10 Things To Do On New Zealand's South Island

Come for the spectacular landscapes and stay for the character and culture of New Zealand’s South Island.

The undeniable allure of New Zealand’s South Island lies in its spectacular landscapes: an assembly of lofty mountains, glossy fiords and ancient glaciers that will take your breath away at every turn.

But in between tramping, wilderness cruising and ice trekking, you’ll also encounter plenty of fascinating culture and idle delights: from discovering a city reinvented to sipping on the world’s best pinot noir, and from exploring New Zealand’s only castle to reposing in one of the top stargazing spots on the planet. Here’s our guide to doing it all.

1. Have an adventure in Queenstown

Set on the shore of Lake Wakatipu against a dramatic backdrop of the Southern Alps, scenic Queenstown is one of the adventure capitals of the world.

Test your mettle by bungy jumping, mountain biking, jet boating, quad biking, white-water rafting or sky diving, or take to the snow in one of the town’s four ski areas from June to October.

Bungy jump from The Ledge in Queenstown. (Image: AJ Hackett)

Then take it down a notch by exploring the city’s excellent food scene (but don’t miss a high-octane burger from famous Fergburger).

Queenstown is also a regional hub: a 20-minute drive from the historic mining town of Arrowtown and 45 minutes from Glenorchy, whose spectacular landscapes have featured in both The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Narnia.

It’s a gateway to the South Island’s Central Otago wine region, too.

2. Sample the South Island’s other wine regions

The South Island lays claim to the Marlborough region, whose sauvignon blanc put New Zealand on the international wine stage, but it’s also home to plenty more wine regions besides that are definitely worth your attention.

Explore Central Otago near Queenstown, with its mountainous landscapes and some of the world’s best pinot noir, and the bucolic Canterbury and North Canterbury wine regions near Christchurch, where the Southern Alps meet rolling plains to create elegant pinot noir, chardonnay and aromatic wines.

Waipara Canterbury — Explore the wine region in Canterbury and North Canterbury. (Image: Graeme Murray)

3. See Fiordland National Park by boat, air or on foot

If New Zealand’s South Island is renowned for its spectacular natural landscapes, then Fiordland National Park encapsulates them all.

This ancient environment on the island’s south-west corner is composed of fiords, lakes, waterfalls, rainforests and snow-capped peaks, and is ready to be explored by boat, air or on foot.

Join wilderness cruises to explore the unspoilt wonders of Milford and Doubtful sounds; embark on a multiday hike – or tramp, as they say here (Fiordland is home to some of the country’s best) – such as the Hollyford, Kepler or Hump Ridge track; or take a scenic flight over the park to gulp it all in on one epic adventure.

Milford Sound Fiordland cruise — Explore Milford Sound Fiordland on a wilderness cruise, (Image: Tourism New Zealand)

4. Stargaze in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

Aoraki/Mount Cook, on the South Island’s west coast, is not only New Zealand’s highest mountain but also one of the best stargazing spots on Earth.

The serene beauty of Aoraki Lake needs to be seen to be believed. (Image: Will Patino)

Designated in 2012, the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is one of only two of its kind in the southern hemisphere (South Australia’s Murray River Region was designated an International Dark Sky Reserve in 2019).

Experiencing the dazzling sky here – almost entirely free of light pollution – via astro operators like Big Sky Stargazing and Dark Sky Project.

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is also home to New Zealand’s most spectacular and accessible glaciers: Fox and Franz Josef. Take a heli hike tour – which incorporates ice trekking – for the ultimate experience.

Experience Fox Glacier on the West Coast, one of New Zealand’s most spectacular and accessible glaciers. (Image: Miles Holden)

5. Abel Tasman National Park

Small but perfectly formed, Abel Tasman National Park is where to head for a taste of Kiwi beach life.

You can cruise, sail or sea kayak through this coastal paradise but equally you can simply relax on its golden sandy beaches and dabble in a gentle spot of swimming and snorkelling.

Don’t miss crescent-shaped Kaiteriteri; spectacular Awaroa with its maze of golden sand banks; the tranquil oasis of Onetahuti; the wide sweep of Totaranui; or the small horse-shoe shaped bay of Te Puketea, with its ancient Maori pa (fort) site.

Kayak through the coastal paradise within Abel Tasman National Park. (Image: Fraser Clements)

6. Get away from it all in Marlborough Sounds

Located at the top of the South Island, Marlborough Sounds is a collection of ancient sunken river valleys filled with the waters of the Pacific Ocean that comprise 1500 kilometres of New Zealand’s coastline.

