TOP THINGS TO DO IN THE SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

10 Must-Do Experiences Including Skydive Franz Josef 

The South Island has a way of changing the scale of things. One minute you’re winding through rainforest, the next you’re standing beneath glaciers or looking out over a wild stretch of coastline. Planning the trip itself is easy. Choosing what really deserves your time is the hard part. 

From fiords and alpine peaks to lakes, glaciers and rugged West Coast scenery, the South Island delivers some of New Zealand’s most memorable travel experiences. The key isn’t ticking off every stop — it’s choosing experiences that help you get a feel for the place, not just photograph it. 

We’ve pulled together some of the top things to do in the South Island if you’re after iconic scenery, standout moments and experiences that will stay with you long after the journey ends. 

Why the South Island Stands Out 

What makes the South Island so special is its contrasts. You can travel from alpine landscapes to wild beaches, from glacier country to dark sky reserves, often in a single day. 

That variety is why so many South Island itineraries focus on: 

• • must‑do experiences 
  • bucket list activities 
  • iconic destinations like Franz Josef, Milford Sound, Queenstown and Mt Cook 

The most memorable trips usually mix classic scenery with one or two experiences that feel genuinely hard to replicate anywhere else. 

1. Skydive Franz Josef: one of the South Island’s true bucket list experiences 

If there’s one experience that captures the scale and contrast of the South Island in a single moment, it’s Skydive Franz Josef. 

From altitude, the landscape opens up in every direction. Glaciers spill out of the Southern Alps, rainforest stretches towards braided rivers, and the Tasman Sea sits quietly beyond the coast. It’s rare to see that many varieties in one view — and rarer still to experience it from the sky. 

Skydive Franz Josef offers jumps from a range of heights, including New Zealand’s highest skydive at 18,000ft, with up to 85 seconds of freefall, as well as lower options for those easing into the experience. What most people remember first, though, isn’t the freefall — it’s the moment the scenery really sinks in. 

Why it belongs on your South Island itinerary: 

• glacier‑to‑coast views in one jump 
• a true bucket list adventure 
• iconic West Coast scenery from a completely different perspective 

For travelers looking for more than a sightseeing stop, this is one of the South Island’s most distinctive experiences. 

2. Cruise Milford Sound 

Milford Sound is one of those places that lives up to its reputation. Towering cliffs, deep water, waterfalls and ever‑changing weather give it a sense of scale that’s hard to describe until you’re there. 

A cruise is one of the best ways to experience the fiord, taking you deep into the landscape and close to the waterfalls, with regular chances to spot seals, dolphins and penguins along the way. For many visitors, this is their first real sense of how dramatic the South Island can feel. 

3. Take a scenic flight 

Some South Island landscapes are simply too big to fully appreciate from the road. Scenic flights in places like Milford Sound, Queenstown, Mt Cook and the West Coast offer a completely different understanding of scale. 

Flying over alpine terrain, glaciers and remote valleys gives you access to scenery that’s otherwise difficult to reach — and often becomes a highlight for travelers short on time but keen to see as much as possible. 

4. Explore Franz Josef beyond the glacier 

Franz Josef is often seen as a glacier stop, but it rewards travelers who stay a little longer. The region combines rainforest walks, lake reflections, kayaking, helicopter experiences and classic West Coast scenery in one compact area. 

It’s an easy place to slow the pace of a South Island road trip while still packing in variety — especially when paired with a standout experience like skydiving.

5. Go all-in on Queenstown adventure 

Queenstown remains the South Island’s adventure capital. Jet boating, hiking, scenic flights, lake activities and wine regions all sit within easy reach. It’s a ‘must-do’ on any South Island itinerary, but it’s also a hot-spot for tourists and attract bigger numbers and a solid chunk out of your budget.  

It’s a great choice for a couple of high‑energy days, particularly when balanced with quieter destinations elsewhere on your trip. 

6. Stargaze in Tekapo or Kaikōura 

Not every South Island highlight is about movement. Stargazing offers a different kind of perspective. 

Lake Tekapo sits within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, while Kaikōura has its own recognised dark sky sanctuary. On a clear night, the experience is quiet, grounding and surprisingly memorable — especially after days filled with travel and adventure.  

