What are the must see sights on South Island: New Zealand?

Question

travelling down to south island from Australia at end of the year (Dec-Jan) and wanted to see if anyone had some suggestions.

Answer 1

I Live in the South Island for many years before coming back to Aussie.

Don't miss the following :::

Marlborough / Picton – The Sounds - http://www.destinationmarlborough.com/  You can take the ferry from Wellington into Picton – top of the south island.

Nelson, the sunniest place in NZ! – http://www.nelsonnz.com  Abel Tasman National Park, http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/PlacePr...  Golden sand beaches, Awaroa Lodge, http://www.awaroalodge.co.nz  swim with the seals, http://www.sealswim.com You can hike down one way and take an aqua taxi back or even kayak.

Whale watching is in Kaikoura. http://www.kaikoura.co.nz

http://www.whalewatch.co.nz

http://www.whales.co.nz

http://www.worldofwhales.co.nz

Christchurch, the garden city - http://www.christchurchnz.net/visitchch

The Gondola is great - http://www.gondola.co.nz  

Christchurch's International Antarctic Centre - http://www.iceberg.co.nz

Franz Joseph Glacier - http://www.franzjosefglacier.com

Wanaka – Lake Wanaka - http://www.lakewanaka.co.nz/index.cfm/Ho...

Queenstown http://www.queenstown-nz.co.nz is the adventure capital of NZ – especially for EXTREME adventure – must do’s Bungy jumping, AJ Hackett - http://www.ajhackett.co.nz  The world famous Shotover Jet doing full 360º spins! http://shotoverjet.co.nz

And The Milford Sounds is great scenery, http://www.fiordland.org.nz

Have fun!

Answer 2

The top sights are generally acknowledged to be Milford Sound in Fiordland on the Southwest coast, and Franz Joseph and Fox Glaciers on the west coast. These are stunning, especially Milford Sound. However, there will also be a million tourists there in Dec and Jan who will also be driving around the South Island going to see these sights.

A few lesser-seen but still outstanding alternatives:  take the drive to Milford Sound. But spend another day in the area and take a cruise or kayak trip on Doubtful Sound. Doubtful is at least as dramatic as Milford Sound. It is a little harder to get to - you'll take a boat from Te Anau across a lake, then to a short access road down to the sound. But this also means there are fewer boats and tourists to fight for the view.

One of my favorite spots on the South Island is the Catlins on the southeast corner. It's one of the few areas on the island you won't be fighting the crowds during the summer, and there are a number of things to see. Walk out to the lighthouse at Nugget Point to see the ocean rock formation, then you may be lucky enough to see Yellow Eye penguins walk across the beach at the bay. The area is also chock full of waterfalls, ocean views, forest walks and other places of interest.

Stewart Island is also worth a trip and you will fight fewer tourists. There is just one small village on the island and the rest of the area is a national park. Very good for multi-day hikes, or just for short walks around the village of Oban to see relatively unspoilt wilderness. The small Ulva Island just off the Stewart Island coast is a bird sanctuary and well worth the visit.

Other than that, Queenstown is a must see even though everyone else will be seeing it as well. Lots of adventure activities and nightlife. Dunedin is a university town built in among the hills of the harbor; a beautiful city with a student attitude. The Otago Peninsula on the outskirts of Dunedin is a great day's drive with the opportunity to see a rare mainland Albatross colony, Yellow Eye and Little Blue penguins, sea lions and seals.

Outside of Christchurch the Banks Peninsula feels like the Scottish or Irish countryside - small villages nestled in among the rolling hills and ocean inlets.

Stop at Kaikoura for the seafood and then head north to see the Marlbourough Sounds.

Answer 3

Milford sound, chirstchurch antaric centre, Duniden chocolate factory. Nelson where I live! We have some nice beaches here in nelson so bring your togs!

Ow yeah cheack out wanaka and alexandra, and especially queenstown, great places!

Have fun!

Answer 4

Milford Sound is absolutely STUNNING!!! you really have to go there. Franz Joseph Glacier is very cool too. the west coast of the South Island is ,in my opinion, one of the most beautiful places on earth.