One trip to New Zealand’s South Island is never enough since there are so many amazing things to do there.

You may trek on glaciers, ride through vineyards, cruise along gorgeous fiords, kayak on turquoise lakes, and bungy jump into green rivers—the majority of South Island activities are outdoor-based.

There is abundant wildlife to be observed, including seals, dolphins, whales, penguins, albatrosses, and more, and the landscape is breathtaking, with snow-capped mountains and golden beaches.

It’s best to travel the South Island (Te Waipounamu in te reo Māori) with your own car or campervan, and give yourself at least two weeks to visit the attractions.

We’ve been there for more than nine months and have taken four car trips throughout the island, yet we still can’t get enough.

I’ve included our South Island must-dos here, roughly arranged from north to south. Our picks for the best spots to dine and stay are included throughout the essay, along with a map at the conclusion.

The Greatest Activities on New Zealand’s South Island

1) See Abel Tasman National Park’s Golden Beaches

One of the finest things to do in the South Island is unquestionably to visit Abel Tasman National Park, which is also our choice for one of the most breathtaking locations in New Zealand.

We have been there six times already since we like it so much and we want to return.

Tucked up near the top of the South Island is this stunning coastal park with golden beaches and turquoise bays.

You may stay in the park, take a day excursion from Kaiteriteri (where the water taxis leave), or hike or kayak the 60km Abel Tasman Coastal Track. Nelson is an hour distant.

There are several simpler choices available if you don’t feel like taking on the whole three to five day hike.

You may climb a portion of the path, kayak along the coast, or take a water taxi and spend the day lounging on a beach. Fur seals and local birds are extremely likely to be seen, and we were fortunate enough to cruise across a pod of dolphins once.

Though the whole coast is breathtaking, our favorite Abel Tasman trek is in the park’s more sedate northern region, which runs from Totaranui to Mutton Cove.

See my comprehensive guide to Abel Tasman National Park for all the information you need.

2) Take in Cable Bay’s Stunning View

Despite being one of my favorite locations in the South Island, most tourists are unaware of Cable Bay. Though it’s just a 25-minute drive from Nelson, this little village seems worlds apart.

The pebble beach at Cable Bay forms a natural barrier separating the teal sea from the turquoise estuary, and it links to Pepin Island.

It is encircled by untamed green hills, and the best way to take in the view—which is especially breathtaking at high tide—is to up the steep slope from the beach.

You may carry on all or a portion of the 8km Cable Bay Walkway to Glenduan.

For the ideal treat after a swim, kayak trip, or walk in the summer, stop by Cable Bay Cafe for lunch or a cake.

For additional things to do in Nelson, such as stunning treks in Kahurangi National Park and Nelson Lakes, check out my piece on the greatest things to do in Nelson.

3) Take a stroll along Marlborough Sounds’ Queen Charlotte Track.

Our hike over the 72km Queen Charlotte Track, which winds through the stunning Marlborough Sounds and a network of valleys submerged in the water, was one of our favorite South Island experiences.

Multi-day tramping, or trekking, is a traditional Kiwi pastime, and this is a great path for first-timers or anyone who, like us, like a little more luxury.

During our five-day trip, we slept in opulent lodges, had our stuff brought by water taxi, and enjoyed local sauvignon blanc and hot tub soaks in the evenings.

If you’re ready for a few hills, the seaside trail is reasonably simple, and the views of the blue and green sea and wooded hills are breathtaking. Not only did we see plenty of local birds (the cheeky weka usually shows up for lunch), but we also spotted dolphins and stingrays.

All the information you need to arrange the trip is included in my guide on walking the Queen Charlotte Track.

If you are unable to complete the trek, you may walk a portion of it by taking a water taxi from Picton, which is the point where the North Island boat arrives.

4) Remain in a Secluded Cove in the Marlborough Sounds

We also like going to the Marlborough Sounds, where there are hundreds of secluded harbors where you can escape the everyday grind. With only a few resorts with stores and restaurants, and spotty WiFi, it’s really serene outside.

Our days are spent paddling and swimming, lounging on the beach, drinking wine at dusk on our patio, and listening to the birds.

I suggest taking a water taxi from Picton to one of the lodges on the Queen Charlotte Track if you are short on time.

