New Zealand’s South Island is home to some of planet Earth’s most spectacular scenery. From ice glaciers, mountain ranges and fjords to lakes, beaches and waterfalls, with such a huge amount of natural beauty on offer, it’s hard to know where to begin with planning your epic journey through this magical region. That’s why I’ve created this detailed and informative guide, to help you navigate and organise your journey around New Zealand’s extraordinary South Island.

This action packed route starts in lively Queenstown and finishes up in the bustling city of Christchurch, passing a number of fantastic spots along the way. From towering mountains and stunning fjords to spectacular glaciers and awesome activities, this superb itinerary truly has it all!

(Note: This itinerary covers the region’s main highlights and experiences. Stops can be shortened, extended or changed, take inspiration from this guide and cater the route to match your own personal requirements.)

Things to Do

• Race around Queenstown’s iconic luge track.
• Fuel your adrenaline with the 134m Nevis Bungy Jump.
• Hurtle down Shotover River on a Jet Boat.
• Chow down on a famous Fergburger.
• Get involved in Queenstown’s lively night scene.
• Test your nerve in a variety of positions on the notorious Canyon Swing.
• Tear up the area’s exhilarating mountain bike trails.
• Hit the wintery ski slopes.

Queenstown is an ideal location to use as a starting point and central hub for your South Island adventure. The town is fully equipped with a domestic and international airport, boasting frequent flight connections to and from New Zealand’s major cities, as well as a number of cities located across Australia. Queenstown also benefits from a highly efficient and well connected bus station, meaning the area is not only conveniently located but also extremely accessible.

Queenstown is a total adventure lover’s paradise, often referred to as the ‘Adventure Capital of the World’ and it’s not hard to see why. The town is absolutely bursting with a huge variety of exhilarating adventures, action packed activities, breathaking excursions and mind blowing experiences. The town is also ideally compact and structured, meaning the majority of accommodation is centrally located and within easy walking distance of most attractions. Almost all activities that are located outside the town will provide you with a complimentary pick up service, so you won’t have to worry about how you’re going to get there.

Things to Do

• Hop aboard an epic boat cruise unlike any other.
• Hit up the region’s impressive hiking trails.
• Jump in a kayak and immerse yourself in breathtaking scenery.
• Soak up the stunning views on a scenic flight.
• Visit the iconic Underwater Observatory.

The road journey from Queenstown to Milford Sound is approximately 300km long, with a travel time of around 3 hours and 30 minutes. A number of buses frequently run along this route ideally connecting these two locations. The astounding scenery in this region is truly unmatched, upon approach to Milford Sound you’ll be surrounded by an array of glorious mountains and mystifying fjords, enough to make you feel like you’re entering into a whole new world.

Milford Sound is notably most famous for its fantastic selection of boat cruises, these fantastic boat journeys will take you deep into the heart of the fjord, passing a multitude of exquisite landscapes and sensational waterfalls. Back on dry land, Milford Sound is also home to a collection of world class hiking trails, with routes showcasing the best of the region’s incredible topography whilst also traversing some of the planet’s most heavily diverse terrains.

Keep in mind that accommodation options around Milford Sound are extremely limited, some travellers may opt to camp out in the surrounding areas, whilst others will choose to enjoy the day at Milford Sound and continue back towards Queenstown to spend the night.

Things to Do

• Cage dive with Great White Sharks!
• Admire the phenomenal Southern Lights.
• Head out in search of stunning wildlife and cute Kiwi Birds.
• Hike in Stewart Island’s stunning Rakiura National Park.
• Tuck into some delicious Fish and Chips.
• Take a stroll along the beach.

Invercargill is situated on the South Island’s southern coast, approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes by car from Milford Sound. Additionally, some travellers will also opt to take the short 60 minute ferry journey over to Stewart Island. Whether you choose to hang out in Invercargill, hop on the ferry to Stewart Island or simply split your time between the two, you’re guaranteed to have a totally awesome time.

