Things to see and do South Island

The online tourist guide lists the Department of Conservation as the city's tourist office. We recommend contacting the Department of Conservation directly for further information.

It is perhaps the most famous natural site on the South Island, the one that everyone talks about and whose photos are passed around in hostels and on vacations. On the scale of New Zealand, Tongariro is perhaps the only comparable site. It must be said that there is enough. It is a beauty case with infinite charm. If you can, don't come during the high season, as there will be many cars and the cruises will be crowded. In winter, there are far fewer people, the snow adds to the magic, but beware, access may well be closed because of the weather. The best period is the off-season. The road from Te Anau is an attraction in itself. It takes about 120 kilometers and a good two hours, or even more with the different stops. There are many things to see along the way, lookouts, valleys, lakes, mountains, and more. Going up to the north, the Mirror Lakes can already be an interesting photo stop, with their mirror-like surface reflecting the summits. The view from the tip of Lake Gunn is even more stunning and romantic because of its grandeur. With a little time, venture into the Hollyford Valley towards Gunns Camp to see the small waterfalls of Lake Marian, after a short walk, and the very impressive Humboldt Falls, 275 meters high (20-30 minutes round trip). You will then have to pass through the Homer Tunnel, completed in 1953 and at an altitude of 945 meters. At the exit, the panorama is dazzling and one goes down little by little to the sea level to reach the Sound. Before reaching your destination, The Chasm may be worth a stop for its waterfalls and rock formations (20 minutes round trip). However, this trail is being restored at the time of writing due to inclement weather. Once on the banks, the beauty of the place becomes clear. There is a parking lot and a building where the boats leave. It is here that you will have to embark for the cruises. With a little luck, dolphins and sea lions will cross your path. The waterfalls are also very beautiful and the mountains plunging into the water with their twisted shapes command respect like Mitre Peak looking down on us from the top of its 1,692 meters of altitude. Here, if everything is green, it is for the simple reason that it rains 200 days a year and falls 6,800 mm of rain on average each year. Don't forget to bring your rain gear and good shoes!

Perhaps the most photographed lake in New Zealand. Its very calm waters, early in the morning or late in the evening, superbly reflect the Alpine chain and, in particular, the Cook and Tasman mountains. To do!

After six kilometers of unpaved road, a trail begins that leads to the beautiful Wharariki beach and its fine sand dunes. It takes about forty minutes to walk there and back (2 km). Described as one of the most beautiful beaches in the country by locals and travelers alike, it is best to go there at low tide, when the cliffs and their arches are not caught in the water. Besides being a divine beach, it is also an excellent place to observe fur seals basking there.

With its 186 hectares, it is a difficult park to miss in the city configuration. Walking through or simply passing through him offers a breath of greenery. In the north of the park is the magnificent Botanic Garden, which boasts its great trees and numerous flowers. The six greenhouses of its Conservatory Complex each houses a collection of different plants, types and environments: tropical, temperate, cold, ferns and alpine plants, cactus…

The park is home to 72 glaciers, about 40% of its total surface area. The River Tasman, with its 29 km, is the longest of all.

This lake, 82 km long and 5 km long, is one of the deepest in the country and its 400 m depth is not its unique feature. Its temperature is also out of the ordinary. Indeed, it only varies very weakly from one season to another and the lake reaches only a low 15 ° C during the warmer months of the summer. Its last originality lies in the purity of its water. As a direct source from the mountains, it would reach a purity level of 98%. On the other hand, it is very strange that the lake level is rising and down.

It was in Bob's Cove, when the lake was very calm, that this phenomenon was best observed. Every 5 minutes, its level varies by 12 cm. The reasons for this variation remain mysterious at the moment. Maori legend tells us that the heart of a giant named Matau still lies at the bottom of the water and its beats would cause the phenomenon.

Cape Foulwind has a signposted trail that in 15 minutes from the car park takes you to a seal colony. The latter houses nearly two hundred individuals who have been observed from the cliff. By continuing the path (1 hour walk) you also reach the lighthouse overlooking Tauranga Bay. On the road or even on the parking lot, with a little luck, the hikers may encounter a weka, a bird unable to fly.

