A solitary, crooked crack willow tree sits alone on Lake Wanaka, backdropped by the Southern Alps.
Address Roys Bay 59 Wanaka Mount Aspiring Road, Wānaka 9305, New Zealand
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New Zealand
South Island, New Zealand 🇳🇿
Michael's list for South Island, New Zealand 🇳🇿
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Astro Cafe
A mountaintop observatory cafe with sweeping views of Lake Tekapo and the Southern Alps, popular for pies, cakes, and coffee.
Address Godley Peaks Road, Lake Tekapo 7945, New Zealand
Athol Art Gallery
Features rotating South Island art including mixed-media and metal sculptures, with friendly staff and an on-site café.
Address 1121 Garston-Athol Highway, Athol 9793, New Zealand
Big Fig Wanaka
Popular
A casual Wānaka café with a unique plate-size concept for building wholesome meals with Mediterranean-leaning salads, roasted veg, and proteins like beef cheeks.
Address 105 Ardmore Street, Wānaka 9305, New Zealand
Blue Pools
An easy forest walk leading to vivid turquoise pools crossed by suspension bridges, a popular swimming spot along Haast Pass on the South Island.
Address Blue Pools Track, Otago Region 9382, New Zealand
Cardrona Bra Fence
Since 1999 this controversial roadside fence in the Cardrona Valley has collected thousands of bras, doubling as a breast cancer awareness fundraiser for passing road-trippers.
Address 2125 Cardrona Valley Road, Cardrona 9382, New Zealand
Cardrona Distillery
A family-run distillery in the Cardrona Valley producing single malt whiskey, gin, and vodka, with guided tours led by passionate experts who walk guests through the full distilling and bottling process.
Address 2125 Cardrona Valley Road, Wānaka 9382, New Zealand
Cardrona Hotel
A historic gold-rush-era pub-hotel in the Cardrona Valley, offering rustic charm and hearty Kiwi hospitality in an alpine setting.
Address Cardrona Valley Road, Cardrona 9382, New Zealand
A scenic roadside stop between Queenstown and Kingston with sweeping views across Lake Wakatipu to the surrounding mountain ranges, popular for photography and quick scenic breaks.
Address 2911 Kingston Road, Kingston 9793, New Zealand
Five Rivers Cafe
A beloved countryside cafe between Queenstown and Te Anau with a cozy fireplace, beloved cheese rolls and scones, and friendly farm animals.
Address 1963 Mossburn-Five Rivers Road, Lumsden 9793, New Zealand
Garston Hunny Shop
A beloved Garston honey shop offering free tastings of manuka, wild thyme, and local varietals, with knowledgeable staff guiding visitors through the selection.
Address 5 Garston-Athol Highway, Garston 9793, New Zealand
Glow Worm Dell
A free natural canyon just minutes from State Highway 6, where thousands of glow worms create a living lightshow along the gorge walls after dark.
Address State Highway 6, Hokitika 7882, New Zealand
High Country Salmon
A salmon farm and café where visitors can hand-feed live salmon and enjoy fresh sashimi, smoked salmon, and salmon kebabs alongside excellent coffee and desserts in a casual, trendy setting.
Address 2602 Twizel-Omarama Road, Twizel 7999, New Zealand
Address 49 Monteith Road, Albert Town 9382, New Zealand
Hooker Valley track
Popular
A popular 5-km alpine track in Mount Cook National Park leading to Hooker Lake, known for sweeping views of Aoraki and floating icebergs.
Address Hooker Valley Track, Mt Cook National Park 7999, New Zealand
Hot Tubs Omarama
Private mineral hot tubs and sauna with pond and mountain views, offering wood-heated soaking sessions and on-site pizza—a perfect post-Mount Cook stop.
Address Main Omarama Twizel Highway, 29 Omarama Avenue, Omarama 9448, New Zealand
Kea Point
An accessible viewing platform along an easy 1-hour return trail with sweeping views of Mueller Glacier and Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Address NT$17,358
Kingston Corner Shop & Cafe
A beloved local hub with excellent coffee, hearty homemade pies, and fried chicken, popular with road-trippers and locals alike.
