The South Island offers truly cinema-worthy scenery. Nelson is highly regarded for its arts and crafts and the magnificent Abel Tasman National Park, a beachy paradise for walkers and kayakers. The tranquil waters of the Marlborough Sounds offer spectacular scenery and the region is also one of New Zealand’s premier wine producing spots.

Continue east and you’ll come across a little place called Kaikoura, the best spot in New Zealand for whale watching, the town has a rich Maori culture too. Out on the west coast the landscape is wild and dramatic, with thick rainforest and ancient glaciers such as Franz Josef and Fox. Halfway down the east coast sits Christchurch, a charming city that is a master of re-imagination and re-invention.

The South Island is dominated by the Southern Alps, giving rise to some remarkable scenery. You can drive across the mountain passes or hop on the TranzAlpine train and sit back and admire the view.

In Central Otago you’ll find the alpine towns of Queenstown and Wanaka, surrounded by snowy peaks offering adrenalin-rush thrills, off the beaten track 4WD experiences and access to the Mt Aspiring National Park. When it comes to sheer majesty however the Fiordland National Park takes some beating. Milford and Doubtful Sound are must-see places on any visit to New Zealand.

Tucked away off the bottom of the South Island is Stewart Island, its Maori translation is Rakiura meaning ‘the land of glowing skies’ which is quite apt, for the Aurora Australis is a frequent visitor to these southern skies. Over 85% of the island is national park making it a haven for hiking and birdwatching...here the brown kiwis outnumber humans and blue and rare yellow-eyed penguins waddle among the rocks.

South Island Tours