10 places on the south island of new zealand you can’t miss

Is it fair to narrow a list of places in the south island of New Zealand that you really don’t want to miss to 10? Probably not, because the entire south island of New Zealand, in every nook and cranny is absolutely beautiful. Not to mention there is still another island! Each spot is so unique and the landscapes vary from west to east, north to south. Although I live here now, many spots I just haven’t gotten to yet and others I’ve only spent a little time and am yearning to get back there. Many of them though, I can honestly say I go back time and time again.

If you’re traveling in New Zealand as a visitor or maybe you live here and want to explore more of your backyard, I’ve come up with a list of 10 places in the south island of New Zealand I think that you cannot miss. And I seriously mean that!

1.Akaroa

Akaroa is a beautiful little town, southeast of Christchurch on the Banks Peninsula. The town was founded by French settlers and it has kept that french influence and heritage. The old buildings and yummy bakeries are just one of the things to look forward to while wandering the town. I would also suggest these activities:

• Taking a harbour cruise with Black Cat Cruises to see the rare Hector’s Dolphins and other marine life like seals and little blue penguins, which I have to say, is my favourite part! The skippers are amazing teaching visitors all about the landscapes and history of the area as well.
• View and learn all about the smallest penguins in the world, Little Blue Penguins with Pohatu Penguins on one of their many tours.

2.Abel Tasman National Park

This national park is New Zealand’s smallest but jam packed with goodness mother nature has to offer. The Abel Tasman is at the top of the south island is what I say the more tropical, island, beach vibes area. It is sunny, has white sand beaches and the best of what the Tasman Sea has to offer. I have only been up to the Abel Tasman once by my experience will stay with me forever. There is so much to do but here are a few things:

• Sea kayaking: This is an experience that I had that I will never forget. Chris and I rented a kayak from Marahou sea kayaks and after a quick test to our guide we were able to go off and explore the bays. It is quite common to see seals and sometimes stingrays swimming nearby.
• The Abel Tasman great walk is one I haven’t actually walked yet but have heard nothing but amazing things about it. You can stay in the DOC huts or bring a tent for their campsites. The walk is relatively flat and gentle so you have lots of time and energy to take in the amazing sites.
• Spend a night by the beach. I’m sure if you’re visiting the Abel Tasman you’ll be staying in the park but I suggest getting as close to the beach as possible. I’ve stayed at the Marahou Beach camp and just had to cross the road to get to the beach. If your budget allows, there are some pretty fancy places to stay all around the area including on a yacht!

3.Kaikoura

One of my new favourite spots on the south island of New Zealand, Kaikoura, is a haven for wildlife lovers and coastal feels. The area was highly affected by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2016 but have since rebuilt and is a beautiful spot to explore. Here are a few of my recommendations if you’re visiting Kaikoura:

• The Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway is one of my favourite things to do in Kaikoura. The walk takes you right by a seal colony where you can sometimes see pups playing around
• Fish and chips at Coopers Catch is a must! And I am not much of a fish lover. Being a coastal town though, they have access to some tasty seafood!
• Take a boat ride or scenic flight with one of the many operators in the area to see whales, dolphins and seals.

4.Aoraki Mount Cook National Park

To me, Mount Cook/Aoraki National Park is one of those non negotiable stops. The park is home to New Zealand’s tallest mountain, Mount Cook and although a bit of a detour off the main road, it is worth every single bit of the drive. 45 minutes from turning off onto Mount Cook road and you enter this kingdom of mountain goodness. I have a full guide to this area that lays out the walks, hikes and activities in the park. My two favourite and most popular sights are:

• Tasman Glacier: There are a few different tracks in this area (not long or very hard) each giving different but equally incredible views of Tasman Lake and the Tasman Glacier. I suggest walking up to the lookout to get a good view and idea of the glaciers scale and walking down to the river mouth to see icebergs and the turquoise glacier water up close.

• The Hooker Valley track: This walk is about 5 km one way and is relatively flat. It’s a great walk to do in the morning or later afternoon and brings you up close and personal with Mount Cook. The track crosses a few swing bridges and you can sometimes here avalanches in the distance. The track starts at the White Horse Hill Campground.

The area is fantastic for hiking so don’t forget to check out what other walks there are to do from my Aoraki Mount Cook Guide.

5.Lake Pukaki

If you’re heading on a south island road trip, it would be hard to miss Lake Pukaki. The water is an absolutely stunning gatorade blue colour. Perfect for photos. It is also incredibly cold but people do jump in! There is a bit of a track by the lake you can walk on. I suggest stopping at these spots from good views and great photos.

