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The New Zealand of your imagination, South Island ratchets up the scenic drama rapidly. It’s a mostly mountainous land where you can go from deep fiords to glaciers sandwiched between rainforest to cerulean lakes. The nexus of New Zealand’s adventure activities, our specialists think there’s much more to the South Island than adrenaline-seeking. Spending time here is also about experiencing its wilderness: winding mountain roads and yawning, unpeopled landscapes are par for the course when journeying around the South Island. Here, you can hike on trails that take you into areas of the country that have scarcely been touched by the hand of man.

We can arrange for you to experience the South Island’s scenery in numerous ways, including scenic flights over the glaciers and cruises in Doubtful Sound. And, although the South Island’s scenery gets top billing, there are other experiences in store here. At Kaikoura, you can observe whales, sea lions and dolphins, while farther south, at Dunedin and Stewart Island, albatrosses, penguins (and, with luck, the elusive kiwi) vie for your attention. There’s the mining history and winelands of the Central Otago region, while at Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo, you can experience first-rate stargazing.

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who's been there
Audley Travel specialist Barbara

Start planning your tailor-made trip to South Island by contacting one of our New Zealand specialists

Places to visit in South Island

Featuring heavily on our experiences of visiting South Island, these selected places are destinations that also prove consistently popular with our travellers. Our specialists can help you choose how to include them in your wider trip, based on your preferences.

Suggested itineraries featuring South Island

Our itineraries will give you suggestions for what is possible when you travel in South Island, and they showcase routes we know work particularly well. Treat them as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.

Map of South Island

Places & hotels on the map

    Places in and around South Island

    Accommodation choices for South Island

    We’ve selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit South Island. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.