Our favorite spot was Punga Cove because of its lovely setting, seaside suites with views, complimentary kayaks and paddleboards, hot tubs, and a waterfront café.

If you would like to drive, Te Mahia Bay Resort is beautiful and about an hour from Picton; we’ve stopped by their café a few times on our way to Kenepuru Sound for drinks.

We love St. Omer’s Hideout, a three-bedroom, off-grid home with breathtaking views, for longer stays, self-catering, or simply to get away from people. Bring all food with you since it’s a 2.5-hour trip from Picton on a winding route.

5) Go to Stunning Wineries

The numerous outstanding vineyards on South Island are a big draw. Wine areas are ideal for a leisurely, picturesque getaway with delicious cuisine and wine.

Great vineyards in Marlborough, particularly for lovers of sauvignon blanc. Renwick is the ideal location since it’s easy to explore by bike and has 20 wineries within 5km.

For excellent pinot noir, we particularly love the Central Otago region’s Gibbston Valley (see more about it below).

We really like the lake vista from Rippon Winery in Wanaka and lunch on the patio at Mt. Difficulty in Bannockburn.

On your trip up to Abel Tasman, you should stop by Neudorf, which produces our favorite chardonnay, in a less-traveled wine region west of Nelson.

If you are unable to tour the vineyards, you may enjoy a self-guided tasting of an extensive selection of New Zealand wines and delectable platters at The Winery bar located in the heart of Queenstown.

6) Seals in Spots

On a road journey throughout the South Island, you may almost certainly see New Zealand fur seals.

The greatest number of seals (including pups in late summer) that we observed were at Ohau Point, where they played battle, lounged on the rocks, and splashed about in the pools.

The viewpoint is located beside to the road, making it easy to observe them on the trip from Marlborough to Kaikoura.

We also saw many of seals on boat trips in Milford and Doubtful Sounds, on the Otago Peninsula, and in Abel Tasman (all the water taxis stop at one of the islands they live on).

More suggested locations for road touring along the coast may be found in my guide to the East Coast of South Island.

7) Take a Dolphin Swim at Kaikōura or Akaroa

One of the greatest spots in South Island to watch animals, particularly seals, whales, and dolphins, is Kaikōura. The number of dolphins we saw on our Dolphin Encounter boat ride ($220) surprised us.

Being in the water with hundreds of common and dusky dolphins, seeing them dive, leap, and flip in the air, was a magnificent experience. If they saw us, they would even circle back around with us.

Taking the boat ride is worthwhile even if you don’t want to get wet since you can view the entertaining animals up close. On the way back, we also spotted seals and orcas.

The big group size before the borders closed was my only gripe with the Kaikōura excursion. It would be more peaceful at other times of the year; we went in the summer.

Swimming with the endangered Hector’s dolphins of Akaroa, which are located on the Banks Peninsula west of Christchurch, is a more private option.

On a much smaller boat than at Kaikōura, we went out with Black Cat Cruises ($199), but even though we spotted a few of the adorable dolphins (the tiniest in the world), we were unable to swim with them.

8) Indulge in a Spa Day

Even though the South Island doesn’t have as many hot springs as the volcanic North Island, there are still many of ways to relieve sore legs.

The settlement in the mountains called Hanmer Springs is well-known for its thermal pools, which cost $35. This is an ideal place to take a stop on the way from Nelson to Tekapo.

There are 22 pools in the bustling, expansive complex, some with waterfalls and jets and all different sizes and temperatures. A small lazy river, waterslides, and a lap pool are also present. It’s perfect for youngsters and seems more like a water park. Even if it’s busier than I’d like, you can still find peaceful areas—my favorite is Cascade Pools.

Maruia Hot Springs ($45) was our favorite since it was more serene and in harmony with nature. Driving from Nelson, they are situated around one hour before Hanmer.

There’s an indoor Japanese-style bath, a sauna, a steam room, and three outdoor rock pools with stunning views of the hillside covered in shrubbery.

We took the $99 Tekapo Springs Star Gazing trip, which is ideal on a clear night, and floated in a warm pool while admiring the stars further south.

We bathed in a private cedar tub at Onsen Hot Pools ($126 for two) in Queenstown, which offers breathtaking views of the mountains and river (book long in advance at this popular place).

We unwinded in the rainforest-style pools at Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools ($29) on a rainy day in Franz Josef.