This vibrant little corner of New Zealand is jam packed with an awesome range of fun activities and experiences to keep you entertained. Ever wanted to cage dive with Great White Sharks? Well now’s your chance! Excursions depart daily from Bluff Port, just South of Invercargill, offering adrenaline junkies a chance to get up close and personal with these ferocious beasts. Don’t worry there’s plenty of tamer activities on offer too, Stewart Island is the perfect location for hiking and wildlife spotting, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the iconic national symbol, the cute, flightless Kiwi Bird.

Thanks to its ideal global positioning and near perfect conditions, this area of New Zealand is also known for offering travellers a fantastic opportunity to catch a rare glimpse of the phenomenal Southern Lights (Aurora Australis). This magnificent spectacle is an unbelievable sight to behold, witnessing the mesmerising magnetic flares as they dance across the night sky will transport you into a state of sheer astonishment.

Things to Do

• Spot penguins and seals on the Otago Peninsula.
• Visit the beautiful Larnach Castle.
• Sample locally brewed craft beers in the city’s pubs.
• Relax on beautiful and pristine sandy beaches.
• Climb Signal Hill to soak up some fantastic views.
• Admire Dunedin’s charming Victorian era railway station.

A picturesque two and half hour drive east will lead you to the beautiful coastal city of Dunedin. The city still remains close to its cultural and historical roots and continues to showcase the area’s important connection to its Maori and Scottish heritage. A number of buildings around Dunedin are also heavily influenced by Victorian and Edwardian architecture, a stunning display of construction that can still be admired to this day.

Nature and Outdoor lovers will have plenty of reasons to fall in love with the charming city of Dunedin, thanks to its fantastic position on the edge of the delightful Otago Peninsula. This enchanting region is home to a selection of beautiful beaches, luscious landscapes and mesmerising marine life. Get up the close and personal with the local penguin and seal colonies, spend your time relaxing on the sandy beaches or take a visit to the grand and majestic Larnach Castle.

Things to Do

• Experience aerobatics in a 1940’s Tigermoth plane.
• Hike the famous Roy’s Peak.
• Head out on a wild canyoning adventure.
• Join a swanky wine tasting tour.
• Snap some stunning shots of Lake Wanaka.
• Grab a paddleboard and head out on the lake.
• Test out your IQ at Puzzling World.
• Explore the area’s superb cycling trails.

Lake Wanaka, New Zealand’s fourth largest lake, is an exquisite glacial lake situated in Northern Otago, approximately a three and a half hour drive from the city of Dunedin. Having been formed during the perilous years of the Ice Age, Lake Wanaka has actually been around for over a staggering 10,000 years and has remained an iconic destination on New Zealand’s South Island ever since. The lake isn’t just aesthetically pleasing though, it’s also staggeringly large, covering an extraordinary area of 192 square kilometres and boasting a mammoth depth of over 300 metres.

The area is jam packed with a whole load of fantastic activities too, both on, and off the lake. My personal favourite being the awesome aerobatic Tigermoth flight, perfect for soaking up sensational aerial views over Lake Wanaka whilst experiencing a range of thrilling turns and loops through the skies above. Closely following behind as another sensational activity is the spectacular and thrilling hike to Roy’s Peak. Alternatively, if you’d prefer to spend your time closer to the lake, why not grab yourself a stand up paddleboard and venture onto the crystal clear, mirror like water or opt to hire a bike and hit up the stunning trails surrounding the shores of Lake Wanaka.

Things to Do

• Join an ice climbing adventure on the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier.
• Skydive 20,000 ft above Franz Josef Glacier.
• Head for the skies in a scenic helicopter flight.
• Tear through the glacial valley on a Quad Bike/ATV.
• Unwind in the relaxing Waiho Hot Tubs.

Located approximately three and a half hours north of Lake Wanaka, the famous resort town of Franz Josef is anxiously awaiting your arrival, justifiably famed for its phenomenally outstanding ice glacier. Nothing will ever quite prepare you for the extraordinary feeling you get as you first step foot onto an active ice glacier. Boarding a helicopter flight back in 2014 and proceeding to hike and climb through the incredible ice caverns and crevices of Franz Josef Glacier, is still to this day one of my all-time favourite travel experiences.

