New Zealand holidays are often weighted with expectation. A dream holiday destination, many people spend years idly planning their holiday before they even pick a date, adding this town or that national park to their ‘must-see lists’ without any care for practicality.
And with so many wonderful places to see in New Zealand, those must-see lists can quickly get out of hand. Too long and, unfortunately, utterly unattainable.
As experts in everything that New Zealand has to offer, we appreciate just how tough it can be narrowing those lists back down to a practical length. But we also know which sights and experiences are worth prioritising, and how to structure a New Zealand holiday that shows you the country’s beauty without overwhelming your holiday.
Ourtailor-made New Zealand travel itineraries can be designed to let you see the parts of New Zealand that will resonate most with you. But for our next couple of posts, we thought we’d dive deep into which areas of the country we recommend prioritising on your first visit.
In this post, we’ll focus on South Island spots you need to see, but we’ll start by looking at which island you need to visit first.
Should I visit the North Island or the South Island first?
On your first ever trip to New Zealand, it makes sense to want to see as much of the country as possible. But how much you see should be decided by the length of your stay.
New Zealand is a whole country after all, and one that’s bigger than the UK. You wouldn’t try to see the beaches of Newquay and Edinburgh Castle in a one-week trip, so you shouldn’t plan to see Auckland and Fiordland National Park in such a short space of time either.
If you’re planning a short stay (3 weeks or less) we advise sticking to one island. This will give you time to explore the best of that island, without stressing yourself by rushing or ruining your holiday by being cooped up in the car for most of it.
For first-time visitors, staying on either the North Island or the South Island can help keep overwhelm at bay, too. It will give you space to relax and more fully experience the culture and environment that the country has to offer.
Of course, once you know you’re sticking to a single island, choosing which island can be difficult. Research your decision with our post on thedifferences between the South Island and the North Island, or speak to one of your team if you want a personalised suggestion on which island would hold the most interest for you.
There is no hard or set island that works better for everybody. The North Island is a better place to experience more traditional Maori culture, while the geysers and hot pools are natural wonders you’ll only find up North.
Meanwhile, the rugged landscape of the South Island, with the soaring snowcapped peaks of the Southern Alps, and the majestic waterfalls of Fiordland and Milford Sounds, is equally impressive if you want to combine natural wonders with adrenaline seeking in Queenstown.
It is an entirely personal preference.
5 places to visit on your first trip to the South Island
Milford Sound
If you’re looking to have your breath stolen by natural beauty while travelling to the South Island, then Milford Sound is where you need to head.
Not only regarded as a site of outstanding beauty in New Zealand, Rudyard Kipling also named it the Eighth Wonder of the World thanks to its spectacular scenery. Located in Fiordland National Park, this fjord is scattered with towering cliffs, thunderous waterfalls and ancient rainforests and is essentially the definition of awe-inspiring.
It can be enjoyed by boat or by road – a cruise through the Sound will offer the best views though. It’s also home to a whole host of wildlife such as seals, dolphins and even penguins, so it’s a wonderful base for anynature enthusiasts.
Queenstown
Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of New Zealand for a reason. If you want to spend your holiday seeking adrenaline with wild activities, then Queenstown should be top of your list to visit.
However, like all of New Zealand, its appeal is multi-faceted, and there is so much more to Queenstown than white-knuckle adventures.
Surrounded by the awe-inspiring Remarkables Mountain Range and nestled beside the clear waters of Lake Wakatipu, the beauty of Queenstown is as breathtaking as the activities on offer. If you prefer a more relaxed stay in the city, you can enjoy a leisurely cruise on the historic steamship TSS Earnslaw or admire panoramic views from the Skyline Gondola.
Or you can simply stroll around this charming lakeside town, dipping in and out of its boutiques and eateries.
Christchurch
The Garden City, Christchurch, is the largest city in New Zealand and a cultural hub at the very top of the South Island.
With tree-lined streets, beautiful parks and the award-winning Botanic Gardens, Christchurch is scattered with cafes, galleries, shops and restaurants for you to explore. The Canterbury Museum, iconic Christchurch gallery and bustling Riverside Market are just a couple more cultural highlights you can see.
A few days in Christchurch also make the perfect base to travel out toHanmer Springs. Only a 90-minute drive away, the stunning scenery surrounding this Thermal Spa resort will create visual calm while you relax in natural hot pools or with a spa treatment.
Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo
If you want to begin to grasp the vast beauty New Zealand has to offer, your trip needs to include Mount Cook National Park in its itinerary.
Home to the highest mountain in the country, the staggering peaks are matched by the stunning Lake Tekapo that rests in its shadow, an ethereal blue water colour by a natural phenomenon known as ‘rock flour’.
With such challenging terrain, luckily, navigating the area doesn’t have to be done on foot.Helicopter flights can whisk you across this incredible area, though there are plenty of hikes and walks to tackle if you’d rather strike out on your own.
There is even something to see at night, with the Earth and Sky Observatory, where Canterbury University staff can tour you around constellations and space debris that are otherwise impossible for the naked eye to see.
Nelson
Our last suggestion is a personal one, because if we could move anywhere in New Zealand, this area would be our choice.
Nelson is New Zealand’s Sunshine City and, though good weather is never guaranteed anywhere, this city does enjoy more sunny hours than any other in the country. It has a friendly vibe with a strong arts and culture scene and fully embraces this side of its soul with a wide range of festivals.
Broadening out across the region, Nelson also leaves you in easy reach of three beautiful National Parks, each with their own appeal and features – Kahurangi, Nelson Lakes and Abel Tasman.
This coastline affords a variety of water-faring activities, including sailing, cruising or kayaking, all across the crystal blue waters of the shoreline. With secluded bays studded along the coast and soaring limestone cliffs edging it, this area makes for an unforgettable backdrop to any hiking or other experiences.
Planning your perfect first trip to New Zealand
If you’re looking to take the holiday of a lifetime to a country that never fails to inspire awe, our team of experts can help you see the sights that matter most to you. We’ve lived in, worked in and truly experienced New Zealand, which gives us unique insight into everything it has to offer, so we can build holidays that tick all your boxes, however specific they are. Talk to us today to find out more.
Queenstown
