5 Great Things To Do On New Zealand"s South Island
Are you planning a trip to New Zealand? As a long time visitor to this amazing country, I can highly recommend it as a wonderful destination in which to experience the full spectrum of holiday thrills.
And some of New Zealand's very best attractions are located in the South Island.
From stunning lakes and fiords, to snowcapped alps and enormous glaciers, to crystal clear bays and white sand beaches, the South Island has something to please.
Here, in no particular order, are our 5 Great Things To Do On New Zealand's South Island.
1) Milford Sound Milford Sound is one of a series of fiords located in the Fiordland National Park on New Zealand's West Coast region.
Once described by the famous English author Rudyard Kipling as the "eighth wonder of the world", Milford Sound lives up to the hype.
Accessed by road through the Homer Tunnel, Milford Sound features towering, mist covered peaks, thundering waterfalls, deep dark waters, and some of New Zealand's favourite marine wildlife.
A cruise on Milford Sound (including a visit to the underwater observatory) is the best way to see it, and you will be amazed at the sheer size and majesty of the place.
It is one of those places that you will remember forever.
2) Abel Tasman National Park The Abel Tasman National Park, located in the Tasman region, near Nelson, is one of our favourite New Zealand locations.
With relatives in the area, we have spent considerable time in the area, and we keep going back, eager to experience the treasures of this amazing place.
A seemingly endless string of bays and inlets, crystal clear waters, wonderful wildlife (including dolphin, seals and penguins), and a reputation as New Zealand's sunniest region, ensures that the Abel Tasman is a favourite with visitors from around the globe.
The park is also home to one of New Zealand's "Great Walks", the Abel Tasman Coast Track, which winds its way for 54 kilometres through the park.
This 3 to 5 day walk is a great experience and when combined with a kayak trip, you will experience the park at its best.
The Department of Conservation administer the park, and provide huts and campsites along the way (which must be booked).
3) Queenstown Queenstown is one of New Zealand's most popular locations, and is a place where you can easily spend 4 or 5 days without ever worrying about "what are we going to do next".
Known as the "Adventure Capital", Queenstown has a huge range of high adrenalin activities such as bungy jumping (what an incredible thrill) and jetboating.
But it's also a great place to relax, chill out, and just gaze at the jaw dropping scenery.
Located on the shores of the 300 metre deep Lake Wakatipu, and surrounded by the 2,000 metre high Remarkable mountain range, Queenstown is a photographers paradise.
A trip to Bob's Peak on the Skyline Gondola is a great way to spend a few hours, and offers one of the best views you will see anywhere on earth.
Lake Wakatipu is also home to the historic steamship, the TSS Earnslaw.
This beautiful old ship takes visitors on lake cruises, including a visit to a working sheep station.
Queenstown is also a departure point for day trips to Milford Sound.
If you choose to visit Milford from Queenstown, take an organised coach tour, as it's a long day (about 12 to 13 hours), but well worth it.
Do yourself a favour - visit Queenstown.
4) Visit the Wild West Coast The West Coast region stretches some 600 kilometres, and like most parts of the South Island, is a visually stunning place.
Home to the twin glaciers, Franz Josef and Fox, and the unusual Pancake Rocks and blowholes, the West Coast is one of our favourite spots.
The glaciers are well worth a visit, and one of our fondest experiences in NZ was taking a helicopter flight and landing on Franz Josef.
We could not believe the size of the glacier, the colours in the ice, and the size of the snow field at the top of the glacier.
Wonderful, wonderful photo opportunities.
The Pancake Rocks and blowhole are located in the small coastal village of Punakaiki.
We love staying in Punakaiki for the night as you can stay ocean front.
The sight of the sun setting over the ocean is one we will never forget.
Pancake Rocks are quite amazing.
Layer after layer, formed over millions of years, the rocks feature a blowhole which shoots skyward in rough seas.
The West Coast is also home to several towns such as Westport, Greymouth, and the Jade Capital of New Zealand, Hokitika, where you can see jade artifacts being made.
5) Kaikoura Around 2-3 hours north of Christchurch, Kaikoura is best known for its marine life, particularly whales, dolphins, and seals.
Located on a sweeping bay, Kaikoura is also a place where the mountains meet the sea.
In winter, the peaks are snowcapped, and you would be hard pressed to find a more picturesque town anywhere.
The local whale watch tours are a special experience, and are very well run.
Using a combination of listening devices and passenger participation, your captain will locate the nearest whales, then speed towards them as you relax in the aircraft style seating on their modern vessels.
It's a great way to get up close to these amazing creatures, which inhabit the area year round.
Kaikoura is also home to several seal colonies and it's easy to get close enough for lots of great photos (remember though that these are wild animals so please obey the safety signs).
