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Things to do in New Zealand's South Island

Fiords, glaciers and great walksMilford Sound, Mount Cook, the West Coast and the tracks, and how to fit them in.

Cruise Milford Sound, stand under Mount Cook, see the glaciers at Franz Josef, and walk a great track. Milford Sound is a two hour cruise into Fiordland National Park. A day trip from Christchurch gives you two and a half hours at Mount Cook village, from $259. The West Coast has the Pancake Rocks and Blowhole at Punakaiki, and the TranzAlpine train crosses the Southern Alps over Arthur's Pass. Walkers get the Kepler Track, with a helicopter up to Luxmore Hut, and the Queen Charlotte Track by water taxi. Queenstown has the jet boats, and a ferry runs to Stewart Island. Eight days round the island from Christchurch, Milford Sound included, is from $1,550.

Checked on 28 October 2026.

A day Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo from$259 Eight days Glaciers, Queenstown and Milford from$1550 Three days Fiordland by helicopter and boat from$1642

The South Island is mountains, lakes, fiords and glaciers, and almost everything worth doing is outdoors and on a grand scale. Here it is region by region, with what our trips actually do in each.

Fiordland and Milford Sound

A cruise on Milford Soundpast waterfalls and towering cliffs, two hours into Fiordland National Park. It is on most of the South Island trips, and some serve lunch on board.
The Milford Roadthe scenic drive from Queenstown to Te Anau.
The Kepler Tracka helicopter flight up to Luxmore Hut, then a descent through alpine country and beech forest.
Water taxis across Lake Te Anauand a jet boat out to Lake Manapouri.

Queenstown, Central Otago and Stewart Island

Queenstownwhere most trips spend three nights, with a jet boat on the 9 day trip from Christchurch.
The drive round Lake Wakatiputo Te Anau.
The historic gold towns of Clyde and St Bathansand a ride on the Taieri Gorge train.
Stewart Islandby the scenic ferry across and back.
Lunch with a wine tasting at Mt Difficulty Vineyard.

Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Parktwo and a half hours at the village on the day trip from Christchurch, with the guide dropping you at whichever walk or activity you choose.
A dinner at the alpine lodge at Mount Cookon the 9 day loop that sleeps there.
Lake Tekapowith nights there on several trips, and Lake Ōhau with its glacial water and views towards Mount Cook.
Pies at the Fairlie Bakehousethe Mackenzie country stop on the way.

The West Coast and the glaciers

Franz Joseffor the glacier country, with two nights there on most of the longer trips.
The Pancake Rocks and Blowhole at Punakaikiwhere water shoots skyward through the stacks.
Hokitikaa night at a beachfront hotel.
The TranzAlpinethe scenic train from Christchurch over Arthur's Pass to Greymouth.

The top of the island

Abel Tasman National Parkup to three nights, hiking or kayaking the coastal track.
The Queen Charlotte Trackwalked with water taxis around the Marlborough Sounds and a night at a secluded lodge at Lochmara Bay.
A winery lunch with wine tasting in Marlborough.
Kaikōuraon the coast, and the hot pools at Hanmer Springs.
The ferry through the Marlborough Soundsacross to Wellington, if you are going on to the North Island.

Doing it in a day, or in a few

Trip	Length	Starts and finishes	Who it is for	From
1 Day Mt Cook & Lake Tekapo	1 day	Christchurch / Christchurch	—	$259
3 Day Fiordland Great Walks	3 days, based in Te Anau	Te Anau / Te Anau	—	$1642
4 Day Fiordland National Park Walk	4 days, 3 nights	Queenstown / Queenstown	—	$2015
5 Day Southern Highlights	5 days, 4 nights	Queenstown / Queenstown	—	$3214
5 Day Queen Charlotte Track Walk	5 days, 4 nights	Christchurch / Christchurch	—	$2793

Ages are each trip's own policy. Prices are per person and update on their own.

Seeing the whole island

Trip	Length	Starts and finishes	Who it is for	From
8 Day Southern Crossing	8 days, 7 nights	Christchurch / Christchurch	—	$1550
7 Day Southern Loop	7 days, 6 nights	Christchurch / Christchurch	—	$1940
7 Day Southern Voyager	7 days, 6 nights	Christchurch / Christchurch	—	$1985
9 Day Christchurch to Queenstown	9 days, 8 nights	Christchurch / Queenstown	—	$2199
7 Day West Coast Adventure	7 days, 6 nights	Christchurch / Queenstown	—	$3557
9 Day Christchurch Loop	9 days, 8 nights	Christchurch / Christchurch	—	$3499
10 Day Southern Pioneer	10 days, 9 nights	Christchurch / Christchurch	—	$4816
14 Day Big South	14 days, 13 nights	Christchurch / Christchurch	—	$3871

Ages are each trip's own policy. Prices are per person and update on their own.

Which suits you

One day from Christchurch:Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo, from $259, for all ages.
A week for the south:the 7 day Southern Voyager, from $1,985: Lake Tekapo, three nights in Queenstown with Milford Sound, and two at Franz Josef.
A week for the top and the West Coast:the 7 day Southern Loop, from $1,940: the Lewis Pass, two nights at Punakaiki, three at Abel Tasman and one at Kaikōura.
The cheapest way round:the 8 day Southern Crossing, from $1,550: Franz Josef, Lake Hawea or Wanaka, three nights in Queenstown and a two hour cruise on Milford Sound.
In hotels, with the TranzAlpine:the 9 day Christchurch Loop, with a night and dinner at Mount Cook.
For walkers:three days in Fiordland, from $1,642, or five on the Queen Charlotte Track, from $2,793.
With children?See the South Island with kids.