Visit the South Island of NZ to discover an otherworldly wonderland of forests, mountains, lakes, beaches, fjords and unique wildlife.
Here are the top places for families to visit in NZ’s South Island.
The picture-book-pretty coastal town of Kaikōura is an easy two-hour drive north of Christchurch on the South Island of NZ. Kaikōura is the spot for all things marine, from wildlife encounters to seafood extravaganzas.
Eat the freshest fish and crayfish then take a hike along one of the coastal walks. Kaikōura provides the perfect base for wildlife experiences of all kinds – from seals to seabirds. The resident population of sperm whales can be seen year-round. You’ll see seals sunning themselves on sea rocks beside the highway.
The highlight of any visit would have to be a face-to-fin encounter with Kaikōura’s famous dusky dolphins as they leap and play.
Christchurch is an ever-evolving beauty where urban regeneration and heritage thrive. Take a punt down the pretty Avon River, enjoy street art, view cutting-edge architecture nestled alongside some of the oldest buildings in New Zealand, explore world-class museums, let the kids run wild in the city’s gorgeous green spaces, or take the gondola up to Mount Cavendish for breathtaking views.
At the International Antarctic Centre, adventure seekers can enter a polar storm, take an all-terrain vehicle tour and get up close with penguins and huskies as you learn about past explorers and the future of the Antarctic.
Christchurch is surrounded by a cornucopia of remarkable natural wonders from glassy lakes, ancient glaciers and mountains to volcanic hot pools and verdant rainforest. The city also provides an excellent base to explore the South Island’s Banks Peninsula, the Southern Alps and Canterbury Plains.
Dunedin is often referred to as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’. This quirky city on the South Island of NZ delivers everything you want from a holiday. Think ancient castles, natural pyramids, interactive museums, beach-laden coastlines, epic wildlife and art-filled streets.
Exploring ancient castles, interactive museums, beaches and epic wildlife.
Aleney de Winter discovers Dunedin may just be the coolest family destination in New Zealand’s South Island, and not only due to its famously...
Famed for its abundance of action-packed activities for kids of all ages and access to some of the Southern Hemisphere’s most incredible ski resorts, we always feel the call of Queenstown. There’s so much to see and do in Queenstown all year round it’s hard to know where to begin.
Described by Rudyard Kipling as the Eighth Wonder of the World, the South Island’s Fiordland is one of the most stunning parts of New Zealand. This dramatic landscape of cascading waterfalls, shimmering lakes, expansive fjords and ancient rainforest forms the backdrop to breathtaking adventures on foot or water.
Take a full day to discover Milford Sound, which was carved by glaciers during the Ice Age and boasts skyscraping peaks. The best way for families to explore its majesty is by boat, and kids can learn about the local marine life at an underwater observatory at Harrison Cove.
New Zealand’s Glacier Country offers a raft of free outdoor activities for families. Located on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Westland Tai Poutini National Park is the heart and soul of Glacier Country.
Extending from the highest peaks of the Southern Alps to the rugged beaches of the wild coastline, you can explore by foot or helicopter. There’s an easy walk to the foot of Franz Josef Glacier along the river valley which boasts striking crevasses and ice caves or take the 30-minute Glacier Valley Walk to the Fox Glacier viewpoint. Either way, young Frozen fans will be inspired to live their best Elsa lives.
Oamaru is known for its penguin colonies and its preserved Victorian streetscapes. Here, a penny-farthing remains a suitable means of getting around. Oamaru is located in the Waitaki District in the Canterbury and Otago regions of the South Island. It has a rich history and proud heritage.
It’s also home to Steampunk HQ, a crazy, quirky and unique museum of bizarre fire-spitting, smoke-billowing machinery accompanied by projections and sound that must be seen to be believed.
Kids love a pancake? Then they’re going to love Punakaiki Pancake Rocks on the West Coast. Although they won’t be able to eat these curious limestone formations.
Formed 30 million years ago, columns of water shoot skyward from piles of stacked rocks and blowholes that resemble a plate of giant pancakes. The extraordinary rocks are easily accessed by a pathway that’s suitable for both little legs and wheelchairs (with assistance).
This article originally appeared in Holidays with Kids magazine. Subscribe to the latest issue here.
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