South Island highlights: what to see, top to bottom

The South Island is where most first-time visitors spend the bulk of their trip, and for good reason: mountains, fiords, glaciers and empty coastlines within a few hours of each other. Distances look small on a map and drive long in reality, so build in more time than you think.

The top of the south

• Golden beaches and kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park, with water-taxi drop-offs so you only walk the good bits.
• The crystal-clear springs in Golden Bay, viewed from a boardwalk.
• Marlborough Sounds boat trips from Picton, and the coastal track above them.
• Wineries and an aviation heritage collection around Blenheim.

The east coast

Kaikoura sits where mountains meet a deep ocean trench, which is why whales, dolphins and seals are so reliable there. Roadside seafood caravans are part of the experience. South of it, Hanmer Springs offers thermal pools and jet boating, and Christchurch gives you botanic gardens, an earthquake museum, a heritage tram and wildlife parks. Akaroa, ninety minutes away on a harbour in an old volcano, is the classic Christchurch day out.

Alpine passes and the West Coast

• Arthur's Pass, with giant limestone boulders on the eastern side and cheeky alpine parrots in the car parks.
• The layered pancake rocks and blowholes at Punakaiki, best on a high tide with a swell running.
• Black-water rafting through cave systems near Charleston.
• The turquoise gorge at Hokitika and the pounamu carvers in town.
• Glacier country: heli-hikes and scenic flights, plus the mirror lake walk that everyone photographs.

Southern Lakes

Wanaka is the calmer of the two lake towns — a lakefront tree, a puzzle museum, a cinema with couches, and a food truck park. Queenstown is the adrenaline capital: jet boats, gondolas and luge, a vintage steamship, hot pools, ski fields in winter, and easy half-day runs out to Glenorchy, Arrowtown and the Cromwell fruit stalls.

Fiordland, the deep south and the Mackenzie

• Milford Sound day cruises from Te Anau or Queenstown, plus quieter overnight options on the larger sound to the south.
• The Catlins for waterfalls, blowholes, wild beaches, penguins and fur seals.
• Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula: albatross, penguins, a castle and excellent museums.
• Aoraki Mount Cook for alpine walks, ski planes and a boat trip among icebergs.
• Lake Tekapo for stargazing under a dark-sky reserve, hot pools and the little stone church.
• Oamaru for penguins at dusk and a Victorian precinct with a steampunk streak.