Franz Josef is so much more than just its famous ice glacier though, there’s plenty of other activities to keep you entertained, from quad biking and skydiving to hot tub relaxing and wildlife spotting. No matter how you choose to spend your time here, the friendly locals of Franz Josef will make sure you’re visit produces memories to last a lifetime.

Things to Do

• Take on some of the world’s most beautiful coastal tracks.
• Kayak on beautifully crystal clear waters.
• Climb aboard an epic Sailing tour.
• Get up close and personal with tons of vibrant wildlife.
• Relax and unwind on stunning beaches.
• Join an adrenaline fuelled canyoning experience.

The wonderful Abel Tasman National Park is situated on the South Island’s north coast, approximately a six hour drive from Franz Josef, trust me the long drive is totally 100% worth it! The beaches at Abel Tasman are mind-blowingly beautiful and are capable of competing with some of the very best beaches on the planet, boasting utterly gorgeous, golden sands and mesmerizingly elegant, turquoise waters.

Abel Tasman is best known for its stunning trails that meander along the National Park’s blissful coastline, effortlessly combining spectacular views and well maintained tracks to create the ultimate hiking experience. There’s plenty to do out on the water too, with Tasman Bay benefiting from extremely calm and smooth waters, the conditions here are perfect for a large variety of kayaking and sailing excursions. Not to mention the National Park is also absolutely heaving with a huge collection of vibrant and indigenous wildlife.

Things to Do

• Swim with wild dolphins.
• Admire the view from Kaikoura Lookout.
• Munch on deliciously fresh seafood.
• Join an awesome whale watching cruise.
• Step foot on a volcanic black sand beach.
• Get up close and personal with a seal colony.

The quaint coastal town of Kaikoura is located back on the east side of New Zealand’s South Island, approximately a four and half hour drive from Abel Tasman. Upon arrival into Kaikoura, you’ll immediately be greeted by the sound of the roaring Pacific Ocean, the sight of volcanic black sands and the smell of deliciously prepared seafood.

The area is renowned for its incredibly concentrated collection of rare marine life, offering visitors a ton of fantastic viewing opportunities. One of the most talked about experiences has to be the possibility of swimming with wild dolphins, these utterly remarkable creatures are truly fascinating. Get up close and personal with the marvellous Dusky Dolphins as they interact and feed in their natural environment. Whale watching is also a big hit for visitors to Kaikoura, with a number of companies operating boat trip excursions, giving customers the chance to catch a glimpse of these magnificent creatures out at sea.

Make sure you don’t leave Kaikoura without sampling some of the world’s finest and freshest seafood, packed full of tantalising flavour and mouth-watering freshness, the famous Kaikouran seafood certainly won’t disappoint.

Things to Do

• Drift along the gorgeous Avon River.
• Browse the city’s numerous markets.
• Soak up panoramic views on the Christchurch Gondola.
• Wander through the luscious Botanical Gardens.
• Delve into Christchurch’s history at Quake City.

Situated two and a half hours south of Kaikoura is the vibrant and bustling city of Christchurch. Christchurch is the South Island’s largest city and the second largest city in the whole of New Zealand, exceeded only by the city of Auckland. Christchurch was devastatingly struck by a major earthquake back in 2011, causing catastrophic damage to the city and sadly taking the lives of 185 New Zealanders. Christchurch has consistently continued to rebuild its city and community ever since this dreadful natural occurrence, a true testament to the incredibly strong willed nature of the people of Christchurch and New Zealand.

Today, Christchurch is the perfect image of peacefulness, brimming with luscious gardens and terrific markets. There’s plenty of relaxing and chilled out activities to enjoy around the city, take a leisurely boat journey along the idyllic Avon River or enjoy panoramic views of the city on board the Christchurch gondola.

Whatever you choose to do in Christchurch, it’s the perfect destination to wrap up your adrenaline fuelled and action packed adventure around New Zealand’s South Island. With the city also boasting a heavily connected international airport, Christchurch is a great spot to conveniently continue your journey onwards out of New Zealand or back towards home.