South Island is a dream destination for nature lovers, photographers, and explorers alike. It’s home to:
  • Towering mountain ranges like Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Remarkables
  • World-famous fiords, including Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound
  • Ancient glaciers such as Franz Josef and Fox Glacier
  • Golden beaches and lush forests in Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks
  • Vibrant towns and cities like Queenstown, Dunedin, and Nelson
Each region offers its own unique charm, making the South Island ideal for both short getaways and extended road trips.

Flexible Day Tours & Custom Adventures 🚐

Whether you’re following one of our expertly crafted itineraries or building your own journey, the South Island is packed with optional day tours and activities to enrich your trip. Choose from:
  • Scenic train rides like the Coastal Pacific
  • Iconic hikes, including the Kepler Track and Pack Track
  • Glacier walks, cycle trails, and sunset beach cocktails
  • Wildlife encounters in Kaikoura and Stewart Island
  • Wine tasting in Marlborough and Central Otago
Our tours are designed to fit seamlessly into your schedule, with options for every pace and interest—from relaxed nature walks to high-energy excursions.  

South Island New Zealand: Things to Do

Abel Tasman National Park ○ Akaroa ○ Christchurch – Canterbury ○ Central Otago ○ Doubtful Sound ○ Dunedin ○ Fiordland ○ Fiordland National Park ○ Glacier Country ○ Golden Bay ○ Kahurangi National Park ○ Kaikoura ○ Marlborough ○ Mount Cook & Mackenzie ○ Mt Aspiring National Park ○ Nelson Tasman ○ Queenstown ○ Southland ○ Te Anau ○ Waitaki & Oamaru ○ Wanaka ○ West Coast ○ Stewart Island ○ Chatham Islands

BEST 26 South Island Tourist Attractions

BEST South Island Tourist Attractions

❤️ South Island Map & Trip Planner

To make planning effortless, we’ve integrated all major attractions into a smart Google Maps trip planner, organized geographically from north to south. This intuitive layout helps you visualize your route and optimize travel time, whether you’re driving solo or touring by coach or motorhome.

> South Island tourist attractions in Google Maps

New Zealand South Island Map & Regions

South Island New Zealand Map

6 – 15 Day South Island Self Drive and Independent Coach Tour Packages

Find Your Perfect Activity

Dunedin City Sightseeing Tour

Dunedin, Departs from Port Chalmers OR Dunedin Railway Station City Tours

Flexible

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

Explore Dunedin’s most interesting sites and get a real taste of what the city has to offer. We show you student culture, local history, rampaging Jaffas and other generally amazing incidents … Scope out the city’s main attractions, landmarks & culture. Discover Dunedin’s unique place in the history of New Zealand. Duration: 4-5 hours Tour

Interislander – Your Scenic Gateway Between New Zealand’s Islands (ferry from Picton)

Picton Ferry Interislander Terminal Boat Cruises & Water Activities

3 to 3.5 hours

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

Interislander Ferry New Zealand The Interislander Ferry is one of New Zealand’s most iconic travel experiences, offering a breathtaking journey across the Cook Strait between Picton (South Island) and Wellington (North Island). Spanning approximately 92 kilometers, the voyage takes around 3 to 3.5 hours, treating passengers to panoramic views of the Marlborough Sounds, rugged coastlines,

Te Anau Glowworms Tour

Te Anau Active & Adventure

2hrs 15mins

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

Discover the Magic of the Te Anau Glowworm Caves New Zealand If you crave a truly ethereal experience, the Te Anau Glowworm Caves New Zealand deliver. Your adventure begins with a cruise across Lake Te Anau. You board a purpose-built scenic vessel to start the journey. While the boat glides toward the western shores, you

Milford Day Tour ex Te Anau

departs from Te Anau Nature Boat Cruises & Water Activities Family & Kids

Flexible

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

Experience the Ultimate Milford Sound Day Tour If you want to witness the “eighth wonder of the world,” then booking a milford sound day tour is the perfect choice for your New Zealand itinerary. This journey takes you deep into the heart of Fiordland National Park. Here, you will find a landscape shaped by ice

Milford Sound National Park Tour

Departs from Queenstown Scenic Flights

3 hours

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

The Ultimate Adventure: Exploring Milford Sound Fiordland National Park New Zealand If you are looking for the “eighth wonder of the world,” a visit to Milford Sound Fiordland National Park New Zealand should be at the very top of your bucket list. This world-famous fiord offers a landscape rich in dense rainforests, glacier-carved valleys, and

Milford Mariner Overnight Cruise

Depart from the Milford Sound wharf Family & Kids Boat Cruises & Water Activities Nature

Flexible

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

Experience the Ultimate Luxury with a Milford Mariner Overnight Cruise If you want the most immersive way to see New Zealand’s famous fjord, then the milford mariner overnight cruise is the perfect choice. This excursion offers much more than a standard day trip. Instead, it provides a full “dinner, bed, and breakfast” experience in one

Milford Sound Plane Tour: Fly, Cruise & Helicopter

Fly from Queenstown Scenic Flights Active & Adventure

4 hours

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

  Milford Sound Plane Tour: Milford Sound, often described as the eighth wonder of the world, is located in the Fiordland National Park on the west coast of the South Island. Milford Sound Helicopter Tour Helicopter flights into Milford Sound operate from The Helicopter Line’s Queenstown base, located at the Queenstown Airport, just 6km from

Milford Day Tour ex Queenstown

Departs from Athol Street, Queenstown Family & Kids Boat Cruises & Water Activities Nature

Flexible

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

    Take an unforgettable journey into the heart of Milford Sound. You’ll experience the world famous fiord – rich in dense rainforest, glacier carved valleys and beautiful waterfalls. Journey across the Southern Alps and travel deep into the Homer Tunnel, a 1.2km tunnel drilled through solid rock. Uncover Eglinton Valley, a place of ancient

Doubtful Sounds Overnight Cruise

Doubtful Sound Boat Cruises & Water Activities

Flexible

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise New Zealand – The Ultimate Fiordland Wilderness Experience A Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise is widely regarded as the most immersive way to experience Fiordland’s untouched beauty. Known as the “Sound of Silence,” Doubtful Sound is deeper, longer, and more remote than Milford Sound, offering a rare sense of solitude that can

Doubtful Sound Tour & Cruise ex Queenstown

Doubtful Sound Boat Cruises & Water Activities Family & Kids Nature Wildlife & Beaches

Flexible

Price:Included In Your Tour Package

Explore the Wild Beauty of a Doubtful Sound If you seek a true wilderness experience, then a Doubtful Sound tour is the ultimate choice for your New Zealand vacation. Located deep in the heart of Fiordland National Park, Doubtful Sound is a massive area of rugged peaks and hidden inlets. Interestingly, it is the second