South Island Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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

Where to stay in 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)

Christchurch City Centre is a destination visitors seek out for its abundant dining options, interesting museums and colourful gardens. You might want to check out attractions like Christchurch Art Gallery or Cathedral Square while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Christchurch 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 Harewood Golf Club.

Christchurch Airport
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 Grand Casino.

Dunedin City Centre
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Frankton

4/5(11 area reviews)

Frankton is known for its fantastic lake views, and you can make a stop by Queenstown Event Centre and Remarkables Park Town Centre while in the area.

Frankton
Mona Vale which includes a park

Riccarton

4.5/5(28 area reviews)

Riccarton is beloved for its popular shops. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Westfield Riccarton Mall and Riccarton Road.

Riccarton
Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview

Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview

4 out of 5
88 Frankton Road, Queenstown
The price is €150 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
€150
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Affordable, just outside the towncentre"

Reviewed on 5 Aug 2025

Copthorne Hotel & Apartments Queenstown Lakeview
Holiday Inn Express And Suites Queenstown by IHG

Holiday Inn Express And Suites Queenstown by IHG

4 out of 5
CNR STANLEY AND SYDNEY STREET, Queenstown
The price is €144 per night from 2 Sept to 3 Sept
€144
2 Sept - 3 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,007 reviews)
"Enjoyed every minute of the stay ."

Reviewed on 3 Aug 2025

Holiday Inn Express And Suites Queenstown by IHG
Kamana Lakehouse

Kamana Lakehouse

4.5 out of 5
139 Fernhill Road, Queenstown
The price is €195 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
€195
18 Aug - 19 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 3 hot tubs. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (472 reviews)
"Lovely position"

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2025

Kamana Lakehouse
See all 6,988 properties in South Island
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown

La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown

4 out of 5
16 - 18 Mountain Ash Drive, Remarkables Park, Queenstown
Stay at this 4-star ski aparthotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre and a ski shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,273 reviews)
"Had an issue with the AC as windows in room don’t open, however close to restaurants and ski fields and great value for money"

Reviewed on 5 Aug 2025

La Quinta by Wyndham Remarkables Park Queenstown
Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu Queenstown

Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu Queenstown

5 out of 5
110 Frankton Road, Queenstown
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Queenstown. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,373 reviews)
"Lovely room but it’s annoying that the fan in the bathroom was connected to the light so always had to be on. I found the condition of the mattress and pillow protectors to be unsatisfactory. Great they had them but more regular replacement is needed - slack housekeeping!"

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2025

Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu Queenstown
Peppers Bluewater Resort

Peppers Bluewater Resort

4.5 out of 5
State Highway 8, Lake Tekapo
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Lake Tekapo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8/10 Very Good! (3,167 reviews)
Nice views, but that's about it
"We tried to check in an hour after the earliest check-in time and our room still was not ready. So we could not actually check in until after 4pm. The room itself was tidy, but with the living upstairs and bedroom downstairs, we had to walk very carefully after our daughter went to bed, because the ..."

Reviewed on 20 Jul 2025

Peppers Bluewater Resort
See all properties in South Island
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Mount Cook National Park showing landscape views, snow and mountains

Mount Cook National Park

Enjoy the mountain views and explore Mount Cook National Park, a lovely green space in Mount Cook. Discover the spas in this quaint area or seek out its hiking trails.

Mount Cook National Park
Milford Sound

Milford Sound

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Milford Sound during your travels in Fiordland National Park. Discover the area's waterfalls and glaciers.

Milford Sound
South Island showing bird life

Lake Tekapo

Explore the great outdoors at Lake Tekapo, a popular spot to commune with nature in Lake Tekapo. Wander the lakeside in this quaint area.

Lake Tekapo
Aoraki / Mount Cook

Aoraki / Mount Cook

Explore the great outdoors at Aoraki / Mount Cook and enjoy the stunning glacier views during your trip to Mount Cook. Wander the lakeside in this quaint area.

Aoraki / Mount Cook
Lyttelton Harbour showing a marina, a bay or harbour and mountains

Lyttelton Harbour

Explore the waterfront in Christchurch with a trip to Lyttelton Harbour. Visit the shops and charming cafes in this walkable area.

Lyttelton Harbour
Christchurch Botanic Gardens as well as a large group of people

Hagley Park

Explore the great outdoors at Hagley Park, a lovely green space in Christchurch. Amble within picturesque gardens or visit the shops in this culturally rich area.

Hagley Park

Cities near South Island

Christchurch

Christchurch

Lake Tekapo showing mountains, wild flowers and a lake or waterhole

Lake Tekapo

Glenorchy showing a lake or waterhole, forests and mountains

Glenorchy