Discover the best places to visit on New Zealand's South Island — Queenstown, Milford Sound, Franz Josef, Tekapo & more, with tips from local Kiwi guides.
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Opening Hours:
8:30am - 5:00pm
Address:
127 Franklin Road
Freemans Bay
Auckland 1011, NZ
Phone:
Email:
Last updated 15 July 2026.
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The sunny top of the south does things at its own pace — whales off the coast at Kaikōura, kayaks gliding past seal colonies in Abel Tasman, and crayfish eaten straight from a roadside caravan. Bliss.
The middle of the island is big-sky country — the Mackenzie's impossible blues, Aoraki standing over everything, and a west coast where rainforest, glacier and ocean share the same postcode.
Down here is where the South Island goes full cinema — bungy jumps and pinot noir in Queenstown, the eighth wonder of the world at Milford, and penguins waddling ashore near Dunedin.
The classic loop runs from Christchurch through Tekapo and Aoraki / Mount Cook to Queenstown, out to Milford Sound, then up the West Coast past Wānaka and Haast to the glaciers, returning over Arthur's Pass amongst the snow-capped Southern Alps.
Seven days covers that core route; ten lets you add Kaikōura, Abel Tasman or Dunedin. Fair warning: distances lie down here — mountain passes turn 300 km into an all-day affair, so plan by hours, not kilometres.
Rather watch the Haast Pass out the window instead of white-knuckling it? Our South Island tours follow these exact routes in small groups capped at 14-18, with a local guide behind the wheel. The 7-day Southern Voyager links Tekapo, Queenstown, Milford Sound and Franz Josef in one epic loop from Christchurch.
Experience the South Island the way it’s meant to be seen - up close, off the beaten track, and without the rush. Our small-group tours give you the freedom to explore Aotearoa’s wildest landscapes with the comfort and connection that only a close-knit crew can offer.
With fewer travellers and a flexible pace, you’ll have time to chase waterfalls, wander alpine trails, and linger in hidden cafés your guide knows by heart. It’s about slowing down, connecting with locals, and soaking in moments that stay with you long after the trip ends.
Summer (December–February) brings long days and the full menu — glacier hikes, kayaking, alpine tracks — plus peak crowds in Queenstown and Milford.
Autumn (March–May) turns Central Otago and Wānaka gold, and it's quietly our guides' favourite season.
Winter (June–August) flips Queenstown and Wānaka into ski towns, with snow-dusted scenery everywhere and Milford at its moodiest and most dramatic.
Spring (September–November) means waterfalls at full flow, lupins from November and newborn wildlife along the coasts. Whenever you come, pack layers — the south does four seasons in a day as a matter of policy.
South Island driving is spectacular and demanding in equal measure: alpine passes, one-lane bridges, gravel shoulders and weather that rewrites the forecast hourly. Self-driving suits confident drivers with flexible time.
A guided small-group tour means a local handles the mountain passes while you handle the views, and the day's timing flexes around conditions you wouldn't know to expect. Whichever you choose, never plan by distance alone — Queenstown to Franz Josef is 350 km and a genuine full day.
On the South Island, that means small groups treading lightly on fragile alpine and glacier terrain, respecting wildlife viewing distances on the coasts, and learning the Māori names and stories of places like Aoraki and Piopiotahi / Milford Sound.
Places aren't just places here.
Real stories from travellers who've experienced the magic of New Zealand with us
The standout South Island destinations are Queenstown for adventure, Milford Sound for fjord cruises, Franz Josef and Fox for glaciers, Lake Tekapo and Aoraki / Mount Cook for alpine scenery, Kaikōura for whales, and Abel Tasman for golden-beach kayaking. The classic route links them in a loop from Christchurch.
Seven days covers the core loop — Tekapo, Queenstown, Milford Sound and the glaciers — at a comfortable pace. Ten days lets you add Kaikōura, Abel Tasman or Dunedin. Anything under five days means choosing one region rather than touring.
The South Island is known for dramatic alpine scenery: the Southern Alps, Milford Sound, the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, turquoise lakes like Tekapo and Pukaki, and Queenstown's adventure sports. It's colder, wilder and less populated than the North Island, with the country's most cinematic landscapes.
December to March offers the warmest weather and full access to alpine tracks and glacier hikes. June to August is best for skiing in Queenstown and Wānaka. Autumn (March–May) balances golden scenery, stable weather and fewer crowds, and is a favourite with local guides.
Yes, but with limits. Buses and the TranzAlpine train connect main centres, yet the highlights — Milford Sound, Mount Cook's Hooker Valley, the glacier townships — involve long stretches with little public transport. A guided small-group tour combines transport, a local guide and the remote highlights in one booking.
