Top 10 Things To Do In New Zealand’s South Island

The darling of New Zealand and the not-so-secret better of the two islands is the South Island.  It’s massive.  It’s dramatic.  It’s wild.  It’s the adventure capital.  It’s epic.  While we still say the top things to do in the North Island rival the South, it’s almost unfair when you factor in the sweeping mountains, towering fjords, and carpets of glaciers.

With an opportunity to spend 3 weeks in New Zealand that combined both an independent road trip and group touring with Flying Kiwi, we marveled at just how incredibly easy it was to fall in love with the country all over again despite it being our second time to New Zealand.  It’s a country that tempts you to get up close and your hands a little dirty as well.  Here are our top favorite places and activities that everyone should have on their bucket list when planning a trip to NZ.

It’s hard not to have your breath taken away in the South Island.

Things To Do In New Zealand’s South Island

While we’ve already covered Top Things To Do In The North Island, these are places and activities in the South Island that you can’t miss.  These were a dream to see as part of our life-changing 3 weeks in New Zealand.

#1 – Pancake Rocks

This was one of the big surprises for me coming to New Zealand and that may have been because being on Flying Kiwi’s Reverse Traverse allowed me to be a bit lazy when it came to planning.

The Pancake Rocks and Blowholes is an extremely unique geological formation that was created from the bashing and thunderous battering of the Tasman Sea but even then, that barely explains the layers of limestone that form these thin layered columns as if a thick comb brushed through it at one point.

As the tide rises, so too does the intensity of the water that surges up the small openings found here, creating a huge wall of spray.

Beyond the pancakes themselves, you’ll also found a ton of other incredible rock bridge formations and chimney blowholes that also create a mist of fun that makes this 20-45 minutes walk a highlight for any trip to the South Island.

#2 – Shotover Jet

Their moniker is “the world’s most exciting jet boat ride” and having done this experience twice, they’ve certainly cemented themselves in that place.

It is honestly hard to describe as there’s really nothing really like it elsewhere in the world because not only is it an insanely fast boat, you’re also zigging and zagging through narrow canyon rock walls that look like they could immediately bash you in but the pilot so skillfully glides along the water like a choreographed dance.

What’ll surprise you is that it’s a decently lengthy ride that isn’t just a ride out to the canyon and back so there’s a ton of time to savour every inch of the adrenaline rush.

#3 – Franz Josef Glacier

You probably didn’t know this, but New Zealand has not one but two of the most easily accessible glaciers in the world – Franz Josef and Fox Glacier are both along the west coast of the South Island and present one of the most memorable activities you can do in New Zealand.

It’s rare that in a day you can say that you took a helicopter, landed on top of a glacier, slipped on crampons, and got to hike through crevasses and climb up chiseled out staircases.  This is a guided experience that takes you deep into an ever-changing icescape.  It’s a marvel of sight to be up on this huge mound of slow-moving ice.

The only other place we’ve been able to do something like this was part of an 8 day itinerary in Iceland but Franz Josef for us will always be etched as our first and one that is a must-do if you’re exploring this part of the country.

Franz Josef is where we had our glacier hiking experience but you’re probably wondering what the difference is with Fox Glacier.  Both are very similar in our opinion and located virtually in the same area since the two glaciers are in neighboring valleys.  In terms of experience, both are world-class, and the hiking will be of the same variety but of course, the landscape will be very different based on the conditions and movement of ice.  Technically, Franz Josef is steeper than Fox Glacier, but Fox Glacier is larger and 2km longer.  We’ve read that the Franz Josef experience is a bit more hands-on and the route is pre-cut while Fox Glacier can sometimes offer smaller groups and more surprises as the routes are decided by the guides once up at the top.

Where we feel like Franz Josef has the advantage is that afterwards, you can wrap up your experience by dipping into the Franz Josef hot pools which are adjacent to the main office.  This is the perfect companion to the day hike to relax those tense muscles and get ready for the next part of your journey.  The Franz Josef town is also more developed than at Fox Glacier.