Address 1 Kent Street, Kingston 9793, New Zealand
Address 221 Kent Street, Kingston 9373, New Zealand
A roadside viewpoint famous for its vivid turquoise glacial water and sweeping views of Aoraki/Mount Cook on clear days.
Address Hayman Road, Pukaki 7999, New Zealand
Mt Cook Alpine Salmon Shop
A lakeside salmon shop at Lake Pukaki with stunning Mt Cook views, serving exceptionally fresh farm-raised sashimi and wasabi-coated cuts.
Address Lake Pukaki Information Centre, Pukaki 7999, New Zealand
Upscale day spa offering private, cedar-lined hot tubs overlooking Shotover River canyon.
Address 160 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point, Queenstown 9371, New Zealand
Poppies Cafe
Casual cafe in Twizel offering high-quality breakfast, lunch, and dinner with popular dishes like lamb curry and eggs benedict, plus great coffee and outdoor seating.
Address 1 Benmore Place, Twizel 7901, New Zealand
Punanga Manu o Te Anau / Te Anau Bird Sanctuary
A donation-funded bird sanctuary specializing in breeding and displaying endangered New Zealand native birds, most notably the rare takahe, with self-guided walks and feeding encounters alongside lake views.
Address RD 162 Manapouri Te Anau Highway, Te Anau 9679, New Zealand
Puzzling World
A sprawling Wanaka attraction with a multi-level outdoor maze, interactive illusion rooms, and puzzle tables in an onsite café, offering hours of family-friendly entertainment.
Address 188 Wanaka-Luggate Highway, Wanaka, Wānaka 9382, New Zealand
Roys Peak Lookout
Popular
A steep, iconic alpine hike near Wanaka rewarding visitors with sweeping panoramic views over Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountains, popular for sunrise and requiring trekking poles on the exposed, uneven track.
Address 2, Glendhu Bay 9382, New Zealand
Tasman Glacier Viewpoint
Popular
A steep stair climb rewards visitors with sweeping views over Tasman Lake, floating icebergs, and the surrounding peaks of Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park.
Address Canterbury Region 7999, New Zealand
Tekapo Chinese Stargazing
Guided stargazing experiences in Lake Tekapo's internationally recognized dark sky reserve, with Chinese-language storytelling, professional telescopes, and views of the Southern Cross and Aurora Australis.
Address NT$4,007
Tekapo Springs
Alpine thermal complex offering warm soaking pools, sauna rooms, ice skating, and guided stargazing with telescopes against stunning Mount John and lake panoramas.
Address 300 Lakeside Drive, Lake Tekapo 7945, New Zealand
Rooftop dining with sunset views over Manapouri, known for fresh Fiordland seafood like blue cod and chowder.
Address 23 Waiau Street, Manapouri 9679, New Zealand
The Church of the Good Shepherd
A picturesque church set against Lake Tekapo and mountain backdrops, popular for stunning daytime and night photography.
Address Pioneer Drive, Lake Tekapo 7999, New Zealand
The Fat Duck
A town-centre favorite with venison, lamb, and seafood chowder alongside local craft beers and cocktails, plus occasional live music.
Address 124 Town Centre, Te Anau 9600, New Zealand
The Sauna Wānaka
A lakeside wood-fired sauna offering guided cold plunge and breathwork sessions with panoramic mountain views.
Address 197 Outlet Road, Central Otago, Wānaka 9305, New Zealand
A scenic swing bridge along the popular Hooker Valley track in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, offering memorable views and an accessible stop on the hike to Hooker Lake.
Address 74V2+Q2 Tasman River, New Zealand
Rural complex with alpacas, landscaped gardens & a cafe, plus a shop selling honey, oil & soaps.
Address 36 Morris Road, Wānaka 9382, New Zealand
Address 100 Ardmore Street, Wānaka 9305, New Zealand
A hillside war memorial with panoramic views over Lake Wānaka and a plaque identifying the surrounding mountains.
Address 11 Upton Street, Wānaka 9305, New Zealand