South Island

Milford Sound, Queenstown and the Southern Alps.

Photo: Maros M r a z (Maros) · CC BY-SA 3.0

The Short List

Must-See

Must-See
Nature · UNESCO

Milford Sound

Southland

Waterfalls and sheer peaks, in a fjord.

Guide Coming Soon
Must-See
Mountains · Adventure

Queenstown

Otago

The world's adventure capital, on a mountain lake.

Guide Coming Soon

Worth a Detour

Worth a Detour
Mountains · UNESCO

Aoraki/Mount Cook

Canterbury

New Zealand's highest peak, with dark skies and blue Lake Tekapo.

Guide Coming Soon
Worth a Detour
Beaches · Kayaking

Abel Tasman

Golden beaches, by kayak or on foot.

Guide Coming Soon
Worth a Detour
Mountains · Mountain towns

Wānaka

Otago

A quieter Queenstown, with a famous lone lake tree.

Guide Coming Soon
Worth a Detour
Mountains · Mountain towns

Lake Tekapo

Canterbury

A turquoise lake with a stone church, in a dark-sky reserve.

Guide Coming Soon
Worth a Detour
Cities · Gardens

Christchurch

Canterbury

The South Island's city of gardens, rebuilt after its earthquakes.

Guide Coming Soon

If You're Nearby

If You're Nearby
Nature · Whales

Kaikōura

Canterbury

Sperm whales near the shore.

Guide Coming Soon
If You're Nearby
Cities · Wildlife

Dunedin and Otago Peninsula

A Scottish-founded town, near albatross and penguin colonies.

Guide Coming Soon

On the Map

Grey pins: guides still being written.