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The Best of New Zealand's South Island
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Fiona Spinks
Get inspired to visit the South Island of New Zealand with these activity ideas, tours and guides!
Sections
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Places To Visit
 
Activities
 
Tips and Itineraries

Places To Visit

Looking for inspiration of where to go in the South Island - get your ideas here!

 
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Add these stunning places to your South Island itinerary
23 Best Places To Visit In New Zealand's South Island (2025 Guide)
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Meet my favourite penguins, experience a polar storm and try out a Hagglund ride!
International Antarctic Centre | Christchurch, New Zealand
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Get the best views of Queenstown and try a luge ride at Skyline
Skyline Queenstown
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Penguins, Victorian architecture, cheese, beer and beaches - visit this underrated town.
The 17 Best Things To Do In Oamaru
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Don't miss the biggest city on the South Island - with beautiful parks, amazing restaurants and some excellent attractions
Christchurch | 100% Pure New Zealand
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Compare two of the South Island's prettiest towns.
Queenstown vs Wanaka: Which Is Best To Visit
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If you have enough time, head to the south of the South Island and visit Dunedin, famous for it's Scottish heritage
Things to see and do in Dunedin Central, New Zealand
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Activities

Some of the best things you can do in the South Island of New Zealand - don't miss these bucket list experiences!

 
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My full review of Doubtful Sound - more remote and peaceful than Milford Sound
Doubtful Sound Day Cruise Review: Everything You Need To Know
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My favourite tours to take from Queenstown, with something for everyone
9 Best Queenstown Tours in 2025
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I missed out on this by not trying it out until my 5th time in Queenstown - don't make my mistake!
TSS Earnslaw Queenstown: Dinner Cruise Review 2025
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Try some freshly cooke local seafood while cruising through the Marlborough Sounds
Seafood Odyssea Marlborough Sounds Cruise from Picton
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Try some of New Zealand's most famous wines in the place it is made!
Marlborough Discovery Sampler Wine Tour - 1/2Day Blenheim
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Want to see some whales? Kaikoura is the place to do it. Check out this whale watching tour!
Whale Watching in Kaikoura by Boat
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Check out this quick video of my helicopter ride over the glaciers and mountains of the South Island
Epic Helicopter Ride Over New Zealand’s Glaciers! 🏔️✨ #shorts
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Tips and Itineraries

Need some help planning? Here are the itineraries and tips I recommend.

 
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All the best places to stop on your way from Queenstown to Aoraki Mount Cook!
Best Queenstown to Mount Cook Road Trip
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Mountains, lakes, glaciers and cities - see the best of the South Island on this road trip.
Ultimate Picton To Queenstown Road Trip
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A rental car is the best way to see New Zealand, but if that isn't an option for you then you need to read this guide!
New Zealand Without a Car: Tips & Itineraries
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If you like a book to help you plan your trips, this is the one!
Lonely Planet New Zealand South Island Guide
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My recommended itinerary for 10 days in New Zealand's South Island
South Island New Zealand Itinerary: 10 Days by Car
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