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Things to do on the South Island start with mountains, lakes, fiords and glaciers. Jet boat the Shotover, cruise Milford Sound, skydive over the Southern Alps or punt down the Avon in Christchurch. Book one for yourself, or give it as a gift with the date left to them.
The South Island has the biggest scenery in New Zealand: the Southern Alps, deep fiords, glacial lakes and wide plains. Queenstown is the busiest base, but there's plenty in Christchurch, Canterbury and the high country too. Here's a region by region guide to the best known South Island attractions.
Queenstown has the most to do. The Shotover River jet boat is a 25 minute ride through a steep canyon, and the 60 minute KJet ride runs up to 95km/h on the Kawarau and Shotover rivers. For the air, jump from 9,000ft, 12,000ft or 15,000ft at a private drop zone at the base of The Remarkables.
On Lake Wakatipu, a vintage steamship built in 1912 carries you to Walter Peak with a gourmet BBQ dinner, a BBQ lunch or a guided farm tour where you meet highland cows and alpacas. The wine and food tour visits three wineries with a paired lunch, and the Arrowtown to Gibbston bike ride is 15km at your own pace. For a slow afternoon, book a 75 minute massage with a bonus mini treatment.
Near Wānaka, the introductory waterfall cable climb in Mount Aspiring National Park crosses four suspension bridges and climbs beside a waterfall. See more things to do in Queenstown, Wānaka and Central Otago.
Milford Sound is the South Island's best known fiord. The two hour Milford Sound cruise gets you close to the rock faces and waterfall spray, and you can look out for seals, dolphins and penguins. Coming from further away? The nature cruise from Queenstown and the coach and cruise from Te Anau both use glass-roofed coaches. Explore Milford Sound, Fiordland and Te Anau.
The high country has the biggest views. The Mt Cook tandem skydive jumps from up to 10,000ft over the Aoraki Basin, and the heli and ski plane flight lands on the Tasman Glacier. On the West Coast, the Franz Josef and Fox Glacier skydive falls for 65 seconds from 16,500ft. For something slower, the Mt Hutt balloon flight from Methven looks across the Southern Alps and the Canterbury Plains, with a celebratory drink after. See the West Coast.
Christchurch has easy days out. Punting on the Avon River is the classic, the International Antarctic Centre has an indoor Antarctic storm and Little Blue Penguins, and the Christchurch Gondola has 360 degree views over the Heathcote Valley. The Port Hills zipline tour runs lines from 400 to 1,100 metres, and the helicopter trial flight lets you take the controls for 30 minutes.
Further out, the Akaroa Harbour nature cruise is two hours looking for penguins and Hector's dolphins, and the Kaikōura sea kayak hire is for experienced paddlers. In Hanmer Springs, quad biking is open to drivers from age 16. Browse Christchurch, Akaroa, Kaikōura and Hanmer Springs.
The island has more to explore, including Nelson and Abel Tasman, Marlborough, Dunedin and Stewart Island. Browse by area with the Upper, Central and Lower South Island, or cross Cook Strait to the North Island. For the whole country, see things to do in New Zealand, browse by location, or see all experiences.
It depends on what you like. Jet boats, skydives and glacier flights suit thrill seekers, cruises and punting suit a slower trip, and wine tours and spa days suit a break. The sections above group experiences by region so you can plan a route.
The International Antarctic Centre, punting on the Avon, the Christchurch Gondola and the Walter Peak farm tour all suit families. Minimum ages vary, for example five for punting and for the Mt Hutt balloon, so check each product page before booking.