Things to do in South Island
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Most popular activities in South Island
Tours & day trips
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Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Tour
Air, helicopter & balloon tours
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Milford Sound Cruise with Round-Trip Flights from Queenstown
Private & custom tours
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Arthurs Pass Day Trip from Christchurch with Castle Hill
Food, drink & nightlife
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Milford Sound Full-Day Experience with Nature Cruise & Lunch ex Queenstown
Wildlife & nature
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Lord of the Rings Scenic Half Day Tour from Queenstown
What to do in South Island
Discover the most popular places to visit in South Island
Mount Cook National Park
Ski on a glacier, enjoy hot springs and tackle the peak where Sir Edmund Hillary trained for Everest in this spectacular part of New Zealand.
Lake Tekapo
Explore the great outdoors at Lake Tekapo, a popular spot to commune with nature in Lake Tekapo. Wander the lakeside in this quaint area.
Aoraki / Mount Cook
Explore the great outdoors at Aoraki / Mount Cook and enjoy the stunning glacier views during your trip to Mount Cook. Wander the lakeside in this quaint area.
Milford Sound
Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Milford Sound during your travels in Fiordland National Park. Discover the area's waterfalls and glaciers.
The Remarkables Ski Area
Skiers and snowboarders will find plenty of inviting slopes at this ski mountain, known for being one of New Zealand’s best venues for freestyle snow riding.
Picton Ferry Terminal
Explore the waterfront in Picton with a trip to Picton Ferry Terminal. You'll find more to see and do in this quaint area.
Hagley Park
Explore the great outdoors at Hagley Park, a lovely green space in Christchurch. Amble within picturesque gardens or visit the shops in this culturally rich area.
Coronet Peak Ski Area
A variety of slopes for all abilities and some excellent après-ski options are on offer at this ski field just minutes from central Queenstown.
Lyttelton Harbour
Enjoy cafés, markets and boat trips at this scenic European port town, steeped in history and bordered by volcanic hills.
Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in South Island
Queenstown City Centre
The panoramic lake views and popular shops are just a few highlights of Queenstown City Centre. Make a stop by Skycity Queenstown Casino or Queenstown Mall while you're exploring the area.
Christchurch City Centre
Explore the picturesque and vibrant heart of the city that is getting back to normal after a series of devastating earthquakes.
Dunedin City Centre
Travelers come to Dunedin City Centre for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like First Church of Otago and Grand Casino while you're in town.
Christchurch Airport
If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Christchurch Airport and surrounding area, you can visit International Antarctic Centre and Russley Golf Club.
Frankton
Stay in this picturesque part of Queenstown where the airport is located to enjoy spectacular mountain views and relaxed lakeside walks.
Goldfield Heights
While there might not be top attractions in Goldfield Heights, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Queenstown Mall and Skycity Queenstown Casino.
- Places to visit
- Hotels near popular South Island Attractions
- Nearby cities for things to do
- Expedia's Latest Trends
- Lake Tekapo
- Milford Sound
- The Remarkables Ski Area
- University of Otago
- Coronet Peak Ski Area
- Lyttelton Harbour
- Skyline Queenstown
- Tekapo Springs
- Cardrona Alpine Resort
- Onsen Hot Pools
- Lake Pukaki
- Sumner Beach
- Mount Hutt Skifield
- New Brighton Beach
- Lake Wānaka
- University of Canterbury
- The Octagon
- Queenstown Gardens
- International Antarctic Centre
- Larnach Castle
- St. Clair Beach
- Aoraki / Mount Cook Visitor Center
- Westfield Riccarton Mall
- Hotels near Mount Cook National Park
- Hotels near Aoraki / Mount Cook
- Hotels near Lake Tekapo
- Hotels near Milford Sound
- Hotels near The Remarkables Ski Area
- Hotels near Abel Tasman National Park
- Hotels near University of Otago
- Hotels near Coronet Peak Ski Area
- Hotels near Hagley Park
- Hotels near Onsen Hot Pools
- Hotels near Skyline Queenstown
- Hotels near Lyttelton Harbour
- Hotels near Cardrona Alpine Resort
- Hotels near Lake Pukaki
- Hotels near Sumner Beach
- Hotels near Mount Hutt Skifield
- Hotels near Golden Bay
- Hotels near Tekapo Springs
- Hotels near New Brighton Beach
- Hotels near Lake Wanaka
- Hotels near The Octagon
- Hotels near Hanmer Springs Thermal Reserve
- Hotels near Te Pae Christchurch Convention and Exhibition Centre
- Hotels near University of Canterbury
- Hotels near Franz Josef Glacier
- Hotels near Christchurch Casino
- Hotels near Cathedral Square
- Hotels near Lake Brunner
- Hotels near Queenstown Gardens
- Hotels near Lake Ohau