7. Ride a scenic rail journey 

For a slower day that still delivers big scenery, a scenic rail journey is a strong addition to a South Island itinerary.  

These routes move through river valleys, hill country and alpine landscapes, offering a relaxed way to take in the changing terrain. It’s a reminder that not every standout experience needs to be high adrenaline. 

There are some great options from Christchurch; The Tranzalpine Train is an iconic connection between Christchurch and Greymouth, offering some of the best views the Southern Alps has on offer while the Coastal Pacific Train will take you to Picton as you gaze onto epic coastal views.  

8. Add a wildlife experience in Otago 

The Otago Peninsula and wider Dunedin region offer a different side of the South Island, with coastal landscapes and wildlife encounters that contrast nicely with alpine destinations. 

It’s a good way to balance a trip heavy on mountains and adventure activities. 

9. Land on a glacier in Mt Cook by Ski Plane 

A ski plane glacier landing in Mt Cook is one of those experiences that feels distinctly New Zealand.  It is after all the place where the ski-plane was designed and built over 70 years ago.  

Flying into the Aoraki / Mount Cook region is impressive in its own right. Touching down high in the alpine environment takes it further, offering access to glacier terrain and expansive views of the Southern Alps that few experiences can match. Be sure to visit Mt Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters for a range of scenic options and glacier adventures.  

10. Cycle or hike through one of the South Island’s scenic regions 

Walking and cycling are some of the best ways to experience the South Island at ground level. Regions like Nelson Tasman, Wānaka, Queenstown, Mt Cook and the West Coast offer options for a wide range of fitness levels and timeframes. 

One active day on foot or bike pairs well with a major scenic or aviation experience elsewhere in your trip. 

Choose at least one experience you cannot replicate elsewhere 

Most people remember one moment more clearly than the rest of their South Island trip. 

That might be: 

• a skydive above glaciers and coastline 
• a scenic flight over the Southern Alps 
• a glacier landing in Mt Cook 
• cruising through Milford Sound 
• stargazing under some of the clearest skies in New Zealand 

For many travellers, Skydive Franz Josef becomes that moment. Not just for the adrenaline, but for the rare combination of glacier, rainforest, mountains and ocean — all seen in a single jump. 

Why Skydive Franz Josef stands out 

There are plenty of incredible things to do in the South Island.

Very few combine: 

• adrenaline 
• dramatic glacier and coastal scenery 
• iconic West Coast landscapes 
• a story people talk about long after they get home 

That’s what makes Skydive Franz Josef memorable. It’s not just the jump — it’s where you do it and even more so if it’s your first time.  

Final thoughts: what are the best things to do in the South Island? 

If you’re working with limited time, focus on experiences that feel genuinely distinctive. 

A well‑balanced South Island trip often includes: 

• one classic scenic icon, like Milford Sound 
• one alpine aviation experience 
• one slower, grounding moment, like stargazing 
• one major adventure activity 

 And if you want that adventure to be the moment that defines the trip, Skydive Franz Josef deserves a place near the top of your list. 

Glaciers to coastline. All in one jump. 

Q&A

Question: What are the best things to do in the South Island of New Zealand? 
Short answer: Some of the best things to do in the South Island include cruising Milford Sound, skydiving in Franz Josef, taking a scenic helicopter flight, landing on a glacier in Mt Cook, stargazing in Tekapo or Kaikōura, and exploring Queenstown adventure activities. 

Question: Is Skydive Franz Josef worth it? 
Short answer: Yes, especially for travelers wanting a standout bucket list experience. Skydive Franz Josef combines adrenaline with views of glaciers, rainforest, mountains, rivers and the West Coast ocean. 

Question: Why is Franz Josef a popular place to visit? 
Short answer: Franz Josef is popular because it combines glacier country, rainforest, lakes, adventure activities and classic West Coast scenery in one compact destination. 

Question: What makes the South Island unique? 
Short answer: The South Island stands out for its contrast. Glaciers, fiords, mountains, coastline, dark skies and adventure destinations are all packed into one region, making it one of New Zealand’s most varied travel experiences.