Best accessed from the seaside town of Picton, its winding waterways, sheltered inlets and sandy bays make for excellent boating, fishing, diving and wildlife spotting (including dolphins).

It’s also an ideal place to get away from it all: embark on the iconic multi-day Queen Charlotte Track, which traverses coastal forest, historic bays and ridges with mind-boggling views, with welcome resorts and lodges along the way.

Or fast-track the downtime by whisking yourself away in a water taxi to one of these remote retreats, such as the five-star Bay of Many Coves or characterful Lochmara Lodge.

Bay of Coves five star retreat New Zealand — Catch a water taxi for a stay at the five-star Bay of Many Coves.

7. Have an animal encounter on the east coast

The east coast eco-marine town of Kaikoura, 2.5 hours’ drive north of Christchurch, is home to some of the country’s top wildlife experiences.

A Maori-owned operator committed to sustainable tourism, Whale Watch offers the chance to see giant sperm whales all year round.

Whale watching in Kaikoura Canterbury — Whale watching in Kaikoura. (Image: Miles Holden)

Humpback, pilot, blue and southern right whales might also make an appearance depending on the season, and you might spot pods of leaping dusky dolphins, the wandering albatross or New Zealand fur seals, too.

dolphin watching New Zealand — Spot pods of dolphins. (Image: Miles Holden)

For a guaranteed dalliance with a fur seal, or kekeno in Maori, look up Seal Swim Kaikoura or Kaikoura Kayaks, or drive to the Peninsula Seal Colony to see them basking on the rocks and frolicking in the surf.

Seals Kaikoura — Make contact with the seal colony. (Image: Kyle Mulinder)

For another set of wildlife encounters in a quirky east coast town, don’t miss Oamaru, three hours’ drive south of Christchurch.

Come for its blue penguin colony and stay for its Victorian architecture and steampunk museum.

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8. Soak in the creativity in Christchurch

A series of tremors in 2010 and 2011, known as the Canterbury earthquakes, devastated the South Island’s largest city. In the decade since, Christchurch has undergone a process of rebuilding and reinvention.

The elegance and quintessential Englishness that the city was once most known for is still here: take a punt down the Avon River with a gentleman dressed in Edwardian garb and stroll the Botanic Gardens or elegant quadrangles of the Gothic Revival-style Arts Centre to see for yourself.

Take a punt down the river in Christchurch. (Image: Graeme Murray)

But what’s most striking today is the grass-roots creativity that has emerged across the city in the form of creative precincts like the Riverside Market, Boxed Quarter and The Colombo, vibrant street art and public sculpture trails.

9. Visit New Zealand’s only castle

Situated on the picturesque Otago Peninsula just outside Dunedin (the second-largest city in the South Island), Larnach Castle is New Zealand’s only castle.

It was built in 1871 by merchant baron and politician William Larnach and provides an insight into Victorian culture and Dunedin’s past – a city founded on Scottish heritage whose name comes from the Scottish Gaelic word for Edinburgh.

It was restored by the Barker family after they purchased it as a family home in 1967, and today you can take history tours, have high tea in the Ballroom Cafe and stay the night in one of its unique accommodation offerings.

Larnach Castle is New Zealand’s only castle. (Image: Dunedin NZ)

10. Go wild on Stewart Island

Stewart Island/Rakiura is a unique Kiwi escape located 30 kilometres south of the South Island (one hour by ferry from Bluff, a fishing port renowned for its oysters).

Its Maori name means ‘the land of glowing skies’, and – true enough – the Aurora Australis do often appear in these southern skies.

The island is home to New Zealand’s newest national park, Rakiura National Park, and 85 per cent lies within its boundaries.

Most travellers come here for birdwatching and hiking: the brown kiwi, or tokoeka, outnumbers humans here, while the three-day Rakiura Track provides a sweeping overview of Stewart Island’s wild beauty (a potent mix of dense coastal rainforests, freshwater wetlands, vast sand dunes and granite mountain ranges).

Birdwatching on Stewart Island New Zealand — Stop by Stewart Island for the birdwatching and hiking. (Image: Matt Crawford)

Spend your nights in a backcountry hut managed by the Department of Conservation listening to the call of the ruru (native owl) or check into a bed and breakfast or boutique lodge such as Observation Rock Lodge.

Read our ultimate travel guide to New Zealand for more insider tips before you go.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

Top 10 things to do in New Zealand’s South Island