South Island things to do
Activities on the South IslandSince most of the outdoor activity still takes place in winters, it is advisable to wear comfortable, weather-proof outerwear, thick, sweaters, fleeces and robust shoes. It' simple to visit the South Island. A number of coach operators exist, such as the Magic Coach, which runs between all the main touristic destinations, and there are rail connections and airfields in Christchurch and Queenstown.
So, where would it be best to visit New Zealand's South Island in summer? New Zealand has many lovely national parks, and the Abel Tasman National Park on the South Island is one of the most impressive. The Abel Tasman National Park, located near Nelson, surrounds the coastline and is known for its magnificent sand beach and world-famous seaside trail.
When you are not on foot, you can take a boat trip from Kaiteriteriteriteri to the National Park or take a water taxi. When you dare in Abel Tasman in summer, make sure you wear weatherproof clothes and take your provisions with you, as there are no stores that I found at my expense when I had to run all lunchless afternoons!
City of Queenstown is the ski resort of the South Island. Located on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is set in beautiful hills. The most popular attraction in winters is ski and snowboard, and there are pistes for all levels and great teachers for newbies. Queens Town is also home to the pristine Bungee Bridge, AJ Hackett, and you can dive into a stream or from the rim of a crag.
Queenstown has great shops, numerous pubs, cafes, restaurants and art galleries for a relaxing time. There are many natural and eco-tours to choose from if you like game. Queenstown itself is home to Kiwi Birdlife Park, where you are sure to see Kiwi. Queenstown can also be used as a base for trips to Milford Sound.
Dunnedin is home to the University of Otago, the renowned Dunedin railway station, which is one of the most frequently pictured in New Zealand and also has the most steep road in the whole wide Baldwin City. Dunedin is the only continental nesting area of the Royal Albatross on Taiaroa Head on the Otago Peninsula and is also home to the Yellow-eyed penguin, which is the most rare of its kind in the underworld.
Dunedin has many good specimens of Victorian and Ecuadorian architectural styles. Dunedin Botanical Garden was the first in New Zealand and Otago Girls School is one of the oldest in the game. For those who like museum, go to the Otago Settlers Museum next to the train stations, the Otago Museum and Discovery Worlds and if you' re passionate about sports, walk through the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame.
Tekapo is located in the breathtaking highlands of the southern island. It is a land of mutineers and the church of the Good Shepherd, constructed in 1935, and you will see the famed Shepherd Sculpture on the shore of the lakes. Out in the great open air is where everything happens at Tekapo and you can hike, ski, ride ponies, fish, go cycling, and kayak all year round.
Christchurch, a lovely town, was shaken by severe seismic events in 2010 and 2011, which caused a catastrophic death and severe civil war. I' ve been visiting in 2007, so my description of what you could see and do before the seism.
Since it is believed that 60% of the historical centre has been destroyed, the reconstruction of Christchurch will be a long and sluggish one. Christchurch, with its multinational airfield, is the gate to the South Island. Christchurch, known as "The Garden City", has a large park landscape and open spaces.
The Botanical Garden with its rivers, ponds and palm houses, Victoria Park, Port Hills and Hagley Park. The Cathedral Square and the town center provide good shops, pubs and shops and restaurants and take a stroll through the city's main streets. Take the old-fashioned tram and drive around the center of the town to see all the important sights such as the Cathedral, the Art Center, the Art Gallery and the Canterbury Museum.
On weekends there is a fair in the Arts Centre. Or, to see Christchurch more relaxed, make an afternoons stop on the Avon River. For those interested in wild animals, head to the Southern Encounter Aquarium and Kiwi Experience in Cathedral Square, where you can see and communicate with the oceanic creatures around New Zealand's South Island.
In Christchurch is also the Orana Game Park, the only open-air animal park in New Zealand. Explore Maori civilization in one of the Maori cultural experiences such as Tamaki Heritage Village or take a wilderness tour along the coastline and swimming with the unique Hector dolphin.
Christchurch's most popular destination is probably the International Antiarctic Center, where you can slip on a slopes of fresh air, toss a ball of powder, try on specific antiarctic clothes and drive one of the real antiarctic cars on the Hagglundide. Sadly, the Christchurch center was struck by an eartquake with dramatic deaths, causing severe damage to many of the historical building in 2011.
Situated on a cliffy promontory, Kaikoura was a Maori village that became a center for angler fishing with the advent of Europe's migrants. It is also a craft center and there are many artisans' artisans' shops in the city exhibiting ceramics, painting and jewelry. Kaikoura is best known for its fauna, especially for observing whales and dolphins.
All year round, but perhaps the temperatures are too low to swim with the dolphin in the winters! Kaikoura offers many other recreational opportunities such as hiking, canoeing, quads, angling and canoeing, all of which can be done during the wintry time.