12 Best Places To Visit in New Zealand South Island!
Are you looking for the best places to visit in New Zealand South Island? Then look no further!
While living in New Zealand, I was lucky enough to call the South Island my home and I made the most out of exploring all the beautiful places right on my doorstep. To say that the South Island is beautiful is an understatement, and although the North Island is also stunning, there’s something about the South Island that really captured my heart!
Filled with snow-capped mountains, dramatic coastlines, deep fjords and glacial lakes the South Island’s unique scenery is like nowhere else. Exploring the island is pretty easy with lots of options from renting a car or camper to booking tours or coach trips.
In this guide, I’ll tell you the 12 best locations in the South Island of New Zealand that will leave you with your jaw on the floor!
Milford Sound
I don’t think that any trip to the South Island would be complete without a visit to the iconic Milford Sound!
Also known as the 8th Wonder of the World, Milford Sound looks like you have stepped into the Jurassic era and thick rainforest coats the area. The fjord’s steep mossy cliffs were carved out by an ancient glacier millions of years ago. The glacier’s path then flooded with seawater which is what we see today.
The rough and rugged landscape is home to seals, dolphins, penguins and whales which you’ll quite often see while on a boat tour here! It’s also home to countless waterfalls that pour down from the mists above.
Queenstown
Queenstown is the place that I called home for 6 months and let me tell you, this is one of the best places you can visit on the South Island of New Zealand!
Known for being the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown is home to bungee jumps, skiing, water sports, skydiving and much more! Perfect for adrenaline junkies!
It’s a great place to base yourself while exploring the surrounding area such as The Remarkables, vineyards, Arrowtown, Lake Wakatipu and Moke Lake.
A great hike that is just outside of the town is Wye Creek where you will get sweeping views across Lake Wakatipu and over Queenstown itself. I highly recommend spending a few days here if you have the time!
Queenstown is also a good place to pick up your car or camper to start a South Island road trip.
Wanaka
Wanaka is Queenstown’s more chilled-out neighbour and is a great location to spend a few days exploring the surrounding scenery.
Home to the popular Roy’s Peak, Wanaka is a good place to stay after your hike. I’m not going to lie, I found Roy’s Peak to be one of the hardest hikes I have done in New Zealand! The views are totally worth it but it is a constant incline with no shade so you are best starting very early in the morning.
If you visit Wanaka during the summer months, Wanaka Lavender Farm will be open and you can explore the lavender fields for a few hours. Make sure you head to the beach near the iconic Wanaka Tree to watch the sunset.
Glenorchy
Located just a 40-minute drive south of Queenstown, Glenorchy is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the tourist hotspot.
Extremely isolated, this tiny town has only one way in and one way out – the beautiful Queenstown to Glenorchy road.
This drive will certainly take you more than 40 minutes as you will be stopping at all the different viewpoints along the way! This remote settlement surrounded by snow-dusted mountains is a real slice of paradise and is the perfect place to spend a peaceful afternoon.
Lake Tekapo
Just a short drive from Lake Pukaki is the iconic Lake Tekapo which shares its breathtaking surroundings with some of New Zealand’s tallest peaks.
While Tekapo’s stunning landscapes are amazing all year round, it’s even more beautiful during its vibrant lupin bloom in the summer months. If you want to witness the thick blankets of pink and purple, the best time of year to visit the South Island is between mid-November and early January. Some of the best lupin fields are found next to the Church of the Good Shepherd!
Lake Tekapo is also part of New Zealand’s Dark Sky Reserve and is one of the best places to visit in the South Island to go star gazing!
Aoraki National Park & The Hooker Valley Track
Mountains dominate the skyline in Aoraki National Park and I think you’ll need at least two days to fully explore the area! Endless trails and hikes weave through this rocky wonderland but my personal favourite is the Hooker Valley track.
This 10km return walk will take you past alpine streams, across thundering rivers and sometimes you will even hear distant avalanches crashing high up in the surrounding mountains.
At the end of the trail, you’ll arrive at Hooker Lake which sits in the shadow of Mount Cook. During the warmer months, icebergs that have fallen from the glacier float in the lake’s cloudy waters.
There are plenty of other amazing hikes and walks in the area for varying levels of fitness.
Lake Pukaki
This area is my favourite location to visit on the South Island and I could honestly spend days exploring here!
Located right on the doorstep of Aoraki National Park, Lake Pukaki has some of the bluest water I have ever seen! The bright turquoise colour the lake is famed for is caused by glacial flour that reaches the lake in glacial meltwater. This reflects the light in a certain way that gives the water its milky blue colour.
On a clear day, the drive that takes you from the main road along the side of the lake has some of the best views in the whole of New Zealand. This is where you’ll be able to see Mount Cook towering over the top of Lake Pukaki.
