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Things To Do
13 Best Things To Do In Mount Cook Village, New Zealand

Mount Cook Village, also known as Aoraki, sits under the highest mountain in the region -- Mount Cook, the "Cloud Piercer". The alpine village is like a fairytale setting: a place surrounded by peaks, peppered with glaciers, and where snow doesn't cease to fall. It is an adventurer's dream with endless, unspoilt natural beauty to explore. Mount Cook Village seems to exist to awaken mankind's most primal instincts, to make us remember how magnificent this planet can be. It demands its visitors to be truly immersed by the mountains and to realise how small they are and how big they can be. So, when you find yourself in one of the Airbnb vacation rentals there, do what the mountains ask and experience something new, something you've never done before. From seeing the glaciers up close to hopping on a scenic flight, make sure your visit to Mount Cook is much more than a visit: it needs to be a revolution, an earthquake of who you are. The following list is to be taken very seriously: every single one of our suggestions of things to do in Mount Cook Village has enough potential to change your life, even if it's just by adding a thousand memories to it. It will feel like a bucket list but the best thing about it is that you can do everything in just one place. Start from the beginning or from the very end; explore the best things to do in Mount Cook Village, New Zealand.
Things To Do
7 Best Things To Do In Milford Sound, New Zealand

Milford Sound, situated on the west coast of South Island, New Zealand, is a stunning fiord which sports beautiful waterfalls, wonderful wildlife and breath-taking scenery. Rudyard Kipling once called it the eighth Wonder of the World, and it's easy to see why! There are a range of ways to explore and learn about this awesome area, from cruises to hiking tours to museums and observatories - you'll be spoilt for choice. Keen adventurers and photographers take note: this is not an opportunity to be missed while visiting New Zealand! Here's our list of the top attractions and tours to make the most out of Milford Sound.
Things To Do
10 Awesome Things To Do In Timaru, NZ

Take a break in Timaru and enjoy the beachside attractions of Caroline Bay. You'll find botanic gardens, an aviary and wonderful walks in the southern Canterbury region of New Zealand. Aside from the beautiful sceneries, you can also take your pick from the wide selection of places to stay here, which include Airbnb vacation rentals and holiday homes, which are perfect for family getaways. As for fun activities, there's so much to enjoy here including outdoor recreational activities that you and your family will surely enjoy throughout your vacation. Read our complete list of the things to do in Timaru, NZ.
Romantic Getaways
10 Best Romantic Getaways In South Island, New Zealand

Known for its stunning natural beauty, South Island is home to snow-capped mountains, turquoise lakes, serene beaches and verdant forests. It is known for its picturesque lakes, such as Lake Wakatipu and Lake Hawea, which offer opportunities for boating, fishing and other outdoor activities. Mount Aspiring National Park and Abel Tasman National Park are ideal spots to visit for adventure seekers. There are also plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting, including the famous Kiwi bird, penguins, seals and dolphins. It is also known for its fine dining experiences, with plenty of restaurants offering fresh seafood, local wines and other delicacies. If you're looking for a more laid-back experience with your partner, there are many charming towns and cities to explore, each with its own unique character and charm. Read on to discover the best romantic getaways in South Island, New Zealand.
Things To Do
11 Tours & Things To Do In Christchurch, New Zealand

Christchurch, New Zealand, which is famous for its English heritage, is a city found on the east coast of the South Island. The beauty of the city’s vast, lush and natural surroundings has earned for it numerous names. It is referred to as the Garden City because of the several parks and gardens that are just too enticing not to be explored. The city boasts of a diverse and exotic wildlife that became the perfect setting for the popular movie “Lord of the Rings”. Besides seeing the actual location of middle earth, Christchurch offers much more eye-popping scenery and nature inspired outdoor activities that will make your vacation complete. Let’s take a stroll down one of the city’s marvelous hiking trails as we begin a new adventure. Read on to find out about the best things to do in Christchurch, NZ:
Things To Do
Top 10 Ways To Explore And Enjoy Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

