South Island Glamping

New Zealand holidays on the South Island are sure to be full of outdoor adventure with so much to do. Kaikoura, on the island’s east coast, is a great place for year-round whale watching. In the north, the Marlborough region is famed for its vineyard and winemaking, perfect for a romantic getaway for couples.  

New Zealand’s South Island is widely known for its long-distance hiking trails, like the Fiordland’s Milford Track, which crosses temperate rainforests, waterfalls, and glacial valleys. 

Book your South Island holiday in New Zealand and head to the perfect accommodation to start your adventure. With so much to see and do, a trip here is perfect for the whole family!

From Christchurch to Queenstown, Dunedin to Nelson, there are so many things to do on New Zealand’s South Island. However, on our South Island road trips, a special few must-do activities have risen to the top of the list. 

The first thing on our South Island itinerary would be a visit to Abel Tasman National Park. Abel Tasman is near the city of Nelson and its sheltered coves and inlets make ideal settings for kayaking and sailing, as well as the opportunity to see seals and dolphins who live in these waters! The Abel Tasman Coastal Track is also a great place to hike along the coast, following the limestone cliffs and golden beaches of the north coast. 

Moving down the coast make sure to stop and visit the picture-perfect Hokitika Gorge with its vivid turquoise waters before heading east to Aoraki / Mt. Cook. Explore New Zealand’s highest peak by hiking the Hooker Valley Track. Still moving a little further south, your New Zealand holidays will bring you to Mt. Aspiring National Park, accessible from Wanaka. The national park is home to an unforgettable wilderness and has plenty of activities for outdoor enthusiasts from hiking to jet skiing. 

No South Island itinerary would be complete without a visit to Queenstown. This stunning lakeside town is widely considered the adventure capital, not only of New Zealand but the whole world. There is something for everyone here, from bungee jumping and jet skiing to whitewater rafting, sky dying, and canyoning! 

For those looking for something a bit more relaxed, the nearby Central Otago region is a stark contrast to Queenstown, with a rolling landscape characterized by a multitude of wineries, some renowned the world over for their Pinot Noir. Last, but not least, no glamping holiday in New Zealand’s South Island would be complete without cruising the fjords and visiting places like Milford Sound. 

Carved out over millions of years of glacial activity, the landscape left behind is probably one of the most impressive in the world. With cliffs and unimaginable waterfalls, a water cruise through Fiordland National Park is a must. This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to places like Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound and is easy to access from towns like Te Anau. 

There is so much to do on the South Island, visitors often find themselves needing more time just to do it all! 

No matter what time of year you visit, there is plenty to do outside, it just depends on what kind of holiday in New Zealand you want to plan. 

New Zealand’s winter runs from June through August and temperatures on the South Island tend to stay around 7-12⁰C (44-53⁰F). Head to the Queenstown ski resorts like Cardrona, Treble Cone, or Coronet Peak. 

Summer in New Zealand is from December to February and is one of the more popular times of year to visit the South Island. During the summer temperatures stay around 20-24⁰C (68-75⁰F). 

The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn have temperatures ranging from 13-19⁰C (55-66⁰F) in the spring and 13-19⁰C (55-66⁰F) in the autumn.

There are several incredible places to go glamping in New Zealand, making it difficult to narrow it down. However, if you’re seeking open space, natural beauty, and dramatic landscapes, the South Island is the place to be. Here you will find plenty to do for the whole family or a romantic break with your partner. Use our search filter to refine your options and choose the best place for you!

If you’re seeking a glamping trip to New Zealand with plenty of home comforts and added luxury, pods are perfect! Luckily enough, you will find plenty of these on New Zealand’s South Island. This means you get to explore this beautiful part of the country all with somewhere great to relax and unwind afterwards.

If you’re looking to visit New Zealand’s South Island with your furry friends there are plenty of dog-friendly glamping types available here. This provides the perfect way to adventure on the island with your four-legged companion by your side.