South Island

New Zealand

New Zealand Travel Guide

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.


Shop Book
Snow capped mountains in Kahurangi National Park.

Matt Munro

Why visit South Island

From turquoise lakes and lush peninsulas to snowcapped mountains and sparkling glaciers, the South Island's majestic landscapes offer awe and adventure in equal measure.

Lonely planet’s trusted travel insurance provider

Dreaming of South Island? Protect your trip

Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.

LEARN MORE

We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Take your New Zealand trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

bookable trip

Ultimate New Zealand: Cross-Country Adventure in 13 Days

13 days / 12 nights

highlights

  1. 1 Soaring over Rotorua's thermal lakes and geothermal gems on an electrifying floatplane
  2. 2 Whale watching and fur seal-spotting from up above on a Kaikōura sightseeing flight
  3. 3 Inhabiting the fantastical fiction of Middle Earth with a Hobbiton set visit
from $5,940

per person

Explore more trips

Want our experts to design a custom trip for you?
start planning

Top places to visit in South Island

Discover the best attractions in South Island from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in South Island

South Island and beyond