Things to Do in South Island

Wine and Waipara go hand in hand. Its proximity to Christchurch makes it an easy day trip, by wine lovers often decide to stay and sip a while.

The Waipara Valley is one of New Zealand's newest wine areas. Known for Pinot Noir and Riesling, the area is growing in size and popularity. And just like many other wine regions around the world, with good wine comes good food. Olive groves, nut farms and fields of lavender are popular stops visitors can add to their itinerary.

Train lovers will want to ride the Weka Pass Railway. Using both vintage steam and diesel-electric locomotives, on scheduled Sundays, trains travel to Waikari, covering almost 13 kilometers of scenery. The Weka Pass Railway is run entirely by volunteers.

The Catlins landscape south of Dunedin is unlike anywhere else in New Zealand. Waves carve at a forested coastline and waterfalls spill through the trees"”the most spectacular of which is McLean Falls, a two-tiered, bridal-veiled beauty. As part of the Catlins Conservation Park, McLean Falls is hidden down a scenic, tree-lined trail, and broken up into two sets of falls that tower over 70 feet (21 meters) while crashing on moss-covered rocks. This part of New Zealand is sparsely populated, and you truly feel a connection to nature when hiking the trail to the falls, where ferns and trees in every shade of green form a colorful canopy around you. Since the area is so remote, however, one of the best ways to experience the falls is on a private tour of the Catlins, where a local guide helps plan an exceptional day trip from Dunedin.

 

Insider's Tip: McLean Falls is the second waterfall you encounter along the trail, so don't turn around at the first waterfall and walk away underwhelmed.

Rising 141 feet (42 meters) above the turquoise waters of dramatic Kawarau Gorge, no attraction is more iconic to Queenstown than the historic Kawarau Suspension Bridge. Most thrill-seekers know that the bridge is the site of the world's first commercial bungee jump. It's still possible to leap from a platform suspended from the bridge where it all began. 

Today, hundreds of visitors flock to the Kawarau Suspension Bridge to watch people bungee into the gorge. If you're brave enough to dive the equivalent height of a 10-story building, the experience lets you touch or fully immerse in the aquamarine waters. The Kawarau Zipride is a more recent addition. Ride solo or tandem"”or even turn upside-down"”across suspension cables above the river. There's a reason why nearby Queenstown proclaims itself the "Adventure Capital of the World."

Located on State Highway 6 (SH6) in the Gibbston Valley, the bridge is only about 30 minutes north of Queenstown and lies even closer to Arrowtown. Plenty of tour groups will shuttle you to the area if you book an activity with them. The intermediate-level Queenstown Trail offers bicyclists scenic views over wooden bridges en route.

The region is a year-round travel destination. Outdoor enthusiasts find spring and summer (September through February) especially popular, with river tours in high demand during warmer months. In autumn (March through May), the rocky slopes surrounding the Kawarau River turn brilliant shades, and skies tend toward clear blue. Bridge activities operate daily. 

Originally this rustic bridge, built in 1880, connected Queenstown with the Otago gold fields. With the construction of an asphalt highway, however, traffic moved away from the bridge and it became frequented by bikers and joggers. The bridge would not become famous for bungee jumping until 1988, when adventure-seeker A.J. Hackett decided to strap a bungee cord around his ankles and splash into the waters below.

This isolated island off the coast of New Zealand is a Mecca for birders thanks a predator-free environment that supports dozens of species of winged creatures that can no longer thrive on the mainland. Visitors will find South Island saddlebacks, yellowhead and Steward Island robins, southern brown kiwis, red-fronted parakeets and even the South Island kaka forest parrot. Travelers can explore the breathtaking landscapes that include unique plant species and beautiful flowers and get an up close look at portions of the island that endangered yellow-eyed penguins use as their breeding grounds. Guided island walking tours are available with expert naturalists who can point out rare birds and unique plants on a stroll through the lush landscapes of Ulva Island.

On a sunny day, you'll find the best view in all of Dunedin is from the top of Signal Hill. This 1,289-foot forested promontory rises high above Dunedin Harbor, and offers sweeping views of the blue Pacific and green of the surrounding hills. On clear summer days you can find locals and visitors enjoying the uphill stroll to the summit, and mountain bikers whirring down the numerous trails that weave their way through the woods.

While walking maximizes the hill's beauty, there's also a road that winds its way up to the scenic reward at the top.  Not far from the Signal Hill summit, a large memorial commemorates New Zealand's 100th anniversary that took place in 1940, and two bronze statues on the side of the memorial are an ode to the original Scottish settlers who founded the waterfront town. 

Torlesse Wines is one of the older wineries in the Waipara Valley and owns the title of being the first winery in Waipara to bottle with a screw cap instead of a cork. It started with one wine, and now all of Torlesse Wines have screw caps.

The winery produces a dozen wines including sauvignon blanc, Gewurztraminer, rose and a cabernet. The Torlesse Cellar Door is open for tastings seven days a week, from 11am to 5pm.

Started in the early 1980s, the Waipara Springs Winery can brag about having some of the oldest vines in the Waipara Valley. Across more than 64 acres (26 hectares), the site grows Riesling, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, pinot noir and merlot vines.

Wine is produced from estate-grown fruit and is available to taste at the winery at the Southern Boundary Wines Cellar Door. Reservations are required for groups of eight or more. The winery also has a popular cafe that has a seasonal lunch menu focused on fresh local produce.

Pegasus Bay Winery is a family-owned and run winery and restaurant located in the Waipara Valley, north of Christchurch. Pegasus Bay wines are made with estate-grown fruit from the Donaldson family's vineyards.

The Donaldsons have been growing grapes and making wine since the early 1970s. A husband, wife and three sons team, the family uses natural methods, and the winery produces a sauvignon, Reisling, chardonnay, pinot noir, merlot and cabernet. The winery is also known for half a dozen reserve wines.