Also known as Pupu Springs, these springs are located after a short walk through a forest of kanuka and manuka trees. The clarity of the water and the colors that emanate from it are amazing, coming from a large underground network. It is the largest in the country and in Australasia in terms of volume. It gushes out 14,000 liters per second, which flow into the Takaka River. Because of problems of parasitic algae, access is now regulated and it is unfortunately no longer possible to dive there.

A 73.5 km hike from Anakiwa to Ship Cove between forests and coasts, it requires a good stamina and the most difficult passage is between Portage Saddle and Kenepuru Saddle, but what a magnificent view! It takes 3 to 5 days to complete and there are many accommodation options in each bay. It is recommended to begin the hike by Ship Cove, by being transported by water cab from Picton to the beginning of the trail. The entire route is also accessible to mountain bikers, with some sections closed in high season.

Nicknamed the Jewel of Mt Aspiring National Park, Glacier Rob Roy is at the feet of the top of the same name. A beautiful walk allows you to get closer and enjoy the splendid scenery of the surrounding mountains.

The centre is only accessible by boat. Note, however, that this visit can be combined with any classic cruise on Milford Sound. A 10 metres deep, a kind of aquarium that can admire the fauna and flora of the fjord.

Like many other places in New Zealand, Te Anau has its glowworm caves, which can be visited with Real NZ, one of New Zealand's largest tour operators. The 12,000 year old caves in Te Anau are filled with glowworms which are quite spectacular and worth a visit if you are visiting the area. The tour lasts just over two hours (2:15) and includes a boat ride to Cavern House Cave and a boat ride across Lake Te Anau.

The boulders are large, perfectly round stones, which are on the beach. There are two explanations for this phenomenon. According to Maori mythology, which calls them Te Kai-hinak of hinaki ("baskets") and kai ("food"), they would have come to fail here, following the sinking of the Arai-ti-uru canoe which had crossed the large ocean of Kiwa (Pacific) and the tormented waters of Raukawa (Cook Strait) in search of Te Wai Pounamu (jade). The rock near Shag Point represents canoe; spheres are baskets that contain kumaras (sweet potatoes). According to the scientific, less lyrical version, these rocks would consist of limestone, silica, aluminium and iron peroxide, with a crystal mass that would attract the elements of the soil and would be such a special form. The action of the sea would therefore not be responsible. Only a few boulders are still present on the beach, because they have long been the subject of gifts and «little Memories of New Zealand». Those who are still there owe it to their size! New rocks are still in training, they can be seen emerging from the surface of the cliffs facing the beach.

This forest has many endemic plants in New Zealand and many walks are possible to discover it. From 5 minutes to more than 6 hours round-trip, there are for all tastes. The site is also very popular with cyclists.

This is one of the country's 11 Great Walks. It takes three to five days to cover the entire route from Marahau to Separation Point. In many places, you have to wait for low tide before crossing. The DOC has set up some twenty campsites and four refuges along the way. The views along the way are fantastic. However, you can adapt your hike to a day or two by taking advantage of the water and road shuttles or renting a kayak.

Beautiful walks await walkers along the river or on the beach. At sunset, brightness guarantees extraordinary photos. An impressive amount of float wood lies on the beach.

Cut off from the world and eminently wild, Doubtful Sound is without a doubt one of the wonders of which Aotearoa has the secret. An unforgettable moment awaits those who come here. It must be said that accessing it is a real adventure. The visit requires a full day and is expensive, but the experience is unforgettable. Far from the busloads of people, tranquility and wild beauty are the key words here. Being 10 times larger than Milford, Patea has a richer fauna and will satisfy all nature lovers.

Located about 30 km south of the town of Hokitika, the gorge of the same name was carved half a million years ago by glacial movements. The place is famous for its turquoise blue waters due to the "glacial flour". From the parking lot, a short walk awaits you reaching a suspension bridge from where the view of the gorge is superb. This forms a two kilometer loop that you can easily complete in one hour. When the weather is good, the color of the water is a sublime blue-green.

These are natural canyons of limestone through which we walk. Take at least one hour's walk. If you are really pressed, a map indicates the way to go…