South Island New Zealand: MY Whistle-Stop Adventure I’ll Never Forget

Just back from a whirlwind journey through New Zealand’s South Island, I can confidently say: this is a destination that delivers jaw-dropping scenery, authentic experiences, and a sense of adventure at every turn. Whether you’re a nature lover, foodie, or thrill-seeker, the South Island is a must for your travel wish list.

Here’s a taste of what you can expect on a trip like mine:

Christchurch: Culture, Cuisine, and Character

After a fabulously comfortable Premium Economy flight with Emirates (trust me, the upgrade is worth every penny on a long-haul!), we touched down in Christchurch. The city is compact, easy to navigate, and bursting with culture—think theatres, galleries, and a vibrant dining scene. Day trips include the cities Tram, Gondola ride, Wine tasting, and botanical Gardens to name a few!

My Highlights-

• The progressive walking food tour, where we sampled a starter, main, and dessert at different restaurants while learning about the city’s history and Maori culture.
• The tram tour is a fun way to get your bearings, and the riverside market is a foodie’s paradise. For night owls, live music bars keep the city buzzing into the early hours (every weekend).

Farm Life, Waterfalls, and Boutique Stays

We headed to Arthurs pass for the day from Christchurch, on route we headed to Longhall Station for a warm, home-cooked lunch and a glimpse into authentic New Zealand farm life. From there, it was a short drive (20 mins) to Arthur’s Pass—clouds or not, the hike to the waterfall (400 steps, but so worth it!) is a must- so many hikes and viewing point as you climb up to Arthur‘s pass.

We left Christchurch heading to Mount Cook- 2 hours drive we arrived at Charming Geraldine made the perfect pit stop, with its boutique Vicarage hotel, microbrewery, gin distillery, and artisan cheese shop, it has it all for a night stay if you wanted to break the journey up. Then on to Lake Tekapo for hot springs, tubing, and ice skating—all with a stunning lakeside backdrop.

Lake Pukaki & Mount Cook: Nature’s Playground

Arriving at Mount Cook Lakeside Retreat, we were treated to a six-course meal and stargazing under some of the world’s clearest skies.

The next day brought one of the trip’s biggest thrills: a helicopter and ski plane adventure over and landing on the Tasman Glacier in Mount Cook. The sheer scale and beauty are impossible to capture in photos—you have to see it to believe it.

We also experienced Glacier Explorer, NZ largest glacier experience, which was fantastic, a very informative tour with some up close opportunities to the Glaciers.

We stayed at the Lakeside Lodge in Lake Pukaki- this was a home away from home, only 6 rooms- perfect for some groups, or families who like separate rooms- a warm, welcoming hospitality, fantastic-nothing too much trouble.

Each day the chef sits down and talks through what time you want breakfast and what you'd like for dinner. Has amazing views for a stunning sunset/rise, outdoor fire and blankets at the each of the long day, just what you need!

My Highlights-   

• Spending the evening in Wanaka, with the nightlife and bar scene around the lake.
• The walking tour of the island- this trip shocked us all, we never thought we'd enjoy as much as we did- the guides where fantastic.

Handy hint - The Hermitage Hotel in Mount Cook Village is a fantastic base, with glacier tours, hiking trails, and more stargazing on offer, if your wanting something right at the Mountain without the price tag!

Wanaka: Adventure and Eco Experiences

On the way to Wanaka, we stopped at The Lindis, New Zealand’s highest luxury lodge, for a taste of ranch life—think fly fishing, e-biking, horse riding, and even clay shooting. If you want to WOW factor, being able to Helicopter to Mount Cook and Milford this is the place for you. We had a beautiful lunch served after a morning of Horse Riding.

In Wanaka itself, we stayed at Edgewater- this a lovely condo style lodge, you could hike mountain bikes (which we did), has a hot tub, tennis court. It's around 40mins walk to Wanaka centre- which was well worth a visit, locals out in force, we even visited the local food truck one evening.

Edgewater had a simple, decent breakfast to help fuel your day. The evening dining option hit the spot- recommend the beef gnocchi- this was a stand out meal!

Whilst in Wanaka we did the Mou Waho Island walk with Eco Wanaka Tours- this was a standout: a boat ride, a gentle hike, and the chance to plant a tree as part of the island’s regrowth project. Once at the summit it was a view to remember, just spectacular!

Then from a different perspective, a 4x4 tour with Ridgeline Wanaka took us deep into the mountains and valleys of Mount Aspiring National Park- up through the mountains, stopping at some beautiful waterfalls. Once at the tip of Mount Aspiring we had a cuppa and biscuit, before heading across the bridge to the National park!

My Highlights- Hands down the Mount Cook Ski Plane and Helicopter tour- this is a MUST do experience, one you'll never forget.

Queenstown: The Adventure Capital

No South Island trip is complete without Queenstown. En route, we explored the historic mining village of Arrowtown and enjoyed a top-rated wine tasting at Kinross in the Gibbston Valley.

Queenstown itself is a thrill-seeker’s dream. We based ourselves at The Rees Hotel, just outside the main hub for a peaceful stay with stunning lake views.

We did a day trip to Milford Sound from Queenstown is long but unforgettable—think dramatic fjords, waterfalls, and ever-changing weather. If time (and weather) allows, opt for the scenic flight back for a truly epic finale.

We wrapped up with a jet boat adventure on the Dart River with Funkaying- this was an inflatable canoe along the Dart River- again another fabulous trip, despite our first thoughts! We took a jet boat complete with 360 spins to Paradise point, then grabbed a Kayak and paddled our way to lunch- we also go to go into the Tasman Cave!

Why Choose New Zealand’s South Island? -

• Easy self-drive: Quiet roads, familiar driving (for UK visitors), and spectacular scenery at every turn. -
• Diverse experiences: From farm tours and foodie adventures to glacier flights and luxury lodges. -
• Warm Kiwi hospitality: Everywhere we went, we were welcomed like family.
• Unforgettable landscapes: Mountains, lakes, glaciers, and star-filled skies—nature at its most dramatic.

Ready to plan your own South Island adventure? Whether you want to follow in my footsteps or create a bespoke itinerary, I’d love to help you discover the magic of New Zealand- please do get in touch.