#4 – Visit A Kiwi Bird Centre

You see kiwi birds as stuffed animals, on key chains, paper weights, postcards, and stickers but you’ll never see them in real life unless you do one of two things.  You can go on a nighttime safari out into one of the few habitats where they can still be naturally found such as near Okarito or you can go to one of many kiwi centers.

You’d think the national bird of New Zealand would be everywhere but they are in fact endangered in the wild because of introduced predators such as the stout and possum.  To start, there aren’t that many of them and on top of that they’re nocturnal creatures so you won’t see them wandering around during the day.  As a result, the only real guaranteed way to spot them are in places that recreate their habitat.

The biggest reason why it’s worth it to see a kiwi in person is because you really don’t know what they look like and how they move until you’ve seen them with your own eyes.  We can only describe them as these basketball sized birds that have stubby legs with a straw for a beak.  The one particular one we saw here was recently introduced to the space and so was running wildly from one pane of glass to another and drawing semi-circles with his/her beak as a way to mark their territory.  It was quite fascinating to watch.  Their basketball torso is also incredibly cute.

While we wish we could’ve taken a photo, no cameras are actually allowed in the kiwi sanctuary and even if we could, the photos would turn out terribly because it’s in near darkness inside.  It makes sense that cameras aren’t allowed because they know people will accidentally trigger their flash.

Centre such as the National Kiwi Centre in Hokitika are incredibly family friendly and can be explored at your own pace.  Other animals you’ll find here are the giant longfin eels and the native reptile called tuatara that were considered extinct until rediscovered in 2005.

#5 – Skydiving Above The Abel Tasman

If there’s one place to go skydiving in New Zealand, we’d say it would have to be at the north part of the South Island where you can catch glimpses of the North Island, can see how the coast wraps up towards Nelson and Picton, the mountains, river outlets, and famous Abel Tasman National Park.  You can see it all from 18,000, 16,500, 13,000, or 10,000 feet.

We share my full experiences from our 13,000 feet skydive with Skydive Abel Tasman and after you read it, you’ll understand why it was such an incredible experience and even as someone that’s afraid of heights, why I’d totally do it all over again.

#6 – Milford Sound

Another reason why the South Island of New Zealand is so intriguing is because you have such a dynamic range of landscapes.  This being the final frontier of the island, windy roads through Fjordland National Park carved thousands of years ago by ice now opens up to the world-famous Milford Sound.

The best way to see the whole fjord is to get on a cruise which takes you out from the cruise terminal to where the passageway opens out into the Tasman Sea.  Along the way, you’ll see thunderous waterfalls, the iconic Mitre Peak, towering mountains on both sides, and wildlife as well. 

To complete the experience, the cruise & kayak is one we recommend because you then get to combine an experience at the Discovery Centre to see black coral up-close in their underwater observatory and then hit the water via kayak which gives you further appreciation of the scale of what’s around you.

This is top activity in Queenstown that you can add to your itinerary.

If you have extra time, you can also hike the famous Milford track, a 33.25 mile (52.5 km) 4-day hike from Te Anau to Milford Sound. Another famous, and equally challenging hike is the larger Doubtful Sound, it is also slightly less crowded. Both the Milford and Doubtful Sound hikes can also be included with overnight or day cruises, and kayaking. It is also a great way to get the chance to see wildlife such as dolphins, penguins, and seals.

#7 – Wineries Of Marlborough

There are 6 distinct wine regions in New Zealand but perhaps one of the most well known is Marlborough.  Not going to this region if you’re a wine-lover is like going to California and not visiting Napa.

Hemmed between the mountain and the sea, the northeast part of the South Island is geologically perfect for the sauvignon blanc but you’ll also find excellent pinot noir, riesling, and chardonnay.

