New Zealand has epic national parks, world-class surfing and skiing, rain-forests, sandy white beaches, wineries, ice age glaciers, multi-day hikes and adrenaline packed adventures for all! Travelling in New Zealand is an experience you’ll never forget and we can guarantee it will very quickly become one of your favourite destinations. Distant Journeys offer some incredible tours that will allow you to see the very best of what New Zealand has to offer! Here are five must see places in New Zealand’s South Island.
Milford Sound
Milford Sound is known as the ‘8th natural wonder of the world’ and is one of the most spectacular places on earth! The drive to Milford Sound is one of the most scenic journeys in the world and it is worth giving yourself plenty of time to experience it. Milford Sound is breathtakingly beautiful in any weather with snow-capped peaks, permanent waterfalls, sheer cliffs and playful wildlife (seals, dolphins & penguins).
Milford Sound is at the very top of the five must see places in New Zealand’s South Island!
Lake Tekapo & Lake Pukaki
Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki are two of the most beautiful lakes we’ve ever seen with the most stunning blue colour and a backdrop of snow covered mountains. Lake Tekapo is the more popular of the two, however Lake Pukaki is also worth spending time at! The views from Pukaki are spectacular with Mount Cook towering in the distance. During the day the lakes will leave you speechless and by night you’ll be witness to some of the best stargazing in the world, with much of the region located in the International Dark Sky Reserve.
This region was one of our favourite places that we visited on our campervan trip around the South Island.
Mount Cook
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park is home to the highest mountains in New Zealand, as well as some of the most stunning lakes and the longest glaciers. The best way to see Mount Cook in all its glory is on a helicopter ride or on the beautiful scenic Hooker Valley hike, one of the best day hike’s we’ve ever experienced!
Wanaka & Queenstown
Picture perfect Wanaka is the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park and is surrounded by snow-capped mountains with beautiful waterways at its doorstep. Wanaka has outdoor pursuits for everyone ranging from hiking to downhill mountain biking and skiing at nearby Cardrona and Treble Cone.
Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the world and I’ve never met a single person who doesn’t love it. With the Remarkables in the distance and Lake Wakatipu lapping at its shores, Queenstown has something for everyone. Multiple ski fields are only a short drive away, there’s a buzzing nightlife, incredible restaurants and shopping as well as enough activities to keep everyone happy!
The West Coast Glaciers
The West Coast is world famous for its incredible glaciers including the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. See the remnants of the last ice age and explore these incredible grinding rivers of ice as they carve their way down the mountain slopes through the rainforest to the sea level. The Glaciers offer a wealth of adventures for all ranging from glacial walking to aerial fly overs and landings!
These are just five must see places in New Zealand’s South Island and there are so many other beautiful places to visit as well. A holiday to New Zealand will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after spending so much time in the great outdoors an experiencing all New Zealand has to offer!
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The post is in collaboration with Distant Journeys.
All opinions are our own.