This is one of my favourite viewpoints to see Mount Cook and is pictured below.
Hokitika Gorge
Often overlooked as one of the best places to visit in the South Island of New Zealand, the Hokitika Gorge is nestled just a 40-minute drive away from the West Coast. The gorge is a true hidden gem and is renowned for its turquoise glacial waters.
The 2.1km loop walk which is relatively easy will take you through lush green forests and across two picturesque swing bridges. After crossing the first bridge, you’ll find a path leading to a riverfront and beach area. Here you can walk closer to the rocky boulders that line the river’s edge.
Although you can walk down to the water’s edge, please be careful, swimming is not advised here due to the really strong currents.
Franz Josef Glacier
Franz Josef Glacier is the steepest and fastest-moving glacier in New Zealand and it is just a stone’s throw from the centre of town. Not only is this one of the best places to visit in New Zealand South Island but there are actually a few different ways to see it!
To reach the starting point of the 1.7 km walk to the Glacier Valley viewpoint, you have two options: drive or, if you enjoy hiking, take the 5 km walk from town. This gentle walk to the viewpoint winds through a lush rainforest that also has views of the snowy mountains and some waterfalls.
Another way to view the glacier is by helicopter! I absolutely loved this experience and it was a really awesome way to get views of the glacier from above. Some of the glacier tours allow you to explore the glacier with a guide and others will fly you to the top and then back down again which is what we did.
Sadly due to climate change, the glacier is shrinking rapidly and you will see signposts along the valley walk that will tell you when the glacier was previously at each point. It’s really sad to see and pretty astonishing to see just how far it has receded over recent years.
Fox Glacier is also nearby and is definitely worth the side trip if you have the time.
Haast Pass
The Haast Pass is more than just one stop really but it’s a road you should definitely drive while exploring the South Island.
This is the road that connects the West Coast to Wanaka by weaving its way through the Southern Alps. The drive will treat you to endless views of rushing rivers, towering rock walls, thick rainforests and waterfalls.
There are plenty of stops along this route that make it a great jumping-off point for some of the longer hikes through Mount Aspiring National Park. There are also plenty of quick stops along the road that you should see such as the Blue Pools, Fantail Falls and Thunder Creek Falls.
One thing I did notice at these locations, is the sandflies! Certain locations on the South Island do have lots of sandflies, especially in the summer and I felt like I was being eaten alive at some of these stops. Keep your insect repellent handy.
Lake Rotoiti
When looking for the best places to visit in New Zealand South Island, Lake Rotoiti is somewhere that’s often missed!
Nestled among rugged mountain peaks, Lake Rotoiti is an alpine lake located within Nelson Lakes National Park.
There are multiple walking tracks at lake level for you to explore, as well as more strenuous tracks that will take you up above the lake for a bird’s eye view of the water below.
If you’re stopping for a shorter visit, make sure you get to the jetty for the picture-perfect view at sunset. And if you look beneath the jetty, you’ll also notice the hundreds of eels lurking below!
Abel Tasman
They say the North Island has some of the best beaches in New Zealand, and although this may be true, Abel Tasman gives them a real run for their money!
Located in the north part of New Zealand’s South Island, Abel Tasman is New Zealand’s smallest national park. But what it lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in scenery. The beaches on this coastal paradise feel more reminiscent of those on a tropical island!
The most popular walk here is the Abel Tasman coast tra,ck which hugs the coastline and will take you through thick native forest and over carved granite cliffs. Make sure you stop regularly at one of the pristine beaches or mossy waterfalls.
There are tons of activities you can enjoy here, and if you have a few days, you can stay in one of the campsites or lodges to take your time and explore.
Where To Stay On The South Island
The Dairy Hotel is a great place to base yourself right in the heart of Queenstown. They have a daily happy hour on-site and have great mountain views.
If you’re planning on staying in Wanaka, the Edge Water Hotel has some awesome views over Lake Wanaka!
Skyrim Lodge in Lake Tekapo is a short walk from the town and the lakefront. It’s the perfect place to stay if you plan on doing some stargazing.
When we were exploring Lake Pukaki and Aoraki National Park, we stayed at the Glentanner Park Centre. It has a campsite, cabins and dorm rooms to choose from. It also has stunning views over the lake and is a short drive to the hiking trails.
Final Thoughts: The Best Places To Visit in New Zealand South Island
Wherever your adventures take you on New Zealand’s South Island, you’ll be greeted by breathtaking landscapes at every turn. Whether you’re after fjords, lupins, mountains or beaches, the island really does have it all.
Although there are some awesome walks on the North Island, I personally think the hikes on the South Island are extra special.
While we didn’t have the chance to explore the far southern reaches, there are countless other amazing destinations for you to discover. If you have the extra time, exploring The Catlins is said to be an incredible addition to your journey.
