The most beautiful natural sites to discover South Island

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.

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.

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.

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.

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…

Located at the foot of the Skyline Gondola, what was once an unofficial dump site is now a two-hectare sanctuary that you can visit in an hour or more and discover its various feathered residents, including the famous kiwis. For forty years, the Kiwi And Birdlife Park has also been helping to release specimens back into the wild. In addition to the bird species, the famous tuatara lizard and bees can also be seen. A souvenir store and a café are available in the park.

We have been coming here since 1992 to observe the Oamaru Blue Penguins by day, by night, or both, in their natural environment. If we are lucky, we can also come during the nesting period of the smallest penguins in the world. You can observe these marvels from a specially designed platform. Every evening, the center offers you to contemplate them returning home after their day of fishing at sea. All this is accompanied by comments from the guides.

A popular destination for nature lovers, Rakiura National Park was established on Stewart Island in March 2002. It is the fourteenth of New Zealand's national parks. Covering 165,000 hectares, it covers no less than 90% of the island and is home to the rare Brown Kiwi. Despite the introduced predators, one can enjoy lush forests composed of rimu, kamahi and giant ferns. Birds are plentiful and nearly 50 different species are present, including cormorants, white herons, wekas, wood pigeons, kakas, fantails, tuis, robins, etc. Not to mention the blue penguin and marine mammals, such as fur seals and dolphins (especially Hector's dolphin). With its fine sandy beaches and wide sand dunes, Rakiura is a paradise that begs to be explored thanks to its 280 kilometers of trails designed for the joy of hikers. Indeed, the park's hiking trails offer breathtaking views of the surrounding nature, including dense forests, wild coastlines and secluded beaches like Mason Bay where you are more likely to see kiwis. Without going for the big ten-day hike, the great walk Rakiura track is accessible to all travelers over three days (even one day if you have the courage). The surrounding waters also offer fishing, kayaking, and whale and dolphin watching opportunities. This national park offers an unforgettable travel experience.

The Haast Pass is a beautiful pass that you will have to cross on this privileged route. At 563 meters above sea level, it is located in the Mount Aspiring National Park and was used by the Maoris who went to the west coast to find jade. Surrounded by high peaks but rarely covered by snow, it is usually accessible in winter. You should take the time to admire the magnificent landscapes that this route offers and many stops are planned for this purpose. The waterfalls and green forests are particularly impressive.

A nice walk down to the beach, accessing beautiful dunes occupied by sea lions.

It is here that the only continental colony of albatrosses in the southern hemisphere nests. The right of access is not free. However, if you are lucky, the albatrosses are visible on windy days. You will have to push the doors of the center to observe nesting and courtship. It is a magnificent viewpoint for little blue penguins, cormorants, royal spoonbills, red-billed gulls, petrels, shearwaters! No less than 10,000 seabirds have taken up residence here. Most of them are only tenants half of the year. Binoculars recommended!

A beautiful 40-minute walk on a hill giving a panoramic view of the entire peninsula and the surrounding islets. This mini trek is not very well known but is worth a visit.