New Zealand South Island top Attractions

Twelve must see places on the South Island of New Zealand.

New Zealand's South Island has countless good reason to be here! Below are my goals and my favorite things to do during my South Island-Roadtrip. I' d strongly advise you to look at them! Remember that I did not go to the very northern part of the island (Marlborough Sounds, Abel Tasman etc.), which is also a great place to be.

The South Island cannot be visited without discovering the beautiful Mount Cook. This whole area is breathtaking and you will stop the vehicle non-stop to take pictures. Both my favourite places in the park: The Tasman glacier (picture above) is the most astonishing place to observe the dawn. Following the signposts to the Tasman Rivers, drive down to the end of the pond (the other end of the glacier).

It is a relatively simple and shallow 5 km long walk (in one direction) to the lakes and glaciers, although a walk to the first 1-2 km is already rewarding. Located between the Tekapo River (also very interesting) and the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. You' re not gonna believe the colour of the sea until you see it with your own eye!

I' d first suggest to stop at the visitors centre at the southern end of the pond to take some photos. If you then set off for Mount Cook, it's definitely a good idea to visit Peter's Lookout, a 25-minute car ride up the mountain from the Visitors Centre.

Wanaka is a lovely city set in hills, lochs and nature reserves - what's not to like? Look at the famed "Wanaka tree" for dawn or dusk - each era is magic in its own way. And if you like a New Zealand cake, I suggest you visit the Wanaka Doughbin, the traditional pastry shop in Wanaka's major road.

Mt Aspiring National Parks is visited by most travellers during their stay in Wanaka or while travelling to/from the western shore. From Wanaka (along Haast Hwy) I enjoy the picturesque ride and would suggest to stop at the various vantage points along the way. Driving westwards on the Haast Highway, you'll past beautiful Lake Hawea and then return to Lake Wanaka scenery before stepping into the grounds.

The Thunder Creek Fall is definitely deserving of a stop, although for me the Blue Pools were definitely the highlights of the area. I' d suggest that you stop by one of the many excerpts to take everything with you. So we decided to go up a slope to get an increased view at sundown ( see picture above).

I and my man were camping at Moke Lakes (pictured), which is about 15-20 minutes away from Queenstown. During your stay I would also strongly suggest to pay a tour to Fergburger. It' a small city 45 km from Queenstown, on the shores of Wakatipu Lake. Boathouse (see picture above) and jetty are great places to relax and admire the view of the mountains and lakes.

Milford Sound is situated in the Fiordland National Park and has been classified as one of the best tourist attractions in the world. Luckily I had the chance to discover the fjord with Southern Discoveries, by boot and canoe ( picture above). A highlight of the voyage was when the ship climbed directly under the 155 metre high Stirling Falls.

Not many other places in the whole wide range of the earth where you can reach a large lake just a stone's throw away from a major road, Franz Josef is one of them. So I decided for the Franz Josef Explorer Guided Excursion (picture above). Our trip began with a brief flight by heli to the crevasse in front of me and the group discovered the many iceforms and crevices for about 3hrs.

Unfortunately, the ice melts quickly, so if it's on your wish lists - get there as soon as possible! You can reach the viewpoint (see picture above) from the car park in 10 minutes on foot. This picturesque ride takes you through the heartland of the Southern Alps, with many places where you can stop and take everything with you.

At the Devils Punchbowl Waterfall (picture above), 131m high, I would strongly advise you to stop. Trekking to the waterfalls takes about 20-30 min, with some precipitous stairs, but overall it is relatively simple - a must! When you visit the area, I would suggest the following: It' the ideal occasion to have the area to yourself and enjoy the beautiful early birdshine.

Pull over to Purakaunui Falls, a beautiful cascaded three-stage cascade of waterfalls. There is a small path to the waterfalls which is incredible luxuriant and verdant, with the Purakaunui stream along the way. It is also a worthwhile trip to Mclean Falls and many consider them more dramatic than Purakaunui Fall. Be sure to see the top and bottom waterfalls and take a quiet stroll in the woods.