Summary So there we have it.
5 Great Things To Do On New Zealand's South Island.
We hope that you can experience it just as we have.
And some of New Zealand's very best attractions are located in the South Island.
From stunning lakes and fiords, to snowcapped alps and enormous glaciers, to crystal clear bays and white sand beaches, the South Island has something to please.
Here, in no particular order, are our 5 Great Things To Do On New Zealand's South Island.
1) Milford Sound Milford Sound is one of a series of fiords located in the Fiordland National Park on New Zealand's West Coast region.
Once described by the famous English author Rudyard Kipling as the "eighth wonder of the world", Milford Sound lives up to the hype.
Accessed by road through the Homer Tunnel, Milford Sound features towering, mist covered peaks, thundering waterfalls, deep dark waters, and some of New Zealand's favourite marine wildlife.
A cruise on Milford Sound (including a visit to the underwater observatory) is the best way to see it, and you will be amazed at the sheer size and majesty of the place.
It is one of those places that you will remember forever.
2) Abel Tasman National Park The Abel Tasman National Park, located in the Tasman region, near Nelson, is one of our favourite New Zealand locations.
With relatives in the area, we have spent considerable time in the area, and we keep going back, eager to experience the treasures of this amazing place.
A seemingly endless string of bays and inlets, crystal clear waters, wonderful wildlife (including dolphin, seals and penguins), and a reputation as New Zealand's sunniest region, ensures that the Abel Tasman is a favourite with visitors from around the globe.
The park is also home to one of New Zealand's "Great Walks", the Abel Tasman Coast Track, which winds its way for 54 kilometres through the park.
This 3 to 5 day walk is a great experience and when combined with a kayak trip, you will experience the park at its best.
The Department of Conservation administer the park, and provide huts and campsites along the way (which must be booked).
3) Queenstown Queenstown is one of New Zealand's most popular locations, and is a place where you can easily spend 4 or 5 days without ever worrying about "what are we going to do next".
Known as the "Adventure Capital", Queenstown has a huge range of high adrenalin activities such as bungy jumping (what an incredible thrill) and jetboating.
But it's also a great place to relax, chill out, and just gaze at the jaw dropping scenery.
Located on the shores of the 300 metre deep Lake Wakatipu, and surrounded by the 2,000 metre high Remarkable mountain range, Queenstown is a photographers paradise.
A trip to Bob's Peak on the Skyline Gondola is a great way to spend a few hours, and offers one of the best views you will see anywhere on earth.
Lake Wakatipu is also home to the historic steamship, the TSS Earnslaw.
This beautiful old ship takes visitors on lake cruises, including a visit to a working sheep station.
Queenstown is also a departure point for day trips to Milford Sound.
If you choose to visit Milford from Queenstown, take an organised coach tour, as it's a long day (about 12 to 13 hours), but well worth it.
Do yourself a favour - visit Queenstown.
4) Visit the Wild West Coast The West Coast region stretches some 600 kilometres, and like most parts of the South Island, is a visually stunning place.
Home to the twin glaciers, Franz Josef and Fox, and the unusual Pancake Rocks and blowholes, the West Coast is one of our favourite spots.
The glaciers are well worth a visit, and one of our fondest experiences in NZ was taking a helicopter flight and landing on Franz Josef.
We could not believe the size of the glacier, the colours in the ice, and the size of the snow field at the top of the glacier.
Wonderful, wonderful photo opportunities.
The Pancake Rocks and blowhole are located in the small coastal village of Punakaiki.
We love staying in Punakaiki for the night as you can stay ocean front.
The sight of the sun setting over the ocean is one we will never forget.
Pancake Rocks are quite amazing.
Layer after layer, formed over millions of years, the rocks feature a blowhole which shoots skyward in rough seas.
The West Coast is also home to several towns such as Westport, Greymouth, and the Jade Capital of New Zealand, Hokitika, where you can see jade artifacts being made.
5) Kaikoura Around 2-3 hours north of Christchurch, Kaikoura is best known for its marine life, particularly whales, dolphins, and seals.
Located on a sweeping bay, Kaikoura is also a place where the mountains meet the sea.
In winter, the peaks are snowcapped, and you would be hard pressed to find a more picturesque town anywhere.
The local whale watch tours are a special experience, and are very well run.
Using a combination of listening devices and passenger participation, your captain will locate the nearest whales, then speed towards them as you relax in the aircraft style seating on their modern vessels.
It's a great way to get up close to these amazing creatures, which inhabit the area year round.
Kaikoura is also home to several seal colonies and it's easy to get close enough for lots of great photos (remember though that these are wild animals so please obey the safety signs).
Summary So there we have it.
5 Great Things To Do On New Zealand's South Island.
We hope that you can experience it just as we have.
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