• Lake Pukaki lookout on Hayman Road at the south end of the lake. This is a good area to get down close by the water. There are public toilets, a newly built parking lot and a spot for freedom camping.
• Lake Pukaki visitors center at the south end of the lake. On a clear day you’ll see Mount Cook standing tall at the opposite end of the lake. Again, there is a big parking lot, public toliets and you can grab a coffee and some munchies at the visitors center. The big boulders on the steep lake shore make for some good photos to sit on with the lake in front.
• Peter’s lookout: About 25 minutes down Mount Cook road is another lookout with a closer view of the Mount Cook. This area is often where the infamous road and Mount Cook shot is taken

6.Arthurs Pass National Park

If you’re travelling to either of the coasts, west or east it is highly likely you will go through Arthurs Pass National Park. It is in the heart of the Southern Alps with lush and dense forest making it a popular spot for hiking. Besides seeing and hearing Keas, here are some places to look forward to:

• Devils Punchbowl waterfall: A 131 meter waterfall at the end of a 25 minute walk. The walk is pretty easy with stairs to climb to the waterfall lookout. I love the sound of the thundering water as it cascades down.
• Bealey spur track: If you want to do some hiking but not up for a killer workout, the Bealey Spur track is a really good track to do. It is a about a 5-hour return trip. The views are epic and the climb is gradual.
• Arthur Pass scenic lookout: Also called the Otira Viaduct lookout, this spot is just after the bridge over the Waimakariri River and looks right into the valley.

7.Hokitika

The slogan for Hokitika is, ‘a cool little town’ and I gotta tell you, it is not wrong. Hokitika IS a really cool little town filled with stunning coastal views and hidden gems. The town itself is fun to explore with plenty of places to eat and shops to look through. There are a few things though you really don’t want to miss!

• You cannot get to Hokitika and miss going to the Hokitika Gorge! It’s honestly incredible! A short walk through bush and over a swing bridge takes you to the stunning icey blue water of the gorge.
• The west coast is the best place to watch the sunset. If it’s not too cloudy or rainy (the coast gets lots of rain) head to Sunset Point on the south end of Hokitika Beach.

8.Fox glacier

If you’re road-tripping New Zealand, I highly suggest fitting the west coast into that trip. The landscape and feel are one of its own and this side of New Zealand is filled with so many gems, Fox Glacier being one of them. The name covers the glacier in the area but also the town. It tends to be a little less busy than the neighbouring town, Franz Josef as well which is why I love it so much. Here are some spots that you really don’t want to miss!

• Fox Glacier: Because of multiple road slips, it takes a bit longer to see the glacier than it used to but a few hours walk along the road (still accessible by foot) takes you right to the river bed and in front of the glacier. Seeing the glacier up close and the size is something I still can’t get over.
• Lake Matheson: An hours walk or so, takes you around the lake with views of the Southern Alps and Mount Cook. It’s a perfect spot for sunrise to see the light coming over the mountains. The lake is pretty sheltered but if you can get a calm day, you’ll get a better chance of catching reflections which I’ve got to say are stunning!
• Gillespies Beach is a lovely spot to watch the sun go down, relax and if you’re lucky you can spot dusky dolphins playing in the water

9.Queenstown

The adventure capital of the world Queenstown is the place for adventure, high adrenaline or not! Even if you’re not much of a city person, Queenstown is a fun place to be with lots to do! Here are a few things that I suggest if you’re staying a few days in the area.

• Hike Ben Lomond! It’s not an easy one but has some pretty epic views! If you want to shave some time off you can always take the gondola up to save yourself about an hour of walking. Find all you need to know about the walk here.
• Take a cruise on Lake Wakatipu for a different view of the mountains around and the town or walk along the shores.
• Head out to Moke Lake. They have a glamping experience out there, horseback riding or you can walk the track around the lake. It’s a lovely quiet area, perfect for relaxing if the business of Queenstown is a bit much.

10.Dunedin

This is a super cool city filled with charming old buildings and history combined with the beauty of the ocean and coastal vibes. It’s almost as if there are two words to visit in the area. One being the city and the other being the coast. If you’re planning on traveling through, which I think you should here are a few things you won’t want to miss out on:

• City architecture: take yourself on a city tour to view the old buildings and marvel at the architecture influenced by Edwardian design.
• Take a tour to view the incredible albatross, and other wildlife at the end of the Otago Peninsula. You can also see different types of wildlife along the peninsula on the many beaches.
• Walk to Tunnel Beach for amazing coastal views and a walk over a natural archway with waves crashing below

There you have it, 10 spots you cannot miss on the south island of New Zealand. I know, I know I missed some, didn’t I!? Milford Sound, The Caitlins, Stewart Island… the list goes on! Once I get there though, I’ll be sure to update this list with my recommendations. This list though will give you a great idea of some places to explore on the south island of New Zealand.

Are there any spots you want to see on this list? What would you add?