Explore Your Own Backyard With The South Island’s Best Tourist Attractions

The South Island isn’t short on show-stopping scenery. From glacier-fed lakes and dramatic alpine hikes to wildlife encounters and small towns worth pulling over for, this part of New Zealand packs a serious punch. Whether you’re planning a road trip, chasing your next hike, or just looking for an excuse to get outside, we’ve rounded up the best tourist attractions in the South Island—mixing the icons with a few under-the-radar spots worth adding to your list.

RealNZ x Altitude Business Class Tours, Queenstown to Milford Sound

Fiordland National Park

Image credit: Milford Sound Business Class | Supplied by RealNZ

If you’re going to do Milford Sound, you may as well do it properly. The Milford Sound Business Class experience from RealNZ and Altitude Tours takes the classic Milford trip and dials it all the way up. Think pick-up in a glass-roof Mercedes van, a lounge stop in Te Anau for coffee and morning tea, and a scenic cruise down one of New Zealand’s most spectacular roads, where you'll see waterfalls spilling down the cliffs and maybe a cheeky Kea along the way.

Once you arrive, you’ll board the luxury MV Sinbad, reimagined as an intimate floating restaurant set against the dramatic backdrop of Fiordland National Park. Enjoy a bespoke tasting menu by Michelin-trained Kiwi chef Tom Hishon (former co-founder of Kingi, co-owner of Daily Bread, and wild food company With Wild), who’s bringing his deep connection to Southland to the table. The menu champions regional ingredients so you can enjoy high-end Aotearoa cuisine while you cruise through the fiord’s towering cliffs and waterfalls — ideally with a glass of champagne in hand. Bliss.

Doubtful Sound

Fiordland National Park

Image credit: Doubtful Sound | Lauren Sanderson

If you’re looking for a rejuvenating South Island escape, head further afield and soak up the serenity of Doubtful Sound. Tucked deep within Fiordland National Park, this remote fiord feels worlds away from the crowds of Milford Sound. The journey in is part of the magic—crossing Lake Manapouri before travelling over Wilmot Pass, where the landscape slowly opens into vast, misty wilderness.

To truly experience it, opt for an overnight cruise, where cosy cabins, an onboard chef and uninterrupted views of towering cliffs and waterfalls set the tone for a seriously special stay. Spend your time kayaking through glassy waters, watching for dolphins, seals and penguins, or simply taking in the quiet—so still you can hear waterfalls echoing through the fjord. When the boat engines switch off at night, and the stars come out, the silence here feels almost magical.

The TSS Earnslaw And Walter Peak

Queenstown 

Image credit: Walter Peak & TSS Earnslaw | Supplied by RealNZ

Step back in time with a cruise across Lake Whakatipu aboard the iconic TSS Earnslaw. Operating since 1912, this vintage steamship pairs old-world charm—think working steam engines and heritage interiors—with some seriously good views of the The Remarkables and Cecil Peak. For the full experience, add the stop at Walter Peak High Country Farm, where you can choose from a long lakeside buffet lunch at Colonel’s Homestead, afternoon tea, or the garden-to-table tour—all complete with sheep, working dogs, planting native trees, and a behind-the-scenes look at life on the farm.

The Shotover Jet

Queenstown

Image credit: Shotover Jet | Lauren Sanderson

For a true Queenstown adrenaline hit, it doesn’t get more iconic than Shotover Jet. Tearing through the dramatic canyons of the Shotover River, this high-speed jet boat ride is basically a rite of passage in the adventure capital. Expect heart-racing speeds, tight canyon turns and those signature 360-degree spins that leave you grinning (and possibly a little soaked). With sheer rock walls just metres away, it’s easily one of the most thrilling ways to experience Queenstown’s wild landscape.

Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike

Franz Josef | West Coast

Image credit: Franz Josef Glacier Hike | Lauren Sanderson

If there’s one way to experience the West Coast’s wild side properly, it’s the Franz Josef Heli Hike. You’ll lift off in a helicopter and land straight onto the icy terrain of Franz Josef Glacier — no long approach hike required. From there, crampons on, you’ll follow your guide through a surreal world of towering ice formations, deep blue crevasses, and constantly shifting glacier caves. It’s equal parts adventure and jaw-dropping scenery, with views across the Southern Alps that feel almost unreal. If you’re going to tick off a glacier experience in Aotearoa, this is easily one of the most unforgettable.

Glacier Explorers

Mount Cook National Park

Image credit: The Tasman Glacial Lake | Lauren Sanderson

If you want to get properly close to a glacier without strapping on crampons, the Glacier Explorers boat trip in Mount Cook National Park is hard to beat. You’ll cruise across the icy waters of Tasman Lake, weaving between giant floating icebergs that have calved off the face of Tasman Glacier. The scale of it all is pretty mind-blowing — chunks of ancient blue ice drifting past while sheer alpine peaks tower overhead. Your guide breaks down the glacier’s history along the way, and if you’re lucky, you might even get to hold a piece of ice that’s thousands of years old. It’s easily one of the coolest (literally) ways to experience Aoraki.

The Otago Central Rail Trail

Alexandra | Otago

Image credit: The Otago Rail Trail | Instagram 

Clear blue skies and long evenings make summer the perfect time to cycle the Otago Central Rail Trail. Following a historic railway line, the 150-kilometre trail will take you through the region’s heartland with everything from rocky landscapes and river gorges to farmland and gold mining settlements. Breathtaking scenery aside, the trail also showcases world-class wineries, quaint pubs and friendly cafes for well-deserved pit stops along the way. The trail extends from Clyde to Middlemarch and can be travelled in either direction with the ride taking three to five days.​

Abel Tasman National Park

Tasman region

Image credit: Abel Tasman National Park | Lauren Sanderson

With crystal clear water, untouched beaches and New Zealand bush teeming with birdlife, Abel Tasman National Park is not to be missed. Plan a multi-day hike through the park and stay at the campsites and DOC huts, or book yourself a day trip full of kayaking to pristine beaches, seeing penguins and seals and short hikes through the park. If kayaking for two hours sounds like too much work, book yourself a sailing trip and see all the best parts of the park without breaking a sweat. 

Whale Watching

Kaikōura 

Image credit: Whale Watch Kaikōura | Instagram 

Whale Watch Kaikoura is a once-in-a-lifetime thing to tick off your bucket list, and you will not regret signing yourself up for this. Kaikoura is basically the whale-watching capital of the world, and depending on the day, you will almost definitely see sperm whales, plus you could also be treated to seeing a whole variety of dolphins and other species of whale, depending on the season. When summer comes, end your day with dinner at Nins Bin, famous for its fresh crayfish dinners. 

Stargazing

Tekapo

Image credit: Dark Sky Project | Instagram 

The South Island is famous for its clear night skies, perfect for gazing up at the stars. Make the most of it at the Mt John Observatory, which sits on top of a mountain for the ultimate viewing experience. Spend two hours looking at the stars and learning from expert guides, then travel down to Skyscape to stay the night in an epic glass-roofed room. You could even head back up to Tekapo to spend the next day splashing at Tekapo Springs, an awesome swimming pool complex complete with a spa, with views overlooking the lake and mountains.

Looking for more NZ travel ideas? Check out the beaut tourist hot spots in the North Island. 

Main Image Credit: Walter Peak | Supplied