Whether you’re driving or taking a guided tour, passing through the Homer Tunnel—which pierces the Darran mountains—is the only way to reach Milford Sound by road. If you’re imagining a wide, brightly lit subterranean expressway, think again: The 0.75-mile (1.25-kilometer) tunnel is narrow, steep, and unlit—except by your car’s headlights.
New Zealand’s largest theater company was founded in 1971 and puts on about 19 productions each year, ranging from serious drama to light-hearted comedy. Following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, the company relocated from the Arts Centre in the heart of the city to a former grain shed in the Christchurch suburb of Addington.
With 5 acres (2 hectares) of paddocks on the edge of town, the Hanmer Springs Animal Park is a fun, family-friendly attraction to visit between hot-spring bathing sessions. The residents include typical New Zealand farm animals, such as sheep, goats, and pigs, as well as some more exotic creatures, including emus and wallabies.
In the remote Canterbury region of New Zealand’s South Island lies Mt. Sunday—a skyline that fans of The Lord of the Rings trilogy will recognize as the site for the soaring city of Edoras. It’s arguably the most spectacular among dozens of filming locations used by the crew.
The Mavora Lakes Conservation Park is a rugged, remote area of lakes, mountains, forests, and grasslands in Southland. It’s centered on two lakes: North Mavora and South Mavora. You need permission to take a vehicle into the park, but permits are free. It’s a great place to camp, fish, mountain bike, and enjoy other outdoor activities, especially in the summer.
Don’t expect to see any monkeys at Fiordland National Park’s Monkey Creek—though you might see alpine parrots. This glacier-fed spring beside the Te Anau Milford Highway (State Highway 94) is a popular place to stop and admire the views on the trip to Milford Sound, and the water’s so pure you can refill your bottle here.
In 2010 and 2011, the city of Christchurch and the surrounding areas of Canterbury were hit by two powerful earthquakes. The first, in September 2010, was larger, but the second, in February 2011, caused more damage and loss of life. Opened in 2017, the Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial in Christchurch commemorates these natural disasters.
Central Otago is full of gold-mining history and relics, and Macetown is one of the most intact old mining towns in Otago. History enthusiasts will enjoy exploring the old Department of Conservation-administered historic reserve, perhaps even panning for gold in the Arrow River. Be prepared for a rugged adventure, however you choose to get there.
At Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch, visitors will get chance to come face-to-face with gorillas, orangutans, giraffes, and lions. You might even enjoy a rare sighting of New Zealand’s national bird, the kiwi, the In fact, more than 70 exotic species can be found at the only open-air wildlife park in the country.
Every Saturday in central Queenstown, artists and artisans from all over the South Island display their wares at the Queenstown Market. If you’re looking for unique souvenirs or gifts to take home, you’re bound to find something amidst the handcrafted jewelry, knitwear, bone carvings, pottery, paintings, and so much more.
Thrill-seeking travelers are never short of attractions in New Zealand, and Queenstown’s Nevis Swing is certainly one of the most thrilling. The jumping-off platform is located 524 feet (160 meters) above a river. After a 229 foot (70 meter) free-fall, you’ll swing in a 984-foot (300-meter) arc. Jump solo or tandem, forwards, backwards, or upside down.
Located on the Fiordland’s Milford Road between Te Anau and Milford Sound, the Lake Gunn Nature Walk is an ideal place to pull over, stretch your legs, and be immersed in nature. The easy, accessible 0.8-mile (1.4-kilometer) loop trail passes through mossy beech forest, and a short side track leads to a stony beach with great mountain views.
On the scenic western shore of Lake Wakatipu, just across the water from Queenstown, Walter Peak High Country Farm serves up an authentic slice of rural life in New Zealand. Dating back to the 19th century, and still a family-run, working sheep and cow ranch, it’s now a popular attraction for travelers. Cruise across the lake to meet the farmyard animals, watch a sheepdog display, and sample farm-to-table cuisine.
Head underground and back in time on the Queenstown’s Time Tripper Underwater Experience, a 15-minute animated show that takes you on a journey through Queenstown’s history. The animated cinematic show starts in the dinosaurs’ time, when Queenstown’s mountains, lakes, and glaciers were forming. After the show, continue to the underwater observatory to see Lake Wakatipu’s ducks, eels, and trout.
Located in Mt. Cook Aoraki National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Hermitage Hotel is a well-loved landmark. In prime position with fabulous views of the mountain, the hotel dominates the northern edge of Mt. Cook Village. Chalets, motel rooms, and lodge accommodation are offered at several locations around town.
Located at the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island, Port Marlborough (Picton Cruise Port) is wedged between the mountains and the sea of Queen Charlotte Sound, one of four rugged sounds that make up the Marlborough Sounds. Large cruise liners and inter-island ferries crossing the Cook Strait all stop here.
McLean Falls, on the Tautuku River in the Catlins Conservation Park spanning Otago and Southland, is a 72-foot (22-meter) waterfall surrounded by damp New Zealand bush. The path to the falls passes through an attractive podocarp forest with flowering fuchsia trees. While the short walk there is categorized as easy, some of it is uphill.
Dunedin’s Tūhura Otago Museum boasts one of the most extensive collections of curiosities in New Zealand. Almost 1.5 million items span antiquities, insects, Māori taoka (treasures), and European paintings. There’s something to appeal to everyone at this large and lively museum. And the icing on the cake is that it’s free to visit.
Although the Waipara Valley wine region doesn’t always feature in glossy magazines, New Zealand oenophiles flock to this small slice of Canterbury for some of the country’s best gewürztraminer, as well as its uniquely rich pinot noir and riesling. Best of all, it’s more accessible from Christchurch than the South Island’s other wine destinations.
Hanmer Springs Adventure Centre is an all-in-one retail shop, information center, and booking office in the middle of town, selling a variety of outdoor gear and clothing for all seasons. You can also rent bicycles or four-wheeled quadricycles, and arrange shuttle services and activities.
Founded by French settlers in the 19th century, the small harbor town of Akaroa shows its Gallic roots with French street names and tricolor flags. Overlooked by craggy volcanic hills, Akaroa Port serves as a gateway to the wildlife-rich Banks Peninsula. It’s also a common starting point for wildlife cruises and trips that link the peninsula with Christchurch and the wider Canterbury area.
Climbing gently from Mount Cook Village past native bush, subalpine grasslands, and scenic viewpoints, the 3.7-mile (6-kilometer) round-trip Kea Point Track is among the most popular day hikes in the area. Reaching the top means vistas that stretch from Mount Sefton to Hooker Valley, the Mueller Glacier moraine wall, as well as the main attraction—the 12,218-foot (3,724-meter) Mount Cook (Aoraki).
