What to do in South Island

Activities, attractions and tours

Queenstown showing a river or creek and boating
Kawarau Suspension Bridge showing a sporting event, a bridge and a suspension bridge or treetop walkway
Bob\'s Peak which includes views, general coastal views and mountains
South Island which includes land animals and mountains
South Island showing a river or creek, boating and a gorge or canyon

South Island Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that South Island has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to South Island, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to South Island with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in South Island

South Island is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in South Island, and make it a breeze to explore South Island and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in South Island to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to South Island, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in South Island.

South Island attractions

South Island has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in South Island to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of South Island.

Looking for things to do in South Island can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of South Island or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to South Island attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!


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Most fun & popular experiences in South Island

Tours & day trips

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Adventure & outdoor

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Air, helicopter & balloon tours

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Private & custom tours

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Water activities

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What to do in South Island


Popular places to visit

Explore areas of South Island

Queenstown Beach showing a pebble beach, skydiving and a small town or village

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.

Queenstown City Centre
New Regent Street showing outdoor eating and railway items as well as a small group of people

Christchurch City Centre

4.5/5(126 area reviews)

Explore the picturesque and vibrant heart of the city that is getting back to normal after a series of devastating earthquakes.

Christchurch City Centre
Dunedin which includes a pond, a park and heritage elements

Dunedin City Centre

4.5/5(24 area reviews)

Dunedin City Centre is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to First Church of Otago or Regent Theatre.

Dunedin City Centre
International Antarctic Centre featuring interior views

Christchurch Airport

While Christchurch Airport may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like International Antarctic Centre and Russley Golf Club.

Christchurch Airport
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Frankton

4/5(11 area reviews)

Stay in this picturesque part of Queenstown where the airport is located to enjoy spectacular mountain views and relaxed lakeside walks.

Frankton
Nelson - Tasman

Nelson City Centre

4.5/5(8 area reviews)

Nelson City Centre is noteworthy for its shopping, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Christ Church Cathedral and Nelson Market.

Nelson City Centre

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 


 

Day trip destinations from South Island