Things to do in South Island
New Zealand's South Island is all about the outdoors as the opportunities for action and adventure amid stunning scenery are endless in this spectacular playground, which is also home to rare and iconic wildlife. Queenstown earns its title as the adventure capital of the world with a wealth of outdoor activities on offer such as bungee jumping, paragliding and sky diving.
In winter there's fantastic skiing in the Southern Alps in Wanaka and Mt Hutt. Summer sees mountain bikers out on the Central Otago Rail Trail, rafting on the Rangitata River, paddling on the Marlborough and Milford Sounds, and of course hiking (or tramping). The South Island has six of New Zealand's Great Walks. Milford Track is the most famous of these treks, while the most popular is the spectacular Abel Tasman Coastal Trail.
Wildlife enthusiasts are in for a treat. The pretty peninsula town of Kaikoura welcomes sperm whales, dolphins, seals, penguins and albatrosses; Akaroa Harbour is a refuge for the critically endangered Hector's Dolphin. Stewart Island is the best place to catch a glimpse of the shy but iconic Kiwi, and also has New Zealand's southern-most pub in Oban.
There is excellent food and drink to sample, whether it be fresh produce from roadside kiosks, fine dining in world-class restaurants, or sampling the world-renowned cool-climate wine or exciting craft beer scene. The historical city of Christchurch, mostly destroyed in the 2011 earthquake, has now been rebuilt and welcomes visitors with open arms. It's also the end point for one of the world's iconic rail journeys, the TranzAlpine train, which winds its way across the country from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean.