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The New Zealand of your imagination, South Island ratchets up the scenic drama rapidly. It’s a mostly mountainous land where you can go from deep fiords to glaciers sandwiched between rainforest to cerulean lakes. The nexus of New Zealand’s adventure activities, our specialists think there’s much more to the South Island than adrenaline-seeking. Spending time here is also about experiencing its wilderness: winding mountain roads and yawning, unpeopled landscapes are par for the course when journeying around the South Island. Here, you can hike on trails that take you into areas of the country that have scarcely been touched by the hand of man.
We can arrange for you to experience the South Island’s scenery in numerous ways, including scenic flights over the glaciers and cruises in Doubtful Sound. And, although the South Island’s scenery gets top billing, there are other experiences in store here. At Kaikoura, you can observe whales, sea lions and dolphins, while farther south, at Dunedin and Stewart Island, albatrosses, penguins (and, with luck, the elusive kiwi) vie for your attention. There’s the mining history and winelands of the Central Otago region, while at Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo, you can experience first-rate stargazing.
who's been there
Start planning your tailor-made trip to South Island by contacting one of our New Zealand specialists
- 617-223-4580
- Make an inquiry
Places to visit in South Island
Featuring heavily on our experiences of visiting South Island, these selected places are destinations that also prove consistently popular with our travelers. Our specialists can help you choose how to include them in your wider trip, based on your preferences.
Suggested itineraries featuring South Island
Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in South Island, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Places in and around South Island
- Abel Tasman National Park South Island
- Akaroa & Banks Peninsula South Island
- Arrowtown South Island
- Arthur's Pass National Park South Island
- Blenheim South Island
- The Catlins South Island
- Christchurch South Island
- Collingwood & Farewell Spit South Island
- Doubtful Sound South Island
- Dunedin South Island
- Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers South Island
- Glenorchy South Island
- Hanmer Springs South Island
- Hokitika South Island
- Kahurangi National Park South Island
- Kaikoura South Island
- Lake Tekapo South Island
- Lake Wanaka South Island
- Marlborough Sounds South Island
- Milford Sound South Island
- Mount Cook National Park South Island
- Nelson South Island
- The Otago Peninsula South Island
- Picton South Island
- Punakaiki South Island
- Queenstown South Island
- Stewart & Ulva Islands South Island
- Te Anau & Manapouri South Island
- Twizel South Island
- Wellington 481 kilometers away
Photos of South Island
Accommodation choices for South Island
We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit South Island. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.
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Arrowtown House
Arrowtown -
Curio Bay Hotel
Catlins -
Wilderness Lodge
Arthur's Pass National Park -
Scenic Hotel Punakaiki
Punakaiki -
Furneaux Lodge
Marlborough Sounds -
Bay of Many Coves
Marlborough Sounds -
Blanket Bay
Glenorchy -
Cambria House
Nelson -
Te Koi — The Lodge at Bronte
Nelson -
Beaufort House
Akaroa & Banks Peninsula -
French Bay House
Akaroa & Banks Peninsula -
Stewart Island Lodge
Stewart & Ulva Islands -
Lake Tekapo Lodge
Lake Tekapo -
Ranginui B&B
Lake Tekapo -
Aoraki Court Motel
Mount Cook National Park -
Matuka Lodge
Twizel -
SkyScape
Twizel -
The Lindis
Twizel -
Mount Cook Lakeside Retreat
Twizel -
Lakestone Lodge
Twizel -
Kaiteriteri Reserve Apartments
Abel Tasman National Park -
Awaroa Lodge
Abel Tasman National Park -
Camp Estate
Dunedin -
The Vintners Retreat
Blenheim -
The Peppertree
Blenheim -
The Marlborough
Blenheim -
Lakeside Serviced Apartments
Lake Wanaka -
Responsible ChoiceWe've hand-selected a range of tours and stays across the world that go above and beyond to be a force for good by supporting local businesses, educating staff, challenging local norms, or promoting conservation and biodiversity efforts. Your Responsible Choice helps increase the positive impact of your trip.
Mahu Whenua
Lake Wanaka -
Lakefront Lodge
Te Anau & Manapouri -
Dunluce Bed and Breakfast
Te Anau & Manapouri -
Cabot Lodge
Te Anau & Manapouri -
Fiordland Lodge
Te Anau & Manapouri -
High Leys Lodge
Te Anau & Manapouri -
Te Anau Lodge
Te Anau & Manapouri -
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers -
Holly Homestead
Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers -
Te Waonui Forest Retreat
Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers -
Westwood Lodge
Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers -
Glenfern Villas
Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers -
The Hamptons
Kaikoura -
Hapuku Lodge
Kaikoura -
Kahutara PurePod
Kaikoura -
Otahuna Lodge
Christchurch -
The George
Christchurch -
The Classic Villa
Christchurch -
The Observatory Hotel
Christchurch -
Rosewood Matakauri
Queenstown -
Queenstown House Boutique B&B
Queenstown -
Novotel Queenstown Lakeside
Queenstown -
Azur Lodge
Queenstown -
Kinross Cottages
Queenstown -
Responsible ChoiceWe've hand-selected a range of tours and stays across the world that go above and beyond to be a force for good by supporting local businesses, educating staff, challenging local norms, or promoting conservation and biodiversity efforts. Your Responsible Choice helps increase the positive impact of your trip.
The Rees Hotel & Luxury Apartments
Queenstown -
Hidden Lodge
Queenstown