There are of course quite a number of wineries in the region but if you’re looking for somewhere that has excellent wine and offers affordable tastings and snacks, we’d recommend Saint Clair which we personally visited as part of the Flying Kiwi Reverse Traverse.  They also have an excellent lunch and dinner menu to pair with their wines.

If you’re driving through here independently, and you have some time, you might want to consider the Marlborough Seafood Odyssea Cruise which allows you to see the coastline while tasting local Greenshell mussels and salmon or do a wine day tour (includes lunch) to learn more about the famed wine region and visit 3-5 wineries in an afternoon.

#8 – Abel Tasman National Park

This is a loaded one because the National Park is massive and there are so many ways to explore the whole park.  What makes Abel Tasman unique is that it’s the only place in New Zealand with a coastline that consists of what’s called separation granite which is a big part of the park’s popular golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs and coastal track.

To take advantage of a little bit of everything, we recommend doing Marahau Sea Kayak’s Ocean & Earth which is a 2-day experience that starts with a boat cruise up to Onetatehui, where you get geared up with your tandem kayaks and spend the day heading down to Anchorage.  You’ll stay the night camping at Anchorage and the next day you’ll do the most popular part of the Abel Tasman coast track.

To us, what will stick out as memorable about the Abel Tasman is the unique experience we had both on the water and on land. 

On the water, you have the freedom of kayaking to explore the granite walls, the colony of seals that’s part of the Tonga Island Marine Reserve, and the bays that would reveal itself as you kayaked deeper in. 

On land, the track snakes through the coastline that features a thick forest that’s filled with birdlife, open views of the water, side trails, and secret beaches.

If you don’t have two days to spare, there are a number of day trips that offer kayaking, cruising, and hiking in the Abel Tasman like this one.

#9 – Arthur’s Pass

Arthur’s Pass is a bit of a confusing name because it can mean a lot of things.  There’s the Arthur’s Pass village, which then sits inside the Arthur’s Pass National Park, but for most Arthur’s Pass is often referred to as the drive that cuts through the park on Highway 73.  To us, it’s the drive and what you can see along the way that makes up the whole experience.

This has to be one of the best drives in the South Island if not the whole country and it’s one that takes you from Kamara Junction or Greymouth on the west to Christchurch on the east. 

In the middle of that is the Arthur’s Pass National Park and the mountainous terrain presents a lot to look and reasons to stop as you’re passing by giant waterfalls, deeply gorged rivers, creative viaducts, bridges, and rock shelters to get through the Southern Alps, and dense rainforest.

At every turn, there’s something to look at on this drive which makes it the best drives in New Zealand.  Make sure to stop at the Otira Gorge that you see above, Devil’s Punchbowl Falls, and Arthur’s Pass village which is the country’s highest settlement.  Also pay attention to the birds that you might see here.  It will most likely be the inquisitive alpine parrot, the kea.

#10 – Horseback Riding In Glenorchy And Paradise

The hidden jewel of the South Island is not too far from Queenstown, known as Glenorchy, and a place aptly named Paradise. 

If you do your research and read the Location Guidebook for Lord of the Rings, you’ll know that Peter Jackson used this area quite a number of times for both the LOTR and The Hobbit trilogies.  It’s a place that features the mountains, wide shingle-filled riverbeds, and lush green forests.

The best way to see all of it is by horseback and that’s where activities such as High Country Horses’ Paradise Cinematic Trail is an excellent choice to do something a little bit more unexpected in New Zealand.

This horseback riding experience is 1.5 hours where you’ll be guided through Paradise valley, the world-renowned location for not only the Lord of the Rings movies but also Chronicles of Narnia, Wolverine Origins, and Taylor Swift’s “Out of the woods” music video.

If that doesn’t suit your fancy, there is an awesome 4WD Lord of the Rings Tour that guides you into all of spots used in the films.  Whatever you decide to do, it’s not hard to imagine location scouts coming up here and imaging how this place could be the perfect setting for Isengard, Beorn, or Boromir’s last stand.