New Zealand is home to many dreamy and picturesque destinations. One of these is Lake Tekapo, which is situated southwest of Christchurch, within the Mackenzie Basin. It’s both a lake and a mountainous region, with some dramatic natural formations. Lake Tekapo is also home to several notable landmarks, such as the Church of the Good Shepard and its accompanying sheepdog monument. The lake itself is exquisite, with its turquoise waters that have a milky hue. Furthermore, Lake Tekapo attracts sky gazers, who gather to watch the clear night sky and dazzling southern lights. Let’s delve deeper into this magical place!
Best Places To Visit
5 Places Of Outstanding Beauty On South Island, New Zealand

Nearly 12,000 miles (19,000 km) stand between the UK and New Zealand. It’s as far away from anywhere as one can get and yet there’s a familiarity, a sense of belonging and home. Maybe it’s the friendly locals, or the protection it offers from being the last major land mass in the Southern Ocean before Antarctica, but New Zealand is magnificent and unspoilt. The scenery is spectacular, wonderful and occasionally a bit weird. This great outdoors can be experienced by standing in front of a vast lake or mountain and just breathing in. It’s where one could imagine that mindfulness originated, for such is the peace and tranquillity, that paying attention to the present moment is not difficult at all. Driving along the vast open roads, the South Island certainly has its fair share of natural beauty and the following are a handful of the natural wonders that are deserving of a moment or two of reflection.
What To Buy
What To Buy In Queenstown, New Zealand

Queenstown in New Zealand is famous for its breathtaking sights, exciting ski areas, and winter resorts, and its very enjoyable and adrenaline-pumping activities. But what makes Queenstown even more interesting is its very bizarre yet quirky art culture and their upscale modernism especially in their growing souvenir and craft industry. You will surely love all those ancient Maori crafts, Kiwi trinkets, and other stuff that you can only see in the city. So bring some pieces of Queenstown with you when you go home. You can even share it to everyone you love back home. Here's what to buy in Queenstown, New Zealand.
Road Trips
The Ultimate New Zealand South Island Road Trip

New Zealand was voted as the world's best country for 4 consecutive years. With its stunning backdrops, friendly locals, and chilled out atmosphere, it's no wonder why. The best way to take in all this country has to offer is to take things slowly by going on a road trip, cruising along those winding highways and through those towering mountains. Here's the ultimate guide for travelling around New Zealand's South Island! The road trip begins in Christchurch, in which you rent a car (we rented from Apex) or campervan and travel down south till Dunedin and Queenstown and make a loop back to Christchurch. It would be really helpful to have GPS or a SIM card so you can access Google Maps. This is just a draft for a 14-day road trip covering most of New Zealand's South Island and the important landmarks in each place. It is by no means exhaustive. Feel free to tweak or create your own itinerary with this as a reference! Now, let's head to Christchurch!
Things To Do
8 Remarkable Sites To See In Christchurch After The Earthquakes

In 2010 and 2011, Christchurch went through two big earthquakes, which destroyed tourist spots, heritage buildings and lives. Now, it is a city in transition with many interesting tourist spots, which shows both its past and future. This city is definitely one to recommend to all travellers who appreciate the past and like to see many things in one accessible city, as most places of interest are within walking distance!
Towns
Karitane, New Zealand: The Epitome Of Small Town

New Zealand has several big cities (if a couple of million people qualifies as big), but to get to the heart of New Zealand and what it is to be a New Zealander, you really have to leave the city. Climb the mountains, surf the breaks, and drive the backroads. There’s a little town just north of Dunedin on the South Island that is well worth a visit for just such an experience. In Karitane, you’ll find a single shop featuring a ‘happy birthday’ chalkboard, plenty of Māori culture and history, and a couple of rather lovely beaches to stroll along.
Things To Do
10 Best Ways To Discover Akaroa, New Zealand

The city of Akaroa is popular as the only French colony in New Zealand. The town is located in an ancient volcanic crater. It still preserves its French atmosphere with its traditional architecture, the French street names, and much more. Apart from French history, this city also has British heritage. In the Maori language, the term Akaroa signifies Long Harbor. It’s the harbor of the town that attracted French and British settlers to create a colony here. The less-crowded town is serene, where you can enjoy nature at its best. Staying in this place will provide you with a mountain of adventure, which might ultimately tempt you to come back for more, like the French settlers of the past. Read on to learn more about the best things to do in Akaroa:
Things To Do
12 Best Things To Do in Invercargill, NZ