Which are your favourite places on the South Island of New Zealand? Exclusion of Liability - I received free Milford Sound Southern Discoveries and Franz Josef Glacier Guides passports. New Zealand's South Island has countless good reason to be here! Below are my goals and my favourite things to do during my South Island-Roadtrip.

I' d strongly advise you to look at them! Remember that I did not go to the very northern part of the island (Marlborough Sounds, Abel Tasman etc.), which is also a great place to be. The South Island cannot be visited without discovering the beautiful Mount Cook.

This whole area is breathtaking and you will stop the vehicle non-stop to take pictures. Both my favourite places in the park: The Tasman glacier (picture above) is the most astonishing place to observe the dawn. Following the signposts to the Tasman Rivers, drive down to the end of the pond (the other end of the glacier).

It is a relatively simple and shallow 5 km long walk (in one direction) to the lakes and glaciers, although a walk to the first 1-2 km is already rewarding. Located between the Tekapo River (also very interesting) and the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. You' re not gonna believe the colour of the sea until you see it with your own eye!

I' d first suggest to stop at the visitors centre at the southern end of the pond to take some photos. If you then set off for Mount Cook, it's definitely a good idea to visit Peter's Lookout, a 25-minute car ride up the mountain from the Visitors Centre.

Wanaka is a lovely city set in hills, lochs and nature reserves - what's not to like? Look at the famed "Wanaka tree" for dawn or dusk - each era is magic in its own way. And if you like a New Zealand cake, I suggest you visit the Wanaka Doughbin, the traditional pastry shop in Wanaka's major road.

Mt Aspiring National Parks is visited by most travellers during their stay in Wanaka or while travelling to/from the western shore. From Wanaka (along Haast Hwy) I enjoy the picturesque ride and would suggest to stop at the various vantage points along the way. Driving westwards on the Haast Highway, you'll past beautiful Lake Hawea and then return to Lake Wanaka scenery before stepping into the grounds.

The Thunder Creek Fall is definitely deserving of a stop, although for me the Blue Pools were definitely the highlights of the area. I' d suggest that you stop by one of the many excerpts to take everything with you. So we decided to go up a slope to get an increased view at sundown ( see picture above).

I and my man were camping at Moke Lakes (pictured), which is about 15-20 minutes away from Queenstown. During your stay I would also strongly suggest to pay a tour to Fergburger. It' a small city 45 km from Queenstown, on the shores of Wakatipu lake. Boathouse (see picture above) and jetty are great places to relax and admire the view of the mountains and lakes.

Milford Sound is situated in the Fiordland National Park and has been classified as one of the best tourist attractions in the world. Luckily I had the chance to discover the fjord with Southern Discoveries, by boot and canoe ( picture above). A highlight of the voyage was when the ship climbed directly under the 155 metre high Stirling Falls.

Not many other places in the whole wide range of the earth where you can reach a large lake just a stone's throw away from a major road, Franz Josef is one of them. So I decided for the Franz Josef Explorer Guided Excursion (picture above). Our trip began with a brief flight by heli to the crevasse in front of me and the group discovered the many iceforms and crevices for about 3hrs.

Unfortunately, the ice melts quickly, so if it's on your wish lists - get there as soon as possible! You can reach the viewpoint (see picture above) from the car park in 10 minutes on foot. This picturesque ride takes you through the heartland of the Southern Alps, with many places where you can stop and take everything with you.

At the Devils Punchbowl Waterfall (picture above), 131m high, I would strongly advise you to stop. Trekking to the waterfalls takes about 20-30 min, with some precipitous stairs, but overall it is relatively simple - a must! When you visit the area, I would suggest the following: It' the ideal occasion to have the area to yourself and enjoy the beautiful early birdshine.

Pull over to Purakaunui Falls, a beautiful cascaded three-stage cascade of waterfalls. There is a small path to the waterfalls which is incredible luxuriant and verdant, with the Purakaunui stream along the way. It is also a worthwhile trip to Mclean Falls and many consider them more dramatic than Purakaunui Fall. Be sure to see the top and bottom waterfalls and take a quiet stroll in the woods.

Which are your favourite places on the South Island of New Zealand? Exclusion of Liability - I received free Milford Sound Southern Discoveries and Franz Josef Glacier Guides passports.