South Island South Island Sightseeing Route

Embark on a fascinating South Island adventure where you'll encounter stunning rare wildlife, stunning natural landscapes, and mouth-watering seafood. This extraordinary itinerary will give you an unforgettable experience, no matter the season.

Day 1: Dunedin to Invercargill, passing through the Catlins along the way

Head south from Dunedin and explore the beautiful Catlins landscape. Take a 5-minute meandering ride along a rugged route to Cape Nugate Lighthouse(opens in new window) to see this rugged cape and rocky island (Cape Nuget). Admire the beautiful scenery along the coastline and visit the famous Prakaunui Falls. Don't forget to look for fur seals(opens in new window), which can often be found lounging, frolicking and playing merrily in the rock pools.

Invercargill is New Zealand's southernmost city and offers plenty of activities, including the World of Classic Cars(opens in new window) and the Cycle Trail around the mountain(opens in new window).

You'll find Bluff nearby, which produces its famous oysters.

Day 2: Invercargill to Te Anau

Drive along a picturesque route through the rugged South Coast and the eastern side of Fiordland National Park.

Learn about Riverton's dual cultural history with the Tihi Khao South Island Route(opens in new window), then stop in Tuatapiri to visit some natural and historical attractions, as well as the chance to go hiking, mountain biking(opens in new window), trout fishing(opens in new window), hunting(opens in new window) and boat cruises(opens in new window).

Te Anau is the gateway to Fiordland National Park, where you can visit the Glowworm Caves(opens in new window), the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary(opens in new window) and the Fiordland Cinema, where the scenic short film Tangata Huannoa(opens in new window) takes you on an in-depth look at the heart of this World Heritage area's history.

Day 3: Day trip to Milford Sound

The route to Milford Sound is one of New Zealand's most scenic roads and can be easily reached by car or bus(opens in new window). On the way, you can see the Mirror Lake and its beautiful reflections. The steeply carved Hemmer Tunnel takes you through 22 kilometres of Milford Sound.

Boat cruises are the best way to explore the fjord; Choose from a day trip or a more leisurely overnight cruise(opens in new window). High waterfalls, steep rock faces and seals are just some of the fjord's famous attractions. Most cruises offer underwater tours(opens in new window) that take you on a journey through the magical underwater world of the fjord.

If you choose a day trip, return to Te Anau in the evening.

Day 4: Te Anau - Queenstown

At the end of your trip, you can experience Queenstown's exciting, attractive alpine resorts.

Nestled on the shores of stunning Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown has just about any adventure, including bungee jumping, jet boating(opens in new window), horse riding(opens in new window), rafting(opens in new window) and river surfing(opens in new window).

It's also a destination for luxury experiences, from fine dining and award-winning vineyards(opens in new window) to relaxing spa treatments, boutique shopping and casual golf(opens in new window).