Invercargill is not only the capital of the Southland province; it is also the southernmost city in New Zealand. The city was founded around 1850, which still bore the Victorian and Edwardian heritage. It also hosts to several vacation rentals and holiday homes. Apart from the architecture from the ancient arena, the city still has an old world charm which oozes out in various ways through this city. Read on to learn more about the best things to do in Invercargill, NZ
Things To Do
Top 9 Things To Do In Gore, New Zealand

New Zealand is dubbed the adventure capital of the world, bursting with adventuresome wonders. Above all else, the country boasts scenic landscapes and effervescent history. Gore is New Zealand's hidden gem and is often overlooked for its more popular cities. However, this little town encompasses the very spirit of New Zealand with its fascinating history captured in the rural setting, matched with modern facilities and quirky attractions. Popular with backpackers, Gore has a beautiful display of natural wonders and is dubbed the Brown Trout Capital of the World. Gore is also the official home of country music in New Zealand. For a bucolic experience, venture out to Gore and dabble in these attraction ssituated in and around this attractive little town. These are the best things to do in Gore, New Zealand.
Things To Do Alone
9 Best Things To Do Alone In Queenstown, New Zealand

Located in the South Island, Queenstown is a resort town with an urban population of just over 15 thousand people. The area is largely a tourist destination with some amazing attractions such as skiing and other adventure-filled activities. Since 2012 the city boasts at least 220 different tourist activities just in Queenstown alone so even if you're travelling solo through the city, there is no doubt there is always a bunch of amazing things to do. And don't fret! even if you're not into the adventure tourism-style of experiencing a city, there are still lots of low key activities that are perfect for a solo tourist. Here are some of the best things to do alone in Queenstown, New Zealand.
Things To Do
15 Exciting Things To Do In Dunedin, NZ

Are you up for a wild adventure? Dunedin is an ideal place to go if you are the wanderlust type. Everywhere you turn, the city is covered with beaches and wide open spaces. Its rich lush landscape is the sanctuary of the most exotic birds and wildlife on the planet. Dunedin is one of the most exciting places to be. That is probably why there is such a large population of students in the oldest city of New Zealand. Each historical landmark has a fascinating story to tell about its origins. The city has a distinct European heritage that is evident in its structures. It is also a melting pot of very diverse cultures. The influx of students to Dunedin has greatly influenced their museums and art galleries and comprises the growing artistic population. Let us take a tour of some of the most exciting things to do in Dunedin. At the end of the trip, you will want to see even more.
Things To Do
10 Things To Do In Twizel, NZ

Twizel and its surrounding areas boasting of potentially some of the most spectacular sights you can witness in the whole of New Zealand, which are guaranteed to make your trip worth it. A base for adrenaline junkies and adventure sports enthusiasts, Twizel has everything from mountain climbing, kayaking, mountain biking to skiing, horse trekking, and hiking to offer to its visitors. It is also popular among fishing enthusiasts for fishing salmon and trout. The town experiences a heavy footfall of visitors in the summer months with the population becoming more than threefold its usual. With so many tourists visiting this beautiful place, you can expect many accommodation options here including holiday homes. Read on to find out about the best things to do in Twizel, NZ:
Things To Do
19 Best Things To Do In Picton, New Zealand

Known for its indescribably beautiful landscape and the famous neighboring region of Marlborough wine country, Picton, New Zealand continues to draw in both domestic and international visitors. Located on the northern coast of the South Island of New Zealand, the city is reputed as a gateway to the geographically stunning islands and waters of the Marlborough Sounds. Picton provides many opportunities for sightseeing among its varied ecosystems -- hike through the surrounding hills and valleys; scuba and snorkel in the bay; meet the animal inhabitants in their sanctuary. And, of course, sample the locally made and internationally renowned wines of New Zealand. For accommodation, the hotels in Picton are perfect for conventional stays while those after immersive experiences can alternatively book their holiday in Airbnb vacation rentals. To get your vacation plans rolling, keep reading for a list of the best things to do in Picton, New Zealand.

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