Make sure you bring your DJI Mini 4 Pro drone here because the views from up above are just stunning.

A Quick New Zealand Travel Guide

Money – You’ll never feel like cash is a necessity in New Zealand.  Credit cards can carry you through pretty much through the whole South Island and the rest of the country.  The only time we really needed cash was when we needed coins for the coin wash, and super local spots.

PRO TIP:  When exchanging avoid doing it at the airport as the rates are always worse than what you can get with an ATM withdrawal or at an exchange shop in the city.

When is the best time? – High season is during their summer which is December to February.  As with other destinations, shoulder seasons are always the best so consider Spring (March – May) or Fall (September – November).

Getting here – Auckland (AKL) is the international hub if you’re looking to fly in direct.  Following this in size are Christchurch (CHC), Wellington (WLG), and Queenstown (ZQN), and Dunedin (DUD).  To put alerts on the flights and find the best deals, we recommend using Skyscanner.

How do I get around the South Island? – To get around the North Island, you’re either going to want to rent a car or travel with a company like Flying Kiwi.  Car rental will give you ultimate flexibility, but you’ll have to plan everything from top to bottom and gas can get quite expensive despite super cheap rental rates.  Flying Kiwi is a great option for solo travelers or those wanting to just book something and show up.   Read our review on Flying Kiwi and make sure you head to the NZ travel guide for the discount code for car rental company Hitch.

Where should I stay? – The most comprehensive platform for bookings based on personal experience was Booking.com.  They had everything from hotels, hostels, and guesthouses and we always managed to find an awesome place for a great place.  As an alternative, there’s also Agoda and VRBO.

Do I need a visa? – If you’re on this list of countries, you don’t need a visa to enter New Zealand.  If you do require a visa, reach out to your regional New Zealand embassy to apply for a visa.

PRO TIP:  New Zealand doesn’t mess around when it comes to their bio security.  Answer their questions truthfully even when it comes to where your hiking boots have been and the snacks you’re bringing in.  You don’t want to be slapped with a heavy fee when their sniff dogs or high-tech bio-sensitive x-rays catch you.

Do I need travel insurance? – As always, travel insurance is highly recommended. My philosophy is that you want to make sure you’re covered in case the unknown happens.  Make sure to read our guide on choosing the right travel insurance for you. Overall, HeyMondo has the best balance of price and coverage.

Map Of South Island

We’ve put together an interactive map to help you easily find all the top things to do in New Zealand’s South Island—plus our recommended places to stay nearby for each spot. It’s the perfect tool to plan your adventure!

Where To Stay In South Island

Below are our top choice accommodations for South Island in New Zealand:

What To Pack For South Island

Here are just a few essential items you’ll want to bring for your trip to New Zealand, but this is just the beginning! For a more detailed breakdown with photos, tips, and everything you might need, be sure to check out our full post: What To Pack For New Zealand – A Visual Super Guide.

• Clothing: Layers for all weather (T-shirts, warm base layers, hiking socks, swimwear).
• Hiking Boots: Bring sturdy hiking boots to handle New Zealand’s diverse terrain—from muddy forest trails to rocky alpine paths—comfortably and safely.
• Backpack: Necessary for all the hiking and other adventures you’ll be taking.
• Sunscreen and Sunglasses: This trip consists of mostly activities outside during the day. Sun protection is a must.
• Refillable Water Bottle: to stay hydrated on hikes and road trips while cutting down on plastic waste.
• Tech: There’s lots of different camera gear listed throughout the post, but the Insta360, camera neck straps and tripod we definitely recommend.
• Nice-to-haves: Car phone mount and USB cigarette adapter for those longer car rides to charge your gear.

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How about you?  What are your top favourites from your travels in New Zealand’s South Island?  Do you have a question planning your upcoming trip?  Drop a comment down below.

South Island Frequently Asked Questions